To me, the arranger is just another tool of the trade.

I played solo piano for many years, and though I still love to play that way, using an arranger keyboard has opened up many more possibilities, especially nowadays...the more versatile you are, the more you work.

It works well for solo gigs, jam sessions with a buddy or two, and even has a place in the studio for doing quick, but effective backgrounds for song demos.

Only a few actual arranger "players" in my area...the rest use it as a SMF player and sing and play guitar along with the backing tracks.

I've never had anyone say anything negative about my using an arranger...at least to my face...and I have absolutely no regrets about digging in and learning how to make the most of it's great features...it has more than returned my investment of time by adding to my bank account as well as adding a new dimension to my solo playing.

Definitely a positive addition to my kit.

Still lots of work for me around my area as a solo arranger player specializing in in dinner music(instrumental) for restaurants and for private functions.

The bars/pubs hire DJs but also hire bands...quite a few of the latter have reverted to SMF backing...usually replacing the bass player and drummer...most bars have made the stages smaller to make more room for more patrons, and hence more profit....so if you want to play, you have to fit in the same space as the DJ.

I'm not doing any solo gigs until the spring...I don't like playing/moving gear in the winter.

Ian

[This message has been edited by ianmcnll (edited 01-28-2009).]