The Eumaas Synthesizer Thread

[Wolter]

When I saw Elvis Costello in 2006, Steve Nieve was all over the map.

[Marky Dread]

This all something for me to muse about given the common perception of critics (and even some proponents) of how the synthesizer isn't "really playing," that it's quite passive. Apart from the prog weirdos with their banks and banks of synths, hopping about, the appearance of the synth guy in the band is generally quite stoic compared to the standard rock poses. It's a neat oddity in terms of labour and performance in rock and what it conveys. Expectations, really, of what performance is supposed to look like.

As you can imagine, it's really hard to play a stationary instrument and leap about the stage. Probably why the keytar was invented.

I used to go and watch XTC at their early gigs and this guy was never still.

Hard, not impossible.

Not hard at all. Sure you don't have the freedom of the stage or of the movement a guitarist has but I've seen loads of keyboard players who play energetic music leaping about and bouncing up and down giving it some attitude. Synth bands are usually a lot more reserved but the stoic thing usually fits the robotic feel of the music played.

[Marky Dread]

When I saw Elvis Costello in 2006, Steve Nieve was all over the map.

Another perfect example.

[Kory]

This all something for me to muse about given the common perception of critics (and even some proponents) of how the synthesizer isn't "really playing," that it's quite passive. Apart from the prog weirdos with their banks and banks of synths, hopping about, the appearance of the synth guy in the band is generally quite stoic compared to the standard rock poses. It's a neat oddity in terms of labour and performance in rock and what it conveys. Expectations, really, of what performance is supposed to look like.

As you can imagine, it's really hard to play a stationary instrument and leap about the stage. Probably why the keytar was invented.

I used to go and watch XTC at their early gigs and this guy was never still.

Hard, not impossible.

Not hard at all. Sure you don't have the freedom of the stage or of the movement a guitarist has but I've seen loads of keyboard players who play energetic music leaping about and bouncing up and down giving it some attitude. Synth bands are usually a lot more reserved but the stoic thing usually fits the robotic feel of the music played.

Well I say it is, and as I'm always right, the debate has ended in my favor.

[Silent Majority]

Jerry Dammers danced pretty well from his spot onstage.

[Marky Dread]

As you can imagine, it's really hard to play a stationary instrument and leap about the stage. Probably why the keytar was invented.

I used to go and watch XTC at their early gigs and this guy was never still.

Hard, not impossible.

Not hard at all. Sure you don't have the freedom of the stage or of the movement a guitarist has but I've seen loads of keyboard players who play energetic music leaping about and bouncing up and down giving it some attitude. Synth bands are usually a lot more reserved but the stoic thing usually fits the robotic feel of the music played.

Well I say it is, and as I'm always right, the debate has ended in my favor.

I say, you haven't got a clue what you're talking about and hope a piano falls on your head. Who cares about the debate now?

[Kory]

I used to go and watch XTC at their early gigs and this guy was never still.

Hard, not impossible.

Not hard at all. Sure you don't have the freedom of the stage or of the movement a guitarist has but I've seen loads of keyboard players who play energetic music leaping about and bouncing up and down giving it some attitude. Synth bands are usually a lot more reserved but the stoic thing usually fits the robotic feel of the music played.

Well I say it is, and as I'm always right, the debate has ended in my favor.

I say, you haven't got a clue what you're talking about and hope a piano falls on your head. Who cares about the debate now?

I never did.

[Marky Dread]

Hard, not impossible.

Not hard at all. Sure you don't have the freedom of the stage or of the movement a guitarist has but I've seen loads of keyboard players who play energetic music leaping about and bouncing up and down giving it some attitude. Synth bands are usually a lot more reserved but the stoic thing usually fits the robotic feel of the music played.

Well I say it is, and as I'm always right, the debate has ended in my favor.

I say, you haven't got a clue what you're talking about and hope a piano falls on your head. Who cares about the debate now?

I never did.

This is the correct answer. Still best keep one eye on the sky today.

[Kory]

Not hard at all. Sure you don't have the freedom of the stage or of the movement a guitarist has but I've seen loads of keyboard players who play energetic music leaping about and bouncing up and down giving it some attitude. Synth bands are usually a lot more reserved but the stoic thing usually fits the robotic feel of the music played.

Well I say it is, and as I'm always right, the debate has ended in my favor.

I say, you haven't got a clue what you're talking about and hope a piano falls on your head. Who cares about the debate now?

I never did.

This is the correct answer. Still best keep one eye on the sky today.

Sweet release.

[eumaas]

This thread is not about keyboardists.

[Kory]

This thread is not about keyboardists.

Many synths have keyboards attached to them.

[Marky Dread]

This thread is not about keyboardists.

It is now!

[Dr. Medulla]

This thread is not about keyboardists.

Synthesizers and labour, you capitalist pig.

[eumaas]

This thread is not about keyboardists.

Synthesizers and labour, you capitalist pig.

synthesizer =/= keyboard

[Dr. Medulla]

This thread is not about keyboardists.

Synthesizers and labour, you capitalist pig.

synthesizer =/= keyboard

Using a synthesizer = performance = labour.