From normpeterson@earthlink.net Wed Nov 08 20:58:21 2006
Subject:RE: OT? Playing as a duo


[Original Message]
> From: Dan S
> To:
> Date: 11/8/2006 10:27:26 AM
> Subject: RE: [CWSG] Playing as a duo
>
> Another approach is to put the rhythm tracks down on CD. I've seen people
> using iPods to support their duo (acoustic guitar, vocals).
>
> Not as flexible on playback as MIDI, but presumably less problematic in
> performance.
>
> > Norman. It appears the group I am in may be imploding,
> > leaving the guitar player and myself (keyboards) back on our
> > own where we were 2 years ago. The idea of using midi to
> > help flesh out what we do is attractive, but I have no idea
> > how to do it.

Well the basic way to do it is just play with no drums and bass!!! I do a
duo with Jimmy Wright up here in Arlington WA and we just play the stuff
that we noramlly do in the Jimmy Wright Band www.jimmywrightband.com and
play it by ourselves. It is mostly old rock and blues. I just go back to
the old left hand piano style that most of us learned early on and try to
make it swing. It is a challenge to 'git de riddim" going without bass and
drums but it can work. No sequencing, no drum machine. That is the most
basic way. This other deal I am doing is which I was inquiring about the
MIDI files is just doing a duo over sequenced track. The MIDI files will
play back on capable synths with General MIDI or XG soundbanks. Your Roland
may do this. Not sure. Anyway my approach to this is not to try and sound
like
a rock band and have cheezy drum machine tracks and synth fuzz guitar
solos doing Bob Segar songs. This new duo is with a singer/percussionist
doing r&b stuff. Groove oriented. Much more condusive to my ears for using
sequenced tracks. Anyway in this case you just mute the tracks you don't
want included. Usually awful sax patches doing melodies ans perhaps the
piano or organ track so we as the keyboardist can play these parts and feel
like we are contributing!! LOL ! And yes as Dan stated many use iPods
hopefully with a CD backup!!
Norm