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Synthoid · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 5:46 pm Post subject: Why is a synth so "alien?"

OK, this is a bit off topic, but this morning I was looking through a clipart collection a friend gave me and came upon the section of music instruments. All there was in the group (representing keys) was a rather cheesy-looking piano. I wasn't expecting a synth in the clipart but it got me thinking.

Whenever I receive a comment on my playing (whether in a band or solo), people almost always refer to my keyboard as a piano or organ. Is it too difficult to just say "keyboard?" I mean.....a 61-key synth doesn't look like a piano to me.

Many times when you visit a local music store, there are lots of basic consumer-oriented keyboards on sale but rarely a synth.

So......is the synth that mysterious or "alien?" It has been used in mainstream music for ages now, but often goes unnoticed, or is criticized as "too 80's" or "cheesy." Rolling Eyes

Comments?
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Sharp · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:40 pm Post subject:

Diego · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 1:14 pm Post subject:

Oh Yes!

This is one of the two thnigs I hate most in general public!
When they refer to keybs they call just piano or organ!!
The other thing it really annoy me is that when someone ask you "what's your job?" "I'm a musician" "No, I mean your real job" [punch in the face]

regards
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Synthoid · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:27 am Post subject:

Voltan · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:22 am Post subject:

so true

Vadim · Platinum Member Joined: 20 Nov 2006 Posts: 625

good thing someone brought the topic up!!!

i was always thinking about this..

People (even those that play instruments) only know about guitars, and a few other instruments like violin or saxophone.
Plus that like to constantly repeat "live music is better"

Vadim · Platinum Member Joined: 20 Nov 2006 Posts: 625

Vadim · Platinum Member Joined: 20 Nov 2006 Posts: 625

also, some none musical people, and a little musical people...
whenver they see a keyboard or a synth or a auto-arranger or whatver, they always think that that's an auto-accompaniment keyboard.
I hate when people come up and say can you play me a song?
I start playing, and than they say:

"no, something with music" , "can you make the keyboard play the music"

I can't beilieve how Arranger-keyboards ruined everything!!

Who invented arranger keyboard must Die!!!!!!
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Voltan · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 11:23 am Post subject:

Synthoid · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:49 pm Post subject:

Voltan · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 6:57 pm Post subject:

I try to take this all with good humour.... and i'm still getting a keytar one day Twisted Evil

Keytars in Poland have a double (or more) cheese factor because they do not only get instantly connected with the 80s but also with some very bad Polish dance music (mostly from the 90s) popular mostly in the least developed regions of the country...
Playing a keytar in a metal band here is total suicide but I'm still getting one... one day that is... got some purchases with higher priority before that Wink

Vadim · Platinum Member Joined: 20 Nov 2006 Posts: 625

Voltan · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 9:49 pm Post subject:

what's with the font? calm down Wink

I agree on the "playing to a pre-recorded backing track" thing

higskies · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 12:53 am Post subject:

ellll · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 1:05 am Post subject:

I have to go with Sharp, regarding the "general public"...

And I went through life as a classical musician....think about the abuse I suffered...!! However, people did get amazed if there was a piano nearby I could jump on...always impresses, so I guess the name is just such a part of the whole lexicon...we can't escape it..

John Rolling Eyes