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2020 Current MUSICian Status POLL: Pick Two!

WHAT'S YOUR CURRENT STATUS? (you can't pick more than two, or change your vote!):

  • 1. musician: musically talented, composes and/or performs music.

    Votes: 98 33.1%

  • 2. noob: inexperienced in music/playing.

    Votes: 3 1.0%

  • 3. wannabe: aspiring to become a musician.

    Votes: 14 4.7%

  • 4. poser/poseur: pretending to be a musician.

    Votes: 22 7.4%

  • 5. hobbyist/amateur: has a "day job."

    Votes: 169 57.1%

  • 6. pro: engaged in music as a paid occupation ("day job").

    Votes: 21 7.1%

  • 7. skilled: having the knowledge/training/ability to perform music well.

    Votes: 65 22.0%

  • 8. journeyman: a player who is reliable but not outstanding.

    Votes: 78 26.4%

  • 9. has-been: a musician who has been important/respected in the past, but no longer.

    Votes: 20 6.8%

  • 10. expert: comprehensive/authoritative knowledge/skill in some aspect of 'music'.

    Votes: 18 6.1%
  • Total voters
    296
  • Poll closed .
JRA

JRA

my words = opinion
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#1
identify yourself by choosing up to two of the following:

1. musician: musically talented, composes and/or performs music.
2. noob: inexperienced in music/playing.
3. wannabe: aspiring to become a musician.
4. poser/poseur: pretending to be a musician.
5. hobbyist/amateur: has a "day job."
6. pro: engaged in music as a paid occupation (full time).
7. skilled: having the knowledge/training/ability to perform music well.
8. journeyman: a player who is reliable but not outstanding.
9. has-been: a musician who has been important/respected in the past, but no longer.
10. expert: comprehensive/authoritative knowledge/skill in some aspect of 'music'


i've numbered the choices to make discussion easier....if there is any. :laugh:

you can't change your vote! don't have to leave a comment but vote, please! :D

thanks! :thumbsup:
 
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#4
Rickengeezer said:
What if you have a day job but derive a non-trivial income from playing also (e.g., 30-50 gigs/year)? That seems somewhere in between an "amateur" and a "day job".
Click to expand...
if you have a day job you play as an amateur/hobbyist even if your income is significant...it's an amateur/hobbyist pursuit even if it pays, some. but i don't think it's all about money to 'define' what we really do. i'm retired (a "has-been"), i make a little money, but not like my "pro" days. besides the money bit: i'm skilled in several music 'areas' and an "expert" in one or two. at best: i'm a "journeyman" in so many aspects of music. i've been involved in the music thing for so long, in so many ways = two choices are limiting, but that's kind of the point. how would you define yourself with those options? these days, right now?

pick one (or two) which say it best --- given the choices. things change, too --- don't ask me how i know that! :laugh:

this is TB: at its core it's entertainment! ;)
 
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#8
JRA said:
if you have a day job you play as an amateur/hobbyist even if your income is significant...it's an amateur/hobbyist pursuit even if it pays, some. but i don't think it's all about money to 'define' what we really do. i'm retired (a "has-been"), i make a little money, but not like my "pro" days. besides the money bit: i'm skilled in several music 'areas' and an "expert" in one or two. at best: i'm a "journeyman" in so many aspects of music. i've been involved in the music thing for so long, in so many ways = two choices are limiting, but that's kind of the point. how would you define yourself with those options? these days, right now?
Click to expand...

I guess I'm a hobbyist journeyman by that definition, although I think a true "hobbyist" would spend more on their hobby than they make from it (not that there might not have been a few years where it was pretty close!). I think there is a "weekend warrior" category in there waiting to be hatched. The "journeyman" part of the equation is a definite fit, however.
 
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#11
I'm definitely a hobbyist, but I think the journeyman title also suits me. I played in bands once upon a time, guitar in my main band, but also dabbled in bass and drums in offshoot projects. I was not necessarily the most technically advanced guy around, but I was definitely reliable. I like to practice and put the work in, and it pays off. I'm never the guy who is late for rehearsal or holding up recording because I don't know my parts.

The last few years I pretty much only play bass, and pretty much just for my own amusement.
 
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#15
I consider my skill level expert … but I have a day job and music is a hobby for me … there was no real money in music for most of us before corona and now there is even less money to be made. Thank God for my day job and I am glad my office is not shut down. Both of the bands I was in are shut down and all gigs canceled.
 
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#19
1/10

10. expert: comprehensive/authoritative knowledge/skill in some aspect of 'music'.

The aspect of 'music' I would consider myself an expert in is mainly subsisting on alot of garbage food, samwiches, tins of tuna, chicken, something like that from a chain store, soda, eggamuffin, cheese purritas...
 
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