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I'm a drummer with experience in playing mostly party gigs, few bar gigs and one mini concert of 500 people. Based on my experience, I was categorized by one forum as "experience drummer."

So, how does a pro musician categorized as professional? I'm just curious.

Thanks,
AL

The short answer:

If your drumming allows you to make a good living exclusively off of it you're a pro.

The long answer:

Well somebody else might want to tackle this one.

nuff said

If all of your income comes from playing music, and/or teaching music, then you are a Pro.

"How are musicians categorized as pro?"



When they are recognized as a business by the I.R.S.

For me, if there's $ involved, it makes you a pro, so you should ACT like one...be on time & prepared & dressed like you mean it & positive & powerful on a stage &...

philbymon wrote:For me, if there's $ involved, it makes you a pro, so you should ACT like one...be on time & prepared & dressed like you mean it & positive & powerful on a stage &...

YOU LIYIN'!

In all seriousness, I'm not a pro, but i do my best to act like one all the time (Not that ^ one, mind you.) You never know who's watching. Plus, life's a bit more pleasant if you aren't a raging douchebag.

Just start on time dummy.

This is what can happen when you don't.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxLUUQdqA0I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgu4e8cC5UE

Websters view:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/professional

My view:
If you regularly play for pay you are a professional musician. (also the IRS view)

If you sometimes play for pay you are semi-pro. (the IRS wants to see your numbers too)

If you play for free you are not a professional musician even though you may have a very high level of skill on your instrument. I know several extraordinary guitarists who simply never play out in public. They are content to play for their own enjoyment.

Well answered and satisfied. Thanks for all your post.

BTW, I have a day job (actually night shift job) as my primary source of income, athlete and musician (plays for free and sometimes with minimal pay). So, I'm not a pro then.

Here we go again ....

For me, if there's $ involved, it makes you a pro, so you should ACT like one...be on time & prepared & dressed like you mean it & positive & powerful on a stage &...

I think Phil sums it up, it'smore than money ...

I played with a bunch of Pro's on the last weekend ... got the call on monday (3-one hour sets) and had to be ready for the gig Friday night with no rehearsals. I've played with one of the guys before, that's how I got the job. The band consisted of

Tony Roberston - Guitar & lead vox ... he's tour extensively with Sue Medley, Long John Baldry for 13 years, The Russell Jackson Band (bassist for BB King 7 years), John Lee Sanders (I've played with John a few times)

Billy Mendoza - Bass, vocals ... one of the go-to-guys on the westcoast for premier bass work for many bands.

Doug Mockford - Drums ... solid in the pocket drummer ... a regular at the Yale Blues Club in Vancouver

We ran though a few intros and endings and breaks at sound check ... and were good to go. The drive and solid groove that this band put out was mind-blowing, it sounded like we'd rehearsed for a year .... to me that's PRO ... money is only a small part of it ..

"when people refer to you as one"

I think it therefore I am.

Chaeya