Good points.

First of all - I have always embraced the newest technology, and if I may be so bold to say .... I have perfected the art of making the tool do exactly what I want(within it's limitations, of course). I have been making a living on far worse gear than I have now ... it's all relative. The tool is only as good as the craftsman.

Arrangers are not evil, or means of laziness, but the very nature of automation DOES diminish our own motor skills to some degree. Even this week - I've noticed, my bass hand is not quite as sharp as it once was. All skills require constant maintenance, and finger dexterity is no exception.

The name of this forum "suggests" that we are all arranger players, but I think it goes further than that. With our diverse mix of members, we are all PLAYERS ... of some degree, so giving hints and tips on better "playing" techniques only seems natural. I was slow to accept the arranger into my arsenal, because I always had TOTAL control over the arrangement .... by playing the bass and chords myself, and using a drum machine pattern for rhythm. I gradually came to an understanding with the arranger section by using it sparingly. Even with the full arranger running .... I play full chord accompaniment with my right hand - that's how I personalize the song. I need to add more "me" to each mix, other wise I feel like a front man with no control over the band.

I can never really hear any individuality from song to song if I DON'T do that.
EG: The standard 4/4 eight beat is used by Soooooo many songs - it would be musical suicide to just let it run and think that different chords make for different songs. It's important to add some "spice" to the canned stuff, and that's what I was trying top point out by advising us all to "turn off the arrangers" every so often. Same way with the 12/8 ballad style so popular in 50's and 60's music. I need to hear more than those piano triplets to keep me awake !

At the end of the day - we are all the same. Just trying to make a little music, whether it's for profit or for fun .... it's all good, and however you achieve that goal is a good and viable method. Use the means at your avail - listen to the advise of your peers, and most of all ..... have some fun. Geeeze, it HAS to be fun, doesn't it?

I'd go nuts in the corporate world. I'm so lucky that I'm able to eek out a modest living in this crazy, glitzy world of show biz. When it stops being fun ... then I'll have to stop too. Man, I'd hate to have to wear wing tips to work .... YUK !
DEFINATLY, not my style.

OK ..... I'm ready to buy a new keyboard now.
Oh yeah, I forgot ....... no one makes what I want.

Darn.