Donny, are you saying you couldn't listen to 3 - 4 hours of Oscar Peterson or Joey D ???

With all due respect, I vehemently disagree. That key element of musicians interacting with each other live is half the magic of a live performance. Dave, I don't think YOU even believe that interacting with an ipad or laptop (or even an arranger kb) is the same as musically interacting with other musicians live. I'm not saying one is more practical than the other or, in some cases, even better than the other; I'm just saying, no way are they equivalent. At least not to me. I truly respect your long and varied experience as a true professional musician BUT, I think you're wrong on this one. JMO, though.

chas

Regarding back up ... I haven't done it, but I should have backing tracks for about 2 hours worth (for variety) of songs on my tablet, JUST IN CASE something happened to the kb during a 'senior' gig ...
But along with singing, my joy comes from PLAYING my kb - initiating chord changes, playing fills, playing a solo during the song ...
As some here may remember, in addition to my solo work, I did sing to backing tracks with a female vocalist for a while ... She has retired for health reasons, and while I thoroughly enjoyed performing together, it did not give me the satisfaction that playing and singing does ...
But that's just me ...

Tony although I like the ones you mentioned and so many more like
Tony Monaco, Liberace, Tommy Emanuel, Buddy Rich, etc,etc,
I get bored easily when I hear the same sound on every song
I like variety and creativeness...
take care

But the creativity and variety is within the song they are playing ...

yes but the SOUND of the instrument is always the same..

Chas hit it on the nose. National guitar player/singers choose their back-up players to follow and "sweeten" their performances.

That non-verbal interaction is a big part of what musical excellence is about. Also, what happens when you need to repeat a verse?
Can't do it with tracks.


R.

Russ you can easily use smf markers to repeat verses
& chorus easily on most keyboard sequencers..





[video:youtube][/video]

Wow,
Doesn’t say much about the audiences nowadays. Sad.

Rikki, I recently saw a three piece band performing in an upscale restaurant, and for the most part, the entire audience was glued to their smart phones and paid absolutely no attention to the entertainers, who, I might add, were very talented. You are absolutely correct, this is sad!

Gary