Introductions?

[Dave Bryce]

Originally posted by Piano Nick:

My name is Glenn, and I should have used that moniker instead of PN. Other forums see me as Glenn K.

 

Maybe the moderator will let me change my name.

It's not up to me - that's your call.

 

However, IIRC, there's something going on with the software that doesn't allow name changes right now...

 

dB

[Michael Weeks]

Dave pointed me here, amazed I haven't checked out the forum before... usually I lurk on KSS, and I've been known to be on other forums as endmusik

 

About me: I'm a 29 year old keyboard player/producer/whatever it's called these days. Live in NYC (and always up for a beer or a good burger) I write and record for a bunch of projects - all of them linked from my homepage (there's wayyy too many of them to list practically here).

 

Disclosure section: I'm involved in some neat stuff: I'm a sample provider for Computer Music Magazine - first issue featuring my material is 100. I also write reviews and tutorials for a site with a hauntingly similar name to this one....

 

I also have been known to associate with Metasonix. I had a hand in the panel design of the S-1000 tube synth, and I may have met some of you here at NAMM as I was giving some demos of the synth at the Analogue Haven booth. I also have a wrather alarming collection of his modules which I abuse regularly. I'm into freaky gear.

 

Anyway, enough of the boring crap - the meat and potatoes!

 

My rig has changed quite a bit over the last 2-3 years, finally settling into it now...

 

 

Synthesizers.com 44 space Modular system, with a soon to be filled 22 space cabinet...

YamahaFS1R

Roland SH-101

Elektron Sidstation

Elektron Monomachine SFX-6

Elektron Machinedrum

Oberheim Matrix 1000

Roland RS-09

Roland Juno 6

Crumar Orchestrator

Future Retro Mobius

Metasonix S-1000 Wretch Machine

Arp Omni II

 

Effects:

Metasonix TM-1, TM-6, TX-1 and TX-2

Ensoniq DP/4

Boss SE-50

Sherman Filterbank

and a small army of guitar pedals.

 

Musical Influences: My big 5 are My Bloody Valentine, Joy Division, Skinny Puppy, Legendary Pink Dots, and The Swans. Tons of other stuff as well, I've always been a huge TD fan (got that from my dad) and I have a soft spot for the newer post-rock stuff like Explosions in the Sky and Jesu.

 

So there you have it, nice, succinct, intro to me. I know I'm missing alot, but I've got 17 pages of your intros to backtrack through now!

 

Look forward to talking to you all!

 

Michael

[Dave Bryce]

I love this thread, and am always happy to see people taking advantage of it to introduce themselves.

 

Welcome to all of you, and thanks for taking the time to hang out here!

 

dB

[KenElevenShadows]

Intro #2:

 

My name is Ken.

 

I think Dave is cool.

 

He also makes the best damn Philly cheesesteaks outside of Philly.

[Hardway]

I've been around this forum for about a month, and I just saw this thread. Originally got here because of a keyboard problem that neither the sales company, the manufacturer, nor my local music store could help me with. Got an answer here in a couple of hours, so I've been dropping back in to see where I might be able to help.

 

My name is Scotty Hardway. I am 42 yrs old. Started studying classical piano at 14. Got in my 1st rock band at 19 (a cover band of THE DOORS). Played keyboards/piano in about 10 community theatre musicals during my 30's. Also got back into classical. Got interested in old swing standards a couple of years ago. My 1st rock band broke up when I was 21, in Reno, NV. Took a job in a casino (until I could get with the "right band" and go to L.A. and be a rock star)and continued to play music on the side. ROCKSTARDOM never happened. Casino job turned into a career. Spent the last 12 years on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, working at Grand Casino (in table games) and playing alot of blues. When Katrina blew us out of the water last August, my company offered me a transfer to Vegas. I said no thanks, cashed out, and packed up my keyboards to play full-time in Austin, TX. This is a HUGE leap of faith for me, as I was at a $70,000/yr salary in management after 20 yrs in that biz. Doesn't matter. I HAVE TO PLAY. (just might have to give up some of my bad habits, like eating) I have been a subscriber to KEYBOARD since 2001. Glad to have found y'all.

 

My equipment:

Roland RD-600

Ensonq SQ-2

Yamaha P-60

Roland AX-7

Roland Fantom XR

Korg X5DR

Voce V5+

Motion Sound Pro145

Mackie 808S powered mixer

Mackie S215 cabs

[Phil W]

I'm Phil. I'm a fairly recent visitor from the Lowdown forum. I'm a bassist but first and foremost a musician. I've enjoyed some of the inspired disussions on the Keyboard forum.

I don't play keyboards myself but enjoy to listen to them and accompany them. My five year old son is taking piano lessons.

My favourite keyboardists include:

Hancock, Zawinul, Bojan Z, Jimmy Smith, Monk, Bud Powell, Duke, Jaki Byard, Bernie Worrell, Stevie Wonder and Larry Young among many others.

http://usera.imagecave.com/feilik/29-04-06_1803.jpg

[stepay]

Just realized I never officially did the introduction thing, so here goes:

 

39 (until August) year old married with two kids keyboard player in a blues rock\classic rock band (http://mlcprojectblues.tripod.com). I play guitar too, but not in the band. I'm much better on keyboards. I've been with this band since Feb 2005. Prior to that I was in a mostly non-gigging classic rock band MIX, and before that I had a long hiatus after playing in The Circuit Breakers in SF Bay area in early 90s.

 

Was traditionally trained from age 8 to about age 14 but a couple of not very good teachers. My parents didn't like to hear me practice much, so more than 15 minutes at a time was about all they could take. Seems weird, and I guess it is a little bit, especially since they were paying for the lessons. Anyway, I learned enough classical stuff to start to buy sheet music of the music I really liked (pop and rock at the time) and learn that. I never became a good classical player, and I never became a good site reader. Fortunately I still loved playing piano.

 

In college I started hanging out with a piano performance major, and we'd play dualing grand pianos for fun on the weekends. He was WAY better than me though, and he has performed with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and other such orchestras. He's an outstanding player. Anyway, that fueled my desire to get back into it a bit, and after college I hooked up with a co-worker who had his own blues band (Circuit Breakers). He and the other members taught me to get away from sheet music, taught me pentatonic and blues scales, and I had found my niche; started to get really interested in blues and classic rock. In 1993 moved to Michigan and took some blues piano lessons from a Detroit bluesman keyboard player, and suddenly things started to make sense to me. Honed the chops with my own practice, and finally in 1998 in Columbus, OH, joined a band made up of pretty talented co-workers. They really had no idea how little of an idea I had about what we were playing, and I learned a lot with each jam session and gig. Finally in early 2005 I decided my skills had gotten to the point where I could actually join a gigging band and be a productive member (unlike the Circuit Breaker days when I was just low-level background noise), so I answered an online ad on a Wednesday, practiced with my current band on Saturday and was hired. I've gotten better every day since joining them, and actually got a little bit lucky in the audition because we played High Heel Sneakers, a song I had recently been playing by myself, so I nailed the solos and everything in that song. That one song was really not indicative of my ability then. I'm MUCH better now even then I was in February 2005. Mostly it's because the musicians I play with are all top-notch musicians -- even the drummer!

 

We play 2-5 times a month (mostly 2-3 though which is what we prefer), and it's been a blast.

 

Gear - Roland Juno-D (no laughing); Roland KC-150 for monitor and Alesis Sumo 300 as my amp.

 

Look to upgrade the keyboard down the line somewhere, but I'm happy with it so far even with it's obvious limitations.

 

That's the introduction.

 

Steve

[Jazzwee]

Hi Steve, yes I remember your first posts about the Roland Juno-D...Glad to have you around.

 

J

[stepay]

Thanks Jazzwee,

 

It's nice to be around.

[musicbysterling]

My name is Mark, and I'm a keyboardaholic:)

 

Actually, my day gig is being a sales rep for Northshore Marketing in Seatlle. Among the many pro audio/MI lines we represent is the Harman Pro Audio family.

 

I consider myself to be a sem-professional keyboard now as I attempt to juggle as much playing live as I can with the day gig and being the father of 8yr old twins. My wife and I have a corporate/wedding band that we began almost two years ago and has just now started to get very steady bookings. I currently am playing a Yamaha S90ES, a Muse Receptor triggered by a Roland A-70, and a newly purchased Speakeasy Road Box MK III

rotary cabinet.

[Sandy Hemenway]

Hi,

 

I'm Sandy H, from Raleigh, NC. (why is it I get this feeling like I'm standing up at the front of an AA meeting?)

 

Born in '62, I went the typical John Thompson route of piano lessons from age 6-17. About age 12 I got heavy into Elton John, (I believe John Thompson taught me how to read music - Elton John taught me how to PLAY music).

 

Growing up, I was in a band here and there, (never to any measurable success), spent time gigging in coffee houses during my college days, and even enjoyed a short stint as house pianist at a little Italian restaurant in Chapel Hill.

 

Started writing when I was 16. Averaged about 1 song per month for the next 10 years. Most of it is pure schlock. Then I packed up my gear and stopped playing out for about 10 years.

 

In the late 90s, I returned to church, (after a 10+ year absence), and became the accompanist for my church choir, (I had also played for church growing up). Eventually, my creative juices got flowing again, and I started writing again.

 

In 2004, I recorded and released my debut CD, "The Road Home", a collection of original inspirational pop/rock.

 

http://cdbaby.com/cd/hemenway

 

I've been playing local Unity churches for the last couple of years.

 

Currently, my only equipment is a circa 1980 Yamaha Electric Grand, (for sale), and a Juno-106, (which has lost its programs). I'm currently looking at purchasing a portable digital piano, so I can open up venues that don't come pre-stocked with pianos.

 

I can sight read just about anything short of Chopin, and while my improvisational skills are limited, they have been improving of late.

[Jazzwee]

Sandy, it's good to have you around and appreciate your contributions to the compositions thread! Stick around.

[joeyd4329]

Well, my name is Joe, I am 15 years old and live in Minnesota. I've played piano for 10 years, and believe me I should be better than where I am at right now. When I first started taking lessons I was enjoying it, but around the 5 and 8th year I was really disliking it. Thats when I dropped lessons for about a half of year, I still kinda dinked around on the keys here and there. Then I got a new instructor that was all about blues and jazz, that really inspired me to get back in. I had to drop those lessons because we couldn't afford them. I also play guitar, I've kinda branched out the knowledge of music from the piano to the guitar, along with the drums also. Umm, I'm in a two bands actually, one is punk, and I'm not to crazy about it, a band with emo kids isn't that fun, in that band I play the drums. The other band I'm in is progressive/melodic metal. I play keyboard in this band and just recently bought a Yamaha S08 for it. We don't have any original recordings for it but we are working on a cover, and before I joined, they band did a video of a cover for the band Dream Theater. Hmm, I tend to try and write books, I love reading Stephen King (The Dark Tower Series is aweome), Peter Straub, John Sanford, any of those good mystery kind of things or good epic books. I skateboarding (haha, I bet that would make some of you dislike me already, but hey, its something todo), snowboarding, playing a good game of Risk with friends and listening to music. (mostly oldies and blues, but still alot of metal). And thats about all I can think of! I hope i have a good time here!

[Joe P]

Joey,

Welcome to the Forum, I think you will get a lot out of it. Good to see a person of your years representing himself well on the internet. As for the skateboarding, I for one won't hold it against you, me and my buds built a couple of halpipes, broke a few bones - the whole bit. Back in the days of Alva & Alba.

Regards,

Joe

[ProfD]

Been checking out the site for a minute. A lot of great info/discussions from fellow key cats. Good time as any to intro. Been playing keys for 20+ years now (36 yrs old). 10+ years ago, played Go-Go, Jazz, Gospel, etc. on the local circuit (Wash DC area). Anyone remember E.U. (Da Butt)? Currently doing the songwriting, music production, recording thing. Use a Yamaha S80, Roland JV-1080, AW4416, etc. Recently put together a trio (keys, drums, guitar or sax) to get back into the live music thing. Hopefully I can contribute to the knowledge pool here. If you're in/around the DC area and/or I'm in your town playing, holla.

[uselesstomorrow]

My name is James and I stumbled in here because I was looking for info on a synth.

 

Punk bassist by trade, but moving into synth-y 80s music meets nu-metal. Think Taproot doing Deepche Mode or something. I have the money so I get to by the synth guy in the project with my newly bought DSI PEK.

 

I also produce rap music with my limited abilities for some local DC guys. That should be coming out soon.

 

I have always wished my mother put me in piano lessons. I grew up listening to rock bands that had the giant piano based songs like Guns and Roses, Meat Loaf and Savatage (A favorite) and I love the rolling organ sounds of the Doors (Any rap beats I write sound like Riders on the Storm) the Black Crowes (Second album - Thorn in my Pride is my favorite all time piano bit) and Steppenwolf.

 

yea I pretty much suck on piano/keys so far but play most every day for hours.

[wake]

I'm Wakeley Purple, living in Louisville KY, originally from around Boston MA.

 

I'm a beginner, and I started backwards. Never touched a key as a kid ('50s), and when I did decide to learn piano this year I bought a used RD700sx. Then I found a teacher who studied at St. Petersburg (Russia) Conservatory, and charges $16/45min - can you believe it? I'm happy to be making my own music, such as it is.

 

Lurking here is a real inspiration, and the fact that this thread has been going for 5 years says a lot. Thanks for being here.

[Jazzwee]

Three new intros in one day. That's great! Welcome guys!

[au4onx]

Hey guys!

 

I've been lurking here for a bit and I decided hey I may as well post.

 

My name's Colin. I'm 17, from Sydney, Australia. I've got a classical background, (finished my last grade earlier this year) and I dabble in guitar. Although I do like Bach and Albeniz a whole lot, I like rock, blues, funk and jazz a whole lot too.

 

I don't actually own an electronic keyboard myself and this fact was actually the reason why I joined this forum (so I could get advice about what keyboard to buy) but I think I'm very strongly inclined towards a Roland FP-2 or a Korg SP250 (or any decent keyboard that has decent sounds, good organ and clav is a must and speakers because I'm too lazy to use headphones and amps for practice).

 

I play in a band (basically I play upright piano, old organ [the drummer's mum is a church muso] and guitar). I guess you'd describe us as sorta fusion blues funk and rock, improvisationary and eclectic.

 

After being wooed into the keyboard world by joys of the organ, clav and Rhodes sounds when we had an impromptu jam at the school music night on the school's very old weighted Roland on the e.piano setting, I've been itching to buy a keyboard to play and practice some more exciting sounds. Presently I'm practising on a Kawaii baby grand, which I also love.

 

I would love hone my chops upto scratch and learn Voodoo Chile (15 mins of glorious Winwood!) note for note and I guess most of my influences would be Deep Purple, Santana, some acid jazz stuff like Rumblefish (they're a korean band) and Jamiroquai, and stuff like Buddy Guy, Cream and Led Zeppelin. (and some Stevie Wonder, Chick Corea, Art Tatum, Erroll Garner and the stride guys and Gershwin. but I think my chops are sufficient for whatever the guitarist, drummer, sax and bass throw at me, though there is a lot of room for improvement before I'm even halfway to where my heroes are.

 

So yeah.. I guess that's it. I feel very priveledged to join this forum, everyone seems to be very devoted to their music, very professional and very helpful!

 

Look forward to geting to know you guys and participating in this wonderful community!

[Jon May]

I'm Jon originally from Auckland New Zealand. I'm 52 this year so grew up as a teenager on Cream, Blind Faith, Hendrix, Deep Purple, Led Zep, Iron Butterfly. I learned classical piano for 8 years but during the last few of those years I realised I could play by ear. I remember asking my classical teacher for the intervals between chords in the intro to Proud Mary LOL! In the end it was a fight between Sweet Child In Time and Rondo a la Turk. Once I figured out a few blues licks and progressions I was done with classical(hey, I'm 17 at this stage).

My day job is high school science teacher, but I've often been a weekend warrior band member. Because of the musical period I experienced as a teen I love the sound of the old ELECTROmechanical keyboards, and of course the Hammond. Guess what I own now? (It's red!) I've been travelling light this past year as I've been teaching in the Bahamas and jamming on Electro and KC60. But in storage I have a JC-120A amp and a Motion Sound Pro3T. Soon I'm moving to Brisbane Australia and hope to be gigging before too long.

[Timmit]

Hey all,

 

My name is Tim and I'm from Indiana in the good ol' USA. I'm 19 years old and I've been playing piano for 14 years so far. I played classical piano for around 8-9 years until I started to learn improv/jazz and other forms of music.

 

I currently attend Purdue University and I'm studying to become an Electrical Engineer. When I'm not at school I'm playing keyboard for my local church. I've also taught myself the guitar this last year. While I'm not busy studying I'm playing my music. At home I have a Wilhelm Steinberg and at the moment I'm waiting to get my first keyboard/synth; the Roland Fantom X8.

 

I'm very excited to start experimenting with the possabilities of the synth and am interested to learn from the many people that populate this forum.

[bloodsample]

Hey Timmit,

 

Welcome aboard!

 

The only reason I'm replying to this is that while reading your post, I felt like I was reading my own story! It's amazing.

 

I'm 21 (close enough). Been playing classical for a while too. I too started getting into improv/jazz and other music. I'm also studying computer engineering (very similar to elec) and play keyboards on my spare time. I too taught myself the guitar recently and I was really looking into the fantom X8. To add to that, I too am starting to experiment with synths!

 

I guess most of us music folk have a similar story, but yours is one what was surprisingly similar to mine, so I figured I'd share.

 

There are tons of great folk around here, hope you stay long for the ride.

 

Regards,

BS>

[J.H.]

Hi everyone!

 

Ive been hanging around for some time and I always enjoyed this place, so I finally decided to join your company, gentlemen.

Im 20 yo IT student (my subconsciousness hopes they will teach me how to build my own synth ) from the Czech Republic (keywords: Hammer, Budweiser, Forman). Been playing the piano since the age of 5 (classical), 10 years later I started to explore jazz.

Nowadays I play in three big bands (one focused on 30s swing, one focused on modern styles and one focused on show tunes); in a 50s rocknroll band (including period haircut, clothing, instruments etc. great fun); in a band accompanying a local Pop Idol contestant (100% pop) and I also have my own jazz-fusion-electronic-silly-wicked quartet . Occasionally I play in a local musical theatre and in a baroque chamber orchestra (where I can get my hands on a real church organ and harpsichord, which is cool).

And finally my humble rig: Roland XV-2020 with SRX-07 and SRX-12, Novation KS Rack and Nord Electro 2 Rack, all driven by CME UF8 and UF6 and enhanced by some guitar effects.

 

Regards,

J.H.

[stevie b]

First of all thanks for this forum,

 

Great source of info. I first started viewing posts about 8 months ago when I was choosing a new board. I Ended up with a Kurzwiel PC2X and don't regret it a bit. After many gigs I am very pleased with the choice. Special thanks to Gas in the car, Prague, Cydonia, and keyoctave for the tips.

Anyway, I began my musical journey playing viola. After 4 years I switched to piano. My best friend, a drummer, wanted to start a garage band and the viola did not guite fit the bill.

So luckily the school orchestra director also taught piano lessons. About a year later I was playing piano with the local hospital volunteer orchestra, and playing popular music: eagles, Doobie Bros, Styx, Yes, etc.

In high school years I played in the stage band and then the Jazz ensemble. Next was gigs with country, wedding stuff, and then the classic jam band.

Next was a Blues band, & piano bar for free beer and now after 20+ years later I am still trying to get it all right. I presently play in a band called Focal Point in Richmond Va. We typically play 1/2 originals and half classic rock.

My rig over the years has included Multivox keyboard, acoustic piano, Rhodes Stage, Farfisa organ, Korg X2, Roland Juno 60, Kurzweil K100- and PC2X. I typically play a board till something starts tweaking me out, or in the case of the Juno - just decides to change tuning on it's own. This forum gives me GAS. things could change.

This weekend our band is playing a private cooperate gig in the country, (Goochland). These type gigs are typically the most fun especially since this one is in the middle of the day by a river, (get hot - jump in)

 

Anyway, just wanted to say hello and thanks.

 

By the way, I couldn't find the old people shouldn't dance thread that was up a few days ago, but you should be aware that you're only as old as you act, and I still dance, sing, and totally piss off anyone that wants to turn a rockin' show into an opera. If you don't want people to dance or sing along stick to viola music.

Regards,

Steve B.

[Finale]

Originally posted by stevie b:

Special thanks to Gas in the car, Prague, Cydonia, and keyoctave for the tips.

You're very welcome.

 

Feel free to contact me for anything involving the Kurzweil PC2X, the PC2 manager software or even the old Kurz 1000 series. If I can be of any help, it will be my pleasure.

[johnnysavant]

I'm new on this forum. It's easier to post a link: http://myspace.com/johnnysavant

 

Live in Camrillio, CA, currently playing a band from Long Beach, CA called Blue Dice: http://myspace.com/bluedicemusic

 

I evolved from a guitarist doubling on keys to a keyboardist who doubles on guitar. (or is that devolved?)

 

Keyboard Gear: Yamaha P250, P80/90 (p80 w/P90 guts), vintage Korg BX3 and CX3, Hammond A100, Roland Juno G, Leslie 145 and 860, Motion Sound KBR-3D, Barbetta Sona 32C (pair), a bunch of other stuff.

 

Keyboard Influences (mostly blues): James Booker, Fats Waller, Nicky Hopkins, Jay McShann, Leon Russell, Jerry Lee Lewis, Keith Jarrett, Mose Allison, Scott Joplin, Big Joe Turner, Barry Manilow (seriously), Ray Charles, George Gershwin, J S Bach, Donald Fagan, Al Cooper, Steve Winwood, Dr. John, Ray Manzarek...about a thousand others...

[Bill Heins]

I thought since I have been here a few years(you can't tell by my post count ) I might as well tell you a little something about myself.

 

I'm 43 and live in upstate NY. I play keyboard, guitar, and drums. I had to sell my drumkit(6-piece Premier Resonator set) the year before last due to space restrictions( I was in an apartment at the time) but have all my other gear.

 

As far as gear goes I have a Charval Mod-6 electric that I play through a PodXT, a Roland JV-1000 with the VE-JV1 and Vintage Synth expansion cards, and a Kurzweil K2500XS with the extra P-RAM, grand piano daughterboard, and both the orchestral and contemporary rom blocks. These all go through a Mackie CR1604VLZ and from there into the PC where all the "magic" happens

 

Musically I prefer prog the most(Gentle Giant, Yes, ELP, Genesis, PFM, Banco, National Health, etc.), but I also enjoy new age, hard rock/heavy metal, celtic, classical, some jazz, and a dose of 60's-70's pop

 

I haven't played out in years and that's fine with me(I prefer writing, I get bored too easily playing the same songs over and over ).

 

Oh, and I dabble in 2D and 3D art...mainly Photoshop and Maya

 

Darkon the Incandescent

[peteruss]

Hi,

 

My name is Peter Russell (peteruss), and I am curently a teacher (5 years) - teaching music, mathematics, science and Biology. I have also spent the majority of my working life in the manufacturing and food industries.

 

Music has always been a big part of my life. I learned piano as a kid, played in many garage and cover bands as a teen/young adult (some good, some horrible, usually stoned), then stopped playing for about 6 years. Started playing again in church 8 years ago, and am currently a regular worship leader in the local church and playing in a christian band performing originals (mostly written by the singer/guiratist at this stage).

 

My first synth was a Korg DW8000, and I also had a TX7 (sold it since). I have recently bought a Kawai MP4, laptop and Cubase SX3 (now getting a firewire audio interface)- looking to do a bit of my own stuff at home. Want to learn what I can from those with much more experience and knowledge.

[BluesKeys]

Welcome to the forum guys. It's a cool place to hang out whether you are young or old, novice or professional. Just a bunch of overgrown children hanging here, getting GAS and laughing a Gas (in the car) Tom.

 

Hey Tom

 

Pull up a beer and drink a chair.

[ITGITC]

Originally posted by BluesKeys:

Hey Tom

 

Pull up a beer and drink a chair.

Great idea, Jimmy.