Are DJs Musicians?

[Mark Ambler]

Good point. The thread should be worded to reflect that. "Are DJs traditionally accepted musicians?" or something. There is a grey area as to what is and isn't music. The busy signal on the phone is a monotone rhythm but it isn't exactly a dance tune. Maybe that's music to some people. Most posters here actually play an instrument and have at least a rudimentary knowledge of music. By posing the question here you'll most likely get a different response than you would if you asked a group of non musicians.

Also the term 'DJ' can mean very different things. Some DJs definitely aren't musicians.

 

[factory presets]

If there is a DJ who uses a turntable to make music then he/she is indeed a musician. If they are using it as a home stereo, they are not musicians for doing so.

With respect, this was pretty much agreed upon on page one. Since then we've seen various attempts to find definitions of music that could exclude what DJs do without including our friends in our bands. None of them so far have really stood up to closer examination. Well, unless they were between pages 13 and 18.

Also, I have an impression you've never really heard what is on the records turntablists use. Which, in turn makes me think you might not be aware of what is created and what is pre-recorded on the snippets of scratching scattered throughout the thread.

 

[GlenParks]

"'Anything that makes a sound can be used in music, but it doesn't make it a musical instrument, just a sound source."

So... it's making music... as a sound source... how is it being turned into music... a musician? Like... er... a DJ? Lol.

 

[swink]

I should say that I used to be a musician, but one day scratching was all it took for me to forget years of musical training.

Are you into doom-reading and interpreting all sentences backwards?
For your good understanding read it as: If a musician uses DJ-appliances, should we call him a musician or a DJ?

 

[fcleff]

Could have been, but it certainly didn't sound like one given the DOOFUS thing.

See this:

Work harder, sonny boy.

 

[Mark Ambler]

With respect, this was pretty much agreed upon on page one. Since then we've seen various attempts to find definitions of music that could exclude what DJs do without including our friends in our bands. None of them so far have really stood up to closer examination. Well, unless they were between pages 13 and 18.

Also, I have an impression you've never really heard what is on the records turntablists use. Which, in turn makes me think you might not be aware of what is created and what is pre-recorded on the snippets of scratching scattered throughout the thread.

Funny how people say 'with respect' without actually meaning it.
Im sure you've heard the saying 'when you assume you make an ass out of me and you'.

Enjoy your assumptions!

Anyway, I've left the building.

 

[OptimalOptimus]

 

[factory presets]

Funny how people say 'with respect' without actually meaning it.

Gotta love someone takings offence on behalf of....

 

[Samatza]

Wow, quite a divided opinion on this one.

Just to clarify I don't have a problem with DJ's or EDM. You can call me old school or whatever else you want but I did the work and spent the time and learned to play and sight read and I was able to work in professional situations because of those skills. I've worked in largely professional situations for the last 47 years because of those exact skills and I was paid good money to do it.

I can fix my car but I don't call myself a mechanic. I can administer first aid but I'm no paramedic. I can paint my house to a very high standard but I don't call myself a professional painter.

So being old school I hold myself to a high standard but I don't insist others do the same, the world has changed.

So forget the definition of a professional musician, just ask yourself this question;

To what standard do I hold myself?

 

[rtslinger]

They maybe able to play an instrument? But playing pre-recorded audio doesn't make you a musician

 

[cnltb]

Music, this?
Those that came up with it and perform it...musicians?

 

[cnltb]

Even a triangle?

Of course. No discrimination on Talkbass!

 

[Jeff Scott]

More to the point; You're not a musician if you can't play donna Lee on your chosen instrument, be that bass, piano, or Berimbau.

I tried but we didn't get far in the lesson I had with Naná Vasconcelos back in the early '80s.

 

[bobba66]

Some of them probably are.

 

[Pilgrim]

If you don't play an instrument or sing, you're not a musician.

So sez the semi-fallible me, ex cathedra my bellybutton.

 

[Yellow Bang66]

I know that a musician can become a DJ. But, does being a DJ somehow make someone a musician?

My oldest daughter told me a friend of hers is a wonderful musician. When I asked whether her friend was an instrumentalist or vocalist, she gave me the "Dad, you're such an old fart" look and grumpily replied, "He's a DJ; DJ's are musicians."

OK, I'm an old retired guy, and my daughters frequently roll their eyes when I ask such questions, but - are DJs now considered musicians?

Does Berklee have a DJ major? Do folks now conflate being a DJ with being a musician?

Typical Millenniel BS!! Lazy,Lazy, like if Iplay enough madden football now i'm a Professional coach!!

 

[cnltb]

I tried but we didn't get far in the lesson I had with Naná Vasconcelos back in the early '80s.

He was (rip) more of a rhythm guy I guess, but as we established already in this thread...rhythm is more for rappers and drummers anyways. Not so much for musicians.

I am sure however that if he put his mind to it and worked on it for a bit, he would have pulled off Donna Lee on a Berimbau, proving to anyone that he too was a musician.

Question now is...

 

[Spidey2112]

 

[bass12]

 

[LBS-bass]

Yes, but, "If there is a DJ who uses a turntable to make music then he/she is indeed a musician", really depends on ones own understanding of what qualifies for music, (organised sounds of pitch and rhythm) and what a musician is.

That's the heart of this, I think. How do we define what it means to make music, and what music is?

And to be clear, I think that if you understand music to involve, or potentially involve, sounds that aren't traditionally produced or considered music by and of themselves, it doesn't detract from the hard work that's done to develop a traditional music education. It can supplement that, but to me it's more like adding a tool to that substantial toolbox. I have nothing but mad respect for those of you who have that level of skill.