What, exactly, is a professional musician?

[dbsfgyd1]

I see some of the degrees. But from my perspective, I played out five nights a week between 1978 and 1989. I bought a house with my earnings from music. I was paid a reasonable wage for my efforts. To me, those were the things that made me and others around me professional. Some of us were well schooled, some less so, but we had a common thread in that we all had figured out how to make money in live music, money that was good enough to pay the bills and feed our families.

What it implicitly also meant was that we had to deliver a product to our audiences that they wanted to pay money to hear.

What got me started on this whole thing was a post a few days ago on Facebook where a friend was chastizing other musicians for not coming out and supporting other bands in "the local scene." He seemed to be saying that only through the warm bodies of other musicians would our collective dreams and aspirations be met. And then, with no trace of irony, he suggested that we shoudn't let money be a factor because "we all get in for free."

I'm like, how is that supportive, if you're not even spending what it takes to get us all gas money? And what incentive does a professional musician have to want to be a part of that kind of scene in the first place? This guy is touting himself as a promoter but I'm sitting there thinking job one of a promoter is to get your talent a paycheck. Am I really this much out of touch?

The sad fact is today nobody wants to pay for anything they can get for free on their cell phone. Streaming music
and music videos have severely impacted and undercut our market. If you wonder why there is no support, no gigs, ask yourself honestly, why us?

 

[Bander]

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 agree. Lets define a professional, as someone who gets 50% or more of their *livable* income from music. That will weed out tons of bar bands, weekend warriors, and benefits-only free bands. Many of those are good bands, but what you have left, are *really* good bands and musicians, unanimously. Almost all great musicians in that bracket.

Second, lets define a professional as someone who has invested a reasonable amount of training time to be a professional. Lets say 1000 hours (6 months of training, or longer if stretched over years) of instruction and study, and it can include self-study as well. This isn't noodling, jamming, band practice with beer and craic - its brain stretching, muscle challenging study. That will weed out tons of bar bands, weekend warriors, and benefits-only free bands. Many of those are good bands, but what you have left, are *really* good bands and musicians, unanimously. Almost all great musicians in that bracket.

 

[Jon Moody]

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?

I didn't read all of the comments, but here's my take on this.

A "Professional" is someone that treats whatever vocation they have (in this case, being a musician), as a job and fully understands their role. As a musician in a cover band, that role is to put on a great show, keep the butts on the dance floor and make sure the bar sells a lot of booze. But that's only part of it.

The other part - that many forget - is what happens before/after your gig. That means showing up at an agreed upon time, being courteous and respectful to the bar staff, being in a mental/physical condition where you're not going to affect the show in a negative way, tear down quickly and easily, etc..

Simply put, I tell people that if you treat a gig like your day job; show up on time, have a great attitude, do the best job you can, etc.. you're a professional.

 

[glocke1]

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?

that describes the vast majority of bands in my area. There are one or two that are probably close to being a "tier 1" band, but I think most bands (including mine) are ones that don't rehearse and just get up and play tunes.

anyway, my answer to "what makes a pro" is this. If your sole source of music is derived from music, you are probably a pro. Depend on some other source of income to pay most of your bills, or a spouse? You are playing at being a pro.

 

[Dr_Benway]

It seems to me the people going on the most about what it means to be a pro, aren't the actual pros. I've been making my living from music related activities (performing, recording, production, live sound, etc.) all my life, but I've never gone into an interview, audition, etc. and announced that I was a pro. Nor was I ever asked if I was a pro. The term is quite irrelevant.

 

[Keyser Soze]

Thanks to everyone who has contributed perspectives to this thread. I value all the input here.... I guess I'm suffering from culture shock in the sense that being a musician now appears to be a completely different thing, with a different set of expectations, than it was back when I was playing as a job.

Being a xxxxx now is a different thing than it used to be. Why would being a musician be different? Industries have radically changed. The music industry is radically different than it was ten, twenty years ago. Except for the "$100 a gig" thing.

 

[BD Jones]

I'm going to admit that I haven't read this entire thread (the first two pages and the last), but here is my question: Am I a professional musician? Not a professional "bass player" or "player" in general, but a "professional musician" as the question was actually stated.

• I'm a full time band director with multiple degrees
• I'm a published composer/arranger with many band, orchestra, and jazz band titles to his credit
• I've authored or co-authored band and orchestra instrument method books
• I am proficient on multiple instruments (if it is in the band hall or orchestra room, I can play it)
• I've been a part of many performing groups that have earned money, but have take the lowest cut or no cut because I performed for the enjoyment
• I've never made money to live on from performing
• I haven't been in a regular performing group or performed in public in several years

So, am I a "professional musician"? I'm curious as to how some here who think you are only a pro if you make money from performing or perform regularly would view my "credentials". I personally have no doubt as to my status.

 

[ZAR14]

Technically, the Websters definition of Professional is, Someone who gets paid for providing a Service...ie, Playing Music. IMO, I define "Professional" as someone who can support themselves soley on said service, or Playing Music...

 

[bassliner50]

 

[vonbladet]

What would it mean for this question to have an answer? Whose consensus is required?
I withdraw mine in advance from any and all attempts, especially those that start with a dictionary definitions.

 

[micguy]

If you get paid — you're a professional—-
per the IRS
Even if you have 10 other sources of income.
Skill level does not come into play.

If you look up the definition of professional in dictionaries, they give more than one definition. By the definition that talks about making your living doing something, I am not a professional musician. By the definition that says doing something to a standard, I am professional, and more professional than when I used to make a fair amount of money at it.

So, money and/or skill level come into play. It's somewhat ambiguous.

 

[micguy]

View attachment 3286134

Now here is an interesting case. The guy definitely makes money at playing music, but unlike me, he can't afford his instrument.

 

[And I]

Takeaway here, there is no one "exact" definition. And I don't think there needs to be...

 

[BassGuyFL]

The other part - that many forget - is what happens before/after your gig. That means showing up at an agreed upon time, being courteous and respectful to the bar staff, being in a mental/physical condition where you're not going to affect the show in a negative way, tear down quickly and easily, etc..

Simply put, I tell people that if you treat a gig like your day job; show up on time, have a great attitude, do the best job you can.

This is bang on. There's more to being a pro than just playing. Show up on time. Have the material down. Wear the proper wardrobe. Have your gear together. Don't be a jerkface. Don't drink excessively. It's amazing sometimes the people that don't understand this.

 

[micguy]

So you are saying you were most professional when you were not actually a professional?
Would people in the congregation mistakenly think you were getting paid?

Yes, I'm much more professional (standards/skill level) now as a volunteer than I ever was when I got paid to play music.

Yes, people have thought I'm getting paid. In fact I've been offered pay in some situations, but I decline it when offered. It's my preference to play as a volunteer.

Anyway, the point is that being "a professional" (meaning I'm getting paid) and being "professional" (meaning I'm playing to a standard associated with those skilled in the art) are two separate things. Given that both of those meanings are common definitions in dictionaries, we're not going to be able to make a simple rule that determines whether or not someone is a professional musician. We can ask "do you make a living at this?", or "do you make money at this?", or "are you skilled?" and get meaningful answers, but the "pro" question is ambiguous.

 

[Drucifer]

The term professional has different meaning depending on context. If your tax return lists your profession as musician, you may be a professional musician, but if you don't show up on time, have tantrums, etc. you're acting unprofessionally. I get paid for playing music, but it's not my primary job, so I don't consider myself a professional musician, but I get most of my gigs because I am professional in my playing, preparedness, punctuality, demeanor, etc.

 

[InhumanResource]

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?

Professional means this is one's MAIN paid occupation. I get paid to play but am not a professional musician.

There are multiple ways to skin this cat... Within the realm of being professional are the guys playing in dance bands who can't read a lick but get the gigs all the way to the session players that get called to record pieces they've never set eyes or ears on before the session, orchestra players, jazz pros, teachers, and everything in between.

 

[Slevage]

If you look up the definition of professional in dictionaries, they give more than one definition. By the definition that talks about making your living doing something, I am not a professional musician. By the definition that says doing something to a standard, I am professional, and more professional than when I used to make a fair amount of money at it.

So, money and/or skill level come into play. It's somewhat ambiguous.

Money= professional skill does not come into play. ( I've lived through an audit)

 

[hotrodjohn]

I play music for free. But I demand a lot of money to haul my gear to the venue.

 

[micguy]

Money= professional skill does not come into play. ( I've lived through an audit)

That's the IRS's definition. I have no fear of audits of my music income, as I don't have any. But there are other meanings to the term professional - the IRS doesn't write the dictionary.