Henni, you're absolutely correct. I resisted becoming a disc jockey (in addition to playing live) for years because I thought it would be downgrading myself to an "entry level" position in the entertainment industry. I soon learned the same..."the art of pushing the correct button at the correct time is a skill by itself." And, same here...."I do not feel humiliated in the least!"

Mark

Chas....I give you credit for "going against the tide" and being one of the few to comment on that. And you couldn't have said it any better than you did....brilliant and candid.

I haven't followed my own post here that close, but reading some of the responses tonight to what you wrote is prompting me to make my own comments. I don't know the general mood of this thread, but I thought it was a perfect time to say the same thing and go "against the tide" myself.

There have been many fine performances presented here, but also some NOT so fine! And it was more than obvious! Yet it's the same old scripted accolades, not to mention the "clapping hands" emoticon that always seems to appear.

I go to a Spiritual group meeting once a week. Last week the topic was "how do you make the world a better place?" Everyone began with the "you enlighten yourself to be the best person you could be" "you develop patience and understanding with people" "learn to respect others and where they're coming from" etc

My response was quite different and shocking: "You make the world a better place by "telling people off....call a spade a spade....tell it like it is, and not tell people what they like to hear." Another way of saying: Let the world make ITSELF a better place by making people "aware" of their (obvious) shortcomings and negatives and where they can improve themselves!

Let's bring it back to this group. How does a musician improve (assuming he wants to) if every time he posts something, he gets the familiar "clapping hands" icon? And even those who want to critique, do so "gently."

I'm sure I said this before, but I'll say it again anyway. When I play for a listener, I'd prefer that he tell it like it is. I don't need to hear positive remarks. I want to hear what I'm doing wrong and how can I improve myself? I'd rather be a masochist and take in any comments that could help me to be the best I can be rather than look at the world (my performances) through rose-colored glasses, and remain..........musically stagnant!

As Vaughan Monroe said/sang: "There I've Said It Again!"

Mark

You are just tooooo naughty Ian ha ha !

With the constant chorus of 'attaboys' we get on this board, no matter how amateurish the performance, it's no wonder we love our arrangers so much. Where else in the world is there where we can do no wrong. Let's face it boys, this is 'warm fuzzy' heaven.

Chas, I cannot agree with you on this aspect. When I post something on the zone I hope for comments that can help me improve my performance of that song. If you look at many of the my previous song post, there's not a chorus of attaboys, but instead helpful tips from a number of long-time entertainers that I've been able to utilize and put into effect in those songs.

Gary

Really,,,,,,, All the over 50's here,, can't play a tune on the piano after 50 years of practice,,,,, Mmmm,,, Man,,, Chas,, Think about what you said,,,,,Arrangers playing by themselves,,,, who's playing the chords??? After reading your post, seem to me you have a very narrow mind of arranger musicians or musicians in general. Sorry ,, but,,, don't be so general,,,,,,,, you can't put anyone who uses an arranger as a misguided fool ... People who post their tunes here ,,, are not looking for Emmy Nominations,, Just to share some music with someone else in some other part of the world,,, and , of course get some constructive criticism and whatever. Your comments indicate that you are above the rest,,, so,,, What have you got to say for your self?????? Oh,,,yeah I like ARRANGERS to,,

Ian

I am self appointed headmaster chas and don't you forget it.