Do you consider yourself an artist?

[ashtray]

I presume we all play bass here, so we’re all musicians on some level, but do you consider yourself an artist?

And I’m not defining that term - you define it how you want - but after you define it, do you see yourself as an artist?

I’m an Accountant, and a bass player, and guitar player, and I have other hobbies - none of which define who I am, but I recently realized that identifying as an artist is not a given for a musician. But that’s how I’ve always viewed myself.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I totally do.

 

[Diplock]

Of course. Music is art. People who make music are artists.

 

[Marko 1]

First, being somewhat creative isn't the same as being an artist- actually a different skill set.

Creativity in one's skill stack might be the difference between being a good cook and a world-renown chef, or a builder and a great architect.

Artists are people who are kinda dysfunctional, who typically can't clearly differentiate between fantasy and reality, hence being “starving artists” back in the day.

Many artists, skilled artists, have become successful when involved with, even exploited by people who aren't artists, people like producers, business people, and with the use of engineers, people whose brains function more in line with science, geometry, physics, math- things that artists can't really get a grip on.

In these many conversations on TB, I've definitely seen both types.

I would like to not consider myself an artist.

 

[mongo2]

Nope.

 

[Micha84]

Don't know. The word "artist" always has a certain level of "something special, inexplicable, metaphysical..." and I certainly don't see myself that way. I am mostly writing songs, recording and producing at home right now, so there is always the technical, analytical side of it and a craftsmanship, that I don't associate with the lofty term "artist".
But, then again... I have to be in the mood to make music for it to be good, and without some kind of "inspiration" to start with, that I don't feel I have any control over or technique to achieve it, there won't be a song that is any good, either. So maybe that is what makes me an artist, but I still wouldn't use that term.

 

[Marko 1]

As for musicians, I suspect that the best tend to be more technical types, not really "artist" types.

I bet y'all who followed music and musicians more than I have can name some, like maybe Zappa... Getty Lee maybe...

Paul Simon (as opposed to Art Garfunkle if my impression is accurate)...

Buddy Rich, although a tyrant?

 

[Jason Sypher]

Yeah. It’s tricky. I think in the United States there is a lot of baggage associated with saying you’re an artist. I find other countries use the term more freely. But yeah I’d say, if pressed, that I’m an artist. But the day to day practice of music feels more like a craft, a trade, like woodworking or something. I don’t wake up feeling lofty ever. I wake up to get to work.

 

[mdogs]

Titles are for people who need to feel validated, I don’t feel that need. Do what you do, if other people happen to enjoy it, all the better.

 

[BobDeRosa]

I neither consider myself nor want to be considered an artist. I don't write and I don't even like to solo. I just play bass.

 

[Oddly]

Artist?
Nah, I'm a bassplayer. As far as I'm concerned, we're the foundation upon which them artistic types do their thing.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

Service Provider.

 

[Dincrest]

Musicians are artists.

"Best New Artist" is a category in music award shows.

When Prince was that symbol, he was referred to as "The Artist (formerly known as Prince)."

 

[Danny O Danny]

I do. Making art is a fundamental and defining characteristic of humans--from cave paintings and bone flutes to Bach and Van Gogh and The Ramones and my wife making bead jewelry and me banging away at the bass.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

*Fartist

 

[OllieVT]

...brains function more in line with science, geometry, physics, math- things that artists can't really get a grip on.

Untrue. All people can get a grip on these things. Artists are people. Therefore, artists can get a grip on these things. (See, you understood that reasoning, even if you didn't agree with it---you're doing logic!)

To the extent I consider myself an artist it's because of my day job as a mathematician, which involves creativity, aesthetic choices and more. As a plodding beginner bassist I'm heading in the right direction but have a long way to go.

 

[fourfinger]

I voted no. I'd say I dabble in the art of music, but I'd have to be more of a pro to call myself an artist.

 

[Marko 1]

a mathematician, which involves creativity, aesthetic choices and more

Mkay buddy.

 

[marchone]

My occupations in life included photography, writing, architecture, and gastronomy. I’m still active in all of those fields. I made my living as a chef writing and cooking tasting menus for three decades. I can say I’m an artist.

Yeah. It’s tricky. I think in the United States there is a lot of baggage associated with saying you’re an artist. I find other countries use the term more freely. But yeah I’d say, if pressed, that I’m an artist. But the day to day practice of music feels more like a craft, a trade, like woodworking or something. I don’t wake up feeling lofty ever. I wake up to get to work.

It’s semantics. Growing up in a working class neighborhood in Queens artists were as rare as hen’s teeth. And calling yourself an artist would likely get you hurt in some way. That’s why the Village was where to go to find like minded people.

 

[Diplock]

If music isn't art what is it?