Korg Workshop 25th March 2009

 

Rod used his Korg Pa1X for demonstration purposes.

Music Planet of Moana Place, Orewa (09 427 5300) gave another great Workshop with Kane and Rod giving hands-on demos on how to perform specific functions with the Korg. Stephen Hindson kindly brought his video camera and large screen and image projector so we could all see their hands as they operated the keyboard which was Rod's Pa1X Pro. The hospitality was good again with cheese, crackers and wine to start the evening off in a relaxed manner. Also, Rod played some great arrival music. Items covered were: using the Internet to obtain great midi files with lyrics; how to save these files for use on your Korg; how to add or decrement tracks from these midi files for play along etc; using the Pads; Assignment Switches; brief run through again of saving your performances; how to use scales to enhance your smoothness of play and add interesting 'echo' bars and fills; how to construct and use sevenths to make your music more varied and interesting. All really useful stuff - thanks guys! Note that midi functionality is built-in to all Korg Pa series keyboards.

All photos are courtesy of Colleen Kerr, Secretary, North Shore Amateur Organ and Keyboard Club.

 

Kane showed us a great Web Site to find midi and karaoke files for free and how to download them for use on your Korg. Kane advised that all Pa series Korg keyboards have the ability to download and play midi files as well as edit abilities etc.

 

 

 

 

Some stimulating discussions with a very relaxed atmosphere and plenty of opportunity to ask specific questions from the 'experts' on getting the best out of our Korg keyboards.

 

 

 

Stephen Hindson set-up a large screen to project the keyboard so everybody had a clear view of proceedings. DVD's are available from Stephen of this and some previous Workshops. So don't despair if you missed this session. Contact Stephen at: Creatif Video 09 426 2098 ($15 + p&p per session)

Prescott Club 25th March 2009

What a lovely group of people, it was a privilege to play once again for these folks that are members of the Prescott Club under the auspices of Age Concern.

 

Our host Leslie, as always, made us very welcome as did the caterer Dennis who offered to provide luncheon after the hour-long concert - maybe next time Dennis - what a nice thought! As the Creative Keyboard Club and North Shore Amateur Organ and Keyboard Club's convener was on holiday in the South Island, Gordon Sutherland, President of the North Shore Amateur Organ and Keyboard Club acted as MC.

Marlene Forrest played her great Tyros2: Pack Up Your Troubles; On The Sunny Side Of The Street; Once In A While; Oh, You Beautiful Doll; White Cliffs Of Dover; Whispering Grass; Vaya Con Dios.

Well done Marlene the audience loved it!

Gordon was well supported by three great musicians in order of play: Marlene Forrest (President of the Creative Keyboard Club); Jim Nicholson (Treasurer of the NSAOKC); and, Shirley Smale (a member of both Music Clubs). Marlene and Shirley brought their Yamaha Tyros keyboards with them whilst Jim played the acoustic piano belonging to the Church Hall.  We are due to play again next month for the Prescott Club on Wednesday, 29th April 2009 and that will certainly be our pleasure.

Jim Nicholson had the audience tapping their feet and snapping their fingers as he rattled off a great medley of sing-along songs such as: Roll Out The Barrel; Lille Marlene; and so forth. Thanks Jim a great job.

 

              

Shirley Smale played her brand new Yamaha Tyros 3 arranger/keyboard and what a gorgeous sound. Shirley had the audience humming along as she went through her pieces: More; Among My Souvenirs; When I Fall In Love; I Only Have Eyes For You; All Of Me; Fools Rush In.