I like what Trident said, " Joy? not at all....we are talking bliss here!!!

I echo that sentiment. The arranger opened doors for me musically that would have been closed, had I not picked up an arranger. I could have been playing a few cocktail hour type piano gigs here and there, but the arranger has got me gigs I wouldn't have had otherwise.

Actually it was my wife that bought me as novelty for a birthday a $159 Casio. Since I had a beautiful grand piano sitting in the living room I thought she was out of her mind buying this toy. I was about to return it. But started playing the thing and thought hey this lots of fun. The next 3 years followed with better and better arrangers....and more gigs along the way.

The only joy I don't get from an arranger is the feeling I get when sitting down at an acoustic piano and really being able to play expressively. Yea, you can play and sing with expression using an arranger, but for me who spent those early years playing piano, there is nothing like playing a piano solo with all the dynamics that go along with that instrument.

That being said, I would never trade my arranger for an acoustic piano.