Roland E-80 - Manual (Page 25)

Playing to an automatic accompaniment
E-80 Music Workstation r
25
Playing to an automatic accompa-
niment
Let us begin with the automatic accompaniment func-
tion, which is called “Arranger” and often referred to as
“Style” in the display and on the front panel.
The Arranger is an interactive “playback sequencer” that
provides the accompaniments. These accompaniments
are called “Music Styles”, because the musical phrases
(“patterns”) they play concentrate on a given musical
genre (Rock, Pop, Dance, Waltz, etc.).
The Arranger allows you to transpose the melodic
accompaniment parts (bass, piano, guitar, etc.) simply
by playing chords. In most instances, you will probably
do so with your left hand. Each Music Style comprises
several patterns, so that you can vary the accompani-
ment by starting with an introduction, using a simple
accompaniment for the verses, a more elaborate one
for the choruses and by ending your songs with an
“Ending” pattern.
Let us first look at the most important aspects for oper-
ating the Arranger:
(1) Connect and switch on the E-80 (see pages 20 and
21).
(2) Press the EASY SETTING [ARR] button.
The button’s indicator lights and the keyboard is split
into two halves. The left half can be used to play
chords, while you can play melodies in the right half.
(3) If the SYNC [START] button lights (which is proba-
bly the case), press it to switch it off.
(4) Set the [MASTER¥VOLUME] knob to a reasonable
level (e.g. about “1/4”).
(5) Press the [MAIN] button (it lights).
(6) Play a chord in the left half of the keyboard (to the
left of the C key below the USER PROGRAM [LIST]
and [1] buttons), then press the STYLE CONTROL
[START÷STOP] button.
The [START÷STOP] button lights and the Arranger
starts playing the accompaniment of the currently
selected Music Style (called “Strummlin’Pop”).
The accompaniment pattern is sounded in the key
that corresponds to the note you played (C). The
name of the corresponding chord is displayed in the
upper left-hand corner of the display:
Note: See “Song/Arranger Start Priority” on p. 246 if Arranger
playback does not start.
(7) Play another chord in the left half of the keyboard.
The same pattern is now played in that key. You don’t
even have to play full chords:
• For major chords, playing just the root note is
enough (e.g. “C” for C major, “A” for A major, etc.)
• For minor chords, playing the root note and the third
key to its right will do.
• For seventh chords, playing the root and the second
ARR ORGAN
SYNC
START STOP
VOLUME
INTRO MAIN END/RIT START
START
STOP
STOP
BASS
INVERSION
AUTO
FILL IN
VARIATION
1 2 3 4
SYNC
STYLE CONTROL
START
STOP