Since the 80's I've enjoyed Chris Isaak’s music. I've owned several albums over the years as well, Forever Blue being one of my top-5 all-time favorites!
Link to website
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
UPDATE: Stands, Keys, Teachers, Music, Strings, Boating...
I ended up purchasing a standard double-X style stand by On-Stage Stands.
Easy, cheap, sturdy enough for one keyboard. The 2nd tier is terrible, as I'm starting to realize with all keyboard stands, they just can't get the upper tiers right for my needs. So I give up, I'm using the stand for my Korg SV-1 with it's music stand and that's it! I rearranged my keyboards into more of an L shape that allows me to play left hand on my 2nd keyboard.
Which brings me to new keys:
I bought a Roland RS-9 from my local guitar center. It was mislabeled as an R59 and priced way under value! A nice 88 key design from 2001. 500+ patches, fairly standard Roland sounds. Great key action, better than I ever expected. But this thing is LONG! Taking up almost 60 inches of desk space. It is just too big. I occurred to me right after getting it home, it would have to go. Plus it whet my whistle for a board that had more options with rhythm and sequencing abilities, a larger LCD screen and more expandable options.
So on ebay it went and 24 hours later it was sold to a nice lady from Canada (by way of New York shipping!) and I placed my bid on a Roland Juno-G workstation.
Easy, cheap, sturdy enough for one keyboard. The 2nd tier is terrible, as I'm starting to realize with all keyboard stands, they just can't get the upper tiers right for my needs. So I give up, I'm using the stand for my Korg SV-1 with it's music stand and that's it! I rearranged my keyboards into more of an L shape that allows me to play left hand on my 2nd keyboard.
Which brings me to new keys:
So on ebay it went and 24 hours later it was sold to a nice lady from Canada (by way of New York shipping!) and I placed my bid on a Roland Juno-G workstation.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
"She will have her way" - Ah, music, my muse, guide me, please!
I loved Crowded House when they got popular around '86 or '87. "Don't Dream it's Over" will forever be an anthem for me of those years. Back when music wasn't overtly sexual, violent but positive, uplifting and fun. Back when music videos were an extension of the artist's creativity and were fun to watch. It's nice to see Neil Finn, of Crowded House (now solo), still enjoys embracing that.
Neil's latest album Try Whistling This is a testament to me that good songwriting still exists. Along with guys like Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne and soundtrack work on films like "That thing you do" and Music and Lyrics, they keep that spirit alive.
It's been a confusing month or so, I've been heading in a direction, trying to learn as much as can with the limited time I have to practice and play. It's been a little depressing as well. The more advanced I get, obviously, the harder it gets. So I've had to take a step back from piano right now and re-evaluate what I'm trying to accomplish. I think I had hoped to magically become a songwriter and I know that the first step is to just jump off that ledge, dive in, etc. But I can't seem to find the inspiration.
I often wonder, "what is it these people (songwriters) have that I don't have?" It boggles my mind, but that is only because I stand on the outside thinking how easy they make it look. I'm sure it's hard for them too. I sure they agonize and struggle and worry that others will think it sucks. It takes a lot of ego, somedays I just don't have it in me. :(
So I hope to get inspired by my latest muses: Neil, Adam, E, Van Morrison and a few more. They help me realize where I came from so that, hopefully, I can figure out where I want to go. I hope I get there someday!
Neil's latest album Try Whistling This is a testament to me that good songwriting still exists. Along with guys like Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne and soundtrack work on films like "That thing you do" and Music and Lyrics, they keep that spirit alive.
It's been a confusing month or so, I've been heading in a direction, trying to learn as much as can with the limited time I have to practice and play. It's been a little depressing as well. The more advanced I get, obviously, the harder it gets. So I've had to take a step back from piano right now and re-evaluate what I'm trying to accomplish. I think I had hoped to magically become a songwriter and I know that the first step is to just jump off that ledge, dive in, etc. But I can't seem to find the inspiration.
I often wonder, "what is it these people (songwriters) have that I don't have?" It boggles my mind, but that is only because I stand on the outside thinking how easy they make it look. I'm sure it's hard for them too. I sure they agonize and struggle and worry that others will think it sucks. It takes a lot of ego, somedays I just don't have it in me. :(
So I hope to get inspired by my latest muses: Neil, Adam, E, Van Morrison and a few more. They help me realize where I came from so that, hopefully, I can figure out where I want to go. I hope I get there someday!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
"Did you stand by me...No, not at all...Did you stand by me...No way!"
– Train in Vain, The Clash
The search for the “perfect” keyboard stand.
While looking for and trying many of the currently designed keyboard stands available, I can't seem to find one that will work for my needs. None of them are “flexible” enough in their design to allow the following things:
1. Must be low enough to be comfortable while sitting but adjustable for standing
2. Must have room for pedals
3. Must be easy to break down and move
4. Must be stable on a variety of surfaces
5. Must be attractively designed
6. Must be a safe perch for two keyboards
7. Must have enough room to use my lower keyboard's music stand comfortably
8. Would be nice if it had attachments for rack modules, music stands and microphones.
Maybe I should use an ironing board like Ironing Board Sam?
While looking for and trying many of the currently designed keyboard stands available, I can't seem to find one that will work for my needs. None of them are “flexible” enough in their design to allow the following things:
1. Must be low enough to be comfortable while sitting but adjustable for standing
2. Must have room for pedals
3. Must be easy to break down and move
4. Must be stable on a variety of surfaces
5. Must be attractively designed
6. Must be a safe perch for two keyboards
7. Must have enough room to use my lower keyboard's music stand comfortably
8. Would be nice if it had attachments for rack modules, music stands and microphones.
Maybe I should use an ironing board like Ironing Board Sam?
 |
Ironing Board Sam – courtesy of Blues Access, Winter 1996, No. 24 |
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