Basic "arpeggio" use on Yamaha keyboard
January 9, 2025 9:34 AM Subscribe
On my Yamaha MOXF8, I can select one of their 7000+ patterns ("arpeggios"), then specify a chord, then the keyboard plays a pattern in that chord/key automatically. I do not have the kind of encyclopedic pop music knowledge that all existing help seems to assume.
To succeed, I need: 1) exact button press sequences an expert would use to have fun this way (I can do it in a basic way), and 2) how to choose awesome arpeggios from the 7000+ provided by Yamaha. I seek examples: video, articles, whatever. (I don't need chord progressions or cadences)
Hi musicians. "Arpeggio" in the Yamaha keyboard context isn't the same as "arpeggio" in music theory.
There are articles and videos on making custom arpeggios. I cannot find the more basic material I need - using the existing arpeggios in a fun and performable/explorable way.
This is about using the existing pre-programmed arpeggios (there are over 7000), not about making custom arpeggios.
- I've tried looking at reviews and at videos and articles made by Yamaha. They are not thinking of me as their audience.
- Even one specific, detailed performance example using a few awesome arpeggios would help.
- The Yamaha MOXF6 is essentially identical and would be a great example.
- I know that the Yamaha Motif keyboards are similar. I've tried searching without being picky about keyboard model, but still am not finding what I need.
- I am not sure info about the PSR series of keyboards would be helpful enough.
- I found material about the internal software structure of the arpeggiator. Interesting, but not the goal.
- I'm willing to work with a tutor if necessary, but haven't found one.
- The keyboard is not their newest.
- I have very limited knowledge of pop music. Ask me about art song sometime.
- I have studied a little music theory - I don't need that. Just fun/exciting actual arpeggio patterns.
- I have and have downloaded (and put into a spreadsheet) the arpeggio types in the Yamaha Data List document. I also have read the user guide.
- I am aware that Yamaha "Performances" let me layer and subdivide the keyboard. Not relevant here; I'm into it, but after I learn what arpeggios are fun/awesome or some efficient way to explore them.
Right now I want to be able to play very fun, but not overwhelming, chord progressions so I can get comfortable with the system and start improvising.
Ideally, I'd love to see details of someone using the existing arpeggios. This could be a video or description of a button-by-button process they used, or even a plan/list/score of which arpeggios are deployed at which time with which keys pressed in what order. Also: I'd love descriptions of the general groupings/styles of the existing 7000+ arpeggios (I have the complete data list of them already, but the names given aren't descriptive).
------------
They seem aimed at people with a lot more keyboard experience and/or encyclopedic pop music knowledge. I'm essentially an alien who spent 8 years in medieval Norway or something -- I know who the Beatles are, but not which words like "Funk" or "Groovy" would apply to them vs. Björk.
Don't teach me the general meaning of funk or groovy - I get that and can easily look it up, to the extent that those words even have definitions. However, if I want something that includes a stepwise melody with audio "whitespace" I'd like some way to guess what that might be.
Hi musicians. "Arpeggio" in the Yamaha keyboard context isn't the same as "arpeggio" in music theory.
There are articles and videos on making custom arpeggios. I cannot find the more basic material I need - using the existing arpeggios in a fun and performable/explorable way.
This is about using the existing pre-programmed arpeggios (there are over 7000), not about making custom arpeggios.
- I've tried looking at reviews and at videos and articles made by Yamaha. They are not thinking of me as their audience.
- Even one specific, detailed performance example using a few awesome arpeggios would help.
- The Yamaha MOXF6 is essentially identical and would be a great example.
- I know that the Yamaha Motif keyboards are similar. I've tried searching without being picky about keyboard model, but still am not finding what I need.
- I am not sure info about the PSR series of keyboards would be helpful enough.
- I found material about the internal software structure of the arpeggiator. Interesting, but not the goal.
- I'm willing to work with a tutor if necessary, but haven't found one.
- The keyboard is not their newest.
- I have very limited knowledge of pop music. Ask me about art song sometime.
- I have studied a little music theory - I don't need that. Just fun/exciting actual arpeggio patterns.
- I have and have downloaded (and put into a spreadsheet) the arpeggio types in the Yamaha Data List document. I also have read the user guide.
- I am aware that Yamaha "Performances" let me layer and subdivide the keyboard. Not relevant here; I'm into it, but after I learn what arpeggios are fun/awesome or some efficient way to explore them.
Right now I want to be able to play very fun, but not overwhelming, chord progressions so I can get comfortable with the system and start improvising.
Ideally, I'd love to see details of someone using the existing arpeggios. This could be a video or description of a button-by-button process they used, or even a plan/list/score of which arpeggios are deployed at which time with which keys pressed in what order. Also: I'd love descriptions of the general groupings/styles of the existing 7000+ arpeggios (I have the complete data list of them already, but the names given aren't descriptive).
------------
They seem aimed at people with a lot more keyboard experience and/or encyclopedic pop music knowledge. I'm essentially an alien who spent 8 years in medieval Norway or something -- I know who the Beatles are, but not which words like "Funk" or "Groovy" would apply to them vs. Björk.
Don't teach me the general meaning of funk or groovy - I get that and can easily look it up, to the extent that those words even have definitions. However, if I want something that includes a stepwise melody with audio "whitespace" I'd like some way to guess what that might be.
Loop was RIGHT THERE. I wonder why they repurposed an actual musical term. With that out of the way, I think what constitutes an "awesome arpeggio" will be subjective, and the idea behind them is what the guy in the video linked above mentions. Use them for inspiration. Poke around. Find combinations YOU like. You could end up writing a hit single using basically "demo mode" on your keyboard, like Gorillaz did.
posted by emelenjr at 11:38 AM on January 9 [1 favorite]
posted by emelenjr at 11:38 AM on January 9 [1 favorite]
Emelenjr has a good point. Have you tried searching for "how to use loops on a Yamaha keyboard"? That might get you more results.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 12:01 PM on January 9
posted by Winnie the Proust at 12:01 PM on January 9
It seems like what you want is information on how to make "fun", "awesome", and "exciting" arpeggio sequences (zeroing in on your words about what you're looking for).
Because those are all extremely subjective concepts, you may be best served by just a lot of trial and error, and making copious notes on what processes you discover that generate the kinds of sounds you like. That's often how I approach new technology, musical and otherwise.
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 1:19 PM on January 9
Because those are all extremely subjective concepts, you may be best served by just a lot of trial and error, and making copious notes on what processes you discover that generate the kinds of sounds you like. That's often how I approach new technology, musical and otherwise.
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 1:19 PM on January 9
Response by poster: Sorry, what I mean is the following:
Yamaha provides a list of arpeggios in their Data List document that looks like this (see p. 48-97).
How do I choose one?
- Many are for drum voices
- Many are not a style that works for anything I'm trying
- The first couple I tried just played the same note over and over -- that's probably intended for a drum voice.
- I've tried "just try some" and it's not fun
Then, what's the fastest/easiest way to turn the arpeggios into a fun experience with the specific buttons/UI/arrangement of controls/software on that specific keyboard?
posted by amtho at 3:12 PM on January 9
Yamaha provides a list of arpeggios in their Data List document that looks like this (see p. 48-97).
How do I choose one?
- Many are for drum voices
- Many are not a style that works for anything I'm trying
- The first couple I tried just played the same note over and over -- that's probably intended for a drum voice.
- I've tried "just try some" and it's not fun
Then, what's the fastest/easiest way to turn the arpeggios into a fun experience with the specific buttons/UI/arrangement of controls/software on that specific keyboard?
posted by amtho at 3:12 PM on January 9
Response by poster: I do see the "Voice Type" column, but it's not that helpful.
posted by amtho at 3:15 PM on January 9
posted by amtho at 3:15 PM on January 9
OK, in the PDF you linked, I can see that the "arpeggios," as Yamaha calls them, are grouped by style of music, by time signature (for 4/4 count "1 2 3 4" and for 3/4 count "1 2 3" like a waltz), by length (I'd have to listen to a few to see what they mean, but maybe the ones with length 2 are twice as long, with more going on in them) and the original tempo (how many beats per minute) the arpeggio was played at when it was recorded.) The final column is the kind of instrument you'll hear played.
You're the producer here. Put a band together that plays a... rock song. Pick a keyboard from the Rock section. Pick a guitar from the rock section. Pick a bass guitar from the rock section. Pick drums from the rock section. Does that help?
posted by emelenjr at 6:50 PM on January 9
You're the producer here. Put a band together that plays a... rock song. Pick a keyboard from the Rock section. Pick a guitar from the rock section. Pick a bass guitar from the rock section. Pick drums from the rock section. Does that help?
posted by emelenjr at 6:50 PM on January 9
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
posted by HearHere at 10:49 AM on January 9 [1 favorite]