Just to let you know . . .

I've been rather quiet these past couple of weeks, even maybe a little bit lazy.
No blog entries, no new songs or YT videos.
But, I'm still around . . .

The fact is, after my new year's eve gig, I've been taking a kind of self-imposed sabatical from the vocal aspects of being creative. As regular readers may recall, I picked up a rather nasty cold just as the holiday season began, and as a result, I really struggled to get through my final club appearence on the 31st December.

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The cold has since subsided, but has left me with a lingering chesty cough and croaky throat, which is still hanging on a bit even now. So, I've been resting my voice so-to-speak, and hopefully as this week progresses, I plan to find out if my voice has recovered.

I have a few projects in the pipeline, and hopefully will get down to some trial recording later in the week.

Just before the holidays I took delivery of a new keyboard, the new Yamaha Tyros-4.

I have to say this is one truly amazing instrument. It's going to take me quite a while to get to grips with it. I've never pretended to be an expert, and would be the first to admit there are far better musicians out there than I'll ever be, but nevertheless, it is the most awesome bit of kit I've ever come across. So I'm really hopeful of being to expand my musical horizons with this instrument.

Some years ago I had a Roland VA7 keyboard, which at the time I was very impressed with. I know keyboard technology has moved on, but in my opinion the Tyros-4 just leaves the VA7 standing, both in terms of what it can do, and ease of operation.

It is a formidable, and somewhat daunting instrument when you sit down in front of it for the first time, but within a few short moments, I'd figured out a few basics and was away!! Whatever the style, whatever the voice setting, it just makes you want to play. And in the last couple of weeks, I've been doing a bit of that and, learning a little more about the instrument each time I switch it on.
I've always been a fan of the German "Schlager" genre of music, and one of the things that particularly pleases me about the Tyros-4, is the fact that it does feature some excellent schlager styles

It looks as though this could be the start of a beautiful friendship . . .

I bought the Tyros-4 hoping it would see me into my retirement years, and give me a musical alternative to basket-weaving. I'm sure it will, and I look forward to sharing some of the results with you in the years to come.