Quote:
Originally posted by Uncle Dave:
You know I'm a fan of technology, but a bigger fan of heart and soul.


I totally concur regarding this point. Music without heart and soul is meaningless to me.

Quote:
Originally posted by Uncle Dave:

Scott, you're a dedicated performer and I know you take your craft seriously. I just think sometimes you forget that the arranger is at least 1/2 the act. The bass and drums are so much more important than any piano part ever will be in a dance or show situation.


As any hi quality pro live backup band rhythm section would, I always make sure that the auto accompaniment parts serve primarily as 'window dressing' to ENHANCE the front man: ME , and never use it to hide behind, or let it overshadow my live vocal or keyboard performance.

Quote:
Originally posted by Uncle Dave:

Unless it's a concert venue, and then, I doubt that an arranger would even be used.


That's interesting to hear, especially since most of my arranger gigs ARE indeed concert type venues. My primary draw is pouring my heart and soul out with my vocals, utilizing my arranger keyboard playing skills acting as the pianist in an intimate combo setting (primarily drums & bass).

Quote:
Originally posted by Uncle Dave:
I've come to view midi files as a more legitimate "means to an end" than arranger styles.


Midi files are the "more legitimate"(?) means to an end than arranger styles?!"

Dave, I'm afraid, on THIS POINT, we have to part our ways and agree to disagree.
For my performance specialty: intimate lounge cabaret & concert performance work, I find arranger auto accompaniment mode performance the most appropriate. For a dance bar/club scene, where the audience comes with the primary purpose of dancing, utilizing & playing along to midi files may be the right ticket, but for a OMB acoustic combo setting (primarily drums, bass & piano) in an intimate lounge venue situation, playing the arranger kb in auto accompaniment offers spontaneous creative performance flexibility & freedom NOT possible when you're locked into playing along to a pre-sequenced midi file. I rarely perform the same song the same way each time. This not only includes how I sing it (vocal interpretation), or what improvised keyboard solo I might play on that tune that nite, but also what chords, chord voicings, and/or chord substitions I choose to use either, as it depends on the mood of the moment. This type of artistic freedom is what I consider the creative magic (aka: heart and soul) of music performance that's not possible when one utilizes a midi file. I do use midi files occasionally though, for situations when I want to get out into the audience and sing my heart out.

Ok, I've said my peace now. At least everyone knows not only 'where' I stand on this issue, but 'why' as well.

Scott
_________________________