Technical Rider

Attention: Every event requires an individual solution by means of personal agreement. Please check the following basic details:

1) Instruments

Please check in any case if any piano is at site: Name / brand, length (grand piano) / height (upright piano) in cm, age of the piano!
The selection of instrument(s) is based on:

the type of event ( theme, number of guests, schedule, program content,...)
the location ( position, architecture, acoustics,...)
the requested atmosphere ( decor, ambience, chairs / gastronomy,...)
the instrumentation ( solo / band / line-up,...)
and naturally, according to the budget

GRAND PIANO

Most expensive variety; generally deployed because of stylistic and optic reasons
Largest percentage of the cost is the transport - depends on distance, delivery conditions at the venue and the transport possibilities from the piano dealer
The price is always offered "all inclusive" ( rental fee, transport, tuning and piano bench )
If a grand piano must be rented, in most cases I have partner-dealers on site and am willing to make the necessary arrangements myself
Amplification with one microphone for the bass strings, and one for the high strings, placed above the harp. Always bad experience with pick-up systems and most times bad with boundary layer microphones, could be used to support difficult frequencies ( would be ideal to sound-check several variations )
Preferred brands: Steinway and Sons, Yamaha, Boesendorfer, Bechstein, Kawai

UPRIGHT PIANO

My own instrument: Kawai CE 11, black high-gloss lacquer. Measure in cm 111 x 146 x 57 ( H x D x W ), weight: 185 kilos
Piano on location or a rental (see grand piano )
Required information concerning the evaluation of the piano is: brand, size, age, colour, etc.
Minimum height is approx. 120 cm. ( not including transport rollers etc.
Amplification with two microphones for bass and highs, to be placed at the back of the piano soundboard. NO boundary layer microphones, pickups, etc.
Preferred brands: Yamaha, Bechstein, Kawai

ELECTRIC PIANO

My own instrument : Roland FP-7 F Stage piano

PIANO BENCH

Should be an adjustable piano bench, no round stools

DRUMS AND CONTRABASS

We bring own instruments, except by long-distance (air) travel, where providing the equipment costs less than transport
Drumset, if provided: Standard Jazz-Drumset. Own cymbals can be brought
Contrabass, if provided: Any 3/4 double bass which is nice for playing jazz. An adjustable bridge would be best, or prepared with a rather low string level. A pickup system like the "Realist" (David Gage) and a bass amp like Galien Krueger MB 150 would be great, or bigger. Microphone for the PA can be brought, otherwise please provide a DI box
Standard amplification

2) Vocals

Standard amplification ( eg. Shure SM 58 )
I always need one or two monitors for my vocals

3) PA System

MY OWN SYSTEM

Usually adequate for events up to 300 guests
Mixer, 6 Shure SM 58 microphones, 2 FBT-active boxes 12/2, 2 JBL 10" monitors, extra sub woofer if needed
iPod with more than 10,000 titles for the pauses

PA SYSTEM FROM A SOUND-COMPANY

By larger events, depending on the circumstances and requirements
Attention: Expensive! External sound system only necessary if our PA is insufficient

BASIC AMPLIFICATION GOAL

Blues and boogie woogie is music "from the gut "- the sound must be honest, warm, earthy and most of all "fat ". By boogie, the bass-lines and grooves of the left hand are very important. They create the necessary "drive". At larger events supported by the bass-drum and contrabass ( sub woofer ). This is a delicate affair, especially with acoustic pianos, where it depends on feeling and technique.

>4) Stage - Width and Depth

The indicated measurements are the required minimum

SOLO PIANO PERFORMANCE

Grand piano: width of the stage = grand piano length + 150cm, depth of the stage = grand piano width + 150cm. Standard grand measurements ( approx. ) 180 - 230cm length, 160cm width
Piano or electric piano: 3 x 2 m or 2 x 2 m

2 PIANOS / 2 GRAND PIANOS / COMPLETE BAND

2 electric pianos, drums, contrabass ( full band / standard instrumentation ): 4 x 3 m up to 5 x 4 m - depending on the stage surroundings
Trio (one e-Piano, drums, contrabass): 4 x 3 m (without extra-element) or 4 x 2 m plus additionally one extra-stage-element in the middle in the front 2 x 1 m
2 electric pianos: 4 x 2 m
2 acoustic upright pianos: 4 x 3 m or 4 x 2 m
Grand piano: as agreed upon ( depends on the instrument`s size - see above )
Combination of instruments is variable ( e.g. one grand piano and one piano )

DRUMS

2 x 2 m

CONTRABASS

2 x 1 m or 2 x 2 m

5) Stage - Height

Depending on the venue, between 20 cm to 1 m / standard height: 40 - 60 cm

6) Lighting

...is one of the most important decor factors that essentially defines the atmosphere! Presentation according to the over-all concept; as a general rule, "warm colours"