Yes, I believe that Diki...so it's best that you don't try and express it at all..at least to me....you are just digging a bigger hole...leave it be.

This is what you said,

"Let's take Ian's keybed, as an example. Ian likes it, has gotten used to it, but i GUARANTEE that if they replaced it with the keybed that is on a MoXS6, he would love it just as much (and if it had started out with as good a keybed, Ian would be dismissing other keyboards with as flimsy a keybed as vehemently as most do here) and start to gush as enthusiastically about it as he does with what he has."

You know you were over the line...I have never addressed you in that manner...ever...I have always met you head on, not take a swipe at you by putting you in the third person, and slapping reactions and responses that I would assume you would make.

That's not conversing on a forum...it takes two to converse.

But, if you need to use questionable tactics like this to make a point, my friend, go ahead...but please don't include me the next time.

Ian

thats fair enough comment Ian.Its a pet peeve of mine too.

Sorry Ian,

I dont see anything evil in Diki's post pointing towards you. He only uses your situation, that most people on this forum know about, as an example to express "his opinion".

WE're all making to much fuzz about things like this, as long as there is no personall harm intended in a post, its very well acceptable by me..

Now if he would have named you a explicitly a fool or some other nasty word for not accepting his opinion as the truth then that would be wrong.

i hear you Bachus but if the guy asks nicely to be left out of a posting, then its only fair that his wishes are respected.

IMHO,
The biggest conversational "trap", is the very frequently used phrase "for my needs".

Most people tend to like and to defend what they have, for the usual silly reasons: a) they paid money for it, b) it is their choice c) they don't like to realise or to be told about their mistakes.

So when others point out shortcomings on their sound , their setup, suggest changes for the better, suggest alternatives and so on, we run to the "best for my needs" wall, and the conversation ends. No bad things come from staing that this is the "best of my needs" and this catchphrase silences the opposition.

Of course, no good things could come out of this. It is like every mother that thinks their offspring is the most beautiful. Well mom, sorry but it isn't, period. Your child has the biggest nose ever recorded in history.

I agree with Diki about the balance thing, and he presented it with at least a lot more politeness than other times where I criticised him for that. Constructive critisism is all we need.

On the other hand, some here who propose alternatives, they don't do it out of a genuine need to make things better for the others, they just want to bash them or to steer them to a certain direction. One needs to have a very analytical thought to shift through the garbage and realise which post is genuine help or at least genuine opinion and not a nonsence blurb made for baiting others and start a meningless conversation and which is actual advice.

Maybe that is why the "active" posting member number has dwindled over the years?

On a lighter side, maybe we should omit the word "General" from the title of the forum. Some people here believe it is an open invitation for them to run their own little army, to command around and have subordinates. In one word, to be the "Generals" of the arranger forum.

Thank you, Spalding.

When someone assumes they "know" what my reactions, replies and choices would be, and then posts about it on this public forum, in a disrespectful and flippant manner, I have no other recourse than to respond as I did above.

I don't need someone to speak for me...my voice on this forum is my own, as are my opinions and choices.

I don't do this type of thing to anyone, and therefore I have very clearly, and reasonably, asked that it not be done to me.

I'm not being picky or overly sensitive...I just don't like being disrespected.

Thank you for your understanding.

Ian

Well, sadly this has taken a turn different from the original intent. In fact, we can even see WHERE that turn occurred. But, back to one of the two points I was trying to make (which only one person actually addressed), and that is, that on most OMB arranger gigs, it's the SINGING, not the arranger playing, that gets the folks out of their wheelchairs and onto the dance floor. I know that there are some exceptions, people who only do instrumental gigs, but they are in the minority and generally don't play nursing homes or dance-friendly gigs.

There are two kinds of audiences; those that are out to be entertained (in the most general sense) and those that go for the music. The first group would include Nursing homes, dance-oriented clubs, casinos, even churches. The latter would include jazz clubs, certain coffee houses, some upscale restaurants and country clubs. Obviously there is some overlap so don't bother posting that you know of an exception.

If the singing is good, assuming you belong to that majority that are singer/players, nobody is going to exclaim, "OMG, did you hear how realistic the guitar audio loop that's buried in that style was?". So again, for the benefit of those who are so obsessed about the presence or absence of every little feature or sound nuance, I'll say it again, IT'S THE SINGING, STUPID.

chas

Chas,

I couldn't agree more. Over the years I've managed to put on some awesome performances where I though the instrumentals were the best ever--no one ever said a word about them. BUT, when I have a great vocal performance, the accolades are non-stop.

Cheers,

Gary

I know many OMB's overhere in Holland that are very popular on paties and weddings... and they barely touch the keyboard (All midifile) but they are all great singers...

A friend of mine is still playing those parties and weddings with his drummer, because the drummer has an awesome singing voice, he makes less money/gig because he has to spil 50-50, but has more gigs over all. Above all he has much more fun because he can concentrate fully on playing the keys and thats where he excelss.

But in the end all the cheers and applaus go to his drummer.

[This message has been edited by Bachus (edited 02-20-2010).]

What I have noticed.
"Old School" Audiences: Don't much care for singers who use tracks, ala Karaoke, and who don't play an instrument. Seeing a decent singer playing an instrument is what they expect..and seals the deal.

"New School" audiences: Don't care if the music is live or coming from an iPod in his or her pocket..as long as the singer is decent and the music is dance-able.

Then there is the "Dinner Music" audience, where a live player is required to play what we have been calling "wallpaper music". You play pleasant ditties very quietly. You think nobody is listening. No singing required. At the end of the night you are approached by folks bearing compliments and gratuitie$.

Just my observations.

Eddie