Arranger specific playing Technics

[ekurburski]

Wondering if some of you could elaborate on specific techniques you use in your playing.  For instance when and how you use multi pads or which way to bend the notes to achieve special instrument sounds?

[Normanfernandez]

The best way would be to watch YouTube videos.

Those techniques can't be taught or have a fixed pattern.

https://youtu.be/uznFjNj2VNQ

For this song I use two Drum Multipads.

How I ended up using it...

Came from listening to all the Multipads and making a Sonic Vision as to where it could be applied.

Hope my experience helps you!
Regards Norman!

[ekurburski]

Sorry but I did't see where you called up a mutipad?

[DrakeM]

I don't use multipads except to play a drum and cymbal clash in three songs.

New York, New York  .... Fever ... My Toot Toot

You can find the same riffs found in the MultiPads in the Yamaha styles. I copy them from the styles and paste them into the custom style I will use for the song. That way I never have to remember to engage a MultiPad during a performance.

As far as bending notes: Just experiment by letting the keyboard play a single background pattern. For example: start the style by playing a "C" cord. Then find which notes you can bend that sound correct and NOTE them on a piece of paper (as note if you are bending the up 1 or 2 steps). Then play a song in the key of C and learn to bend that note as you are playing the song.

Start off with a SLOW song, one you know very well. Then move on with the same steps an "F" and then a "G" chord.

Regards
Drake

[mikf]

Multi pads are used to enhance a style. Provides a short riff or break. Only you can really decide when and if you want to use them. Experiment with it. I personally never use them, and many people do not.
Bending notes is something that you do with instruments like sax, trombone and guitar. If you listen tom recordings you will hear how real players of these instruments for it and then you try to emulate that. The note is generally depressed below the pitch and slid back up to full pitch. Just experiment with it and get a feel for how and when to use it.
Mike

[AlBags]

Permanent loop multipads are great with Dance music.

[acparker]

I like to use them to add the descant, or a second melody line when I want it to have a different instrument to what I'm playing.  (Solo violin over strings, for example.)

Adam

[andyg]

Multi Pads, if you really learn how to use them, can be a fantastic feature.

My more advanced students all use them to add extra instrumental stabs, fills and even entire melodic parts to their arrangements, as acparker mentioned. You have to learn, practise and record these extra parts of course, but the difference they can make to a piece is tremendous. A good alternative to multi-tracking.