New Photos and more…

Click on the image to see the gallery “part 1”. More photos to this gallery will be added later.

Also, this week I figured out “How to carry a compact digital piano such as M-Audio Prokeys Sono 61” on the subway in New York City!
I really wanted to post this blog because I searched so much online and NOONE has posted any insight on this.
Most pianists have tried many different keyboards, and bags. I actually found lots and lots of forums with many pianists discussing their set-ups and the different ones they’ve had throughout the years.
If I’m driving to the gig’s location I have no problem loading my car with my M-audio 88 Prokeys (using the yamaha p-120 soft case) with the X-stand in the trunk and that’s it. If it’s an important gig and I can get there by car, I’d take my full digital piano- Yamaha p-120 which weighs 38lbs, and its double-X-stand and get some “Male Help” (lol) for the loading. If it’s a rush-hour gig in Manhattan, the best way to get there is ALWAYS the subway. If the venue doesn’t have a piano, I have used many times the 88 Prokeys and its stand attached with bungee cords on a foldable dolly (from Lowe’s). I’ve done this by myself but I can tell you that those subway stairs definitely greatly welcomes some “Male Help” and I am very grateful for having received that many times.
But I prefer to be independent. This M-Audio Prokeys Sono 61 is quite fantastic- full-sized half-weighted keys (with a soft comfortable spring), neat sound and light. It is 61 keys but has octave buttons easy to reach on the left, and any -especially female- pianist knows that to compromise the carrying weight of a piano, you have to let go of something. Thank you to M-Audio for releasing this and changing my life- lol!
There are absolutely no custom-made soft and light carrying case for this keyboard, the only custom-made case are Air Flight-safe ones, they cost $300 and weigh more than a keyboard like this.
So first I got a cheap (well made) basic “Groove Pak” bag with back-straps. To prevent the keyboard from moving inside (it’s smaller than the bag) and getting the keys damaged, either you saw in some padded Velcroed straps or an inside sleeve to snuggle it. I got some talented help on the sawing and it works great….
Then if you’re someone with a strong back (a guy!) you just carry it on your back and hold the stand in one hand and your gig’s stuff in another bag…. I tried that and it just didn’t work! I work out but I’m not THAT strong, lol!
I finally figured out how I wanted to carry it, with wheels! No bag exists with wheels… so I just got the idea of putting both the keyboard stand and the bagged keyboard upright inside an zipped-open well-made small carry-on size bag that was stored in my closet… I tighten the keyboard bag using its back-straps grabbing the carry-on handle. I tried it on the subway and it works! It rolls great, I can either use the handle of the carry-on or the shoulder strap to its full extension to pull it, or push it depending on the sidewalk’s curbs. To go up the stairs I can just lift it (this keyboard is only 11lbs) using the carry-on bag’s hands straps. Much better than a dolly which is heavier and doesn’t roll great. Plus, I can put my gig’s stuff (CD’s, mailing list…) in the front pocket or in my little back-pack.
It’s only when you love something so much that you find a real solution!
I hope this will help many other (female) pianists to go around the city!!! :)
I will post pictures that will demonstrate this subway carrying set-up!

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