I think of the 'keytar' as an iconic 80's instrument, possibly because of the rise of synthesizers around the same time.
Some genius hit on the idea of putting a shoulder strap on a keyboard synthesizer, then added a guitar-like neck.
KEYboard + guiTAR = KEYTAR!
Let's talk about the history.
Some genius hit on the idea of putting a shoulder strap on a keyboard synthesizer, then added a guitar-like neck.
KEYboard + guiTAR = KEYTAR!
Let's talk about the history.
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The 'pinnacle of the art', so to speak, with his distinctive personality & signature style on full display.
Because he used both hands, he used a normal keyboard with a neck strap to give him freedom of movement.
Without the neck, it doesn't qualify as a keytar, but close!
(📷: Robert Whitaker)
Ludwig was one of the few composers to write music specifically for THIS instrument, called an 'orphica': a piano you wear around you neck, complete with strings & hammers.
Because of the limited keyboard, specialized music to be written for it.
Here's a diagram for the 'Alesis Vortex', for example.
Did the left hand on the neck operate pressure-sensitive levers/buttons that mimicked strings in combo with the keyboard? Or just a different position for other digital modifier buttons?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melodica
It seems like I’ve seen a lot of young bands using keytars lately; are they having a resurgence?
https://youtu.be/sKy5t-UNA0s?feature=shared