What Is a Musician?

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jangel
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What Is a Musician?

Post by jangel »

on one of the polls I noticed that some don't refer to themselves as musicians....an theres nothing wrong with being humble even though they are in working bands. So what is your defination of a musician?
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Post by BDR »

To me, a musician is someone who creates music using personal talent, whether it's done with your hands, feet, stomach or vocal chords. I saw one person post on the previous thread that he was a vocalist in a working band but not a musician. I just don't get that.

Some people can sing ... just go to any karaoke bar on any given night and you'll see that.

However, not everyone can sing.

A hack guitarist is hard to ignore but easy to forget. Same goes for so-so singers. However, if you can make an impact on people with with your vocal ability, then I'd say you're a musician.

r:>)
Last edited by BDR on Friday Feb 10, 2006, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by bassist_25 »

I have to get to class in a little bit, so I'll make this short.

There's a difference between a musician and an artist, though a musician can still be an artist. Being a musician is about understanding your instrument and being technically proficient. Being an artist is about creating the actual music. For example, a session cat may be a great musician but not such a great artist. Kurt Cobain was a great artist, but a lousy musician.

I consider myself a musician before an artist.
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Post by SpellboundByMetal »

id have to say both you guys hit the nail on the head.
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Post by FretBored »

musician

n 1: someone who plays a musical instrument (as a profession) [syn: instrumentalist, player] 2: artist who composes or conducts music as a profession

On behalf of Capt. Gram Cracker!

The way I see it is you have to play an instrument or compose as a profession.

Singers are not musicians.
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Post by Big Jim »

Does this mean that a singer is not a musician? :?

Here we go again...
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Post by nightcrawler_steve »

An oldie, but a goodie....

Whaddaya call someone who hangs out with musicians?
.
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a drummer :shock:

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Post by Hawk »

bassist_25 wrote:I have to get to class in a little bit, so I'll make this short.

There's a difference between a musician and an artist, though a musician can still be an artist. Being a musician is about understanding your instrument and being technically proficient. Being an artist is about creating the actual music. For example, a session cat may be a great musician but not such a great artist. Kurt Cobain was a great artist, but a lousy musician.

I consider myself a musician before an artist.

Believe me, I have seen many extraordinary "Concert Artists" (pianists) playing music that others (like Beethoven, and Bach etc. etc. etc.) created. Don't tell them to their face that they are not artists.


Tell an opera singer who spent 20 plus years learning all there is to know about music, that he/she is not a musician (because they don't play an instrument). Then duck.

Anyone who makes music is a musician. Pro or armature. I think "artist" has no technical meaning other than when musicians reach a certain level, people refer to them as artists.
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Post by FretBored »

It's like running around a track with a number on your back saying you are a race car driver! Without the car you are not driving therefore not a driver! Here it is again:

musician

n 1: someone who plays a musical instrument (as a profession) [syn: instrumentalist, player] 2: artist who composes or conducts music as a profession

Where is Capt. Gram Cracker when you really need him?
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Post by Hawk »

FretBored wrote:It's like running around a track with a number on your back saying you are a race car driver! Without the car you are not driving therefore not a driver! Here it is again:

musician

n 1: someone who plays a musical instrument (as a profession) [syn: instrumentalist, player] 2: artist who composes or conducts music as a profession

Where is Capt. Gram Cracker when you really need him?
I suggest you call the Steinway company and tell them they don't have any concert artists. They will be suprised as hell. Better hurry so they don't get sued for false advertising.

And let Webster know that you know more than they do.

Musician : A person skilled in the composition or performance of music.
I think that would include a singer.

Artist : One skilled in any of the fine arts.
Dosen't say anything about composing.
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Post by FretBored »

2 entries found for musician.
mu·si·cian Audio pronunciation of "musician" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (my-zshn)
n.

One who composes, conducts, or performs music, especially instrumental music.


[Middle English musicien, from Old French, from Latin msica, music. See music.]mu·sician·ly adj.
mu·sician·ship n.

[Download Now or Buy the Book]
Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

musician

n 1: someone who plays a musical instrument (as a profession) [syn: instrumentalist, player] 2: artist who composes or conducts music as a profession

Source: WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University

Sorry old Chap I was using the Princeton Edition.

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Post by Hawk »

A singer is a musician . Check here : (and check associated links.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musician

Whether you like it or not. The human voive is an instrument !
Last edited by Hawk on Friday Feb 10, 2006, edited 2 times in total.
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Post by Hawk »

cherio
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Post by bassist_25 »

Hawk wrote:

Believe me, I have seen many extraordinary "Concert Artists" (pianists) playing music that others (like Beethoven, and Bach etc. etc. etc.) created. Don't tell them to their face that they are not artists.

Again, I disagree. While I wouldn't argue that a concert pianist is a musician (and a brilliant one at that), unless they are composing, I wouldn't call them an artist. On the other hand, if a trumpet player plays a Dizzy Gillipsie tune, then he or she could still be considered an artist, because they're still improvising their own solos over the form. The head's the only thing that's ever played the same on a jazz song (even the form could be different because you can use chord substitions).

I do agree with you about vocalist. The human voice is an instrument!!! Fuck, Bobby McFerrin is a living instrument (and the man is absolutely brilliant).
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Post by byndrsn »

Who cares what the dictionaries say?

What do YOU think?

I don't think of myself as a musician even though I can play the guitar (to some degree) and play the drums and have even been known to sing a few songs (not well, but people tell me I do well enough). I am no musician. or am i?

Kind of funny that I think our lead guitarist, Dan Myers, is a musician. I don't think I am. Dan can figure all sorts of stuff out on the guitar and really wail on it - I can't. If you put sheet music out in front of me (not that tab bullshit) I can read it - Dan can't. hmmm, how does all of this fit in?

What about rap? What about those guys that make all the "cool" noise on the turntables? Is that music? Personally I don't think it is because I hate it.

What about country and western? Three years ago I would have said that it might be music but only for those with low IQ's - now Country is about all I listen to.

Did you ever see History of the World Part I? The cavemen bangin on the rocks and each other? Was that music in its most primitive form?

I'll tell you something right now!!!!!!!!! There is only one thing in this topic that I would get into an emotional debate about and that is my little boy. He sometimes sings to himself - nothing understandable, but cute as hell. THAT my friends is music to my ears!! Hearing that little soft, high pitched, 1 year old voice can bring tears to my eyes and a smile to my face. And, isn't that a part of what music is all about anyway?????
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Post by Hawk »

What if an artist makes an exact copy of a Rembrandt. In effect , he is "covering" an existing piece. Are you saying he is not an artist because he didn't think of it himself.

A skilled musician is an artist. He doesn't have to be a composer. A musician who writes is a composer.
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Post by FretBored »

Dude it's a discussion not a fight you don't half to get all capital letter and bold.
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Post by Hawk »

byndrsn wrote:Who cares what the dictionaries say?

What do YOU think?

I don't think of myself as a musician even though I can play the guitar (to some degree) and play the drums and have even been known to sing a few songs (not well, but people tell me I do well enough). I am no musician. or am i?

Kind of funny that I think our lead guitarist, Dan Myers, is a musician. I don't think I am. Dan can figure all sorts of stuff out on the guitar and really wail on it - I can't. If you put sheet music out in front of me (not that tab bullshit) I can read it - Dan can't. hmmm, how does all of this fit in?

What about rap? What about those guys that make all the "cool" noise on the turntables? Is that music? Personally I don't think it is because I hate it.

What about country and western? Three years ago I would have said that it might be music but only for those with low IQ's - now Country is about all I listen to.

Did you ever see History of the World Part I? The cavemen bangin on the rocks and each other? Was that music in its most primitive form?

I'll tell you something right now!!!!!!!!! There is only one thing in this topic that I would get into an emotional debate about and that is my little boy. He sometimes sings to himself - nothing understandable, but cute as hell. THAT my friends is music to my ears!! Hearing that little soft, high pitched, 1 year old voice can bring tears to my eyes and a smile to my face. And, isn't that a part of what music is all about anyway?????

How well or how poorly you play doesn't matter, you are still a musician. Just different levels. Like, pro or amature are levels.
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Post by bassist_25 »

Hawk wrote:What if an artist makes an exact copy of a Rembrandt. In effect , he is "covering" an existing piece. Are you saying he is not an artist because he didn't think of it himself.
He would be a painter (and could also be very skilled at it), but he's still not an artist.
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Post by Hawk »

FretBored wrote:Dude it's a discussion not a fight you don't half to get all capital letter and bold.
And a good discussion, I enjoy a little jousting . LOL
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Post by Hawk »

bassist_25 wrote:
Hawk wrote:What if an artist makes an exact copy of a Rembrandt. In effect , he is "covering" an existing piece. Are you saying he is not an artist because he didn't think of it himself.
He would be a painter (and could also be very skilled at it), but he's still not an artist.
Then you disagree with Webster ?
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Post by FretBored »

I'm a Princeton Man myself.
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Post by BDR »

"You give them eyes but they cannot see ..."

Lex Luthor, Superman the Movie, 1977.

r:>)
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Post by FretBored »

You are your dreams. I do not let a book define me. I know what I am so why the concern for others acceptance?

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Post by FretBored »

Do you see now?
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