Hobbyists -vs- Real Musicians?

[mikewalker]

There always seems to be this undertone that those who "collect" instruments do so because they aren't legit players themselves.

I know so many great professional musicians who are also "collectors" in their own right... Yet this collector versus real musican myth seems to always exist.

 

[Munjibunga]

Is "collecting intruments" and bring labelled a "real musican" two mutually exclusive things?

I collect basses and play in two bands. I refer to myself as a musician loosely so as not to disrespect people who make their living at it.

 

[elgranluis]

to me, theres is just one line to draw: if you can learn songs without understanding music, you are a hobbyist regardless of your success. If you understand music (hopefully studied it), you are a musician, even if you dont have a band or are a neurologyst by day.

 

[Thumpin6string]

I play because I want to and I enjoy it. IMHO, if you play a musical instrument or create music, you are a musician. If you get paid to do it, you're a pro. That is how it works in sports. You could be the best college 1/4 back, but you aren't a pro until you get paid to do it.

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

In every field, we find people messing with labels.

• Security: Hacker vs Lamer
• Gaming: Gosu vs Noob
• Social: Popular vs Nerd
• Programming: Coder vs Script Kiddie

Our field doesn't seem to be an exception:

• Music: Pro vs hobbyist (or wannabe / bedroom / whatnot)

My subjective perception is; people labeling others excessively are people with insecurities. People who excessively care about being labeled are also people with insecurities.

My subjective suggestion is; just be yourself, do what resonates with you and keep growing towards your higher but original version. Things will magically work out beyond labels.

 

[interp]

The greatest musicians in the world—members of the finest symphony orchestras—essentially play nothing but covers. Are they somehow not professionals?

 

[alaskaleftybass]

I confess, I haven’t read all nine pages. But has anyone clarified the difference between “pro” and “pro-level?”
I think there are many “pro-level” players that don’t make their living off of playing.

I think a pro-level bass player is one who can still stand up till the end of the night when all the booze and hard drinks are free!

 

[sok monkee]

I picked up my first Jazz bass in 1977. I'm a self taught hack on bass and guitar. I get paid unless its a benefit. I plan to play as long as I can! I would say I enjoy playing for fun. If i'm not out playing on the weekend and getting paid I'm spending a good chunk of cash having a good time somewhere else!

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

can´t speak for other europeans, but the typical german would tell you his occupation first.
we don´t enjoy anything other than work

I'd like to be like you and being ruled by Angela as you are ... this would make my working abroad since 20 years situation unnecessary ! Unfortunately I'm Italian and I have to bring my bass-playing hobby with me from place to place ...

 

[ZAR14]

You mean "Real" as opposed to "Counterfeit"?

 

[Neil Pye]

I have composed and played better bass lines than Geddy and Squire, but am not in the state of mind to share or sell them.

"Better"? Define "better".
I'd rather you said "I have composed and played bass lines which I like better than Geddy's or Squire's"

 

[dmccombe7]

.if I own a plunger and use it on my toilet, am I now a 'plumber'?

Compared to me YES.

 

[Rib 13]

A frequent side topic on many threads covers "real musicians" - you have to gig five nights a week to consider yourself a real musician.

As a guy who has made the bulk of the past 30 years as a working musician, I never looked at it like that --- There are "professional musicians", and this group can be further sub-divided by genre(s) and degrees of seasoning, and "hobbyists" which are musicians that plays music for fun and they also can be subdivided by similar criteria....On occasion, there is a blurry line between the two

Are there differences? As each person/player is case-sensitive and there are folks who have attributes of both.....however, in general, that stat for me historically has been "Yes, there are usually BIG differences" and this is probably why there are 'tudes

however, all are musicians

 

[Bass Man Dan]

My definition:

Pro musician - someone who likely has no time nor feels the need to debate whether or not someone is a pro or hobbyist.

Hobbyist- someone so laid back about playing that they don't feel the need to debate whether or not someone is a pro or a hobbyist.

 

[basscapes]

I used to make a living at it. Many years ago, I balanced my day as a studio cat, doing anything from sound effects (Foley) to cutting some commercials and playing weekends with two bands (one, a classic rock cover band, before it was "classic rock"), and the other, a punk band.

Good times.

Nowadays though, I wouldn't do it again. Too much uncertainty with the income stability.

I'll stick with my Day Job as an Electronics Technician/Tester for a Medical equipment manufacturer, thanks!

 

[petrus61]

View attachment 3153647

There’s also the great Allen Woody:

 

[RickyWoo]

Q: How many bass players does it take to screw in a light bulb?

A: Zero. They're all on the internet playing semantics.

 

[DWBass]

to me, theres is just one line to draw: if you can learn songs without understanding music, you are a hobbyist regardless of your success. If you understand music (hopefully studied it), you are a musician, even if you dont have a band or are a neurologyst by day.

I disagree. Do you have any idea how many professional musicians can't read a lick of music? How about all the famous blind musicians?

 

[Gwyn ap Nudd]

If you woodshed your plunger until it’s an extension of yourself and don’t just sit around collecting plungers, then, by all means, call yourself whatever you wish, though I think you’ll need a license. Don’t need a piece of paper to call yourself a musician.

Depends upon the state and how cheap your neighbor is....

 

[klejst]

I define hobbyist as a casual player, whenever convenient or perhaps needed. Real musician, I suppose can be defined as someone who plays regularly in a group/band, who participates on recordings and albums and tours, etc. However we're all musicians.