I don't see any reason that John DiLeo needs to apologize for his recent messages. Out of all the near-hokum on this board for the last few days, he and a few others are the only ones that sounded cognizant and "in touch" with reality.

Chas and Dickie....most times I agree and welcome your postings but this time I think you did John a disservice, he being a newer member. All he did was try and express his love of music and “playing” music. He doesn't seem to be caught up in this arranger wars situation.


What did he say here that was so offensive (or as some said "defensive")?

".....all this negativity toward Arrangers doesnt help anyone. Its really not needed. I wish the energy was put to help people who use arrangers so they may become more productive in their ability.
We should be helping each other NOT bashing or demeaning the very thing we love mainly Arranger KB's. I want to get to be a better player & learn from people better then me who have traveled the same road. Is that asking too much?"

"But it just seems we're always defending our playing & our purchases & what's right & wrong. When I would rather just discuss playing techniques, tips & tricks, etc wouldn't you?.. & also how we can help each other play better no matter what level people think they're at or what type music they enjoy performing."

I wish more of the members in SZ would talk like this. Instead John was labeled as "defensive" when in reality most everyone else caught up in this discussion was in "defense" mode. I would like to have seen all the energy dispensed in this thread used to trade musical ideas or just "practicing" their instruments. Are any of us any smarter now than when this topic first appeared? No...nothing accomplished but ruffled feathers. The smarter members used it as pure entertainment.

In one of his postings, John talks about how we'll be producing music in the future. I thought that was very poignant. Maybe it wasn't relevant to that particular topic, but wasn't he putting us in touch with something very real that would be more productive to discuss in another thread?

Now I'm not John's personal trainer and I don't know him at all, but he certainly speaks for me and a few (very few) others on these boards. Whether he's a rank beginner or a seasoned pro impersonating a novice player, the important thing is he's in love with the music and NOT the music machine. I put into question form what he has already stated. WHY is no one on these boards discussing making music? I don't expect anything to change, but I'm really curious about the reason for each of you, WHY you're not trading musical ideas instead of bickering over equipment?

(not sure how to end this with a "smilie!")