Bernie, you ask "Is Musicianship Dying?". In my opinion, NO. I think there are just as many talented, well-trained musicians now as there were generations ago. What I think is dying is the general public's desire/demand for good, well-constructed music played by good, tasteful, competent musicians. Rock may be popular but let's face it; in terms of complexity, construction, melodies, and general sophistication, jazz (and the music of 'Broadway' from which much of it originates - along with blues) in most of it's forms, is several legs up the musical hierarchy from Rock N Roll. Let's face it, a kid with modest talent and two weeks of guitar lessons can hold down a lot of Rock gigs. If he can also scream at the top of his lungs while playing those three chords, he may end up spending the next few years boosting the drug trade, trashing hotel rooms, and impregnating 'groupies' (ah, to be young again ).

Soooo, it aint the keyboard, it aint the keyboardist, it's the dumbed-down audiences .

chas