Unless YOU created it, you AREN'T "creating music" when you use a mp3 or SMF. And even if you made it, you're only creating music at the time you were making it. If an artist paints a picture, he is not 'creating art' every time he shows it. The caveat, of course, is what you are adding to it; vocals, additional instrumental parts and/or instrumental solos.

NOBODY LOOKS DOWN ON ANY MUSICIAN that has demonstrated that he/she is a competent musician, no matter what they are playing; arranger keyboard, pipe organ, or juice harp. I think people ONLY look down on people who have no talent and no musical skills at all BUT THINK THAT THEY DO. We enable these people because well, we're kind and don't want to burst their bubble or hurt their feelings. We don't actually look down so much as feel sad (or in some cases, annoyed) that they don't recognize their own deficiencies. This is a hard and harsh reality but it's true.

But maybe I've overstepped or overstated. However, nobody should be offended because if you fall into this category, as I've stated, you aren't aware of it .

chas