[sdiy] user interfaces, was Radio Shack catalogs

[David G. Dixon]

> > Thinking of it, a mallet instrument (vibraphone, marimba) hardly
> > provides a "physical frame of reference", does it? Of course you get
> > into touch with the keys while playing, but once you have hit the
> > wrong one, it's too late. And there are many mallet virtuosos.
> 
> And where's the difference to e.g. a piano?
> 
> You hit the wrong key, you lose.


Response, Part I:

If Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Louis Thiry, Art Tatum, George Shearing, and
countless other blind (or nearly blind) keyboardists can do it, so can
anyone!

But seriously, whether one needs to look at the keyboard or not is largely a
function of how one learns a piece, I think.  For example, there are certain
Bach pieces I practiced with the score (such as the Prelude and Fugue in C
from WTC-I).  I didn't watch my hands, and as a result I can't look at the
keyboard when I play them (because it appears foreign and is too
distracting).  I also can't play them without the score.

Others I practiced only after memorizing the score (such as the Prelude and
Fugue in C-sharp major, also from WTC-I).  I watched my hands instead, and
those I can't play without looking at the keyboard (because I need the
visual cues).

Finally, there are those that I memorized first but played with my eyes
closed (such as the Prelude in C minor from WTC-I).  This piece I can play
completely by feel (as it should be).

Go figure.  I find since I got my Yamaha grand that I also tend to rely a
fair bit on the reflection of my hands in the shiny underside of the
keyboard lid, particularly when playing jazz.

(I'm the master of bad habits!)