Disklavier

I purchased my disklavier primarily as I am a professional classical 
singer. Initially Yamaha had plans to produce accompaniment series 
(they did a set of Brahms songs), but the yield since has been small.

Anyone have any suggestions?
Fraser

Fraser -

I am interested in your question as I would like to better understand 
the interactions between a singer and accompanist.  For example, at the 
start of a performance, there is usually a subtle exchange of visual 
signals between accompanist and singer: "Are you ready?", "OK, start!"

I assume that there are other cues exchanged during the performance. 
For example, the sensitive accompanist may adjust her tempo and add 
pauses in accordance with her perception of the singer's needs.

Granting that those human communications are essential, I do not believe 
that there is yet a machine that would respond to the singer in the way 
a human accompanist does.  Nor, out of ignorance, do I know what is so 
special about the Yamaha product you are waiting for (with baited breath?).

You could help me understand a singer's needs by telling us what would 
be the shortcomings of the following scheme:

Suppose you, or another singer, were to have a session with your 
accompanist during which the accompaniment would be recorded on the 
Disklavier.  What problems would you foresee in reusing that MIDI 
recording of the piano accompaniment for your practice sessions?

In anticipation of some possible objections, here are several things 
that can be done now:

*  You could be standing at your appropriate place near the piano where 
you would tap a foot pedal to start the accompaniment.  (You could also 
tap again to pause, and tap yet again to continue.)

*  Metronomic tapping of the eighty-eighth key of the piano could be 
inserted into the MIDI file so as to provide you with a lead-in cue for 
your start.

*  Although not available that I know of, it would not be especially 
difficult to provide you at your singing position with a foot pedal box 
with "Play", "Stop", "Pause", and "Rewind" pedals.  This might involve 
using a laptop computer connected to the Disklavier.

Please tell us more.







frubensca wrote:
> I purchased my disklavier primarily as I am a professional classical 
> singer. Initially Yamaha had plans to produce accompaniment series 
> (they did a set of Brahms songs), but the yield since has been small.
> 
> Anyone have any suggestions?
> Fraser
> 
> 
> 
> To Post a message to the group, send it to:   disklavier@...
> 
> To Post a private message to Todd Muncy, the group's founder and moderator, send it to:
> disklavier-owner@...
> 
> To reach our group's web site go to:
> http://Yahoogroups.com/group/disklavier
> 
> Todd's family web site was completely updated 01/15/03.  It contains some fun disklavier content and links to midi sites among many other things, The url is:
> http://MuncyFamily.com 
> 
> THINKING OF LEAVING THE GROUP?
> If you are thinking of unsubcribing because you are getting too much mail, go the the web site and change your email delivery option instead.  That will fix the problem, while maintaining your access to the group.  If you insist on leaving us completely send a blank email to:
> disklavier-unsubscribe@... 
> 
> Know someone who wants to join?  Have them send a blank email to:
> disklavier-subscribe@... or give them this link:
> http://Yahoogroups.com/group/disklavier/join 
>  
> 
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ 
> 
> 
> 


-- 
Robert Welcyng
Anchorage, Alaska

Robert My use of the disklavier has been incredibly helpful for concert performances. But let me assure you, it has not replaced (nor would it ever) a live

And yes, the foot pedal would be cool and would greatly facilitate things. Just to reiterate - use of my disklavier has greatly enhanced my singing and

Fraser, thanks for filling us in.  It sounds as though the biggest 
hurdle, from your standpoint, is a lack of available Disklavier files 
with quality accompaniments for the music that interests you such as 
Schubert.  There is a niche waiting for the right person to fill.

Bob

fdrubens@... wrote:
> Robert
> 
> My use of the disklavier has been incredibly helpful for concert performances. But let me assure you, it has not replaced (nor would it ever) a "live" accompanist.
> 
> The tool is invaluable to memorize art songs and indeed, entire opera parts. It is one thing to sing along with a recording, and another altogether to sing with a beautiful baby grand piano.
> 
> Yes there are times when rehearsing by oneself with a disklavier, that it would be great to control the speed with a footpedal. However, I have received a few very, very good midi files - recorded on a disklavier by professional accompanists, that I can learn so much from, and "following" the piano is not an issue. The easy memorization then allows the music to become part of me, so that when I work with an accompanist, I can be more flexible. finally, I can export the midi file from the disklavier to a tape and play it in the car.
> 
> The only site with high quality accompaniments, is MusAcom - but they've added little new to their repertoire and there's so much Schubert left to record. I guess the market is small.
> 
> Fraser Rubens
> 
>>From: Robert Welcyng <rwelcyng@...>
>>Date: 2003/07/30 Wed PM 01:41:26 EDT
>>To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
>>Subject: Re: [disklavier] Piano accompaniment
>>
>>
> 
> 
> 1
> 
> 
> To Post a message to the group, send it to:   disklavier@...
> 
> To Post a private message to Todd Muncy, the group's founder and moderator, send it to:
> disklavier-owner@...
> 
> To reach our group's web site go to:
> http://Yahoogroups.com/group/disklavier
> 
> Todd's family web site was completely updated 01/15/03.  It contains some fun disklavier content and links to midi sites among many other things, The url is:
> http://MuncyFamily.com 
> 
> THINKING OF LEAVING THE GROUP?
> If you are thinking of unsubcribing because you are getting too much mail, go the the web site and change your email delivery option instead.  That will fix the problem, while maintaining your access to the group.  If you insist on leaving us completely send a blank email to:
> disklavier-unsubscribe@... 
> 
> Know someone who wants to join?  Have them send a blank email to:
> disklavier-subscribe@... or give them this link:
> http://Yahoogroups.com/group/disklavier/join 
>  
> 
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Fraser -
> 
> I am interested in your question as I would like to better understand
> the interactions between a singer and accompanist.  For example, at the
> start of a performance, there is usually a subtle exchange of visual
> signals between accompanist and singer: "Are you ready?", "OK, start!"
> 
> I assume that there are other cues exchanged during the performance.
> For example, the sensitive accompanist may adjust her tempo and add
> pauses in accordance with her perception of the singer's needs.
> 
> Granting that those human communications are essential, I do not believe
> that there is yet a machine that would respond to the singer in the way
> a human accompanist does.  Nor, out of ignorance, do I know what is so
> special about the Yamaha product you are waiting for (with baited breath?).
> 
> You could help me understand a singer's needs by telling us what would
> be the shortcomings of the following scheme:
> 
> Suppose you, or another singer, were to have a session with your
> accompanist during which the accompaniment would be recorded on the
> Disklavier.  What problems would you foresee in reusing that MIDI
> recording of the piano accompaniment for your practice sessions?
> 
> In anticipation of some possible objections, here are several things
> that can be done now:
> 
> *  You could be standing at your appropriate place near the piano where
> you would tap a foot pedal to start the accompaniment.  (You could also
> tap again to pause, and tap yet again to continue.)
> 
> *  Metronomic tapping of the eighty-eighth key of the piano could be
> inserted into the MIDI file so as to provide you with a lead-in cue for
> your start.
> 
> *  Although not available that I know of, it would not be especially
> difficult to provide you at your singing position with a foot pedal box
> with "Play", "Stop", "Pause", and "Rewind" pedals.  This might involve
> using a laptop computer connected to the Disklavier.
> 
> Please tell us more.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> frubensca wrote:
>  > I purchased my disklavier primarily as I am a professional classical
>  > singer. Initially Yamaha had plans to produce accompaniment series
>  > (they did a set of Brahms songs), but the yield since has been small.
>  >
>  > Anyone have any suggestions?
>  > Fraser
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  > To Post a message to the group, send it to:   disklavier@...
>  >
>  > To Post a private message to Todd Muncy, the group's founder and 
> moderator, send it to:
>  > disklavier-owner@...
>  >
>  > To reach our group's web site go to:
>  > http://Yahoogroups.com/group/disklavier
>  >
>  > Todd's family web site was completely updated 01/15/03.  It contains 
> some fun disklavier content and links to midi sites among many other 
> things, The url is:
>  > http://MuncyFamily.com
>  >
>  > THINKING OF LEAVING THE GROUP?
>  > If you are thinking of unsubcribing because you are getting too much 
> mail, go the the web site and change your email delivery option 
> instead.  That will fix the problem, while maintaining your access to 
> the group.  If you insist on leaving us completely send a blank email to:
>  > disklavier-unsubscribe@...
>  >
>  > Know someone who wants to join?  Have them send a blank email to:
>  > disklavier-subscribe@... or give them this link:
>  > http://Yahoogroups.com/group/disklavier/join
>  > 
>  >
>  > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to 
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>  >
>  >
>  >
> 
> 
> -- 
> Robert Welcyng
> Anchorage, Alaska
> 
> 
> 
> To Post a message to the group, send it to:   disklavier@...
> 
> To Post a private message to Todd Muncy, the group's founder and 
> moderator, send it to:
> disklavier-owner@...
> 
> To reach our group's web site go to:
> http://Yahoogroups.com/group/disklavier
> 
> Todd's family web site was completely updated 01/15/03.  It contains 
> some fun disklavier content and links to midi sites among many other 
> things, The url is:
> http://MuncyFamily.com
> 
> THINKING OF LEAVING THE GROUP?
> If you are thinking of unsubcribing because you are getting too much 
> mail, go the the web site and change your email delivery option 
> instead.  That will fix the problem, while maintaining your access to 
> the group.  If you insist on leaving us completely send a blank email to:
> disklavier-unsubscribe@...
> 
> Know someone who wants to join?  Have them send a blank email to:
> disklavier-subscribe@... or give them this link:
> http://Yahoogroups.com/group/disklavier/join
> 
> 
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service 
> <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/>.


-- 
Robert Welcyng
Anchorage, Alaska

Assuming you hook up and configure your laptop to the DKV:

With a laptop, and sequencing software, it is fairly easy to 
increase/decrease tempo, play/pause (although may be a little too 
clunky for a singer as currently implemented) in real time.

With Cakewalk for instance, if you click in the tempo field at the 
start of a song, then all that has to be done is press +/- keys to 
increase/decrease tempo.

Pressing the space bar plays/pauses/resumes.

All this could adapted to a foot pedal, but I would think 
wireless/remote would be better suited. Either wireless for the 
laptop or I wonder how suitable is the existing remote for the DKV? 
What do you think?

Fred Kagel, Dir.
Freehold Computer Training Ctr
www.freeholdcomputer.com


> *  Although not available that I know of, it would not be 
especially difficult to provide you at your singing position with a 
foot pedal box with "Play", "Stop", "Pause", and "Rewind" pedals.  
This might involve using a laptop computer connected to the 
Disklavier.

I had forgotten about my dust-covered DKV remote handheld controller! 
Fred's suggestion of using the remote sounds like the most practical way 
to select, start, stop, and adjust the tempo and volume of recorded 
accompaniments.  That must have been Yamaha's intention for that thing.

One slight problem may be in finding an adequate optical path to the 
DKV's controller from the singer's traditional standing position. 
Fortunately, it's not difficult to relocate the control box from its 
normal knee-bruising position.

fkagel wrote:
> Assuming you hook up and configure your laptop to the DKV:
> 
> With a laptop, and sequencing software, it is fairly easy to 
> increase/decrease tempo, play/pause (although may be a little too 
> clunky for a singer as currently implemented) in real time.
> 
> With Cakewalk for instance, if you click in the tempo field at the 
> start of a song, then all that has to be done is press +/- keys to 
> increase/decrease tempo.
> 
> Pressing the space bar plays/pauses/resumes.
> 
> All this could adapted to a foot pedal, but I would think 
> wireless/remote would be better suited. Either wireless for the 
> laptop or I wonder how suitable is the existing remote for the DKV? 
> What do you think?
> 
> Fred Kagel, Dir.
> Freehold Computer Training Ctr
> www.freeholdcomputer.com
> 
> 
> 
>>*  Although not available that I know of, it would not be 
> 
> especially difficult to provide you at your singing position with a 
> foot pedal box with "Play", "Stop", "Pause", and "Rewind" pedals.  
> This might involve using a laptop computer connected to the 
> Disklavier.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> To Post a message to the group, send it to:   disklavier@...
> 
> To Post a private message to Todd Muncy, the group's founder and moderator, send it to:
> disklavier-owner@...
> 
> To reach our group's web site go to:
> http://Yahoogroups.com/group/disklavier
> 
> Todd's family web site was completely updated 01/15/03.  It contains some fun disklavier content and links to midi sites among many other things, The url is:
> http://MuncyFamily.com 
> 
> THINKING OF LEAVING THE GROUP?
> If you are thinking of unsubcribing because you are getting too much mail, go the the web site and change your email delivery option instead.  That will fix the problem, while maintaining your access to the group.  If you insist on leaving us completely send a blank email to:
> disklavier-unsubscribe@... 
> 
> Know someone who wants to join?  Have them send a blank email to:
> disklavier-subscribe@... or give them this link:
> http://Yahoogroups.com/group/disklavier/join 
>  
> 
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ 
> 
> 
> 


-- 
Robert Welcyng
Anchorage, Alaska

Good evening, everyone.

Most models of Disklavier do accept a foot switch pedal as an input device 
that can control Play and Pause. In addition, some of the Disklaviers will also 
accept a MIDI volume pedal for the same purpose. The volume pedal, however, 
will also enable you to modify the tempo during playback.

Regards,
PianoBench

In a message dated 7/31/03 4:20:07 PM, rwelcyng@... writes:

<< I had forgotten about my dust-covered DKV remote handheld controller! 
Fred's suggestion of using the remote sounds like the most practical way 
to select, start, stop, and adjust the tempo and volume of recorded 
accompaniments.  That must have been Yamaha's intention for that thing.

One slight problem may be in finding an adequate optical path to the 
DKV's controller from the singer's traditional standing position. 
Fortunately, it's not difficult to relocate the control box from its 
normal knee-bruising position.

fkagel wrote:

> Assuming you hook up and configure your laptop to the DKV:
> 
> With a laptop, and sequencing software, it is fairly easy to 
> increase/decrease tempo, play/pause (although may be a little too 
> clunky for a singer as currently implemented) in real time.
> 
> With Cakewalk for instance, if you click in the tempo field at the 
> start of a song, then all that has to be done is press +/- keys to 
> increase/decrease tempo.
> 
> Pressing the space bar plays/pauses/resumes.
> 
> All this could adapted to a foot pedal, but I would think 
> wireless/remote would be better suited. Either wireless for the 
> laptop or I wonder how suitable is the existing remote for the DKV? 
> What do you think?
> 
> Fred Kagel, Dir.
> Freehold Computer Training Ctr
> www.freeholdcomputer.com >>

Robert,

We have a Mark III upright so the console sits on top at chest level. 
With the remote, you can increase/decrease by percentage or resume 
back to original temp. You loop a segment/secton (see p.36 of basic 
manual). And of course, it has Play, Pause, Stop.

Looks like the remote seems is all you need.

Fred Kagel, Dir.
Freehold Computer Training Ctr.
www.freeholdcomputer.com


--- In disklavier@yahoogroups.com, Robert Welcyng <rwelcyng@a...> 
wrote:
> I had forgotten about my dust-covered DKV remote handheld 
controller! Fred's suggestion of using the remote sounds like the 
most practical way to select, start, stop, and adjust the tempo and 
volume of recorded accompaniments.  That must have been Yamaha's 
intention for that thing.
 
> One slight problem may be in finding an adequate optical path to 
the DKV's controller from the singer's traditional standing position. 
Fortunately, it's not difficult to relocate the control box from its 
normal knee-bruising position.
> 
> fkagel wrote:
> > Assuming you hook up and configure your laptop to the DKV:
> > 
> > With a laptop, and sequencing software, it is fairly easy to 
> > increase/decrease tempo, play/pause (although may be a little too 
> > clunky for a singer as currently implemented) in real time.
> > 
> > With Cakewalk for instance, if you click in the tempo field at 
the  start of a song, then all that has to be done is press +/- keys 
to increase/decrease tempo.
> > 
> > Pressing the space bar plays/pauses/resumes.
> > 
> > All this could adapted to a foot pedal, but I would think 
> > wireless/remote would be better suited. Either wireless for the 
> > laptop or I wonder how suitable is the existing remote for the 
DKV? 
> > What do you think?
> >

> I'm not sure this comment is on-topic, but I have been using a neat little
> device which allows me to control my DKV from anywhere in the house.   One
> part is attached to the dkv remote with velcro..  It translates the IR signal
> to 900MHz, I believe.  The other part is the receiver, which receives the 900
> MHz signal and converts it back to IR and sends it to the DKV.  The receiver
> needs to be in sight-path of the DKV control box.  Works great.  Just have to
> replace a battery on the sender every few months.
>  
> If anyone is interested, I can try to find the company and post the info.
>  
> Dave Smith
> SW FL
> www.davidsmithpiano.com <http://www.davidsmithpiano.com>
> 
> 
> 
> 
> David, I would appreciate that info a great deal.
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> -Holly Hegeman