We've had so many interesting questions and wonderful suggestions, we thought why not write the next book as a collaborative project with Chick's fans!
If you'd like to submit a question for consideration for either Chick’s book "A Work in Progress II – A Collaborative Project." or for posting on Inside Scoop, please visit Write Chick.
The "A Work in Progress II - A Collaborative Project" book will be a compilation of fan questions and Chick’s answers. Inside Scoop is answered by our crack staff, Chick aficionados or Chick himself.
We'll be posting selected questions and Chick's answers on a regular basis. Check back often to see what people are saying!
Question to Chick:
[I was] curious about your keyboard rig for the US tour. I saw the video on the Five Peace Band website and it's obvious that you were going for the minimalist approach: will this continue to be the case?
James Garfield
Webmaster & Co-Founder, FenderRhodes.com
CHICK'S ANSWER:
Hi James,
My electric keyboard rig set up is definitely a work in progress. Not having been using Rhodes, Minimoog, and synths for so many years (except for the occasional E. Band reunion) I lost touch with the developments in electric keyboard and synth technology. When I dove back in with RTF this past summer, there was so much I wanted to evaluate in such a short time that I ended up with probably an "overkill" set up - - but, in the process, learned a lot about what works and doesn't work for me these days. It's certainly an ongoing creative area for instrument makers and programmers and players. Great, fun stuff!
Aside from time, the other barrier is always "cartage" when traveling on a tour - - which leads me to the practical solution of trying soft synths via the laptop - - MainStage, Logic, Spectrasonics, Absynth, etc. And, in fact, there's a whole other world of sound and facility available there too. So, it's A Work In Progress - and probably will continue to be. But, so far, no software sounds have fully been able to replace the richness of the acoustic piano, Rhodes or Minimoog - - but, each year they're coming closer and closer.
All the Best
- Chick
Question to Chick:
I am very interested to know and would like to ask you – how do you divide your time between creating and between doing things that will help the creativity come out the way you want it to.—Yakiros
CHICK'S ANSWER:
Hi Yakiros,
Well, I basically decide what I'd like to accomplish - in 5 years, in 2 years, in 1 year, in 6 months, by next month, by tomorrow, and plan it out the best way I can. There's always a lot of teamwork with others to make things happen well of course. Planning time is a very high ability and a good one to develop. Start with planning out 1 day - like tomorrow - of things you need to do and then get that done. Then you can stretch it out further and further into the future. You have to follow through on your initial plan.
Good luck,
Chick
Question to Chick:
First and foremost, thank you for all of the incredible music and musicianship that you have put out over the years. You are definitely one of my main inspirations with regard to my own playing. With all of the cool gear you have used over the years what do you think of some of the newer technology?—Don
CHICK'S ANSWER:
Dear Don,
It's fulfilling to know that my music created such a good effect on you.
You're quite welcome as it's one of the effects I prize most.
As to the newer technology you mention, I assume you're referring to
keyboard, recording and audio technology in general. It's an interesting
subject and often a controversial one.
I have two different opinions of electronic and computer technology used in
music. I'll tell you the most important one first as it helps me understand
all else to do with technology of all kinds. It's that music's purpose is to
communicate its creator's message and emotion to the listener. A favorite
quote of mine from a book called Art by L. Ron Hubbard is: "Art is a word
which summarizes the quality of communication." In my experience with music
and artists and audiences, this has always seemed to be the basic simple
purpose of music and art forms of all kinds. Even if I'm just making music
for myself or for a friend, the purpose is still the same - to communicate,
to create an effect - and to communicate in a way that is pleasing. When
musical instruments and computers used for music are thought of as "tools,"
the physical means of communication, and are used that way, then all the
mechanics of techniques and technology are in their correct importance.
Technology should always serve the idea or the message of the artist. When
it does, it works. When the technology itself becomes the point of interest,
it loses it's art.
Here's 2 definitions of "instrument" from my computer dictionary:
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instrument |instrəmənt|noun 1. a tool or implement, esp. one for delicate or
scientific work: a surgicalinstrument | writing instruments. • a thing used in pursuing an aim or policy; a means: drama as an instrument of learning....2 (also musical instrument) an object or device for producing musical sounds: a percussion instrument...ORIGIN Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin instrumentum 'equipment, implement,' from the verb instruere'construct, equip.' |
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So, an "instrument" is something that is used by the musician and the
musician's intent and message (his communication) is the guiding thing.
My second opinion about technology is that when computers and pianos and audio
gear are developed with the intent to make music for people, it's the best
use of "technology" I can think of. In my composing, I've come to appreciate
the computer for the whole act of composing. I use Logic to put my
compositions onto computer score as they're easily managed that way. I can
edit them into any form I need. For instance, I just took the Logic score of
a Bill Evans song I'm currently playing with Hubert Laws, Eddie Gomez and
Airto Moreira, and after Hubert told me that he'd like to try it on the alto
flute (transposed a fourth up), I put up the piano part on my computer,
transposed it up a fourth and in 2 minutes had a clean alto flute part for
Hubert for the night's performance. I'm always curious about the use of
synthesizers for color and the new developments in keyboards are really very
creative - with soft synths offering whole new vistas of ways to make sound.
When the musical idea comes first and the technology is chosen to support
that idea and make it happen - that's when it works the best - that's when
music is made.
Good luck,
Chick
Question to Chick:
What is your favorite piano brands and models and why?—Casey
CHICK'S ANSWER:
Dear Casey,
I've enjoyed playing many different brands and models of pianos through the years. Each maker seems to have a particular idea of how to make a piano and they're all interesting. But the brands that have made their mark on the world and are mostly available as I tour around are Yamaha, Steinway and sometimes Bosendorfer. Since the 70's Yamaha has been my personal preference - at first because of the reliable service but then, after the advent of the CF3, I preferred the touch and sound of Yamaha concert grands over all other brands. That's not to say I don't enjoy playing well-prepared Steinways or Bosendorfers. As a matter of fact, the one concert grand piano I have owned since '81 is a Bosendorfer Imperial. It sits in my music studio along with the beautiful Yamaha CF3 that Yamaha has provided for me. Between these two lovely instruments, I have all I could ask in fine pianos.
As for models, after the larger grands, I do like to practice on good uprights. I find them sometimes backstage in my dressing rooms and like to play a bit before the show starts.
Digital pianos are very convenient for practicing and composing when an acoustic piano is unavailable. Yanaha makes great digital pianos - some light enough to travel easily.
One word about the continuing quality of pianos though: after a piano is well designed and built and then delivered to its owner, without constant professional care and maintenance, the best made pianos will soon start to sound worse and worse - as they go out of tune and out of "regulation." The moral of that almost-story is the basic principle that the competent piano technician is everything to the continuing quality of any piano. So my cheap
advice is: find a great piano technician first, then have him help you choose and maintain any piano you buy.
Happy piano playing!
Question to Chick:
Dear Chick,
we are going to play your wonderful tune "Captain Señor Mouse," how did how you come to this title?—Deyssenroth
CHICK'S ANSWER:
Hello Deyssenroth,
Well, Señor Mouse was originally just Señor Mouse as my Latin mouse. Then when the concept of Hymn Of The 7th Galaxy was created for the album's theme, I made my Latin mouse into a space ship captain.
That's the way titles come about sometimes.
Chick
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