It's strange, I remember when Yamaha only made a 61 note TOTL a lot of posters complained about them for not making a 76 Note version, now many of these posters are saying why do you need 76 Notes, there is just no pleasing some.

Bill

Unlike me, Don, you have an extra option to your keyboard – your voice. I’m not a singer like you, so I substitute my vocal with a piano voice, playing popular songs like Richard Clayderman does. Fortunately, the audience gets it too. But with 61 keys I tend to run out of keys quite often, have to switch octaves or play it lower. Just recently I discover some solution – to use full keyboard chord recognition. Takes some effort, but gives me an extra keys for playing what I need to play.

For a solo piano playing I’m thinking of getting a 76 keys not arranger keyboard: there are Roland Juno for $860, MODX for $1650. As for 76-keys arrangers, they are much more of a financial challenge: Pa4x $3360; Genos $4950. These are the prices here. Somehow not-arranger market is more flexible in this aspect.

The only reason I use 76ers is because I play an octave higher on the keyboard and lower the sound an octave. I could technically use a 61 as is, but is more comfortable for me my way.

Great to find someone who also enjoys Clayderman’s style of music, I was a big fan.

Yes, for Piano Style its necessary. Nice to have the flexibility to change my playing. And I think it just looks better, more professional, but thats just me.

Its a personal thing Bill, i was one of the advocates of a 76key (and 88 key ) arranger...and still am, that because as said i temd to use more then just left right parts and OTS..

I guess there have allways been 2 camps.. and most people based on their needs are still in the same camp

+1.... And now I am heading out the door to play a senior "gig" with a 61 key....

Dang it!!! The E-A7 (61 keys) was perfect for the senior jobs.. Worked flawlessly, mic sounds good , and great on board speakers for monitors.. I carry the Marantz, but used it just to support the on board speakers.. they are that good in these settings.

And single button transpose..

First thing I noticed when I got the PA900 was that the mic pre didn't sound as good as the E-A7 to my ears.

Maybe 76 or 88 isn't necessary for most OMB type players, especially that sing , but I think it's a great option for those players that want to go back a forth between solo piano and style play.