What a storm in a teacup...

It's simple... Unless EVERYTHING the audience hears is played live, it's cheating. Arrangers, SMF's, MP3's, laptops (for music playback, not lyrics!), IT'S ALL THE SAME.

It's not cheating if you PLAY LH bass, but it is if you use an arranger or sequence.

It's not cheating if you PLAY the horn parts, but it is if you sequence them.

Rinse and repeat.

BUT.... Nowadays, the audience EXPECTS you to cheat. To the point where THEY think they can get on stage with a mike and YOUR laptop and do the show themselves! It is getting to the point where, even if you ARE playing 'live', they go 'Where's the backing tracks?'

As musicians, we need to display skills that they can't even PRETEND to do, and playing backing tracks, especially on a laptop, just plays into their hands. The more you PLAY, the more they realize you are NOT one of them. You ARE a 'musician', a 'keyboard player'. The minute you step away from the keyboard and everything doesn't grind to a halt, they (probably quite rightly) KNOW you are just karaoke. Admittedly, better than they can do it, but karaoke nonetheless.

Is this how you want to be seen?

I just feel it is far better to NEVER let them see the 'man behind the curtain'. As long as you stay firmly behind the keyboard, and visibly play as much as you can, especially ALL the solos, at least you will remain a 'keyboard player' in their eyes. But let it take over, and walk away, and they have EVERY right to assume you might have been faking the whole time. After all, it's what THEY would do...!

A lot of the mystery about music production is gone. Most people have simple loop manipulation apps on their computers, and know a LOT more about SMFs and MP3's than they used to. They understand that major acts on tour often fly in backing tracks, sometimes even lead vocals during dance numbers or throat problems. So how do we demonstrate our worth?

By doing something they CAN'T. Play... visibly, extravagantly, expressively. Don't EVER let them think it's NOT you...

And, if the venue can afford it, don't squeeze them for more money for you... get a sideman. Get two... Get a rhythm section. Turn off the machines and do it ALL 'live'. Do what you can. Or we ALL deserve to be replaced by karaoke singers. If 'cheating' IS all right, what right do we have to be scornful of karaoke? It is just the next logical step...

Doesn't apparently keep Valli up at night...