Roland Using the VA-76’s Arranger, Set the Volume knob to a reasonable level e.g. about 1/4

VA-76 – Using the VA-76’s Arranger

3.4 Using the VA-76’s Arranger

The Arranger is an interactive “playback sequencer” that provides the accompaniments. These accompani- ments are called “Music Styles”, because they provide an 8-track backing for a given musical genre (Rock, Pop, Dance, Waltz, etc.).

The Arranger is interactive because it 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 accompaniment 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 operating the Arranger:

1.Switch on the VA-76 and use the Easy Routing function (see page 22) to select a “In a BAND” regis- tration with a “Combo” or “Big Band” option.

Of course, you can also register the VA-76 manually. But using the Easy Routing function is probably quicker.

2.If the [SYNC] button lights (which is probably the case), press it to switch it off.

M-FX
CONTROLLERS	EFFECTS	ONE TOUCH
MELODY
INTELL
MIN MAX		TRANSPOSE
M-VALUE

			KEYBOARD MODE		USER PROGRAM
ON/OFF	SYNC	OTHER	ARRANGER	PIANO	DOWN	UP
					FREE PANEL

The [SYNC] button must be off.

The [ARRANGER] button must light.

3.Set the [VOLUME] knob to a reasonable level (e.g. about “1/4”).

4.Check whether the Keyboard Mode [ARRANGER] button lights, and press it if it doesn’t.

5.Play a chord in the left half of the keyboard (to the left of the C key below the USER PROGRAM [UP] button), then press the [START/STOP] button.

The [START/STOP] button lights, and the Arranger starts playing the accompaniment of the selected Music Style. The accompaniment pattern (“Music Style”) is sounded in the key that corresponds to the

chord you played. The name of the chord you are play- ing is displayed below the name of the currently selected Music Style:

6. Play another chord in the left half of the keyboard. The same pattern is now played in that key. In fact, 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 key to its left is enough.

C major	C minor
Only the key that corresponds	Root note + third key to
to the chord's name.	the right.
C 7

Root note + second key to the left.

Note: The function that takes care of this easy fingering is called “Intelligent” (see page 102). See also page 252 for a list of other chords that can be played using this system (augmented, diminished, etc.).

What you hear now is the “ORIGINAL” pattern (the [ORIGINAL] button lights). This is the simple accom- paniment of the selected Music Style. Let’s listen to the accompaniment your could use for your choruses:

7.Press the [VARIATION] button.

As soon as the ORIGINAL pattern is finished, the [VARIATION] button lights steadily, and the Arranger plays a different accompaniment called VARIATION.

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