mwalthius wrote: Those of us who work this way have plenty to show for it. I have a lifetime dedicated to becoming the best keyboardist I can possibly be. That's what I have "to show for it". Not to mention an evening spent doing something I love.
You raise some very valid points, and have a very good sound argument. No doubt about that.
But take a step back.
You would be pretty pissed off when I walk into the room, all fingers and thumbs, unable to play at all, and blast you out of the way. You would. You would be upset. With an attitude like that. Music is not something anyone can put in the bank. I should know. I bet I practised longer and harder than you. Didn't do me much good. But then again, I am just crap.
You know, there are musicians who can play Rakmaninov, note perfect. There are mad junkie bus drivers that should be sectioned and can't play a note. We all have our time and place. This is not a criticism or any kind of value judgement on you. It is just a little nod of the Buddha's head to remind you to have humility. To repair. To take a step back. And I didn't even think you were being arrogant. Every line in your argument makes sense. You are perfectly balanced. But there is balance and there is balance.
I'm probably sounding a bit unbalanced myself now, so I will shut up.
I either made my point or I didn't.