A number of members of the Basildon Keyboard Club own Yamaha Tyros keyboards.

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Catharina gives her verdict.

How Long have you owned the Yamaha Tyros. I bought it in June 2003

How long have you been playing? I have been playing for about 15 years

Do you only play for yourself, play in front of friends, in public, or semi-professional?

I suppose I could call myself semi professional - it is of the utmost importance that When I play for folk at WI's, TWG's or any other club or gathering, that my playing and conduct are of a professional manner and to the highest standard. I do play in front of friends and also for myself. I do tend to spend more time practicing than playing for my own pleasure, not that I don't enjoy the practise!

What type of music do you enjoy most?
Where "listening" at home is concerned, mostly classical music.
At Organ Concerts, I enjoy a variety of music, what I would describe as a good all Round program, a bit of everything.
Where playing is concerned, I love to play music from the shows or musicals, adore Latin Music or play what we term "Easy Listening" music. Also the themes from TV programs or films.

What is your favorite sound: orchestral, theatre organ, pipe organ, big band, piano?
Piano and orchestral sounds, love pipe organ for church music like for example Vidor's Toccata.

About the Yamaha Tyros:

Was there any particular feature that made you select the Yamaha Tyros?
I was very taken with the realistic sounds of the Tyros, which have improved hugely. - The sound quality is superb. The intros and endings are of a very high quality. Many new rhythms and accompaniments have been brought in, which make this instrument an absolute joy to play.

Is there anything on this instrument you did not have on your last one?
Yes, Mega voices for examples. - If you want to change the tempo of the one touch Settings, you reset it before you start playing and it automatically stays the same for the four settings, a most useful feature. - The One Touch Settings themselves have vastly improved and are most useable.

Is there anything you had on your last instrument you wish you had on this one?
I used to find the individual octave setting a most useful tool, on the Tyros you have to delve into the Mixing Console first.

What are your favorite sounds on this instrument?
Soprano Saxophone (a la Kenny G - beautiful), pan flutes and the huge string Section, there are so many more to choose from.

What are your favorite rhythms on this instrument?
Guitar Serenade (3/4), Chart Ballad, Romantic Ballad, Movie Ballad, Modern Broadway Ballad, Showtunes and yes, Sci Fi March. There is also a "World" Section for rhythms - absolutely super. What a variety.

Has this instrument helped improved your playing? - I am sure that it has - it allows me to be more expressive.

Do you feel more confident playing the Yamaha Tyros?
The overall improvements to the instrument make my playing and enjoyment so much better, that in turn gives me more confident.

What instrument did you have before this one, and do you still have it and play it?
Previously owned PSR 8000. Now sold and money put towards the Yamaha Tyros.

How to Get The Best out of your Yamaha Tyros.

Tyros Features

Styles
Originally the Yamaha Tyros had 300 styles, with the coming of the Premium Pack in August 2004 this was increased to 407. You get three types of style, Pro-styles to give that professional feel, Session-styles to add colour to you chords and Basic-styles to cover a wide range of music.
For ease of use each style can be set up using one touch settings, each setting has four choices, or use the Music Finder and select from over 1400 titles and have the complete keyboard set up for the title you want to play.
You can of course set up your own registrations, eight buttons give instant access to your saved registration and you can store over 10,000 registrations.
To add even more variety there are four multi pads that can be set up with any of the 200 musical phrases.
If you are not happy with a particular sound there is a very comprehensive sound editor.
Once you are happy with you masterpiece why not record it on the built in Song/Style Creator, you can even edit out your mistakes.
If you fancy singing along to your music the Tyros also has a very comprehensive Karaoke system, you can display sheet music on the built in colour screen from standard midi scores.
The Tyros can even supply a baking using the vocal harmony feature.

Keyboard	61 keys with initial and after touch
Voices	403 including Mega, Sweet, Live, Live drums and Cool.
Orchestration	Upper Right 1, 2 & 3. Left hold function available
Polyphony	128 max.
Accompaniment	300 preset styles, unlimited user styles. 4 one touch settings per style. Music finder with 1446 records expandable up to 2500.
Terminals
MIDI	A (in/out) B (in/out)
Control	1) sustain, 2 DSP variation, 3 Volume.
USB
Video out
Audio	Phones Loop send (L/L+R) Line out AUX In/loop return Left/right speakers and sub woofer

Why not come along to a Basildon Keyboard Club Concert, you will be made very welcome, have a great evenings entertainment, a complimentary cup of tea or coffee with biscuits and of course experience the delights of live music played on top of the range electronic organs & keyboards by the best players.