Answer this...

Is playing a keyboard in a live band with a bass player, drummer, guitarist, sax, trumpet etc considered cheating too? The only difference I see is that the musicians recorded there parts when the arranger keyboard was assembled and you just call upon them in digital form !o produce the fullness of a live band.

You still have to know all the song key's and structure, key changes etc exactly as you would in a live band situation...if you don't how to play a
Song using all the chords and melody lines of the song etc then an arranger keyboard is pretty much 'dead in the water'

The only cheaters I have seen are the ones who play pre-recorded orchestrations (Midi FIles) and mime to them...now that's cheating!!!

Playing arrangers is a skill in itself, don't be ashamed of using them if you actually know how to play, its just another performing tool for gods sake.

NJ