Whoooooo boy ! I just got back from a date as a side man (playing guitar only). The leader has a PSR9000, used NO sequences and played entirely Toooo loud. We had sax/flute man too. That was nice. Nothin like the soul of a live sax.

I feel sorry for all you guitarists that have to try to "fit in" alongside an arranger. It's tougher than playing with sequences because there is NO room ! The low notes on the guitar clash with the bass and arr parts, and the rhythms are almost always duplicated, in one way or another. It was really hard to find a place to slide into the mix. I wound up playing a lot of "chinky chink" wah wah stuff to add some flavor, but on the ballads, and swing tunes ..... I was really searching for a place to play.

My heart goes out to all you sidemen & women that have to accompany arranger players - it ain't easy ! The sax guy had a much easier time - he only plays ONE note at a time ! Two chord guys are like having two chefs in the same kitchen. Watch out !

Another point:
This guy used the patterns to play specific sections of sequenced songs. For example - he would have the intro as V1, the verse as V2, the bridge as V3 and the chorus as V4. This allowed him to arrange on the fly, but still got the sound and feel of the real song. Nice touch. He hardly moved his hands, because all he needed to do was trigger the right chord, and the correct rhythm and accompaniment would play. He played little "hooks" with the right hand, but mostly just held chords and sang over them.

I don't think I'd like that. Seems like it takes just as much concentration as following a real sequence. At least when I use a sequence, then I can actually PLAY the piano part, instead of triggering fills and chords. Too much wasted energy for my taste.

My first choice is to play the bass line myself, second is to use a sequence, and last is to use the arranger patterns. At least we have these choices available to us, huh? Bat Mitzvah today - Thirty 13 yr old girls. Yikes.