Spent some time looking on YouTube at stage piano videos...Nord Stage 3, Montage, Casio etc. Being a guitar player, performing with an arranger, and wishing I could learn more about piano, I just love watching these artists play 88 keys. Many build orchestral, rich sounds.

I even sent my cousin, who entertains with a Casio 88 key piano 5 times a week, a video of the new Nord Stage 3.

But as much as I could appreciate the talent it takes to play these digital pianos, I realized again these pianos could not do what an arranger does.

My cousin(digital piano) hauls a drum machine and a harmonizer with him. His piano can't do, voice wise, anywhere close to what my PA 4X can do. He often needs a bass and guitar player as well.

Thing is, when entertaining, it seems that the arranger can do everything and more that the latest and greatest stage piano can do.

Thoughts?

The simplest answer is yes,... of course ...
BUT, doesn't it depend on the venue, what the audience is looking for, what type of music is desired, and other factors? ... If a venue - and its audience - is only looking for solo piano music, whether it be 'cocktail' music, semi-classical or classical, or jazz, then an arranger might be over kill ... For a good number of us, however, the need is to supply more than solo piano music without the additional cost of other musicians, so the arranger kb is ideal ...
JMHO

Of course it depends on the situation. An Arranger can do much more but in the right scenario there's nothing like a good sounding piano whether it be Digital or Acoustic. And to the listeners its more "real" Something they're used to hearing.
Just today I spent some time on my FP90 and was thinking about really trying to go just piano and voice. No dance music, just connecting with the crowd on a more basic level.
Hard to explain but some of my solo piano gigs have given me the most satisfaction.

With an arranger you can do both..

Bill, while you can satisfy yourself on the piano, the people that you really need to satisfy is the audience. I love playing a 12 string guitar and singing in a smoke-filled bar, but when I began playing the keyboard, the audiences loved me a lot more. I could do things that I could not do with just a single guitar and me, or a piano and me. The arranger keyboard provides you with the ability to fulfill the audience's needs. When they're happy, I was happy and performed better.

All the best,

Gary

I play for many of the same folks frequently. I’ll use guitar with backing tracks one time, and the next, use an arranger keyboard. I do the same material, along with vocals, either way. It’s interesting the comments received. It seems about balanced between those who prefer guitar or the arranger. I enjoy both. Sort of keeps you fresh with the material.

...BUT, one size does not fit all. If you remove nursing homes from the equation, I'm guessing that arrangers would only be acceptable in about 10-15% of other professional venues. For instance, I can't think of a single Jazz club where an arranger (used solo) would be acceptable. Same with a Rock club. Same with a Blues club. Same with a hardcore C/W club. Sure, solo piano probably wouldn't cut it in some of these venues either, but hardcore music fans DO put some value on authenticity, and frankly (as much as Arranger players have a hard time accepting it) most don't view arranger keyboards as 'authentic'. I think part of it is because they have a harder time judging your level of musicianship when a computer is generating the best parts of your performance. When you sit down at a solo piano gig, trust me, THEY KNOW.

Contrary to popular belief, I DON'T dislike Arranger keyboards (I have three), but I DO dislike false narratives and 'ALT facts'. Please don't trot out the old 'entertainer' vs 'musician' thing; I've heard it over and over again ad nauseum. As usual, Tony has it right with this quote "BUT, doesn't it depend on the venue, what the audience is looking for, what type of music is desired, and other factors? ... If a venue - and its audience - is only looking for solo piano music, whether it be 'cocktail' music, semi-classical or classical, or jazz, then an arranger might be over kill ..", at least until he got to the word 'over kill'. I would substitute 'inappropriate'. JMO, of course.

chas

There are NO Rules....just sayin'

Again it depends on the venue. Yes you can use an Arranger with very simple backing or full out. It can be very versatile but I still think a real Piano has a more immediate connection with people and again in the right situation.
Even Uncle Daves fake piano setup will connect better than a keyboard on a portable stand. Look at Elton John and many other using digital keyboards in piano cases. But unlike us they have roadies to s help,their stuff.

I attended a Harry Belefonte concert in Baltimore several years ago, one where there was a keyboard player with 4 arranger keyboards surrounding him. He played and Harry sang. The keyboard player was absolutely amazing. After about 4 songs, the other band members came on stage and performed while Harry sang. It was an incredible 2 hour show that I will never forget.

I've known lots of OMB entertainers that play an arranger keyboard in full mode, and the vast majority never thought about performing the NH circuit. They performed at casinos throughout Maryland, and southern New Jersey, 5-star restaurants in Baltimore's Inner Harbor and Little Italy, NYC, and just about every resort city you can think of. And, many of them also performed with various bands throughout the country.

I have a friend in Southeast Asia that puts on incredible shows with a trio of incredibly talented ladies. He plays an arranger keyboard, usually in full mode, while they play fiddle, guitar and drums. He is booked solid, performs throughout Southeast Asia and his 2-hour concerts are sold out well in advance.

There are several reasons that many arranger keyboard performers have transitioned to the NH circuit from the club scene, the primary reason being the pay rate. Anyone that has performed in their local nite clubs and restaurants knows that $200 for a 4 hour night is the top rate, at least at most locales. That works out to $50 an hour at best, while in my part of the world, the NH circuit pays $125 to $150 per hour, or $500 to $600 for a four hour job.

For the most part, I would be bored to tears if I were a patron in any club that had some one on stage that played just a jazz guitar for 4 hours and didn't sing. Same goes for a piano bar or high end restaurant. Lets be realistic, it's the venue that makes the difference, and (sorry Chas)THE ENTERTAINER! Without the entertainment value, no musician, no matter how talented he or she is, can hold an audience for very long. Liberace was one Hell of an entertainer, and an incredible musician.

Gary