Information AboutKeytar |
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keytar]] (2006)]] A keytar is a Keyboard or Synthesizer worn around the neck and shoulders, similar to a Guitar . The word “keytar” is a '' Portmanteau '' of “keyboard” and “guitar.” Keytars allow players a greater range of movement, compared to conventional keyboards, which are placed on stands. Originally the creation of guitarist Steve Masakowski , the keytar was commercially introduced in 1980 as the Moog Liberation . The first Liberation owner (#1001) was Spyro Gyra keyboardist Tom Schuman (with numbers 1002, 1003, and 1004 owned by the band Devo ). Perhaps one of the earliest printed use of the term “keytar” was circa 1980 in an interview of Jeffrey Abbott (owner of Moog Liberation #1005) by Tom Lounges of ''Illianabeat'' magazine (now '' Midwest BEAT Magazine ''). The keytar was made popular in the 1980s by Glam Metal bands, as well as Synthpop and New Wave groups. Changing trends in music diminished the keytar’s popularity shortly thereafter. The keytar has enjoyed new visibility due in part to software innovations from companies like Musiclab (RealGuitar), UltimateSoundBank (PlugSound) and the Williams (Keytar V-1). It is important to distinguish a genuine keytar from a toy, as some children’s toys are manufactured in the same shape. A key difference is that toys generally have one- or two-note Polyphony , whereas professional models allow the performer to play many notes at once (excepting older instruments such as the aforementioned Moog or the Roland SH-101 ). Also note: while Edgar Winter often performed with a keyboard slung around his neck in the early 1970s, it was not a keytar—it was merely an ARP 2600 keyboard with a shoulder strap added. Wayne Famous of the 1980s band The Producers also strapped on a regular Oberheim Synthesizer which eventually caused him back problems later due to the weight of the synth and his moving around. Features controlled from the instrument’s “neck” include Pitch bends, Vibrato , Portamento , and sustain. There are few models of keytars currently produced. Yamaha was once well-known as a keytar manufacturer. Roland’s AX-7 was produced from 2002 until early 2007. Williams makes the V-2 keytar, but it is significantly different than what is traditionally considered a keytar, instead looking more like a guitar which happens to have a keyboard on it. The term “keytar” also refers to the ability to emulate the playing style and sound of an electric or acoustic guitar via a Synthesizer , Sampler or Computer . ALTERNATE NAMES FOR KEYTAR
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