2020 Current MUSICian Status POLL: Pick Two!

[dkelley]

I chose Expert and Has-Been.

Both would sum me up:
- B.Mus in classical violin
- A.R.C.T. in violin performance
Sight reading simple classical music on piano since before I could read words or even walk properly (or so I've been told by my family).
Recorded in hundreds of small time and big time studios.
Been on CDs, although nothing particularly main stream. Been on the radio - live in the radio station on the air being interviewed and playing live.
The self indulgence list goes on and on.

Nobody would have a clue who I am now.... I briefly worked with so many great players, many famous ones, but never had long term work with any of them due to the nature of the type of work I always was hired for back then... although a couple bands I've worked with for years still talk frequently and occasionally jam still with me.

My point being - thanks to how I was taught when I was young, the opportunities my family gave me, my own love for playing and talent and crazy dedication to learning everything about music and playing well when I was young, I had a fantastic life as a musician. I was truly very very lucky.

As a result of all of the above, I have a huge library of stories and memories that I go on and on about when asked or when some anecdote is relevant to a current conversation topic (or gives me an excuse to talk about something LoL)..... and rather than playing, I'm talking about playing.

So in other words... total Has Been :-D

Cheers!

 

[Kmonk]

I selected 1 and 6 because I do some of the music for several television shows including "American Pickers" on The History Channel, "The Deed" on CNBC and a few others. I haven't been able to do anything for the past 15 months due to being in a car accident in December 2018 but I'm hoping to get back to playing soon.

 

[Spectrum]

Poser. Any day now they'll figure out I've been faking it, and that'll be it for Spectrum.

 

[Mr Cheese]

Currently a "wannabe".

 

[Nephilymbass]

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.

you can't change your vote!

thanks!

I don’t really care about labels. I’m basically a schooled musician who’s admittedly forgotten a lot of stuff over the years that I don’t use on a regular basis and learned a lot of stuff from my experiences. Started on Trumpet when I was 9. Picked up bass at 14. Played trumpet through high school and bass in the high school jazz band before playing paid originals gigs and am working on my 7th original album over the last 20 years but Other than a couple months when I was on unemployment in my early 20s I’ve always had a “day job.” Even if it was just a part time job delivering pizza, unloading trucks at target, or working at blockbuster. I was an EMT before I went back to school for surgical technology and have been a nationally certified surgical technologist for the last decade. I could probably quit my job and play music Full time. My wife has a masters degree and makes more than I do. We could probably get by but I love my family and want them to have a good quality of life. I don’t personally look at people who have a day jobs as amateurs. If your second job is as an accountant does that make you an amateur accountant? Anyone who gets paid to play, that shows up prepared, on time, and does what they need to do is a pro in my book. I know 30 and 40 year old musicians who say they are full time musicians and don’t have day jobs. Most of them are bums, some have rich parents who carry them. Not something I would brag about. And of the many of the true pros I’ve met over the years. I’m talking musicians that have have played on multiple gold albums are living with less than my bandmates are. So I think labels are kind of pointless. Do what makes you happy.

 

[Thumpin6string]

What if you just plain suck and will never get anywhere? I don't see where I can vote for that.

 

[Dominic D]

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!

this is TB: at its core it's entertainment!

Would you call a scientist who has to work a second job, because his main job doesn't pay much, an amatuer/hobbist scientist?

 

[JRA]

Would you call a scientist who has to work a second job, because his main job doesn't pay much, an amatuer/hobbist scientist?

seems like he would be a scientist (like a "musician") and possibly an "expert" or "skilled" --- but if the cat had to work two jobs in order to be a "scientist" he might qualify as a "wannabe" which is aspirational.

 

[Lagado]

I do what I do. I provide people with a load of do-do.

 

[comatosedragon]

4 / 5.

Depends on the day of the week.
And whether I have eaten that day.

 

[swink]

Voted 4 and 5

Oh-oh, yes I'm the great pretender
Adrift in a world of my own
I've played the game but to my real shame
You've left me to grieve all alone

But 4 and 10 is the only correct answer

 

[Ryan L.]

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".

That’s where I fit in. I have a great paying day job, but my band is a *very* good second income. At this point, it’s definitely not anywhere close to a hobby, it’s very much a second job (or to be specific, it’s a small business, since I own/run it).

Edit:
I’m by no means an expert, skill-wise, but I wouldn’t consider myself a hack or a poser. I started on baritone in the 6th grade, moved to tuba and bass guitar in the 8th grade, and played both through high school, which is also when I started playing bass in bands. I’m 45 now, so that’s a lot of years of gigging. So I’m probably skilled enough to hold my own in most cases.

 

[mongo2]

In the last 50+ years of playing I've been 6 out of 10 of the choices at one time or another.

I retired from a career as an electronic engineer almost 9 years ago. Now I just play.

 

[lestratele]

I enjoy my status as a hobbyist/amateur with no day job. I also enjoy retirement.

 

[TheLowDown33]

I'm going to say 1 and 7 for myself.

I have a day job as a civil engineer, so it would take A LOT of gigging or a lucky break to be able to match/surpass the income from that. I am a fairly schooled musician, know more than enough theory for everything below the most extreme jazz or fusion, have decent chops and can read proficiently. I've recorded a decent amount and currently am trying to do less "band" work and more sideman/studio work. In that regard it is kind of a second job as I am constantly working on improving my musical knowledge, bass chops, recording skills and marketing and there are definitely times I am not enjoying it, but I know I will enjoy the end result.

 

[Plectrum72]

5 / 7
I would say there's a level between hobby/amateur and pro since it's a small business that brings in enough to not only claim on my taxes, but bump me into the next tax bracket. Won't ever match the $ of my day job though and we're playing by your rules, so we'll call it hobbyist/amatuer.

 

[jamro217]

I didn't really know how to vote this time. I've been playing music for nearly 50 years, been on numerous CDs, on TV, live broadcast concerts, etc. I'm not a household name and haven't done much musically over the last few years due to the necessity of maintaining an outside job for sustenance. I write and perform music on several instruments, usually end up as arranger for any band unfortunate enough to have me as a member, and have "pro gear and transportation (a must)". I do not measure up to many other musicians in either talent or showmanship. I'm not a "has been" but more of a "never was". The music business as a whole doesn't follow the accepted rules of employment/advancement/bonuses, etc. common to nearly all other industries. If you are a blue collar worker who is reliable and trustworthy, you'll go far. If you are a white collar worker who has good communication and managerial skills, you'll do fine. If you are a musician who is trustworthy, diligent, punctual, always prepared, and basically have all of the requirements that in another field would almost certainly guarantee success, go to the end of the line until we run out of egotistical, no talent whelps. The problem lies in the fact that business is used to promote art. Art in and of itself should be exempt in order for it to flourish. The constraints of a for profit business make gambling on unknown entertainment products a risk. In one way you can sympathize with the record industry. If you went to a bank for a loan with no credit history or collateral they'll probably turn you down. If you go to a record company with no prior record deal and no name recognition, why would you be accepted? If you flop, they lose. That leads to the "play it safe" mind set where only established artists get breaks. Unsustainable and detrimental to the art form. Back in the late '70's disco ruled the airwaves and if you wanted to get any chance at all you had to at least use that rhythm. Some of the recordings from that era were downright shameful. When you see aging crooners shaking their booties it's creepy. Rant over. Have a nice day.

 

[deckstirparnell]

What about Journeyman and retired Pro. That's me. Played full time Pro for many, many years but now just part time at my leisure.

 

[RustyAxe]

I (and others) have considered me to be a journeyman musician. So there you have it. #8 and #1

 

[Funky Ghost]

I need Almost-been and Living room ( music room / garage ) hero.

Almost been - WAS in a touring band that signed to a minor label. Charted the college billboards. Toured out of the country. Cut limited numbers of CD's. Sold limited numbers of merch.

"Insert location here" Hero - I practice as much now as then, and feel I have a better grasp of my instrument. I'm a better, more rounded player. I even enjoy it more but have zero aspirations to do anything with it aside from self satisfaction. Well, and my cats admiration, of course .