Playing SMFs is not just button pressing.
In order to make it look sound and feel right, you must be able to play very well.
You have to know chords, know how to play left hand bass and know how to use lead voices.
All that while watching people to see if you need to play over any part of the song.

As for arranger playing, I am sure that every one knows the skill it takes to use an arranger effectively.


I find it funny that some persons think that using SMF makes the gig sound too "programmed" and too too much like the originals when those same people would buy arranger keyboards primarily for the onboard styles that sound like some original songs.


I think which ever way one takes (SMFs or full arranger) you just have to do it to the best of your ability and make it sound, look and feel good and real to the people.

After all, arranger playing and playing over a SMF is really just a step up from the K word.