Real Musicians don't make money.

[jive1]

I know I should quit smoking, but sometimes it's a good excuse to get out of the bar between sets so I don't have to deal with stuff like this.

 

[Milo Spleen]

Sounds more like a bar drunk trying to brag/pretend he's important rather then a musician.....

One thing is for sure...he has shown his value.

 

[Doner Designs]

A musician is one who plays music. Within that there are levels from sucky beginner to maestro (or whatever) but arguably all are musicians.

A professional musician (or professional anything) is one who gets paid for doing something and/or earns a living from it.

A musician who does not get paid and does not have a day job is a deadbeat and a burden on society (not counting those who are looking for work and intend to pull their own weight in the world nor am I counting those who are not able bodied, those who entertain for charity, etc, etc).

Just my understanding of these terms.

 

[Nev375]

Never respond to stupidity with more stupidity.

Smile and nod and sarcastically agree so that he might be encouraged to show off his stupidity to others.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

You're a real musician playing real songs. Don't let blowhards like that get to you. Smile and thank him for his input and keep moving on. And DON'T wink at his girlfriend!

 

[groooooove]

i've talked to people like that before. they're just immature, and i mean this psycholigically, not as an insult, they're failures and trying to rationalize their lack of accomplishment.

pat metheny is a millionaire, dude.

i personally also consider john williams to be a real musician...

could obviously go on and on..

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

Just curious, had you been drinking? Alcohol makes idiot's opinions seem far more important than they are. If you weren't drinking, why would you even pay him any mind. Seems a smile and an, "OK," would have been a sufficient response.

This.

 

[KickingBass]

Sounds like he's just frustrated with the situation. If he plays originals and doesn't get paid, it could be hard watching a cover band get paid. It's simple jealousy in some sense but also a little more complicated than that. He may call himself a "real" musician because he actually writes original material. I would call him an artist not a "real" musician. Musicians can play an instrument, period. An artist is a creative mind that makes new things imo. Maybe he's a starving artist and feels it's not just for a "copy cat" to get paid. I play originals and therefore don't get paid usually. I also play at church and typically don't get paid there either. But I made those conscious decisions. I can't blame someone else for my choice to play originals and volunteer my services. If you get paid for playing, good for you! Why can't everyone just be happy for their neighbor?

 

[D.A.R.K.]

I would've been doubled over, laughing at him. Let me guess: he lives in his parent's house?

 

[Charlzm]

Almost got into a fist fight on Saturday. I had a punter tell me I wasn’t real musician because I had a day job. He was the real deal because music was his passion, he’d just travelled the country playing drums and never got paid for one gig.

He wore this like a badge of honour. He was proud of the fact he never accepted a cent for performing. He was actually offended, to the point of aggression, when he realised we were being paid to play the “lame cover songs” that his girlfriend had been dancing to all night.

The fellow just couldn’t accept that someone could enjoy playing different styles of music, or you know need money to pay a mortgage.

It’s been a long while since I’ve felt that close to a fight, but this guy was ready punch-on just to prove he was a more passionate musician.

Other than that It was an outstanding gig at a beach-side pub.

I would just say that his definition of "real" musician and mine differ and leave it at that.

 

[tedious1]

I have been saying that for a couple of decades.

You should have Trademarked the phrase...hey, it'd be another source of income...good luck collecting from a bunch of dead-beat musicians though...

 

[gjohnson441496]

Good job keeping your head and maintaining your cool. I propose setting up a vasectomy fund for that idiot you encountered to prevent him from producing. Sounds like he may also need a prescription for Valium as well

 

[Joe Ty]

Sounds like he's just frustrated with the situation. If he plays originals and doesn't get paid, it could be hard watching a cover band get paid. It's simple jealousy in some sense but also a little more complicated than that. He may call himself a "real" musician because he actually writes original material. I would call him an artist not a "real" musician. Musicians can play an instrument, period. An artist is a creative mind that makes new things imo. Maybe he's a starving artist and feels it's not just for a "copy cat" to get paid. I play originals and therefore don't get paid usually. I also play at church and typically don't get paid there either. But I made those conscious decisions. I can't blame someone else for my choice to play originals and volunteer my services. If you get paid for playing, good for you! Why can't everyone just be happy for their neighbor?

Yeah, two different things. Maybe the greatest song writer of the past 50 years, Bob Dylan, is considered by most to be a mediocre musician and a god awful singer.

 

[allotabass]

Just curious, had you been drinking? Alcohol makes idiot's opinions seem far more important than they are. If you weren't drinking, why would you even pay him any mind. Seems a smile and an, "OK," would have been a sufficient response.

Ok. When I visit planet Earth, I'll make sure to try that out.

Op.
First, he's a drummer and they all suffer from drummeria. I've never met a drummer who wasn't full of crap or had a hair across his ass with something to proove.
For me, I won't get out of bed unless I'm getting paid and usually up front.
My whole career I've heard every excuse about how music, lyircs, song writing etc is as close to God as any of us will get.....says the starving musician.
Please. Spare me.
I provide a service. Period. Pay me.

 

[petrus61]

Actually, I'm gonna need to get paid even if a backline/sound is provided. I know it's a joke, but I used to take the attitude that my enjoyment of playing was the most important thing and that I was in fact getting paid to roadie, but I realized (somewhat recently) that what I do while on stage also had value. So no, I don't play or carry my stuff for free, charity aside.

 

[allotabass]

For me, playing gigs is my way of funding toys. If I'm not gigging, I'm not buying toys. Therefore, I like to gig.

Get that man a cigar.

 

[DrayMiles]

Although there are professionals that won't work with players that have a day job... And that applies to engineers, producers et. al.

 

[Jazz Ad]

We don't all have sponsors.

 

[TrevorR]

Oh the irony... if he truly always plays but takes no fee he is by definition AN AMATEUR!!!!

Seemed like by definition he was also a few other things but I won't go into them here!

 

[Grumry]

You have a gig paying you money, he does not.