"A keytar is a relatively lightweight keyboard or synthesizer that is supported by a strap around the neck and shoulders, similar to the way a guitar is supported by a guitar strap. Keytars allow players a greater range of movement compared to conventional keyboards, which are placed on stands. The instrument has a musical keyboard for triggering musical notes and sounds. Controls for pitch bends, vibrato, portamento, and sustain are placed on the instrument’s 'neck'." - Wikipedia
The keytar was invented sometime between the 70's and 80's, but is still being sold today. One of the earliest models, the Yamaha SHS-10, comes in black or bright red, featuring 32 mini-keys and a pitch bend wheel along with numerous other affects.
The SHS-10 may be a keytar, but personally I think it looks more like a kids toy. My favorite keytar is the Roland AX-7(the one in the picture above). With 45 pressure sensitive keys, a pitch bend ribbon, touchpad-like expression bar and sustain switch, it's basically 7 pounds of pure awesomeness! It was first in production in 2001 but has stopped being made in 2007.
With the ending of the AX-7, Roland is just now introducing a newer model: the AX-Synth. It's basically like the AX-7, except it's a little better, cooler and more expensive.
I love keytars so much because they combine my two favorite instruments: Piano and Guitar. You get the awesomeness of piano and the mobility and the cool effects of guitar put together.
Here's something I bet you didn't know, keytars are in many bands already! Have you heard of 'family force 5'? They have a keytarist. What about 'Weird Al'? There's a keytar there too. There are tons and tons of bands that have keytarists in them, including one called 'Shy Child'. What I think it interesting about Shy Child is that it's a band with only two people in it: one drummer, one keytarist. The keytarist is the only one playing all the music for all their songs, and the drummer is only doing the drum beats(no offense to drummers)
Here is a video of Shy Child playing one of their songs, "Drop the Phone", live(the lyrics are clean by the way =):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIamkGkUCaU
8 comments:
Everybody take your vitains, and gargle too!! You don't want this cruddy virus or any others!
I've missed three days of school so far(wed-fri) and I might miss school tomorrow too if I'm not well enough =(
i wouldn't mind having one of those...i wouldn't exactly call it my love, but it's really cool!
and tim, stop being sick! It's not good for you! :)
Wow, that has a surprisingly awesome sound to it! You should get one? How much do they run?
And 'bout you being sick...as Sarah said...you should stop it....its not good for you. :P
I think I'll try not being sick tomorrow, then I'll actually be able to go to school again =P
I will definitely get one if I ever have the chance! I want to get the AX-7, which costs about $1,000-$1,200 for a used one in good condition. The newer Roland AX-Synth costs about $1,200+ new =P
It would be so awesome, cause how people do you know play keytar? Oh my, I think I'm drooling again lol
Steller kart has one too. Missed you at dancing man.....it was fffuuunnn!!!! So are you still sick?
Oh really? That's cool =P
I'm kinda bummed that I had to miss dancing. I thought I would be well enough, but I guess not lol
I'm not super sick at the moment, but my noes is running a bit. Besides that I'm doing great! No fever, no nothing =D
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the AX-7(my future keytar) is the exact same one that is in the Shy Child band.
Hey, I just realized you can use html tags to fancy up my comments!
NICE! What's it sound like?
It sounds like lotsa stuff =D
There are loads of different sounds on it, plus all the distortion and effects gadgets on it =P
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