When do you become a musician?

Subject: RE: When do you become a musician?
From: Mr Red
Date: 04 Nov 04 - 09:27 AM

I reckoned (in retrospect) that was the time I started singing in tune with the colollary of it being in front of an audience. The pedants might refer to that as "singer" but how did I write songs without my "instrument"?

OK OK debate over - when I started to play the Bodhran in tune. (we tune because we care)

Subject: RE: When do you become a musician?
From: Scintilla
Date: 04 Nov 04 - 09:23 AM

Good question!

I'm not a professional musician (though I'd love to be!), but I still consider myself to be a musician. For me the term 'musician' is an all-encompassing term meaning a player, listener and lover of music. I don't think you necessarily have to take yourself particularly seriously or profess to be an expert. But I think by calling yourself a musician you are giving yourself a bit of respect for what you do, and that should be encouraged. Us Brits are far too eager to put ourselves down. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing worse than a poser and I'm not saying the term should be used just to impress, but I don't think there's anything wrong with being quietly proud of what you do. As someone who is predisposed to unconfidence and low self esteem I find giving myself the label of musician helps me define who I am. I must admit though I do find the term a bit pretentious when other people say it so I kind of keep it to myself - it's the Brit in me hehe!!

I don't think musicianship is something you are born with - though of course some people are more musical than others. There's no mystery in it - it's not like genius. It's a skill you acquire through passion, hard work and dedication. As I write this I'm realising I suppose there are two arguments here - the philosophical meaning of musician and the technical meaning of musician. Hmm!!!

Sx

Subject: RE: When do you become a musician?
From: GUEST,KJ
Date: 04 Nov 04 - 09:19 AM

Thorny one that Peter.Anybody that says 'it doesn't matter, it's only folk'!! is not a musician in my book. Never mind, personal gripe.I knew a lad who was learning-disabled, could hardly read or write but had a natural affinity with music, could pick up virtually any instrument and play it, had a natural sense of rhythm and harmony and making music was his life. Is he any less a musician than someone who has studied it formally, can read the dots, compose etc? I don't know, to me a musician whatever their qualifications or lack of is someone who can get to me emotionally.

Subject: RE: When do you become a musician?
From: mack/misophist
Date: 04 Nov 04 - 09:16 AM

It might be good to have at least one answer from a non-musician. Even though I had 10 years of piano, about 8 yeasr of woodwinds, and played professionally for about 6 months, I am not a musician. I say this because I could never play well enough to suit myself. The necessary physical and mental skills just aren't there. Based on my personal experience, I guess it all depends on how you see yourself. Even though music is one of the most important things in my world, I can't be a music maker.

Subject: When do you become a musician?
From: Peter T.
Date: 04 Nov 04 - 08:37 AM

Serious question: when you do think you have become a musician? Obviously some people would think they are "born" not made. Some people would think they struggle their whole loves and still do not think they have made it to "musician" (I have a number of quotes along these lines). Some people would say anyone who makes music is a musician. Although I make music from time to time, I don't consider myself a musician, it was never part of my self job description. On the other hand, although I only write poems from time to time, I do consider myself a poet -- only because I know what it is like "from the inside". I noticed that Rick Fielding (the musician I knew best) ate, drink, and slept music -- it was his "default" mode, everything else was secondary. I envied that, somewhat, though I had other goals.

So -- do you think you are a musician? What are your criteria? I would like to get a better feel for how people think about themselves as musicians (as an outsider).

yours,

Peter T.