General Music Chat

To me a pro is someone who isn't afraid to play in front of an audience, and does it regularly. The amount of times per year doesn't necessarily reflect their ability, but rather opportunity.

And a pro is someone who can keep up with other pros jamming. I've been pro since 1975 but still meet people that make me feel like an amateur.

does this mean Jimmy Page is not a pro? Steely Dan went 14 years from 1980 to 1994 without playing live? does this mean they are not pros? ..

That might not seem regular to you.....but they did play regularly.



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You're not a poser or a wannabe John. These are people who never gig and usually aren't that talented. But not being a pro does not make you a poser. People confuse what "pro" means; it just means you get paid. We get paid but not enough to live on so we are amateurs. There are plenty of f*cked up pros (Keith Moon and John Bonham were pros).

And this from someone who is an occasional weekend warrior?

Yes, what about it? I do what I do out of choice. I could never support my lifestyle from music alone; music is my hobby. If you say you're a pro you better be paying your bills from music or you are a poser. When's the last time you had a gig? Mine was last night and it was a hoot!

To me a pro is someone who isn't afraid to play in front of an audience, and does it regularly. The amount of times per year doesn't necessarily reflect their ability, but rather opportunity.

And a pro is someone who can keep up with other pros jamming. I've been pro since 1975 but still meet people that make me feel like an amateur.

does this mean Jimmy Page is not a pro? Steely Dan went 14 years from 1980 to 1994 without playing live? does this mean they are not pros? ..

That might not seem regular to you.....but they did play regularly.



.

not only did Steely Dan turn their noses up at performing live, but they also went on a sabbatical from roughly 1980 to 1994.. this means by your definition they are not pros since they did not play "gigs" I played tons of gigs 30+ years ago in Florida, but it almost makes no sense to pursue it living in rural Mo. 25+ miles from Springfield, could I be playing gigs? why certainly since I am pursued by certain players in Springfield all the time , but I have grown tired of it like Steely Dan did.

Ted, don't you get tired of driving and flying all around the world ? I know it is costly to live out of a bus or semi-truck..taking showers at truck stops and all.. do you guys have one of those big RV's or how does that work? bet the gas mileage is horrible..

You're not a poser or a wannabe John. These are people who never gig and usually aren't that talented. But not being a pro does not make you a poser. People confuse what "pro" means; it just means you get paid. We get paid but not enough to live on so we are amateurs. There are plenty of f*cked up pros (Keith Moon and John Bonham were pros).

And this from someone who is an occasional weekend warrior?

Yes, what about it? I do what I do out of choice. I could never support my lifestyle from music alone; music is my hobby. If you say you're a pro you better be paying your bills from music or you are a poser. When's the last time you had a gig? Mine was last night and it was a hoot!

Didn't they teach you libs reading comprehension in school?

What does your reply have to do with your previous above statement that I highlighted and your holier than thou attitude towards the least of other musicians.
You need not point out that music is only your hobby, that's rather obvious to me.

Who gives a fat crap what you highlighted? I stand by everything I have ever written.

Who gives a fat crap what you highlighted? I stand by everything I have ever written.

How about a little skinny crap?

I think of myself as a semi-pro to be honest. As far as ability I think Im playing better right now than I have my whole life, think its just experience.

I spent most of yesterday recording a new song, dont know when I will finish it, but I have 5 songs working right now that i have laid some tracks down for, my problem is I sometimes over do it.

But whether Im a pro, semi-pro, wannabee, poser whatever the title, I enjoy what Im doing and thats all the matters to me, plus lately Ive really felt a lot of freedom in trying new styles of music, so its all good for this poser! LOL!

You don't even have any music posted on your profile. How are musicians to know if they want to gig with you or not if they don't know your taste in music or your skill level?

That's correct. I'm not looking for a band, or musical butt buddies, so why does it matter? I'm a gigging musician, I play with an original artist, and also with a coverband. I see no point to post covers, and do not wish to post the original work for my own personal reasons. So, until I sit down and record again, the world will just have to wait for it

guys, most of you are semi-pros. Pro means you have in the past or currently make a living off it, more or less.. It's subjective at best, but if you go to wiki, I'm sure they spell it out. Famous is a totally different word and world.

Think about the local exterminator.. would you call the guy a "professional"?

What if you found out he's a computer guy by day, and only works at the extermination business on weekends? Does that somehow approve or negate his ability to rid your home of pests? I would think his skill at his job would be the deciding factor.

Pro means jack-crap when you think about it. It reminds me of all the local cover-band ads on craigslist.. where they say "MUST HAVE PRO GEAR"... as if any of them actually knows what "pro gear" even is...

Ha, a computer programmer and an exterminator would both be - wait for it - bug hunters!

I'm just an amateur guitar player for a Godrock band . . .
Suits me just fine to learn live and love doing what I do.
If it makes someone feel special to disrespect me for it.
I'm happy for them, cause they obviously have no life and need a boost wherever they can get it.

Ha, a computer programmer and an exterminator would both be - wait for it - bug hunters!

two-shay!

say "see bone"!!!

Well said George

The post really started about getting people to respond, which you hear over and over on here, I think the best response is if they dont respond then forget about it and move on. This forum is nationwide or even worldwide, so the chances of finding someone close on here are near zilch, although I have jammed with 5 different people that I made contact with on here.

I think you are better to localize your search, Craigs List is a good place, local music stores, when I go into Guitar Center and just plug in and play I often have people in my age range walk up and start talking music and some want to get together and play, but for me the best place is to go see bands playing the style of music you want to play and get ot know them, give them some contact info, sit in with them if they will let you, get to know them, cause in any area the active playing community is a close knit group and most are aware of each other, so if they see someone needs a musician and you are staying in contact then you might get a shot with them.

BM and CL are both useful places to search for musicians. You just need to be very discriminating and discard all incoherent or unresponsive content. LOTS of incoherent and unresponsive content.


As to the Pro vs Poser question... Yep I'm a dedicated poser. I started gigging in 1969 and have played with a few "heavies" over the years but never made my living playing music. I always held down a good day job so gig money goes to fresh gear instead of food or rent. I average 1 gig/month these days which keeps me in the game. A weekend warrior/poser I suppose. It's a system that works for me. YMMV