Originally Posted By: travlin'easy
Bill, doesn't everyone want to sound great with minimal effort? wink And, as I've stated many times in the past, what exactly defines a pro musician? I mean, the last time I checked I was still getting paid more than anyone in my region for playing music and singing. So, whether I use a guitar, fiddle, harmonica, or a kazoo, if I get paid, I'm a pro musician/entertainer. If I did this for fun and didn't get paid, I guess I would not be a pro, but what the Hell do I know? I've only been making my full time living at this for just over 20 years.

I sincerely believe manufacturers design arranger keyboards for the largest and most diverse audiences - not some tiny fragment of the music playing world. If they didn't, they would not be in business very long. The percentage of so-called pro musicians that purchase ALL musical instruments is so infinitesimally small that no one in their right mind would bother to target that consumer group. Take a close look at guitars. Walk into any music store and the vast majority of consumers purchasing guitars are young people ranging 15 to 45 years of age - not pro guitar players who probably average 65 years of age. I would venture a guess that the percentage of pro guitar players that purchases guitars in a music shop would be less than 1 in 1,000, and that's being conservative. Same goes for drums, saxophones, trumpets, pianos, you name it - it's all the same. And, those so called pros always seem to be looking for some sort of discounted price. Who in their right mind would cater to them?

In reality, all arranger keyboards that are played by someone for money are pro keyboards. It's not rocket science - it's a fact. Whether or not the keyboard is red, black, green or bright orange has no bearing on anything. Neither does it make a bit of difference if it weighs 200 pounds or just 20 pounds. Who really cares if it has built-in speakers or not? No one in the audiences, that's for sure, and the audiences are the folks who essentially pay the tab. So, there really is no such thing as a pro arranger keyboard, anymore than there is a pro organ, trumpet, cello, tuba, harmonica, etc... It all depends upon the player, which has always been the case. And, we all want to sound fantastic with the least amount of effort - at least I would like to sound better than Uncle Dave or Don Mason, but that ain't gonna happen. Well, at least I'm prettier than they are.;)

Gary cool


Hi Gary

I did not say an arranger cannot be used by a pro, just what that they were specifically designed for, (A real pro could get a great performance out of virtually any keyboard)

The main difference between a home hobby player and a pro musician is that, a home hobby player practices until he gets it right (With or without the easy play features) whereas a pro player practices until he can’t get it wrong. (Even if problems occur during the performance)

When your young (And easily impressionable) you usually want to sound like your idol, so you buy whatever he plays thinking you can do the same, however in most cases purchases find they can’t and so it gets put in the cupboard. (Manufactures know this so target this market)
Arrangers came from the home hobby organ market and probably about 99% of arrangers sold go to this market, so it is not cost effective to add pro features to them for a 1% market.

The difference between a pro instrument and home instrument is the way they work, with a home unit you press a button and everything is done for you (Exact sound setups, styles, mixer setting etc.) whereas as a synth/workstation gives you high quality basics which you meld to their own style. (Listen to most arranger players and all you here is the same (Your just listening to the keyboard) whereas with a synth/workstation everybody sounds individual)

As usual there are always crossovers, but by and large the above is correct. If you listen to top musicians, they got there by being individual, not copying someone else. (Something that is very difficult (But not impossible) to do with an arranger as you just have one keyboard and minimal real time control)

Bill
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