.....including arranger players who choose not to use them in public performance and who think that they should not be used as a way to bypass traditional training (my main premise, BTW).

Why is it that any idea, expression, POV, or opinion, that is not in lock step with the popular view, is always dismissed with some version of the quote above. No matter how much you think someone "nailed it", the message is lost on me when it ends with such a dismissive statement, implying zero tolerance for an alternate point of view.

There are usually 'bits and pieces' of truth in nearly all of the posts. MY 'truth' (for me) is that arrangers should never be a substitute for learning to play. On reflection, I would modify that to say "YOUNG PEOPLE learning to play". In other words, those with aspirations to become professional musicians. I would never give my child an arranger keyboard. Does this mean that I don't like arranger keyboards? Of course not. I own two (and enjoy playing at least one of them). It just means that I would want them to truly learn their craft, and enjoy their musical journey. You can drive from Maine to California or you can take a non-stop jetliner. If you believe in the concept of 'Journey', you will know what I mean.

So that there is no misunderstanding of my original post, let me distill it down to one sentence. I DON'T THINK THAT ARRANGER KEYBOARDS (USED IN ARRANGER MODE) SHOULD BE USED AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO LEARNING TO PLAY LEGITIMATELY.

How or if you choose to use one professionally, is strictly a personal decision which is completely valid for the person making that decision.

chas