Artistry..

I am just beginning my journey as a solo bass artist and I was just curious as to what was the jump off point for seasoned and accomplished artists.

I believe that there is a HUGE difference between being a musician and being and artist. I live my life by this definition, taking both up as they come along.

I believe that a musician is someone who uses music as a means to an end. The money. The fame/popularity. The support. The competition. The acceptance. Etc

I believe that an artist is someone to where the music IS the end. Creating the song or composition is the space in which they live, disregarding the rest and pursuing their "voice".

I do both. I play music as a gigging musician for a contemporary country act and a handful of death/technical/djent metal bands to support my artistry. I play more gigs as an artist, doing my set at any venue that would have me (being that it is very strange to have a solo bass artist on a bill with indie, rock, or metal bands)

I hope that this didn't come off as a bit heavy or verbose. I tend to get a tad long winded in an open forum.

Thank you.

 

Sorry for the incredibly long delay in response to this. I tend to wax poetic whilst half sleep and starved and forget about any rantings I may have had.

I think that there is NO need for them to be exclusive, either. The purpose of distinction is to define approach.

When I show up to a gig as a musician, I am there to work. I'm not there to show off. I'm not there to play MY music. I'm not there to fill any other roll than the bass player.

When I show up as an artist... I'm there to demonstrate my artistry for anyone who so happens to be there. It's more obviously my "voice" at that time (not to say that a personal flare isn't to be expected of the musician, as well). It also allows me to not be burdened too much by the burdens of other people's opinions, since art itself is so relative.

These distinctions can carry over in a monetary sense, too. When I work as a musician, I expect a certain level of professionalism from the clubs/bands/promoters/managers. Professional compensation as a reward for professional approach.

As an artist (not that I am any less professional in nature or approach or effort), I'm not in it to make the "big bucks". I don't anticipate high pay because artistry does not require that. I make art to make art. It is not a means to an ends but the end itself.

I hope that that may have clarified a tad. Sorry again for the delay and simple ramblings.

 

I concur. Music is expansive and perpetual and only suffers the limitations of the *insert noun* making it. I am fortunate enough to have found music. That alone makes it worth it =)

Thank you for the incredible well wishes, friend. I have always kind of moved against the grain in this world. The road less traveled yields the rewards that I want in my life.

Also, sacrifices are not required to give a reward. The only thing any action has to give is a result and whether it is good or bad the action itself is what I enjoy most.

Mr. Michael, keep up your good works and keep on pushing what you do out there. I was fortunate enough to happen upon your music in the past year and it's been wonderfully encouraging to see a solo bass artist with talent and integrity (sorry for the delay in doing so.. I avoided listening to any good bass players up until recently because I never wanted their style to come out in my playing. A tad idealistic but I am really glad that I did).

I look forward to talking shop with you again in the near future. Keep on rocking
d-_-b

 

The operating parameters I'm using are as follows:
Artist: someone who pursues art with no intent to gain. You can do so with music, painitng, drawing, poetry, woodworking, etc. That does not mean that you're not able to sell these things but the PURPOSE of your pursuit is the joy of artistry.

Musician: is someone who uses art as a means to an end. They say things like "hey, it's a gig" or "I've got to sell this to make ends meet". That does not mean that it's devoid of artistry. It just means that the approach and purpose is very different.

 

I play music for a living. I do so in a couple different ways. I will gladly go after a gig as a player to pay the bills but I also spend 6 to 7 hours a day working on techniques that I will NEVER get to use in any band.

I pursue artistic expression because it's what I need. I've been fortunate to have a lot of experiences in my life but there is nothing else for me but artistry.

I play my own shows, of my own music, about 3 nights out of the week and most of the time it's for very few people in crappy bars, smelly jazz caves, and sweaty metal clubs... I play 1 or 2 nights a week for a band for tips or busking on the streets to make enough money to play for free the rest of the week. Just to share my art. Just to show my love for what I do.

Again, it's more than possible to do both and be both. It just helps sets up the approach for the way you make music and the joy you will be able to derive from it.

 

As an artist, I could care less whether or not I play for 2 or 2000. I've been fortunate enough to get to do both and often. The more that I play, the more people come out.

The issues with most musicians is that they're not inclined to do all of the extra work that it requires to get people into the seats. People think that just because you might make tunes that people dig that people are required to come. They feel entitled and eventually become disheartened by people NOT coming.

Play often. Appreciate anyone that digs it. Simple enough


When it comes to what is popular, it's all apples and oranges. There's never a comparison from one to another. It's easier to appreciate all music than it would be to attempt to compare completely relative things in the art world.

 

Thank you, Mr. Robert. If you want to hear some more of my work you can catch it here

www.youtube.com/shinigamikusajika

I've been doing the solo artist thing for a year and I've been making some pretty fun head way by continuing to make artistry my priority and ensuring that I am always grateful to the people who take the time to check me out... Like you