What, exactly, is a professional musician?

[rashrader]

Professional Players pay Union Dues.

I played my first paying gig when I was 15 years old and, trust me, getting paid (and I’ve been paid hundreds of times) doesn’t make me a professional. I’m a hack.

 

[Brad Johnson]

This is a serious question. It has a lot to do with the level of proficiency in live music now, as opposed to the level of proficiency required when I first started playing. And I don't mean reading. I mean showing up and suiting up and playing solos in the correct keys, not stopping songs in the middle because you didn't like something, and just generally not being a hobbyist.

My personal contention is that the market currently pays for hobbyist level music, and that's generally what they get. So is getting up on a stage and playing badly but taking home gas money now considered "pro?" Because nine times out of ten, that's what I'm hearing on stages in my town. What's happening in your town?

I know this will sound redundant but it's someone who plays music as a profession. Not occasionally. Typically for a living, though they may supplement that with other income.

The market doesn't pay for hobbyist level music, many pros do play for very little money. As pros. They may play on other gigs for far more money. In some minds, a gig is a gig. Skill level isn't a hard determinant either.

 

[Wasnex]

IMO, it has the least to do with money.
I think it has more to do with the whole package and of course, great chops for whatever situation arises.
I see tons of guys that call themselves ‘session/hired guns’, that are terrible players.
They play a lot but they never rise above the mediocre gigs; the better players know to stay away from them.
To me. A pro musician serves the song and nails it. All the time.

I do agree that competence is a professional quality, but IMHO being paid is an essential characteristic of being a professional. As far as I am concerned there is nothing to prevent an amateur musician from being superior to a pro. The pro is paid for services rendered, the amateur does it for free.

 

[LBS-bass]

The market doesn't pay for hobbyist level music, many pros do play for very little money. As pros. They may play on other gigs for far more money. In some minds, a gig is a gig. Skill level isn't a hard determinant either.

Now, this is what's interesting to me, because on some level I agree, and on another I disagree. There are many people I'd consider pro-level players who are doing occasional gigs for little to no money now, because nowadays that's all there is. But that situation has also allowed a lot of true hobbyists to enter the arena and strut around. Again, we're talking about "players" who can't stay in tune, can't solo in the correct key over changes, can't sing a harmony, stop songs in the middle, etc. All stuff that, in my day, was unheard of among what we considered to be professionals (well, maybe not the harmony thing but it was a lot easier back then to find singers).

In general, I find the level of quality in live performance, at least where I live, to be greatly dumbed down from where it was 30 years ago. There are exceptions to this. There are bands out there with great players but they are not the rule. So I contend that the lack of value appropriated toward music has created a situation where non-pros can get gas money but real pros can no longer make a living wage.

 

[micguy]

There was a time in my life when I made a fair amount of money playing gigs. At this point in my life, I play in churches as a volunteer, but I’m a MUCH better musician, and I play with guys who make a living at it all the time. So, when was I the most “professional”? When I was getting paid, or when I can really play? Is it money or skill that makes you “pro”?

 

[TheReceder]

I like the pro/semi pro idea. I can make enough to buy all the gear I want, (notice I didn't say need) and can get by only having a part time job to support myself and my wife. I'd say I'm semi pro only because I could give it up and it wouldn't kill me.

As for the caliber of play... I'm not convinced that really comes into play. You could be the hottest bassist in the world but if you aren't getting paid... you're just a really good musician. ( A rare case where I hate the word "just")

You could basically suck the minute you plug in, be playing every night and touring every Podunk arena in the country … I'd say that makes you a professional... a lucky professional, probably a soon to be fired professional.... but still professional.

 

[LBS-bass]

There was a time in my life when I made a fair amount of money playing gigs. At this point in my life, I play in churches as a volunteer, but I’m a MUCH better musician, and I play with guys who make a living at it all the time. So, when was I the most “professional”? When I was getting paid, or when I can really play?

What gives you your paycheck? That's your profession. You may be, like me, someone who plays at a pro level due to experience. But I'm not a professional musician right now. I make my living doing something else.

 

[two fingers]

This question is coming up a lot in my social networks, so I offer it to you. What does it mean to be professional? Can you have a day job to make ends meet and be a pro? Can you call yourself a pro if you take a little money for music but never made a living at it? Are you only pro level if you've made your living in music either now or in the past? Does it require a certain level of practice and commitment? What does it all mean?

To me, none of what you listed matters.

A pro shows up on time.

When said pro shows up, that pro has good gear. Good gear doesn't have to be expensive gear. But it has to work and sound great.

A pro shows up knowing the material hands down..... unless it's a jam band.... in which case a pro shows up knowing how to play off of others.

A pro listens.

A pro knows what and when NOT to play.

A pro takes care of business and brings zero drama.

A pro considers all of the non-musical aspects of the band that move the band forward like marketing and customer relations.

A pro makes your band better.

You don't have to make a dime playing music to be a pro.

.....all in my opinion, of course.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Now, this is what's interesting to me, because on some level I agree, and on another I disagree. There are many people I'd consider pro-level players who are doing occasional gigs for little to no money now, because nowadays that's all there is. But that situation has also allowed a lot of true hobbyists to enter the arena and strut around. Again, we're talking about "players" who can't stay in tune, can't solo in the correct key over changes, can't sing a harmony, stop songs in the middle, etc. All stuff that, in my day, was unheard of among what we considered to be professionals (well, maybe not the harmony thing but it was a lot easier back then to find singers).

In general, I find the level of quality in live performance, at least where I live, to be greatly dumbed down from where it was 30 years ago. There are exceptions to this. There are bands out there with great players but they are not the rule. So I contend that the lack of value appropriated toward music has created a situation where non-pros can get gas money but real pros can no longer make a living wage.

It's not just the value placed on music - it's how it's created. At one time, the majority of music broadcast over radio had to be live. Even when I was a kid, many tv shows were live, and had orchestras. I remember it was a big thing when Letterman went with a small combo, compared with Carson. Today, it's one guy with a synth in the studio.

 

[P. Aaron]

The last band I was in we averaged about 40 shows a year for four years. These were paying gigs. BUT, I also kept a day job.

I referred to my musical position as semi-pro. Meaning, the music pay was ok but not enough to pay all the bills and still be prosperous. Thus, the ‘day’ job to compensate and actually provide sustainable income.

As a band, we delivered a product in a consistent and timely manner based upon the requirements of the client, based upon written contracts. So, it performed professionally and we continued to get shows, referrals and pay. Seems ‘professional’ enough...for as long as it lasted.

 

[Wasnex]

There was a time in my life when I made a fair amount of money playing gigs. At this point in my life, I play in churches as a volunteer, but I’m a MUCH better musician, and I play with guys who make a living at it all the time. So, when was I the most “professional”? When I was getting paid, or when I can really play?

So you are saying you were most professional when you were not actually a professional?

Being professional and being a professional are not the same thing. It's quite possible for someone to be an unprofessional professional. The adjective "professional" usually has to do with observed behavior or conduct and relates to skill or ethics. Although technically it's probably a bit of an oxymoron to apply the term to an amateur, I doubt anyone would be confused by the usage. So if someone in the church said you were a real pro, would that leave room for confusion. Would people in the congregation mistakenly think you were getting paid? Perhaps it would be better to say you play like a real pro.

 

[LBS-bass]

To me, none of what you listed matters.

A pro shows up on time.

When said pro shows up, that pro has good gear. Good gear doesn't have to be expensive gear. But it has to work and sound great.

A pro shows up knowing the material hands down..... unless it's a jam band.... in which case a pro shows up knowing how to play off of others.

A pro listens.

A pro knows what and when NOT to play.

A pro takes care of business and brings zero drama.

A pro considers all of the non-musical aspects of the band that move the band forward like marketing and customer relations.

A pro makes your band better.

You don't have to make a dime playing music to be a pro.

.....all in my opinion, of course.

I agree with that, but what you've described is professional level behavior. That's not what makes a professional a professional, but it is part of what is expected of a professional.

 

[Wasnex]

To me, none of what you listed matters.

A pro shows up on time.

When said pro shows up, that pro has good gear. Good gear doesn't have to be expensive gear. But it has to work and sound great.

A pro shows up knowing the material hands down..... unless it's a jam band.... in which case a pro shows up knowing how to play off of others.

A pro listens.

A pro knows what and when NOT to play.

A pro takes care of business and brings zero drama.

A pro considers all of the non-musical aspects of the band that move the band forward like marketing and customer relations.

A pro makes your band better.

You don't have to make a dime playing music to be a pro.

.....all in my opinion, of course.

I would say that's a great musician who would be a great pro .

 

[two fingers]

This is a serious question. It has a lot to do with the level of proficiency in live music now, as opposed to the level of proficiency required when I first started playing. And I don't mean reading. I mean showing up and suiting up and playing solos in the correct keys, not stopping songs in the middle because you didn't like something, and just generally not being a hobbyist.

My personal contention is that the market currently pays for hobbyist level music, and that's generally what they get. So is getting up on a stage and playing badly but taking home gas money now considered "pro?" Because nine times out of ten, that's what I'm hearing on stages in my town. What's happening in your town?

The same thing, unfortunately.

And it's dragging the market down for all of us.

 

[LBS-bass]

The last band I was in we averaged about 40 shows a year for four years. These were paying gigs. BUT, I also kept a day job.

I referred to my musical position as semi-pro. Meaning, the music pay was ok but not enough to pay all the bills and still be prosperous. Thus, the ‘day’ job to compensate and actually provide sustainable income.

As a band, we delivered a product in a consistent and timely manner based upon the requirements of the client, based upon written contracts. So, it performed professionally and we continued to get shows, referrals and pay. Seems ‘professional’ enough...for as long as it lasted.

This is a very reasonable assessment. There's room for professionalism even in a "semi-pro" environment. If I make $500 per gig but only play one gig a year, am I a pro? Nope, I'm someone that somebody thought was worth paying a good deal of money to once. Doesn't reflect on the quality of my playing. Lots of people are out there sitting in bedrooms playing rings around me who have never made a dime in music. Are they professionals because of how well they play? No, but they're very good musicians.

 

[LBS-bass]

I would say that's a great musician who would be a great pro .

I would agree. I would love to meet more musicians like that!

 

[P. Aaron]

This is a very reasonable assessment. There's room for professionalism even in a "semi-pro" environment. If I make $500 per gig but only play one gig a year, am I a pro? Nope, I'm someone that somebody thought was worth paying a good deal of money to once. Doesn't reflect on the quality of my playing. Lot of people are out there sitting in bedrooms playing rings around me who have never made a dime in music. Are they professionals because of how well they play? No, they're very good musicians.

The pay got better as time wore on to the point where it got...close. But bands are made up of humans & some got pulled in different directions.

 

[brianrost]

Can you have a day job to make ends meet and be a pro?

Yes

Can you call yourself a pro if you take a little money for music but never made a living at it?

Maybe

Are you only pro level if you've made your living in music either now or in the past?

No

Does it require a certain level of practice and commitment?

No

 

[LBS-bass]

Yes



Maybe



No



No

So what defines pro to you? Obviously it's not music as an actual profession, which is the dictionary definition. So what is it? Not saying this is right or wrong, just wanting to understand.

 

[LBS-bass]

The pay got better as time wore on to the point where it got...close. But bands are made up of humans & some got pulled in different directions.

Yep, that's what happened to me, as well. I got pulled away from music as a profession and now that I've returned to music the landscape looks a lot different than it used to.