Practical MIDI

I’ve written several articles about the use of MIDI files to replace several band members who may have grown out of the band thing. I’ve written about duo acts and solo acts filling the voids left by departing members. But I hadn’t even thought about MIDI taking just one member’s place. I did mention in an early column that I’d seen Steppenwolf perform live without a bass player but that I’d later learned that the band had the bass parts sequenced.

So, in answer to this gal’s question about MIDI taking just the keyboard player’s place, I’d have to say yes, it’s possible with a few cautionary comments. First of all, you have to be sure that the rest of the band can adapt to playing EXACTLY in time with the MIDI file, unless you want to end up finishing ahead of the keyboard parts. Then the jig will be up and the audience will know something’s amiss. I can’t stress enough the importance of practicing with that file until you can do it in your sleep.

If you’re somewhat adept at keys but aren’t good enough to whip out fancy solo work, simply chord along as best you can and let the MIDI file do the fancy stuff. The audience can’t see your hands from where they’re standing and they’ll think it’s you playing that “Green-Eyed Lady” organ solo. At the end of the song you may even want to tinkle a few keys after the song has stopped, like some live musicians are prone to do. It’s almost like a magician doing slight-of-hand, only in your case, it’ll be slight-of-ear. The audience will believe what they see and hear as long as you can look convincing. Eventually you’ll get better on the keys and may rely less and less on the MIDI to carry you through.

As an example, I sent this gal one of my MIDI files after I’d turned the volume down on all tracks except the keys. She can still hear faint sounds from the other instruments, but for the most part, the keyboard track will be dominant. I also suggested in place of the drum track that an audible click track remain on the file so the band can follow along at the correct speed. I prefer the sound of a closed hi-hat (F#2 on the keys).

In this gal’s case she needed just keyboards. You could just as easily adapt this procedure to any other instrument you want played but don’t have the personnel. A guitarist, bassist and keyboardist could keep just the drum track to fill the sound out. They might even think about sequencing a tricky guitar solo for parts that the guitarist isn’t comfortable with. The possibilities are endless with MIDI.

I’m learning some of these tricks as I go along. Some I had to learn the hard way during live performances and some I learned as I edited the files at home on my computer. If I can save someone a few steps along the way, so much the better.

©2004 Bill Bernico for CYBERMIDI.com Downwind Publications