What I'm working on

I have a tendency to head in many directions at once. I can't help it. Call it ADD, call it extreme curiousity...

Whatever it is, occasionally I calm down enough to try to sit and learn just a few things at a time and not try to "eat the whole elephant". Taking a "bite at a time", I decided I needed to start learning a song on the piano that I love, that others enjoy hearing, one that I can conceivably play and sing at the same time (and sound good!). I decided Van Morrison's "Someone like you" was a good match.

It's coming along well. I've got the song's main motif down now. Now it's just a matter of learning the rest.

NO I'm not brave enough to share a video of my playing just yet, but I'm getting closer. For the time being, please enjoy the man himself playing this wonderful song:

I'm also working on Moondance by Van, as well as, Lady Antebellum’s Need You Now, Run To You, some Chris Isaak songs on guitar, some Elton John, as well as continuing to work on The Luckiest by Ben Folds, and attempting to learn some Kansas City rag style blues licks. Too much again, but I'm taking it slow this time... yeah, right!

G.A.S. Report — ACQUIRED: Roland Juno-G Workstation Keyboard

That’s right! I sold one Roland and rolled the money into another. This time, it's more than just a synth, it's a workstation with the Juno name. Albeit not like a real Juno (I loved my friend Buddy's Juno 106 back in the 80s), but has some similar sounds PLUS much more.

It's a 16 track midi sequencer, a 4 track audio song recorder, a sampler, an expandable synth that you can add waveforms and patches to, and even write your own using the USB connection and editor software on Mac/PC!

The keyboard lives up to my expectations, so far, although I would have liked to have had the wonderful keybed of the RS-9 I just sold on it, the keybed on this one lacks some Oompf! The sounds are fun, amazing and with the clarity and warmth I've always loved about Roland products.

This thing is complex though. It will take me the better part of a year to learn it!

“I believe the children are our are future, Teach them well and let them lead the way”

Nothing makes me happier than sharing the love of music with kids! I was so happy when I met my wife again after 22 years (we dated in high school) and her two girls, that she played guitar and Corey, the youngest, played violin. I felt good knowing I was involved with people who loved music. Rachel, the oldest, had an appreciation for music but just what she heard on the radio. I think she didn't know she could play something. So we encouraged her to pick an instrument. After a while we helped her make the decision, “how about drums?”

So a year after we bought an electronic kit and getting her started in lessons with the great Rocco Blake at Carolyn’s Keyboards (where at the time, Stacey, Corey & I all took guitar, uke and sax lessons) we decided it was time, if Rachel could prove to us she was ready, to get her a "real" set.

Her proof was getting more engaged with her lessons, requesting from Rocco to learn Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now”& “Run to You” drum parts. Rocco found a set that was being sold by one of his customers, a gentleman that has been playing for many many years, that was in near perfect condition. A 6pc. Gretsch Catalina Birch kit with Evans heads, Zildjian cymbals and hi hats.

She loves them! She immediately got on them and rocked out on them! She seemed to come alive....

and that makes me happy for sharing my love of music. Even if I never get as good playing as I'd like, I know that Corey, with her saxophone in school band, picking up the bass occasionally now, and Rachel with the drums and whatever good times are ahead for them both playing, I hope they find happiness, too!

Mr. Lucky

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!

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.

"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!

"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?

Ironing Board Sam – courtesy of Blues Access, Winter 1996, No. 24