quote:

Originally posted by DaveFame:
A professional does not need to make money.

A professional musician is someone that plays music that makes you stand back and say "Fuck, that was amazing". Then you look at what music you play and think "I might as well give up"

Hi Dave. Sounds like you and I have a basic difference in semantics, but I definitely agree with the intent/sentiment of what you're saying. There are a few, VERY few folks out there (in the world) that have had that effect on me too. I guess what I like most is something truly DIFFERENT - even if it's way off the beaten path. I've spent a lot of time sittin' in the bar supporting my "old man" in his efforts.....one of the things I do to pass the time is play the "sounds like" game with myself. This song sounds like the Kinks, this song sounds like ZZ Top, this song sounds like Sonic Youth (and badly so). And sadly enough, I seem to come to my conclusions fastest when I'm listening to "originals". Oh, they put some different lyrics to it and sometimes vary speeds and chord progressions, also add a WHOLE lotta attitude, but it still sounds like the same leftover TV dinner that's been in the freezer for years.......week after gol-durned week.

As for professional attitudes.....lot of nice folk in the downtown bands, and on some of the forums too. I'd say they're probably a minority though. Guess I've just spent too much time people-watching in da barzzzzzz.

Zoltan keeps it real.

Hmmm...

quote:

Younger Women, Faster Horses, Older Whiskey, and More Money

Faster Horses? (o.O)
Yes Sir, I like it.

As for my 2 cents on my questions? Well i think it's all about how you feel and where you understand, for yourself, you are as a musician.

Some people have been performing and writing music for years upon years w/out getting a good cent. But yet they love what they do, no matter if they have a "day job"; and they can only do music at night.

The love for music, including writing it, performing it, and listening to it, can be seen as being able to be more comortable as to where you are, in the sense of "perfessionalism"

As for me, I wrote my first song when I was ah 12 or 13, can't really remember. But I have gotten to the point, I'm not afraid of the unknown when I write I song, I can say that. I used to be always hoping and wishing I could write a song like john lennon since I could remember. I was afraid of this daunting task, and felt like I couldn't write anything that could satisfy. But thats the "work" of it all. Learning from trail and error exactly what works and what doesn't. But I'm not saying i'm a "perfessional" in any sense of the means when it comes to my writing. I know that writing music is always a learning experience, no one knows the extent to what music can be, or will be. But i am finally able to accept what is out there, and hopfully manage to write a couple of goods songs on the way.

I think the one's who stated that making money is not a state of being a "perfessional"; its about the love of playing writing and perfoming music. It's about the love, and once you are fully aware of that love, in your heart, at least you know how much of a "perfessional" you truelly are.

am·a·teur n.
1.A person who engages in an art, science, study, or athletic activity as a pastime rather than as a profession.
2.Sports. An athlete who has never accepted money, or who accepts money under restrictions specified by a regulatory body, for participating in a competition.
3.One lacking the skill of a professional, as in an art.
pro·fes·sion·al adj.

1.Of, relating to, engaged in, or suitable for a profession: lawyers, doctors, and other professional people.
2.Conforming to the standards of a profession: professional behavior.
3.Engaging in a given activity as a source of livelihood or as a career: a professional writer.
4.Performed by persons receiving pay: professional football.
5.Having or showing great skill; expert: a professional repair job

Personally, I don't really care if I ever make money off music. Sure, it might be nicer to be able to support my habit, but I can live without it. I have a job that pays okay, so as long as I still have free time, I don't have a problem being 'amateur', per se.

Looks like I'm a bit late to this dance, but I'll post my 2c anyway.

I consider myself to ba a pro - even though I'm not on the road any more and make most of my living on my day gig.

Being professional is mostly a matter of attitide to me - if you are getting out there and putting on a show - doing your best to entertain those who have chosen you as their focus for however long you are playing and doing a good job without stepping on your crank, and you do it that way consistently then you are a pro regardless of how much or little you are taking home a the end of the night.

nomad