New: SMART CHORD feature only in the PSR-SX920

[DrakeM]

This PSR-SX920 video has been popping up on YouTube for a couple of weeks every time I log in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvLF5aBXxRk

I thought it was just "Click Bait" ... BUT it really is a brand new SMART Chord aid to use if you are playing only C Am F Fm G Em D Dm chords (as an example) for playing your songs.

The JAZZ style SMART CHORD selection is really well featured in the video.  

This feature is not on the G2, I guess Yamaha will feature it on the G3 when it comes out.

Cheers
Drake

[BogdanH]

hi Drake,
This video actually is a "click bait".
"Smart Chord" option also exists on SX720, SX600, DGX-670 and maybe on some other keyboards (but not on SX900/700 or on Genos).

Bogdan

[Bruce Breen]

Here's a surprise...
The old PSR 730 from 1997 (and probably some others back around then) had a Virtual Arranger button, which would alter the chord variations.
Is this similar the the Smart Chord?
It came in handy for me when I use to play it, way back then.

[LaHawk]

Wow Smart Chord is a great tool to have.    Lots of possibilities. I would think Yamaha would include it with the next G2 update.
SX-900? not going to happen.   

[Keysbkk]

It's cool but does seem limited to songs which only use the very basic progressions.

[mikf]

It's limited to single finger chords. That's where the limitation is, not the chord progression.
Mike

[Amwilburn]

It is 100% click bait. I remember trying Smart Chord out on the Yamaha PSRK1, which came out in 2006 or so? And several PSRe's since then have also had smart chord (they removed it from the non-entry level PSR's shortly after the PSRK1)

I didn't like it and switched all our displays to AI fingered. Yes it works great in C Major, where single fingers could bring up the correct chord (G/B instead of B maj! Finally!) But it ran into horrible issues in any other key.

I just tried it on the sx920... it's still exactly the same *except* they've added key signature and major/minor settings, lol.


As if anybody who would need the smart chord setting would know what key they're playing in :p

Sigh.

So to me, it's the same as before: utterly useless unless you were playing in C major (which it *is* useful in, yes).

But I'd still rather use AI fingered and just have the acmp play the root or bass note if that's all I'm playing... no poor AI guesswork.

Mark

[Keysbkk]

It's limited to single finger chords. That's where the limitation is, not the chord progression.
Mike

Hi, yes, I understand what you mean. It's effective for standard chords, and for songs that stay within the typical chords of a key, it works well. However, more creative songs that venture outside the standard chords in a key's progression require 'fingered' or 'fingered with bass.' I appreciate the convenience of the smart chord function in terms of its capabilities; that was the limitation I was trying to express.