Wow. You guys sure got phil0sophical on this one.

This one is so simple. Be the best musician that you can be, build an arsenal with as many weapons that you can (technique, ear, sight reading, improv, playing in keys, using technology, not using technology, ...).

But,

When people come to hear you play, use what ever you can to make them happy (midi files, vocoder, arrangers, no arrangers, transpose functions, stand on one foot and drink a glass of water while singing). They will appreciate it and you'll have more fun performing.

You need an ego to perform but you also have to have respect for your audience.

[This message has been edited by RobertG (edited 08-18-2006).]