Just a thought..I wonder if Mozart were alive and comosing today if he would scoff at " arrangers" or "workstations". I think a lot of folks are trained to believe that the old way or the "hard way" is always the better way, but I disagree at least in part with that notion. ( Read on...I encourage learning your instrument ) Times change and so does technology, and there is nothing wrong with taking advantage of that. Those of us who are "natural" keyboard or piano players just happen to be fortunate in that our instruments of choice happen to be the ones that midi is built around. These are today's tools and that is just what they are..tools, not a substitute for a dedicated keyboard player that should prevent him / her from learning the art of musicianship. Too often I saw the same mentality being displayed in other areas of life..my example.." I'm not going to use that nail gun.. real carpenters use a hammer". Guess what.. I've heard that more than once and those are usually the kinds of guys that get left way behind in today's technological world.

Having said that, I also strongly believe that if piano, synth, or organ is going to be your instrument of choice, not giving even the least thought to what others think of you, but it is only to your benefit to learn to play it properly without any arranger or accompaniment features. Learn the basics, learn to read music, practice scales and timing drills, listen to the techniques and styles of master players, because later on down the road it actually does help you even IF all you will be doing is composing in midi.

AJ