This right here. Anything else is just getting closer and closer to the No True Scotsman problem.
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Are DJs Musicians?
- Thread starter Jazzdogg
- Start date
This right here. Anything else is just getting closer and closer to the No True Scotsman problem.
I will say, a few of them do have quite a bit of skill. Especially the ones that harken back to the analog days to create their music. However, I think that, no matter the skill involved, if you are sampling others music to create your own music, and those samples are what holds your music together, then it doesn’t matter wether or not youre using analog or digital technology.
The small percentage of DJs and EDM producers and artists that create music entirely conceived of their own ideas and sounds/samples that they created, I would consider to be musicians due to the creative capacity it requires to create music in that way.
If I chopped up statues and then reassembled them in different ways, would that make me sculptor? No.
Responding to OP's question, I'd say some are, and some are not is my observation. Although, most DJ's I've run across wouldn't fall into the category of being a musician, but more like a sound engineer. Some though, create music on the fly per the mode and clientele. Those are musicians in my view.
Correct. That person is an artist. You might not like the art, but there's no debate here. I don't know a single one of my visual artist friends (all of whom do it professionally in some capacity) who would argue otherwise. Why is it not the same with music?
I vote no ... but the two are not mutually exclusive. A DJ might be musician, just not when he's a DJ. I have a buddy who's a good guitarist and knowledgeable musician but makes more $$$ taking DJ jobs. As for mixmaster DJs, well ... I've never considered them musicians (but they might be). And the term "turntablist" just makes me chuckle, since the time I first heard it.
No. Not in the least, and I can't believe there are 70 people in this poll who have some sort of abstract justification to say they are.
Is a DJ a musician?
It depends. Does he produce his own stuff? Stuff he created completely from scratch? Or is he another of those wannabes who just mix samples together and/or remix existing music? Like for instance, in the entire "genre" of electro-swing there is not a single DJ whom can be considered a musician, because electro-swing is just taking an old swing song, speeding it up and adding an electronic beat to the mix. Bravo, real friggin' innovative. But it is immensely popular because it is SO RETRO! That most likely means that electro-rockabilly is the next coming musical abomination, I tell ya. Look forward to Ritchie Valens songs not being butchered just by horrible bands like Los Lobos but also by terrible DJs. Or worse yet, the already horrible Los Lobos covers getting the same treatment.
Currently I find the most innovative DJs in the Hardbass Scene, and I do consider them musicians because they mostly produce their own stuff.
(disclaimer: Yes I endlessly hate hate Los Lobos and electro-swing. Trying to defend them in my presence is futile.)
It depends. Does he produce his own stuff? Stuff he created completely from scratch? Or is he another of those wannabes who just mix samples together and/or remix existing music? Like for instance, in the entire "genre" of electro-swing there is not a single DJ whom can be considered a musician, because electro-swing is just taking an old swing song, speeding it up and adding an electronic beat to the mix. Bravo, real friggin' innovative. But it is immensely popular because it is SO RETRO! That most likely means that electro-rockabilly is the next coming musical abomination, I tell ya. Look forward to Ritchie Valens songs not being butchered just by horrible bands like Los Lobos but also by terrible DJs. Or worse yet, the already horrible Los Lobos covers getting the same treatment.
Currently I find the most innovative DJs in the Hardbass Scene, and I do consider them musicians because they mostly produce their own stuff.
(disclaimer: Yes I endlessly hate hate Los Lobos and electro-swing. Trying to defend them in my presence is futile.)
Are film editors actors?
Some could *also* be actors. But in the act of editing film, even if you create a new performance based on the work of others, you are not acting.
Being a musician is a specific form of creativity. Editing, mixing and producing content is another specific form of creativity.
Some could *also* be actors. But in the act of editing film, even if you create a new performance based on the work of others, you are not acting.
Being a musician is a specific form of creativity. Editing, mixing and producing content is another specific form of creativity.
On the surface of the question: No
They could be musicians from other activities, but not because of their DJ skills. They might be artists, but not musicians based strictly on DJing. For me this, is akin to some styles of "music" that I don't consider music (missing the melodic component). I'll grant that it is a form of "artistic expression", but please don't call it "music".
They could be musicians from other activities, but not because of their DJ skills. They might be artists, but not musicians based strictly on DJing. For me this, is akin to some styles of "music" that I don't consider music (missing the melodic component). I'll grant that it is a form of "artistic expression", but please don't call it "music".
drumvsbass
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Ah, but the artists themselves consider that a totally valid art form. Of course John Cage's 4'33" is considered a musical masterpiece by the self proclaimed musically erudite amongst us- no doubt several will speak up-
Sorry. I cannot hear you.
Ah, but the artists themselves consider that a totally valid art form. Of course John Cage's 4'33" is considered a musical masterpiece by the self proclaimed musically erudite amongst us- no doubt several will speak up-
Sorry. I cannot hear you.
Nobody said that DJ's aren't artists in the broad sense of the term; they are just not instrumentalist musicians. The same would go for some concept artist that would rearrange existing sculptures as object art; they likely aren't clay molding sculptors. That's the finer point.
How many songs have been written based off the idea of another song? Most writers will even freely admit the song came to them inspired by the other song.
Wow, this one got really big, really fast. Touchy subject?
A DJ who creates beats and music using samples and turntables is a musician. Please, even if you're as old as me, please stop saying that a DJ is just some dude that presses Play unless you can unearth some evidence to the contrary.
A DJ who creates electronica from a mix of procured sounds, curated and edited into a musical production is a musician.
But what about a really dexterous, highly educated bassist who plays covers? Is he/she a musician? Is a drummer? Is a keyboardist who uses synth instead of a piano?
Arguing about dumb stuff makes the time fly...
A DJ who creates beats and music using samples and turntables is a musician. Please, even if you're as old as me, please stop saying that a DJ is just some dude that presses Play unless you can unearth some evidence to the contrary.
A DJ who creates electronica from a mix of procured sounds, curated and edited into a musical production is a musician.
But what about a really dexterous, highly educated bassist who plays covers? Is he/she a musician? Is a drummer? Is a keyboardist who uses synth instead of a piano?
Arguing about dumb stuff makes the time fly...
