Hi all,
Just wanted to bring up a topic that I discussed witha musician a few days ago.
He doesn't like using styles he said its like using Kareoke but I told him that its you, the player who control the style. He is not a keyboard player. It is you, the player who add fills changing chords and so on so the style just follow you. You control the whole band!
I say that I would not use styles if I'd play in a band but for just being me I use them and I see nothing wrong with it!
It is very easy for a person these days to sound allmost professional with the help of styles and also some sequencing as well. Just curious if any of you have had simular comments from other musicians or audience?
All the best,
Chris

Chris , always other musicians that never used an arranger, and know nothing about using one...NEVER from the audience..They will appreciate good music no matter how you perform..straight out play, sequenced, or arranger play..

As Fran said, this doesn't usually come from the audience, but from other musicians who think they know it all !!!
What instrument does he play? Does he play in a band? If so, the BAND is playing the styles for him, and all he has to be concerned about is what HE plays ... being solo kb players we don't have that option ... we use the kb to provide the styles, but must also determine when the 'drummer' is going to put in a fill, when a horn is going to take a solo, or perhaps provide back-up or counter melody to a vocal, when strings or background ooohs/ahhhs are going to be heard ... we have to be not only the music director/conductor/arranger but the solo artists as well ... Tell your friend HE has it easy !!!
t.

I have found that the musicians who question this are usually in the audience, while I'm on the job, getting paid.
DonM