Actually, Fred, I don't know ANY arranger players with NO ability holding down a gig. Never have. Do you?

My response is to all these posts from players that seem bent out of shape when their instrument of choice gets a bad reputation precisely BECAUSE really terrible players try to perform in public (although I doubt any of them hold a payed position for more than one gig!) under the impression that, just because they THINK they sound good, they actually are!

The whole reason arrangers are SO popular with 'home' players is the instant gratification thing. Got one finger? You too can sound like a pro (or so you think!). And it's THESE players that give the arranger it's reputation. Got a problem with that? What can you do? You can't stop non-players from buying them!

I just don't get it... A piano in the hands of a great player is a wonderful thing. But in the hands of a non-player it is a horror. But somehow, piano players don't run around moaning about how their precious piano gets no respect..! I wonder why that is?

Maybe it's just because they are less concerned about the instrument getting the respect, and more concerned about themselves getting it...

I have NEVER railed about non-musicians holding down a gig. If you can keep the job, good for you! There are some EXCELLENT musicians using arrangers full time. There are some excellent singers and entertainers using arrangers to get themselves a polished accompaniment that they might NEVER be able to play real time. But it doesn't make the show any less entertaining. Or 'legitimate'. If you can keep a crowd happy, then by definition, you HAVE talent...

And then there's your Uncle Bob, who is tone deaf, can't count, and has never read a manual. But he has a PSR...

Be afraid... Be VERY afraid.

And get mad at HIM, not the messenger...