I responded to a post by Lucky2Bhere in the 'Guitar Center' thread (with predictable results). The gist of it is repeated here:

quote:
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Originally posted by Lucky2Bhere:

Ref the GC situation. I can see it going a step further than that. In the near future you're probably going to see even fewer pro arranger keyboards on the market. Has anyone noticed that no one these days takes the time to learn or play professionally (OR sing even...watch American Idol). Music and performing will somehow be integrated into a computer (which is a natural seque as computers do everything for us now anyway).
Meantime, I'm NOT throwing away any old keyboards!


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Although your argument is kind of contradictory (not learning to play should help, not hurt, the development of arranger-type keyboards, as they represent the ultimate in computer-assisted 'playing'), I tend to agree with the part about not taking the time to learn to play at a professional level. I've said many times before that the 'ultimate' arranger is a MP3 player. That's one of the reasons I returned to straight organ playing. Although today's organs (ie. Nord C1) are lighter in weight and have a few electronically-based convenience features (ie. transpose), there is nothing there that's going to help you if you can't play. It kind of forces a return to musicians playing music.

Despite it's usefulness as a tool for OMB-type entertainers, if you look at it's (home-organ) roots, I'm guessing that it was never intended as a professional-use instrument, and the proof lies in how they are marketed. AND, despite what you may hear here on this board, you won't find many in true professional venues, either. When you see the bands on shows like Letterman, Leno, American Idol, etc., you will NEVER, EVER, see an arranger keyboard, only workstations, workstations, workstations.

You may have noticed that our beloved Ian is never more unloved than when he occasionally points out that no matter how much we want to believe that our arrangers are 'pro' instruments, they are marketed to, and intended for, the home market. Little clues like 'one-finger chords' still don't provide sufficient evidence for some of us .

We keep asking for features that helps us sound better while playing less. Why do we keep demanding less of ourselves and more of our keyboards? Here's some more news; audiences don't REALLY prefer MP3's, midi files, and arranger styles, to 'real' live music; we've just trained them to accept it (in some venues).

We tell ourselves that we're giving our audiences more (by using arrangers), but we're not. Some of the very best acts that I've seen in my lifetime have been with a single acoustic guitar or piano. What was common about them? They could all REALLY, REALLY PLAY.

I'm not really 'dissing' arranger keyboards; that would be ridiculous on an arranger forum. I just think that they should not be used as an alternative to learning to play. In all honesty, I also don't think they should be used in a professional setting either, but that's a personal thing with me. I think that they are wonderful tools for songwriters and excellent sketchpads for arrangers and composers. I even think that they can be an excellent source of creativity but should never be the end-product. I also think that my opinion is just that, my opinion. Not gospel, just opinion. Now, let's hear yours (without calling me nasty names).

chas (Tyros 2, PA1x Pro)

PS: Feel free to Hijack it or ignore it. They're only thoughts and opinions which you can agree or disagree with. Not exactly Darfur or Global Warming.