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Does playing an instrument make you a musician?

Who do you think is right?!

  • Total voters
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#281
That was not clear when I saw your post, QORC, and again I don't mean to be pointing any fingers. It appears we are saying the same thing.

I agree that the OP's apparent desire to have his personal definition of "musician" be something that his peers accept, is misguided and ego-centric. He is attempting, in vain, to elevate is status at the expense of those he feels are inferior. That is an exercise in ego-stroking and is a HUGE waste of time and energy. All his peers need to do to drive him completely insane is continue to call themselves musicians. They could even start telling their non-musician friends to come up to him and say, "Hey dude, I am a musician!" and this poor guy will go mad right before their eyes.
 
#282
I wanted to disagree with a lot of things here, but most actual definition state that you should do it as a profession.

Now, I would say anyone making any money at it qualifies, cause certainly any amount of money obtained would be taxable and reportable.

But that said, there are certaily some crappy guitarists who can't read making a profession out of this, probably making more than I do on the music scene, maybe even more than my day job.

Me personally, I would have said anybody who can play an instrument. And of course you'd have to qualify how good a musician. Cause I have certainly said before 'that guy is a terrible musician'.
 
#283
Most of the arguments are absurd. you have to be a professional? Says who? besides - look up the definition. Professional means "I GET PAID TO DO IT". Nothing more. So now some of you want to set up a MINIMUM INCOME LEVEL to determine if one is a "musician"? Come on....any idea how stupid that sounds? How arrogant? Are we going to adjust for the average income for each country? How about adjust it for inflation every year?? REALLY?

some of you say that they have to READ MUSIC to be a musician. Really? My kid (10) reads music and plays the sax -- he can play "She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain". I don't read music, but I have been told I'm a very good bassist and I play out regularly and yeah I get paid. So I guess HE is a musician and I'm not? LOL

Famous Musicians and Composers who could not read music? how about Irving Berlin? I guess the most famous American composer doesn't meet snob definitions of "musician." How about Jimmy Hendrix? I guess he was just an AMATEUR, eh? How about virtually every pioneer in the development of Jazz? Few of them could read music, yet I would think that they were considered "musicians." Oh and by the way, most of them could not make a living at jazz and all had to take jobs to support themselves while they played. AMATEURS, EVERY ONE!

see the slippery slope that these definitions go to?

Again, define yourself ANY DARN WAY YOU WISH. But don't look down your nose at others. You can't win.
 
#286
sublime0bass said:
A musician is someone who makes music.

Ever tap on a desk and really enjoy it? Music!
Click to expand...

Yep, for that moment, if the rhythm you tap out is a deliberate piece of self-expression, you are a musician.

There are people who can tap on a desk better than you, there are some who can tap on a desk well enough that other people would come over and enjoy it... there might even be people who could get paid to do it. They're all musicians for that moment, but what separates them is whether being a musician is the tag that best defines them.
 
#288
tZer said:
You (the ubiquitous 'you') can consider quite correctly, others to be musicians, but it comes down to what they consider themselves that ultimately makes the definition have teeth.
Click to expand...


I think I see where you are coming from now. It sounds like you are saying that you hold yourself to a higher standard than the strict definition. I can totally respect that.

It's those that would apply some invented standard to others for the purposes of self-aggrandizement that I take issue with.
 
#289
bburk said:
I think I see where you are coming from now. It sounds like you are saying that you hold yourself to a higher standard than the strict definition. I can totally respect that.

It's those that would apply some invented standard to others for the purposes of self-aggrandizement that I take issue with.
Click to expand...

Wow - If only I could say it so succinctly!

I am not trying to redefine the definition. I completely abide by whatever anyone else considers him or herself to be - musician, instrumentalist, clown, whatever.

It's hilarious how some people seem so threatened by the idea that others don't personally accept the definition as is. Or that their place in the music world is somehow shaken if someone who is "not as good" calls himself a musician.

I am curious... If the dude the OP keeps referring to as a 'non-musician' actually said, "OK, you are right. I am not a musician" then what? Does he do a happy dance and say "See? I told you so!" Does he somehow get a gold star for proving that someone else was not worthy? Does he somehow become a better musician? What's the point?
 
#290
tZer said:
Wow - If only I could say it so succinctly!

I am not trying to redefine the definition. I completely abide by whatever anyone else considers him or herself to be - musician, instrumentalist, clown, whatever.

It's hilarious how some people seem so threatened by the idea that others don't personally accept the definition as is. Or that their place in the music world is somehow shaken if someone who is "not as good" calls himself a musician.

I am curious... If the dude the OP keeps referring to as a 'non-musician' actually said, "OK, you are right. I am not a musician" then what? Does he do a happy dance and say "See? I told you so!" Does he somehow get a gold star for proving that someone else was not worthy? Does he somehow become a better musician? What's the point?
Click to expand...


+1, also..........When I was 15, I used to do the same thing (OP). [/thread]
 
#292
I know people who can play guitar or piano or sing or whatever, but I wouldn't call them musicians. They are not dedicated to playing music on their instrument of choice. They're happy to noodle around at home, or take the guitar down to the campfire at the park and sing The Red River Valley.

A musician is a person who can not only play, but feels *compelled* to play. Someone who cannot be happy, or feel their soul is healthy, unless they are playing music. Someone for whom music is an integral part of their life and something they would go mad without.

My friend Adam is an actor. Its what he does for a living, and its what he loves most to do...it makes him soul-happy. He also plays guitar, just for fun. But he's an actor, to the bone.

I'm a musician. I live to play. I've done some acting, and really enjoyed it, and it was fun. But that's not why I walk this earth. I walk this earth to play bass and sing. I'm a musician, to the bone.

Cherie
 
#295
IMO it all boils down to level of knowledge. How well do you know theory?

I know several of people who are musicians that don't get paid for it but have all the theory you could ask for.

I consider myself a musician, not because I get payed for it, which I sometimes do, but because I have a fairly good grasp of theory. I am also a bass player (my chosen instrument).

I also sing. I don't consider myself a lead singer although I've done some lead stuff and ALOT of background stuff not only the first/main line but the second background either higher or lower to fill it out.

I don't consider myself a lead or rhythm guitarist although I play guitar too and in a pinch could get by on rhythm but not as good as a rhythm guitarist.

I can tinkle the keys and make out some chords on a piano but I am not a pianist. I can screech out a few notes on violin but I'm not a violinist. I can make a few noes on trumpet or tuba or trombone but . . .

I'm a bass player and I am a musician.
 
#297
tZer said:
Wow - If only I could say it so succinctly!

I am not trying to redefine the definition. I completely abide by whatever anyone else considers him or herself to be - musician, instrumentalist, clown, whatever.

It's hilarious how some people seem so threatened by the idea that others don't personally accept the definition as is. Or that their place in the music world is somehow shaken if someone who is "not as good" calls himself a musician.

I am curious... If the dude the OP keeps referring to as a 'non-musician' actually said, "OK, you are right. I am not a musician" then what? Does he do a happy dance and say "See? I told you so!" Does he somehow get a gold star for proving that someone else was not worthy? Does he somehow become a better musician? What's the point?
Click to expand...


1st of all...I'm not a guy...i cant tell u enough...I'M A GIRL....

and no...im not some snob that gets a gold star or does a happy dance. I know he's a musician...im sure of it....but hes not a bassist....
He is a violinist.
A Musician.....not a bassist.
I do not become a better musician....this is true..but that is not my goal.
I NEVER said he was unworthy or w/e...
and the point is for Nick to understand that he is not a bassist...but a violinist..he could become a bassist...but he isnt. And yes..once again..he IS IN FACT A MUSICIAN.

im almost insulted that you would instantly judge me to be a snobby brat that would think that about some1. You may b like that..but i sure am not.

I just dont think its fair to take a hard earned title that you dont deserve.
It's like me just saying I'm a general...even tho im not old enough...and im not even in the military.
It diminishes the great title of bassist....if every1 says they are. Its just not the same....

if you read my OP...then you will notice i've said that i play several instruments..but that doesnt make me a(n) (insert instrument here)-ist

:bassist:
 
#298
Chill, Sam.

Most of the post that you quoted was talking about many here who seemed to believe how I, you, or anyone else chose to use the term, "musician" in relation to themselves somehow impacted their own status as a "musician".

In other words, if I, a lackadaisical wannabe who only picks up his instrument once a year and fumbles through "Say What You Will" by Fastway - badly, and tells people that I think am a musician, that somehow others who are 'better than me' have their status as musician diminished.

Silly, right?

Secondly, I may have been a little snarky in my analysis of your comments about your relationship with Nick and his supposed right to call himself a (fill in the blank), but I still wonder how what he says about what he does on bass, violin, or dogoon* relates to you, the definition of musician, and who gets to call themselves one.

You clearly were insulted by his use of terms to describe how he felt about himself and made a point of not only telling him, but us too. Now if my comments have, as comments seem to do, impacted you in a bad way, I am sorry. My point is that what I say, or what Nick says should not effect you. The only way my comments matter is if you let them. So if you don't like what I say, ignore me - and Nick. If you find anything of value in what I said, use it - or not.

Finally - I missed the part where you told me your gender. Again, if I inadvertently ran you through the gender-blender, I apologize.

*Dogoon - a fictitious instrument invented by George Carlin, I think, described as "an instrument made by stretching a condom over a dogs @$$ then played with your teeth" - I think...
 
#299
For me, to be a musician is to be in control of the sound you make (via technical ability and theoretical knowledge), to the point at which you can express an idea or emotion through an instrument. It also helps to love what you do and ever strive for improvement.
 
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