As a long-time arranger player (mid-70's with an auto-orchestra), it is my opinion that is is much harder, but much more satisfying, to play a solo with just piano or guitar.

Style comes into it, of course (couldn't play a dance gig with just a grand piano), but my approach is to use arrangers as a tool, not as a crutch. An arranger is my last choice when working.

Sadly, around here, most of the people working with arrangers never worked until they used arrangers. Just didn't have the "chops".

Upfront, I admit I'm about as "old school" as it gets, and this is my opinion...for ME, and not a suggestion that anyone else needs to believe the same way.

There's no substitute for ability. All things being equal, the better you are as a traditional player, the better arranger player you'll be.


"rigid" Russ