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Conference napalm::guitar

Title:GUITARnotes - Where Every Note has Emotion
Notice:Discussion of the finer stringed instruments
Moderator:KDX200::COOPER
Created:Thu Aug 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3280
Total number of notes:61432

1764.0. "Returning to Keyboards/Piano" by BRADOR::DAVY () Wed Apr 04 1990 18:06

                           Returning to Keyboards/Piano
                           ----------------------------
    
    
      After many years of thinking about returning to playing piano,
      this will be the year(1990) the desire turns to reality.
    
      The problem: Deciding on what instrument - Keyboards or Upright
      piano.
      
      My personal preference is leaning towards keyboards because of
      the versatility and portability. The choice is narrowed to a Roland E20 or
      a Technics SX-KN800 PCM Keyboard. Both offer similar features, price
      ($3.0KCanadian). The instrument has qty 5 various piano sounds
      including a Grand Piano sound which is simply - for lack of other 
      words - outstanding!
    
      The question I wish to pose to any experienced keyboard players
      who read this conference is; Based on your experience or exposure,
      who of these two choices makes the best, most reliable instrument?
      (MTBF in hours???)
      
      Second question; Are these models available in the U.S. and if
      so, could you please identify stores/outlets in the No. N.H. or
      No. VT areas and what the NOMINAL cost would be for each?
    
      Thanks in advance for your recommendations and availability/price
      info.
    
      Please reply to; 
    
      Bruce Davy
      CSS KAO Engineering(Canada)
      BRADOR::DAVY
    
    
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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1764.1UPWARD::HEISERWBLM rocks Cliff IslandWed Apr 04 1990 18:116
    Bruce, you will probably get more info from COMMUSIC Notes.  They do
    keys!
    
    hit keypad 7
    
    Mike
1764.2RolandAQUA::ROSTBass is the placeThu Apr 05 1990 09:4718
    
    Just a quick answer:
    
    Both those boards are "home" units as opposed to pro-type units. 
    However, the Roland is a cousin to the current line of Roland pro
    synths and is therefore well supported if you want to ever get into
    sequencing or voice editing using a home computer.  Plus Roland has
    been in the business for many years and is a reliable supplier. 
    Technics has been pushing at the home market for awhile (at least five
    years) with some success, but as of today, unless the Technics had some
    feature I just *had* to have, the Roland would be my choice.
    
    If you hop into DNEAST::COMMUSIC as susggested in the previous reply,
    type:
    
    dir/key=roland and dir/key=e20 to find the relevant notes.
    
    						Brian 
1764.3Incredible keyboard..gives lessonsCOMPLX::BULLARDTue Sep 24 1991 15:1719
     I have recently purchased a keyboard that is just incredible,
    especially for the price. It is called a miracle keyboard (made
    by Software Toolworks). It has 49 full size pressure sensitive
    keys, 16 note polyphonic, midi, 128 digitaly sampled sounds, foot
    pedal sustain and built in stereo speakers (or can be run through
    the stereo). 
      The most incredible feature is it interfaces with the nintendo
    to give you PIANO LESSONS! Its starts out with very basic and 
    goes to very complex peices. It analyzes your errors (timing
    , notes played etc.) and tailors the lessons till you get the
    problem area worked out. It can demonstrate each peice or lets
    you play different arcade style games (like where ducks go across
    the staff and get blasted when you hit the right key). My family
    is quickly learning to play the piano. I like playing with it too
    , but am trying to stay focused on the guitar.
       This was one heck of a deal for $219 from DAK catalog. I've seen
    it in JC Penneys catalog for $300. Sound quality is very good.
    
    chuck
1764.4JENEVR::SAKELARISTue Sep 24 1991 15:335
    hey chuck. Tell me more about the Nintendo part of your keyboard. Is
    that a unique capability between your Keyboard and Nintendo, or will
    any Midi device interface with a Nintendo. 
    
    "sakman"
1764.5Works with this keyboard only.COMPLX::BULLARDTue Sep 24 1991 17:029
    It comes with the nintendo cartridge (specifically for this 
    keyboard only). A cable plugs in the back of this keyboard
    and goes into the first port of the nintendo. Standard nintendo
    controller is left plugged into port B, and is used to control
    piano lessons (start, pause, lesson #, practice room, select
    song, continue etc.).
    
    chuck
   
1764.6HAVASU::HEISERhold me, I'm a fermataTue Sep 24 1991 17:144
    That price includes the keyboard?  Do you happen to have DAK's number?
    
    Thanks,
    Mike
1764.7To order...callCOMPLX::BULLARDTue Sep 24 1991 19:2031
     re:-1
     Includes keyboard, nintendo cartridge, users manual (including
    MIDI info), earphones, foot pedal and nintendo cable link. 
    Incredible price....huh. It was featured in last springs catalog
    at $299, summer $219 and not at all in the fall catalog. Yesterday
    was officially the first day of fall. They said they had 2000 left
    two Saturdays ago, so I'm sure if you order soon you can still get
    it at $219 ($19 P&H). If you want to wait you can probably get it 
    later for $300 (plus P&H) through JC Penny catalog ordering.
    
    DAK Industries Incorporated
    8200 Remmet Ave
    Conoga Park, CA 91304
    
    Order: 1-800-325-0800 anytime (24 Hrs)
           (visa, mastercard, american express)
    
    office hours (6 am to 6 pm M-F, 9 am- 3 pm sat...pacific time)
    Technical info: 1-800-888-9818
    any other inquiries: 1-800-888-7808
    TDD (hearing inpaired): 1-800-888-6703
    FAX orders: 1-818-888-2837
    
    Order No. 5746 (Carnegie Midi- Keyboard)
    ****************************************
    
    
    dumb title, but thats what they refer to it as (ad headline reads;
    "Shortcut to Carnegie hall").  
    
    chuck
1764.8ClarificationCOMPLX::BULLARDTue Sep 24 1991 19:5618
     clarification:
    
    The keyboard has 8 channel (I think) MIDI in and out. The
    nintendo connection is separate and looks like the common
    multi pin computer connector 
    
                        /-------------\
                       /               \
                      /-----------------\
    
    the other end of the cable has the type of connector that plugs
    into the ("paddle") port on your nintendo. Has power in jack, stereo
    headphone jack, on/off switch.
    
    Opps! forgot to mention in last note that the dc power adapter is
    also included
    
    chuck
1764.9NETCAD::SIEGELThe revolution wil not be televisedMon Feb 12 1996 11:2610
Can someone recommend a book or video that teaches piano playing for
someone like a guitarist who's already familiar with the concepts of chords
and intervals?  Something like "piano for guitarists" would be ideal. :-)

I just want to know the piano-specific mechanics of forming chords and
playing, for instance, a triad chord in 3 different places (inversions).

thanks,

adam