To paraphrase the Supreme Court on pornography, "I can't tell you what a professional musician is, but I know one when I see one."
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What, exactly, is a professional musician?
- Thread starter LBS-bass
- Start date
This question has come up before. 30 years ago it was easier to define. With digital recording, and now digital distribution, it is a little more vague. Plus there is the fact that the bottom has dropped out of the music biz, and not getting paid for either playing or releasing music is more common.
The way I see it, if you are playing shows regularly, releasing music, have merch people can buy, and have either physical or digital music that people can buy on Amazon, you are a professional musician. It would be hard for me to track the number of shows I've played, but I know the amount of money venues have paid me over the course of 25 years is less than $200. I've made way more putting on my own shows at not-club\bar venues or selling music\merch music. I consider myself a professional musician. Am I a low level pro? Very much so. But I have sold music to complete strangers all over the world.
There's technically being pro (paid to do something) and acting "pro".
I kind of have a running joke with my fiends and family when I want some mock respect. A nice and pompous: "I'm a pro musician now!" (because I started playing a few paid gigs) always does the trick. Obviously, not the bulk of my income (not even minimum wage most of the time, and haven't even paid for the gear I needed to gig), but technically I am a professional musician.
I believe when people talk about "working with pros" or "looking for a "pro", they are talking about someone who acts like a pro: reliable, easy to work with, know their craft, show up prepared and on time, have gigable gear, know how to be on a stage and know when to contribute to discussions and more importantly when not to.
To me, formal education can certainly help one be a pro, but it's not at all required. A lot of it is just basic common sense - personal pride (preparation) and respect for the people you are working with (reliability).
I kind of have a running joke with my fiends and family when I want some mock respect. A nice and pompous: "I'm a pro musician now!" (because I started playing a few paid gigs) always does the trick. Obviously, not the bulk of my income (not even minimum wage most of the time, and haven't even paid for the gear I needed to gig), but technically I am a professional musician.
I believe when people talk about "working with pros" or "looking for a "pro", they are talking about someone who acts like a pro: reliable, easy to work with, know their craft, show up prepared and on time, have gigable gear, know how to be on a stage and know when to contribute to discussions and more importantly when not to.
To me, formal education can certainly help one be a pro, but it's not at all required. A lot of it is just basic common sense - personal pride (preparation) and respect for the people you are working with (reliability).
In my neck of the woods, "professional musician" has the pedestrian definition of, "One who strums a six string, brings along Kareoke backing MP3's and an iPod with a PA, and performs horrible renditions of Trop Rock and Electric Slide."
The aforementioned is cheaper to hire than a "full band," and they typically get paid with $50, a beer and a meal for 3-4 hours of "work."
In the monetary definition of "professional," IMO it's one who makes their living playing.
In the musical definition, IMO it's one who competently plays, is on time-everytime-ready to lift and shift schedules to make it, is well versed in the particular genre they play or are hired to play, and leaves the drama "at home" if anyone even knows about it at all, etc. etc.
"Semi-Pro" has been adopted by some, replacing the "serious hobbyiest."
The aforementioned is cheaper to hire than a "full band," and they typically get paid with $50, a beer and a meal for 3-4 hours of "work."
In the monetary definition of "professional," IMO it's one who makes their living playing.
In the musical definition, IMO it's one who competently plays, is on time-everytime-ready to lift and shift schedules to make it, is well versed in the particular genre they play or are hired to play, and leaves the drama "at home" if anyone even knows about it at all, etc. etc.
"Semi-Pro" has been adopted by some, replacing the "serious hobbyiest."
I don't know about musician, but you can spot a professional bass player at Guitar Center if he/she asks for a Fender American Professional! 
Professionalism is both a mindset AND a mode of conduct and operation. Honing your skills to a reasonably high level of proficiency, conducting yourself in a manner that minimizes conflict and maximizes progress, the ability to leave any ego out of the equation and work to the good of the group or situation, the ability to work with others in a positive manner, all are required to truly be considered a professional IMO. Think orchestra musician - skilled, well rehearsed, well prepared role player. Have your parts and your role down pat, fill the role without over or underplaying, fit in without creating negative issues, do your job as well as you're able. That is what professionalism is to me.
There are many meanings in the dictionary for professional. Highly skilled, master at their craft, etc.etc. There is also the meaning of money as well. To me I look at it like this:
Professional Musician - You play music as your only source of income
Semi-Pro Musician- you work another job as well as play music as a source of income.
Hobbyist- You play music because you enjoy it, you play with friends or just at home to records etc. etc. by yourself.
I am a professional teacher and a professional bassist because I teach String Orchestra at a local magnet school full time and play out for money as well.
I hope this may help in figuring it out. This is just the way I see it, maybe not everyones definition or example.
Professional Musician - You play music as your only source of income
Semi-Pro Musician- you work another job as well as play music as a source of income.
Hobbyist- You play music because you enjoy it, you play with friends or just at home to records etc. etc. by yourself.
I am a professional teacher and a professional bassist because I teach String Orchestra at a local magnet school full time and play out for money as well.
I hope this may help in figuring it out. This is just the way I see it, maybe not everyones definition or example.
They control the country.
With them, you are guilty until you can prove your innocence.
Dictionary???? What's that to them.
If Yiu made money, you are a professional.
Ric5
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- Jan 29, 2008
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2 Definitions
1. Obvious one: makes a living playing music
2. Pro Habits/Attitude: always shows up prepared, with necessary gear and backups, plays to the song, plays for the audience, doesn't piss me off
1. Obvious one: makes a living playing music
2. Pro Habits/Attitude: always shows up prepared, with necessary gear and backups, plays to the song, plays for the audience, doesn't piss me off
I agree.
One thing I tell my students right before, or right after, the first time they have a paying gig is "you're a professional now, so you should act like it". I also use it against them sometimes, if they complain about not wanting to practice or be fully prepared. "You're a professional, no excuses."
It's a good question. Music doesn't pay the bills for me (and my family of four), but I'm a longtime "serious" musician, lately playing more than ever -- two to four times a week. I play for pay, not for free. I frequently work with folks whose entire income is derived from playing music (or teaching, etc). I've played with some "full time" musicians who wouldn't cut it in my band. I guess I think of myself as a "part-time professional." Nothing "semi" about what I do when I play music, although I don't do it full time. I think, in many respects, the distinction has little to do with what percentage of your income is derived from music performance.
If we were on TalkTaxLaw.com, or at an audit, then the IRS's definitions of "professional" would apply. We're not - we're discussing what the term means to us - that's what the OP asked. Dictionary definitions are quite relevant.
A music teacher working in a school system is one example of a professional musician.
I don't know about musician, but you can spot a professional bass player at Guitar Center if he/she asks for a Fender American Professional!
So the guy over there, playing the instrument recently made in Mexico is a "Player"?
A lot of back and forth here...to continue...
While I am not a Professional musician I can say my bands are Professional.
While I am not a Professional musician I can say my bands are Professional.
Well... while I do have a regular 8-5 job, I make more money annually playing music than my wife does working for the school district.
Professional: you're working and getting paid for it. How else would the State view your 'profession'? Aren't mechanics professional? They're getting paid for repairs. Joe's one-man auto shop, and a full-blown Ford dealership are different levels, but professional nonetheless.
Professional: engaged in a specified activity as one's main paid occupation rather than as a pastime.
When the term professional is defined in business classes, it is defined with a range of characteristics as I did earlier in the thread. It's not a simple definition like in a dictionary...it's more like a couple of paragraphs or pages to explain a concept or philosophy. Some texts even devote entire chapters to defining and expanding the concept of the term professional. Something to keep in mind is there are some characteristics that are common to pretty much all professions, but not all professions possess all characteristics.
Ultimately I believe the academic definition is meant to get people to aspire to a higher level of professional conduct which includes developing and strengthening the profession and providing customer focused service...IMHO the music industry would be a lot stronger and better if everyones' idea of music industry professional was more inline with the academic theories on professionals.
Ultimately, I believe the basic definition of a professional musician is someone who gets paid to play...and this would be expanded to semi-pro for a part time musician who does not make his/her primary income on music related endeavors such as performance, composition, or teaching. Unfortunately, I don't think the music industry meets a very high standard of professionalism as a whole, and most of us do not meet even the basic definition of professional under academic guidelines. This is a bit sad in my book, but I guess it's understandable given how far the music industry has fallen.
