I play a lot of bluegrass/folk music, with a lot of different people, in a lot of different places. I’m not really great, but I don’t completely suck. I probably play with people other than myself at least 8-10 hrs a week.
The other day, I was loading instruments in my car to head to a “picking party,” and for whatever reason the thought popped into my mind that even though I play a lot of music, I don’t really consider myself to be a musician. Not sure why the thought occurred to me, and not sure why I don’t consider myself a musician. I’m sure the people who come to hear us play would call us musicians. Perhaps in some self-effacing way, I think the term “musician” connotes some greater degree of proficiency or professionalism than I believe myself to have.
Made me wonder if other people engaged in activities, but did not consider themselves to merit the designation associayed with such activities. Maybe, “I like to paint, but don’t consider myself an artist.” Or, “I like playing sports, but don’t consider myself an athlete.”
Great question! The Cambridge English dictionary definition is “one who is skilled at playing music, usually as a job.” By definition then , you’re certainly a musician, and a professional one. You may not think of yourself as a musician because it isn’t your primary job.
Do you think of yourself as a musician who has to work a weekday job to pay the bills, or as a guy who likes to play music on weekends? Is it your vocation or your avocation? I think that’s the difference in terms of how we define ourselves.
I always say 'Art for Art sake",
But, I really like to get paid for my Artwork. I think that makes all the difference. It certainly motivates me to do more.
I don’t think I consider myself a fraud. Just that I may underrate my ability. I am very much of a roleplayer. I generally stick to my role, and generally accomplish it quite well. Folk more talented than myself enjoy playing with me. But I don’t think of myself as having any great talent, nor do I work as hard at it as I know - say - music students or professionals do.
Part of it has to do with vocabulary. For example. I play quite a bit of golf. I definitely consider myself a golfer, but would generally say I’m a mediocre golfer, or not a good golfer. For some reason, designations such as artist or musician seem to me to suggest a higher level of skill or commitment.
Not a big deal, and won’t interfere w/ my ability to enjoy what is VERY MUCH a hobby/avocation. But I was just kinda shocked when that thought popped into my mind. And I wondered if other people experienced similar perceptions.
I’ve only recently started getting over my professional Imposter Syndrome after being in my career for 20 years. Halfway through my life I’m finally starting to feel like I sorta know what I’m doing.
Maybe a little more on-topic for the OP, I’ve been doing a bit of acting for the past year or so. I’ve been in some student films, and I have a small feature film role coming up (all but one role has been unpaid). I watch the casting call sites obsessively and go on auditions when I can. I really like doing it, and I’ve been told I have some talent. Still, I “do some acting”; I am not “an actor”.
I’ve discovered that all through life I’ve been the least capable guy in the room.
Sports, f’rinstance. I never played the “big macho sports” in high school and college, but I was the worst dribbler on our soccer team, had the shortest vertical leap on our volleyball team, was the least accurate curler in the history of the sport, and the wussiest guy on the college wrestling and rugby teams. But had SO much fun…
Oh, and now in my late 60s I’m playing pickup soccer games where the 20 and 30-something teammates know that when I steal the ball from the other team, theres a 50/50 chance it won’t be for long.
Well, this applies to other endeavors as well. I’ll never be a great artist. And though I’m now selling Actual Framed Art Stuff, I just can’t bring myself to use the term “artist”… and “scribbler” isn’t a real vocation, is it?
But here’s where the sports and the artwork intersect: I’ve never been great, or even achieved “So-So” … but I’ve always had a blast doing it.
So whether my art’s in a hoity-toity gallery or a funky coffee shop or in a sketchbook inside my bike bag, I can still love doing it.
So do I have to get used to calling myself an artist…? (Nooo, I’m too shy; that sounds like I’m full of myself. Can I be a Professional Doodler?)
I take a lot of pictures, but I don’t call myself “a photographer.” It seems like that would be disrespectful to serious photographers. So I’m just “a guy who likes taking pictures.”
Sorta on topic, I’m 58, have been a lawyer for 30 yrs and a judge for 8, father of 3 adult kids, and some occasions occur when I find myself wondering when the “adults” are going to show up!
this. in many ways I feel like I’m the same as I was when I was 17. I know I’m not, but I’ve been me for decades and I’m sure I’ve changed gradually enough where I just think I feel the same.
but to fill in the blanks of the subject line, it’s not in the same spirit but “I ride a Harley but I don’t consider myself a biker.” I ride alone most of the time, and have no ink, no leather, no vest, no patches, no club, etc. And I wear full gear 100% of the time.
Preach it yer Honor,
I’m a Dad, been working for a few…years… now, got 4 kids, 3 grandkids (:DYAY grandbabies:D), and I still haven’t figured out what I wanna be when I grow up.
Of course now I’m coming around to the point where I get to enjoy my second childhood with the Grandkids
My clients consider me “an IT person”; “a technical person”; “a computer person”. I view Networks Guys with awe, because I can’t do anything without them, and spend a lot of time explaining to interviewers that I’m a Functional Analyst, not a Technical Analyst, and yes there is a HUGE difference, it’s not just a matter of job-title explosion (I understand what the workers need better than the Techie; he understands how to add new functionality to the program better than I do; to do a complete job he needs a superb Business Key User and I need a decent Analyst).
Conversely, I often get people asking me if I wouldn’t be happier in “my line of work”, by which they mean Chemistry. My original degree is in Chemical Engineering and my love has always been Process Improvement. Process Engineering is exactly what I do, but under the label “IT Consultant”.
In my family there have been instances of someone telling another person “you’re an adult!” and getting back “no I’m not, I’m done growing up but I refuse to adult up!”
Back when I was in an improv comedy group (the first time, about 30 years ago), I went to a friend’s wedding and the bride’s father, out of the blue, wanted me to do a stand-up routine at the reception. I told him no, I don’t have any material prepared. Technically, I shouldn’t have needed any. Still, he should have hit me with this at least a week before the ceremony. Because I am not a stand-up comic.
I’m a city council member but I don’t consider myself a politician. I have zero aspirations to hold any other sort of political office. I just consider myself one of the five most informed residents at the moment.
My kid lost a football pool. Last place prize was “Do ten minutes of standup at a comedy club.”
“But I’m not a comedian!” My advice was just tell a few stories about the family. Which turned out to be hilarious, a surprise to all the friends in the audience (some of whom had flown in for the experience).
