Donny is making this forum better by his constant presence. He keeps adding whatever comes to his mind—and that’s what this place is about.

As I read through all the posts on this topic I find my feelings are changing; they’re not the same feelings because I am not the same. In the past getting a new keyboard meant more options. I press this and this happens. This new styles fits this song. I did this for many years and I got better and better. Better at what?

I believe arrangers, are losing popularity. Check the buy and sell listing. Manufactures do their best to give us more options; and we sit and apply the new options – just as I written above. There are times when I feel arranger playing is close to paint-by-numbers. I sold my favorite keyboard with great sounds four times. Why? The styles were getting boring; the same styles I loved year before.

Sad to say that most of the songs which were created on an arranger keyboard all kinda all sound the same minus the tempo and style. One song started with a sax – ended with the same sax, and the middle part was the same sax – A N D the same band that started the song and ended the song.

I don’t mean to sound like sour grapes; I did the same thing – Get my 200 songs ready for the job, check the tempo and the solo instruments and I’m off.

I know what a band sounds like – I hear what is happening in these bands as they go through the song – volume changes, different instruments – they use the band as a toll to create a feeling. I give Dave one big cheer; he told me how he used a bouton on the keyboard the cut everything but the bass and drums. That leaves my left and right hand up front – and now you can sing your first chorus without me getting in the way. And toward the end we’re in there doing all we can to bring excitement.

Sorry, I’ve been in bed with a cold for a week and this is taking my mind to a nicer place.

When I get a new keyboard my joy is to find what I need to express what I am feeling. It is not to follow the feeling of a created style, and do my best to make it fit. If I do that, then an arranger keyboard will become boring; and the people listen will turn away – and yes they will decrees in sales and popularity.

It’s us guys not them. A keyboard is just a tool. What you add makes the difference. I am a Sinatra fan; the other day I had his music on for two hours. I turned it off because I got bored listening to him.

John C.