I bought my Tyros4 mainly for ME. I played arranger gigs mostly using PSR-3000/S900/S910 and I doubt if that many in the audience would know the difference...maybe another keyboard player?

But, I like the way the T4 sounds, the feel of the keys, the flexibility of the style assembly, so when I saw the opportunity to get one just before retiring, I took it.

After many years of various bar bands and show groups, I decided to go solo, and I played instrumental gigs at a high end restaurant for nearly 12 years....every weekend, except for the few I took off to do Yamaha work. I also played New Years as well at the same place.

My first attempt at arranger gigs was using a Yamaha CLP-300 digital piano, with a small PSS-680 sat on top that I used for drums and some accompaniment, but I mostly played left hand bass.

Even earlier, I had used a special model Electone C-605 for awhile...it was "portable" only in that it came apart, but it was still very heavy.

Today's arrangers are such a treat.

The longest run any one else had there before me, and, two were arranger players, was three weekends. I also got many other gigs because of the exposure at the restaurant.

When I chose to stop playing, the owner told me I was missed, and that many had asked about me, so that made me feel pretty good. I still make CDs for people that used to be regulars.

I worked really hard at my music, and it paid off. Being able to read music very well, really helped me, as I had a huge repertoire of tunes of all genres, from Country to Jazz and Swing. I tried to make my arrangements musically interesting, but I also realized that my music was basically "background" so I also worked hard at keeping my volumes at a decent level, and to also stay away from using instrument sounds that were too harsh or raw sounding.

The owners did not want vocals, as it interfered with people talking during their meals.

I also made sure I knew the favorite tunes of the regulars. If I didn't know a requested tune, I made sure I had it by the next gig.

Like DonM, I believe my most requested tune was Last Date, and closely followed in popularity by A Whiter Shade Of Pale and As Time Goes By.

I'm sure if I was a vocalist (or I used one) it would have probably got me more outside work, but I was happy in my little niche until I was forced to leave to look after a sick relative.

Between those steady gigs, and my work with Yamaha, I did pretty good financially, and I know I made far more money on my two gig nights than most sidemen in bands were getting per weekend.

My use of the arranger enhanced my Yamaha work, and a lot of my demo tunes were also useful at the restaurant.

The arranger was just another musical tool that I managed to use successfully...nothing more.

I still enjoy playing my Tyros4 every day, and I have a few plans in the works for next year, that will involve using the Tyros4.

I still do jam sessions a few times a month with some buddies and play in a band-like situation, but it's only for our own personal enjoyment.

I also like being retired...but that's a different topic.

Ian