I think all forms of keyboards can be a crutch (if we let it get to that point). Those of us who also have workstations can get to the point of the synth becoming a crutch. I've said several times in the past that it wouldn't hurt to turn off the auto accomp as often as you can and just PLAY.

It's the same thing with workstations. You get so used to using the preset patterns and arps to simplify things and you run into the same issue.

I always suggest that a player every so often do a complete LINEAR recording with their keyboard. No quantize.., no looping, no copy/paste, no styles, NOTHING. Just pick a track and record. Pecking out an entire drum track will do wonders for your timing. Putting it all together track after track on a strick linear format IMO can be a very good practice tool.

Squeak