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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,167
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Beautiful playing as usual Thank you, Lolly Glad you like them, I think this keyboard is actually making me play better? Lee
Twitter: @Seaside_Lee
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Joined: Jun 2004
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Hi Guys, This weekend I played my first ever paying gig ...I was already being paid to DJ the do and they needed a piano too so, they paid extra to me for mine and I offered to play a little background during the meal for them...yikes! This was a great chance for me to see and hear how the my casio performed through my PA. I recorded a video on my camera phone for y'all to see, I was going to edit it but, I think its better warts and all (makes it more sort of real IMHO) Because my disco rig is playing background music too I mixed in my live playing inbetween Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble and Ella etc This gave me the opportunities to run through a song once before I play it out LIVE!! As I say because of the background music the first run through that you'll see is just a practise that only you and I can hear...then at 3:43 I fade the music out over to my side and play it LIVE!! To see and hear my new Casio PX-320 in action [click here] Let me know what you think of this rather cool little keyboard Lee
Twitter: @Seaside_Lee
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 273
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@ Seaside Lee:
It used to be that pianists played music while a royal family, aristocrats...the rich and other privileged people watched and listened. Then came Liszt wherein he revolutionized the whole performance aspect of piano-playing...recitals and concerts being given in public paving the way for the masses to hear music which was once meant to entertain a select few.
In either of these times, it was always the pianist as the “center of attractionâ€. He was what we now call as “the star†or a “pop-idolâ€.
But nowadays and with the advent of new genres/types of music, the attention has shifted from the pianist to lead guitarists, drummers, percussionists, saxophonist, trumpet virtuosos playing in either a rock, jazz or pop band and even vocalists and rappers in pop, R&B and rap music. There's nothing wrong with this. In fact, it can be considered a form of triumph in music and a triumph of diversity at that. I'm all for that.
More frequently, however, the pianist and/or keyboardist is relegated to background, accompanying or supporting music. Being an accompanying musician for a pianist, has become an art in itself...especially if we are to make reference in the past wherein a pianist is “accompanied†by a symphony/chamber orchestra or just a string ensemble or what have you.
In due time, what was once the “star†of a concert, had now learned a humbling yet equally fruitful experience of accompanying singers, bassists in a jazz band, saxophone and trumpet players etc. And as if this isn't enough, its now a common occurence to see a pianist playing in hotel lobbies, restaurants, malls and bars while people, oblivious to the pianist, either pass along, chat or simply “ignore†the music. A lesson in humility is always good. It keeps our feet on the ground...and it reminds us that the piano is not just a solo instrument, but as an “accompanying instrument as wellâ€. Don't get me wrong here, I'm talking about non-concert pianists in general.
But like any artist and TRUE to being an artist, a musician (whether a guitarist, trumpet player, violinist...etc.) also craves for appreciation of his/her work or performance. An applause, congratulatory words, some constructive criticisms here and there, or at the very least, undivided attention of an audience may be a good enough form of “non-monetary compensation†for the hard work and long hours of practice.
Having had played background music for small-time events, at the start I was excited and elated. I was always thinking of new songs or pieces to practice/master prior to each event (non-concert event but simple stuff like in hotel lobbies/restaurants/parties/ etc.). It wasn't just for the money, I wanted to be able to entertain people. But reality soon found its way to me, and there was a time that I even asked myself...â€all this practicing and arranging music...but for what? People hardly even care about what I play, in fact, they don't even know I exist?â€. There are a lot of factors...may be it was my music repertoire not matching the audience, may be the audience aren't just in to music, may be I didn't play well enough or may be I'm not a “Marc Andre Hamlin†, a Van Cliburn, or a “Franz Lisztâ€,...MAY BE THIS...MAY BE THAT...
I had to somehow, “re-invent†myself, from being a piano soloist to re-acquainting with old friends who happened to play lead guitars, bass guitars, drums and becoming a “band memberâ€. In other words, I somehow found a way to re-channel my creative efforts. I read about and got myself personally acquainted with MIDI and sequencing stuff, music gears, home-studio recording, R&B music, progressive rock and other types of music that I previously “ignoredâ€, and performing on gigs with the band. This satisfied the craving that I was looking for in terms of stage exposure, performance experience, music attention from discerning crowd or audience. These are “small-time victories or triumphs on a personal level" and is nothing like the standing ovation given to a piano virtuoso in a classical concert or in reputable piano competitions. But simple triumphs like this serve to “reinforce†what ever confidence, knowledge and experience that a non-concert pianist may have.
I understand you and I have to congratulate you for your enthusiasm and courage Seaside Lee. Playing background piano music in an event like that may or may not make people notice your piano-playing let alone your new keyboard. Although I do know that in that event your services were on being the DJ and providing the PA system, it didn't discourage you from sharing your talent...
I'd say KEEP GOING, you'll never know when someone would come up and say “I really liked the way you played or arranged that songâ€...responses like this are things that can inspire or keep any musician who is serious with his/her craft, motivated. We live for the appreciation stuff too like everybody else. And it pushes as to practice, play, arrange or create more music and it encourages us to strive to be even better.
Like I've said, don't get me wrong on this reply/post, it is for the most part, a retrospective/reflective process on my part, and quite possibly it may also give you something to reflect on or think about.
Good luck in your piano-playing!
PX-5S FA-06 LaunchKey 61 SL-MKII Graphite 49; VST: Pianoteq 6+Bluethner UVI TrueKeys EWQL-SO + Hollywood Strings/Brass, AAS GS-2+LL EP4 Sonokinetic; Mobile DAW ROG G751J: i7 4720 32GB RAM 250+500 GB SSD Scarlett 6i6 TS110A x2; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfiQst_xQwNgKL_FS9OXSKw
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,167
2000 Post Club Member
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Posts: 2,167 |
Thank you for taking the time to write such a beautiful heartfelt post for me BeowulfX. Quite eye opening actually, I had never realized how the piano had kind of been relegated over the centuries to where it is now (having said that I love the sound of solo piano accompanying a singer and one day I'd love to do that. We went to our eldest sons junior school Carol Service in December and the choir was simply accompanied by the music teacher on piano and it was just so darned beautiful I can't tell. However , I am not sure how I would have handled the pressure of playing for a prince or a King? (especially if there was an "off with your head if you get it wrong" clause in the contract! I know exactly what you mean and you're right there probably isn't much recognition to be had from these things...so, right or wrong the way I'm trying to think it at the moment is this:- I love playing the piano, I could have never believed 4 years ago how this thing would take over my life so much its not so much a part of me it is me! I am extremely happy when I play so I just try to imagine that I am playing for myself and that no-one else is there in the room. I am going to try my best to keep this attitude for as long as I can. And if I can maybe get some more bookings out of this and make a little money along the way just doing something that I really enjoy then thats cool and if my playing happens to touch just a few hearts a long the way it will have somehow been worth it. I know from being a party DJ for so many years that you can't please all of the people all of the time and I'm pretty hardened to comments like "can you play something good" "...something we all know" "...something to dance to!" etc etc So, I'm pretty thick skinned thanks again for taking the time to write me and for the encouragement it is really appreciated Lee
Twitter: @Seaside_Lee
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3
Junior Member
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3 |
Seasite Lee: thanks very much for samples. I have already ordered PX-320 and now I can start learning to play ...
Welgrad, Czech Republic
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 312
Full Member
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Hi Lee,
I listened to your recordings. Your playing is getting more and more beautiful all the time--I can hear it even since the recital that you have improved. Great rhythm and very musical. I love what you did when you played out where all those people were (starts out slow and then gets a little salsa added).
Cool man!
Baldwin SF-10 320152, Marshall & Wendell, Steinway B
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,167
2000 Post Club Member
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OP
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Posts: 2,167 |
Hi pateson : Hope you like it as much as I do when it arrives ...can't wait to hear you play it! Hi Secondo : Thank you for listening and for writing me, glad you enjoyed the video the quality is not the best but, it is only off my phone camera at least it gives a sense of what its like playing at a function...ya make me feel good Lee
Twitter: @Seaside_Lee
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 57
Full Member
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Full Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 57 |
yay!! just got a PX-320!! £468 off amazon plus free shipping. Haven't left it alone since it arrived... EDIT ==> Changed my display name after making this post.
“Most people live and die with their music still unplayed. They never dare to try.†-Mary Kay Ash.
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,167
2000 Post Club Member
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OP
2000 Post Club Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,167 |
Great price that '432...' Haven't left it alone since it arrived... me neither Lee
Twitter: @Seaside_Lee
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,167
2000 Post Club Member
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OP
2000 Post Club Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,167 |
Hi Folks here's some more playing on the PX-320 for y'all to hear The touch and emotion this keyboard brings to my playing is really exciting me...I love this keyboard more by the day. I have posted this file in the ABF too...I've been going through a tough emotional patch with my recent split and find playing my piano is helping me get through it. Here's The Way We Were played last night and played on the Casio PX-320 BEWARE its emotional Yikes! {click to hear} regards Lee
Twitter: @Seaside_Lee
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Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:34 PM
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Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:23 PM
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