A Hard Truth About Gigging That No One Tells You

If you’ve have performed a gig, you probably know this feeling: the excitement of your first performances as a group, the thrill playing music on stage, and the rush of making some money from it so you can buy more gear to do bigger and better shows.

But after a few dozen (or a few hundred) gigs, that excitement from loading and unloading your heavy gear can start to fade and then, reality sets in...

Your gear is freaking heavy.

I often joke with bandmates that in another life, I would have been a trumpeter! The instrument is easy to carry and fun on stage.

Over my years as a performing keyboardist, I’ve gone from hauling 60+-pound keyboards around to embracing a setup that’s lighter, smarter, and can be stage-ready very quickly.

And it’s not just about convenience. It’s about growth and realizing my own struggles.

Gear Obsession ➔ Gig Efficiency

When I first started performing, I thought the key to a great show was having the best stuff.
More keyboards meant more sounds, more options, and more “wow” factor ... or so I thought.

The first professional keyboard I used on stage was an Alesis QS 8.1: a solid, reliable workhorse that weighed 66 pounds without the case. It was great for the first few years, but after a decade of lugging it in and out of cars, I started to feel the physical strain.

I wasn’t getting better as a performer. I was just getting tired.

That realization led me to a Yamaha Motif XF7, which cut the weight in half and improved my workflow. It became my main keyboard for over a decade… until recently.

The Turning Point

Now, years later, even that 32-pound keyboard has started to feel like a chore after back-to-back gigs. My body told me what my mind had ignored: it’s time to simplify again.

So, I started looking for a new gigging keyboard. Something lighter, versatile, and ready to perform without sacrificing quality.

Enter the Yamaha MODX M7

The MODX M7 caught my eye for one big reason: Weight.

At just 17 pounds (with 76 keys), it’s almost effortless to carry. But beyond that, it still packs serious functionality: faders, layering, sampling, and the ability to recreate my favorite Motif XF patches.

In fact, I was even able to find most of my EXACT sounds from the Motif built into the MODX M7 already. That means I can keep my performance consistent without hauling around a ton of gear.

My setup time? Time will tell but I expect it to be cut in half. The energy saved? Priceless.

The Biggest Lesson

This isn’t just about keyboards. It’s about learning to perform smarter.

We all go through that “gear” phase, thinking that better gear equals better performances. But the truth is, great performances come from preparation, confidence, and connection with your audience.  Not from owning the best gear in the room.

And the right gear will make your job easier, not harder.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been feeling worn out from gigging, maybe it’s time to take a step back and rethink your setup.

Your performances... and your back... will thank you. Best of luck!

P.S. In case you haven't noticed, I am a big fan of Yamaha synthesizers. Check out all of their products here.