Hobbyists -vs- Real Musicians?

[rtav]

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.

Thanks for the insight! Well it seems most of my record collection was recorded by non-musicians.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[DoctorZee]

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?

You're assuming that by "understand music" he meant "read music." I don't think you have to read music to "understand" it on many levels.

 

[bearfoot]

This comment is semi-valid.

But there is medication for that...

 

[Sbassman Scratch]

I'm not a real musician, but I play one on stage.

 

[Zbysek]

I am definitelly a hobbyist. I play just for fun earning money by other activities. I used to play music for living for 8 years. I prefer not having to anymore. This way, I enjoy music better.

 

[rtav]

I am definitelly a hobbyist. I play just for fun earning money by other activities. I used to play music for living for 8 years. I prefer not having to anymore. This way, I enjoy music better.

True!

Clarification as to “understand music” would be helpful, but in the context it generally means some formal training of theory, the staff, etc.

Sans explanation I am running under that general assumption.

 

[WalWarrior]

This whole "pro" versus "non-pro" thing is also contentious. To me, I'd define "pros" as you're making your living (and paying taxes) off playing bass and I'd omit those that have the classic definition of success - a wife/girlfriend with a great job with benefits. If you're pulling in $75 / night, that's a hobby that takes a long time just to pay off a bass. I've seen a lot of people calling themselves "pros" and then when you dig deeper, they're retired and are playing every other Wednesday at Joe's bar and grill off Rt 32. But, hey, if calling yourself a pro makes you feel better, go for it.

I saw RT 32 and had to check to see if you were from Maryland. Ha ha , yup, right up the street. I'm in Cloverly.

 

[mellowinman]

I am in no position to judge who is a "real musician."

 

[SteveCS]

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?

Did I miss the part where @elgranluis made reference to reading?

 

[bassdude51]

$75 to $100? A night? How about negative $100 a night?

Like in The Blues Brothers movie where at the end of the gig at the C & W bar, they owe more than they made!

 

[Copperhead]

I have fit all of the descriptions herein at one time or another. I'm so confuuuuused !

 

[FunkySpoo]

I saw RT 32 and had to check to see if you were from Maryland. Ha ha , yup, right up the street. I'm in Cloverly.

Poolesville, MD here.
Not a pro but my trumpet player is. He teaches and get called to perform at the Kennedy Center on a fairly regular basis. I'll have to sub out my horns as they're pretty busy and those guys and gals that I hire are pros.

 

[SteveHeissner]

I'm no hobbyist. I'm even lower than that - a hack, a poser, a non-professional unprofessional. I should probably be banned from this forum but I love buying and trying bass gear and Talkbass just fuels the fire.

 

[Ulf_Hansson]

I'm no hobbyist. I'm even lower than that - a hack, a poser, a non-professional unprofessional. I should probably be banned from this forum but I love buying and trying bass gear and Talkbass just fuels the fire.

If you're not a pro, you can actually afford to buy pro gear.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

If you're not a pro, you can actually afford to buy pro gear.

That is the paradox that gets us in a lot of hot water here on TB.

 

[DoctorZee]

If you're not a pro, you can actually afford to buy pro gear.

Ahh yes, that's why Fender calls it the American Professional series. You'd better have a good profession outside of music to afford it.

 

[DWBass]

You're assuming that by "understand music" he meant "read music." I don't think you have to read music to "understand" it on many levels.

His statement was "If you learn songs without understanding music, you are a hobbyist regardless of your success".

I disagree with this statement.

 

[DWBass]

Did I miss the part where @elgranluis made reference to reading?

His statement was, "If you can learn songs without understanding music, you are a hobbyist regardless of your success".

I disagree.

 

[mongo2]

LOL.

I couldn't care less what others think.

 

[Big Hoss]

A frequent side topic on many threads covers "real musicians" - you have to gig five nights a week to consider yourself a real musician. And then the - if you don't play originals, you're just playing someone else's music, might as well be a juke box -vs- play covers - it's what the crowd wants to hear. Then the classic - if you have expensive basses, you're a bedroom hack, it's all in the fingers.

Why do we care so much about what everyone else is doing? We're all bassists and just the fact that we chose bass means that we're largely taking a backseat to the rest of the band. Copyrights are determined by lyrics, chord progressions and melodies. Screw the bass line. If we really wanted to be successful musicians, we'd work on vocal skills and play an acoustic fronting a band. So, maybe it's pent up frustration about nobody really caring about what the bass does until we screw up - then people notice.

If you just enjoy playing at home - that's great! You're still playing bass! If you play originals - awesome! If you're into covers or a tribute - rock it strong! Play a Squier - kudos! Play a MTD - great! Only a very few are actually going to make a living at this. Getting home at 2:30AM for $75-100 gets old quickly for some.

If you are playing bass and find enjoyment in what you do, you're doing it right.

According to Definition of MUSICIAN whom I would hope we could all agree is authoritative on definitions of words in the English language, the definition of the word "musician" is and I quote...

": a composer, conductor, or performer of musicespecially : INSTRUMENTALIST"

And while generally speaking, this CAN mean doing so as a profession, this does not require making music your profession...

Thus if you are composing, conducting, or performing music, at whatever level, you are by definition a musician.

I personally don't gig much, don't need to. And honestly, if I did end up somehow, and mind you at my age not very likely to happen, but if I did manage to somehow "make it big" I am sure the rigors of touring and recording full time would suck the joy out of playing for me. I would end up hating it and quickly.

I play the shows I do because they are FUN for me and it helps me make some extra scratch here and there. Yes we play mostly cover material, but we also have originals to boot. There are so many songs that are out there that big names made huge money on that are covers. Whitney Houston's I will always love you? Actually that was Dolly Parton's song... Whitney covered it. Quiet Riot? Seriously, everything they are known for are Slade covers.... and the story goes on and on and on....

There is a certain group of "mines bigger / better than yours" crowd on internet forums. Doesn't matter the subject, that will always constantly try to one up you. Gaming? They just got the better newer console. Woodworking? They have nothing but high end equipment that would put Norm Abram to shame. Bass players? Oh don't get me started.... Only group worse I have run into is Linux guys debating which distribution is best...

I have wide and varied hobbies. All of which require some investment in resources for equipment. In each of the categories I have equipment that ranges from absolute bottom dollar, to top tier, or at least well up in the upper mid tier.

Auto / Truck repair / customizing. I have tools from everything from Snap On to Harbor Freight. Leaning heavily on Snap On and Matco. I've built solo, or been involved in countless custom and rebuild jobs. Currently working on a 2004 Ford F150 XLT Supercab. Doing a full engine rebuild with updated timing set (the '04 spec parts have been updated by Ford) and a Melling high flow / high pressure oil pump to solve the oiling problems the 5.4L 3V engines are known for. Regearing the truck to 4.11 for best performance / milage while hauling a truck camper. (VERY lightweight camper for a half ton!)

Woodworking. I have equipment ranging from Festool to, here we go with Harbor Freight again. Leaning heavily on Ryobi and Harbor Freight's brands.... I've built, or rebuilt countless pieces of furniture, trim, fixtures, and accessories for our home, as well as for gifts. My most recent was an adjustable tablet holder for a friends wedding. They want it to hold a tablet for view when cooking. Made from the darkest walnut I could find, and rubbed with 6 coats of tung oil. It's purty....

Photography / Videography. I have equipment that runs the gamut from vintage high end Pentax 35mm professional rigs, to my favorite camera to use, my almost 3 year old Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. If you want to see, I have a Youtube channel...

And of course music. Check my details for the gear list. Do I own any botique gear here? No not really. But what I own in this regard works well for ME, and I make music with it. Do I really care what online snobs think? Nah.... At the end of the day, I am making music, having fun, and enjoying my life.