what's more important to you..gigs or musicianship.

Musicianship, definitely. I've just cut down on my number of bands so I can get some actual practicing in, instead of using that time for learning setlists that don't challenge me.

When it comes to number of gigs, I'll take fewer but higher profile over getting out every weekend.

 

Yep... unless you provide me with an unlimited supply of hot female roadies.

 

+2. It's amazing what can happen when you step outside of your comfort zone and challenge yourself musically. The only challenge I get from performing "Mustang Sally" for the umpteenth time is staying awake.

 

I'll even take any roadie period. Lugging stuff around gets old real fast.

 

I’ve been gigless for too long. I’m comfortable with myself as a musician. I just wanna play. I don’t care if it’s covers, originals, worship... I just wanna play loud with other musicians who wanna play loud.

 

After playing bass and guitar for more than 50 years ... I don't ask the question, never really thought about it. In the end it comes down to that I get better on my instrument because I regularly play gigs and I get better gigs because I can play better.

 

Musicianship all the way for me. A crappy gig with poor players is like root canal.

 

I'm past the point of getting better and on the downhill slope so that isn't a factor for me anymore.
Now it's the quality of the gigs; venue location, staging, ambient air temp, sound system, monitor mix, lighting, load in/out, audience, greenroom, food & drink, pre washed terrycloth hand towels, sheet thread count, blue M&Ms etc.

 

I don’t see that as an either/or thing.

 

If "musicianship" also means "writing", then musicianship.
I could spend years in the process of crafting a record and I would not care or feel the urge to play live.

 

I want it all. Musicianship, awesome gigs, the adoration of the masses, the respect of my peers, and lots and lots of money. I even want the green M & M’s.

 

How can you separate the two?

 

enjoying what i'm doing.. regardless of 3rd party expectations.

 

agreed: for many folks: they are the same!

 

I learn more playing out with people than sitting in a room practicing... assuming the people are decent players and are open to some variation in what you play in a given song.

 

The two go hand in hand, but given a choice then it would be gigs

 

If you're talking about personal growth as a player, I think that's always a goal. It's a goal that will lead to more gig opportunities, if you want them, and once you have those, then it's truly a matter of one thing feeding the other.

 

I’ll work my butt off for the reward of mastering a new challenge... so musicianship for me.

 

Yep. One begat the other. My musicianship improves the more gigs I play. A huge part of "musicianship" is the holy interaction between the player and the listener. Sure you have to learn your craft, but you don't really get it until your in front of a crowd, in my experience. But like Rusty, I am an old crank so what do I know?