Fran, this is not a criticism of your performance (Canadian sunset - done, no doubt, as a tribute to Ian ), but it does sort of bring up one of my problems with arranger keyboards (or at least, the way they're used). That involves Intros and Endings. The fact that the average user cannot play at the level of the professionally done Intros and Endings (especially the most complex ones which seem to be the ones most people choose). This makes for a very glaring disconnect with the rest of the song and BTW, doesn't fool anyone. If I ever used an arranger live (I never have), I would use either the simplest ending or, more likely, just the drums (and MAYBE bass) from an ending, and that, just to bring it to a 'tidy' close.

The other thing is to use appropriate lead voices for the particular style. For instance, theatre organ with hip-hop style just sounds bizarre. Lastly, with arrangers, I think we need to try to 'get in touch with' or 'feel' the style and then try to play within that style (as opposed to forcing our style of play onto it).

Just some thoughts (which clearly should be on another thread ). In fact, I think someone should start a thread ie. "Tips on using arranger keyboards 'live' (professionally)".

chas