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Post-pandemic, the live music scene has been booming & everybody is back out on the road playing in front of audiences again. If you’re a singer-songwriter planning to hit the road in 2023, you’ll need to have the right tools to make it a success.
In this blog, we’ll give you everything you’ll need in your Singer-Songwriter Toolkit this year.
The most important part of your touring tools, aside from yourself (!) is of course the keyboard. This is the very heart of any singer-songwriter’s performance setup and therefore should be chosen wisely.
Firstly, a good touring keyboard should be portable (and ideally something you can stick in a carry case and transport without struggle). Until you have the luxury of a touring party/crew to help with your gear, if you’re using public transport, or even simply to get from the front door of the venue and up the inevitable spiral staircase you have to climb to load in, having something you can stick under your arm makes life so much easier.
You also need to consider what you’ll be using the keyboard for on stage. Are you simply a piano player and only need a lovely piano sound? Or will you be requiring a wider range of voices to play? If so, what kinds of voices?
These are all things to consider before purchasing. A good place to start would be the Yamaha P125A — It’s lightweight, has an 88-key graded hammer standard keyboard (so it feels just like a real piano), and has a variety of built-in sounds to choose from. All without breaking the bank account too!
Also worth a look is the brand new Yamaha CK series portable keyboards. Both of the models in the range can be battery powered so it’s so easy to travel with them. Read Chris’s review of them here.
If you want something with a few more bells and whistles, and an authentic piano feel isn’t what you’re after, then have a look at the SX900 keyboard here and watch Chris’ video below.
18m
Watch Chris's review of the brilliant Yamaha PSR-SX900 keyboard.
A keyboard stand is, of course, an essential accessory. Not the most rock n roll but nonetheless important & you need to make sure you get the right one for your size keyboard.
A standard size, and one that is strong enough to carry even the heavier end of the keyboard spectrum, would be our XX Stand by Stagg. You can have a look at this on our website here.
For alternative stands, you can browse our full selection on our website here.
To keep your keyboard safe during transport, you’ll need a sturdy carry case. Depending on the size of keyboard will depend on how big (or small) the case needs to be. The more padded the better & for me, wheels are a must too!
Find the right carry case for you here.
While most keyboard’s built-in speakers are sufficient for practicing & certainly playing in smaller venues, when you get on stage, unless the venue has its own PA system, you’ll need to invest in some of your own to get the best sound quality during performances.
Yamaha do some fantastic PA systems (check out the Stagepas range).
A dynamic microphone is a must-have for any singer-songwriter. I’d recommend the Shure SM58, which is a legendary mic that has been used by countless musicians for decades. It’s a durable and reliable mic that delivers great sound quality and is perfect for live performances.
Finally, you’ll need to have a repertoire of songs to perform. Whether you’re playing covers or original songs, it’s important to have a variety of tunes that will wow your audience.
In conclusion, if you’re a singer-songwriter planning to hit the road in 2023, having the right toolkit is essential for a successful tour.
By investing in a high-quality keyboard, stand, carry case, external speakers, a dynamic microphone, and a bunch of great songs, you’ll be well on your way to delivering memorable performances that will leave your audiences wanting more.
Good luck!
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These items are sold on behalf of Yamaha, and are sent to us on a per-order basis, typically within 5-7 working days, unless an ETA is otherwise stated.
We'll contact you the moment your purchase arrives with us to organise delivery, based on your selected option.
Example products: Yamaha DGX670, Yamaha P-525, Yamaha YDP-S55, Yamaha Clavinova.
These items must be sent with a heavy-goods courier (typically APC or FedEx). On occasion, depending on which is fastest, we will drop-ship directly from Yamaha to your address via Dachser.
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*If you have included the optional £180 "Yamaha Premium Service" home delivery & setup option offered on selected products, we will contact you regarding arrangements after purchase.
**The Yamaha CSP Series, Yamaha CVP905 & CVP909, Yamaha CLP875, 885 & 895GP, and Yamaha NU1Xa are all sold on behalf of Yamaha and arrive with us on a per-order basis. As soon as your piano has arrived, we will contact you to organise the appropriate dispatch method. ETA for stock is shown on the product page for those items.
***If you have included the optional £99 home delivery & setup option offered on selected products, we will send your details direct to the installation team, who will contact you within 48 hours to make arrangements.
Depending on which option is most appropriate, we will either contact you to discuss a bespoke ePianos delivery surcharge for goods we can’t package for a 3rd party courier, or otherwise dispatch goods via FedEx or APC.
If a courier is used, tracking will be provided by them directly, with a typical arrival time of 1-2 working days.
Example products: Yamaha PSR-SX920, Yamaha P-225, Yamaha NP-15.
These items will be sent via courier (typically APC or FedEx). On occasion, depending on which is fastest, we will drop-ship directly from Yamaha to your address via UPS or Parcelforce.
Tracking will be provided by the courier, with a typical arrival time of 1-2 working days.
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For orders of any stock displaying a 7-10 day lead time, we will contact you as soon as the item arrives with us to schedule a delivery with you.
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This is a special order "agency" item, and comes to us directly from Yamaha on a per-order basis.
It typically takes 7-10 days for this item to arrive with us, whereupon we'll contact you to discuss the arrangement of delivery.
For any pre-orders, we will contact you as soon as the item arrives with us to schedule a delivery with you, and update you with an ETA.
Occasionally, there may be availability issues with our suppliers, in which case we'll get in touch with you to see if you're happy to wait, or if you'd like to cancel the order and receive a full refund.
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