To be a *real* musician, you have to...

[Dancing Ants]

I'm feeling pressured to write very complex music, and very complex lyrics, but when i write, my stuff is very straightforward, and often simple...does this make me a bad musician?

[Lou]

No. ALA Jack Johnson. I love Jack Johnson, his music is uite simple and straightofrward.....and i love the music so much.

[Mathers420]

bob dylan is a bad musician?

[cj4258]

Both.

Not that I'm bashing any other musician out there - it's more a matter of preference.

I'm just a music nerd. Don't mind me. :D

[Dancing Ants]

Bob himself said he's an artist. He also said he doesn't understand music, neither do I, but his lyrics are very great, where as mine...lack, or so I think. I guess it's just natural to never be satisfied.

[PilotC150]

You don't need anything complex to be a musician, but that's the kinda music I like, so I try to make my music complex, which is why I haven't written any songs yet. I'm not satisified with anything I come up with, so i scrap it all.

[thewellander]

Not to sound snobbish or anything,

Being a musician doesn't have anything to do with how hard of songs you play, but I think it has to do with how much you actually understand music theory.

If you can't read music (and I'm not talking about tab) or understand how chords and melodies go together than you're not a musician. Period.

Just my opinion, though. I'm sure I'm gonna get flamed for that comment.

Chris

[Mathers420]

Originally posted by thewellander
Not to sound snobbish or anything,

Being a musician doesn't have anything to do with how hard of songs you play, but I think it has to do with how much you actually understand music theory.

If you can't read music (and I'm not talking about tab) or understand how chords and melodies go together than you're not a musician. Period.

Just my opinion, though. I'm sure I'm gonna get flamed for that comment.

Chris

I would agree with you, however a lot of great musicians(Including mr. matthews) have admitted to not being able to read music or really understand theory

[Firedncin8nancy]

Originally posted by thewellander
Not to sound snobbish or anything,

Being a musician doesn't have anything to do with how hard of songs you play, but I think it has to do with how much you actually understand music theory.

If you can't read music (and I'm not talking about tab) or understand how chords and melodies go together than you're not a musician. Period.

Just my opinion, though. I'm sure I'm gonna get flamed for that comment.

Chris

wow thats a pretty bold statement. so are you saying dave isnt a musician? because i have this feeling that dave can't really read music too and i dont know how much he actually knows music theory outside scales because he hardly travels outside modes in his solos (ala jimi thing).... if thats the case, are you calling mayer a musician and not dave? if you only sing, you're a vocalist no matter what. if you play music, you're a musician, no matter what. if you have a firm understanding of theory and chords, and you utilize them in your music, you are not only a muscian, in my opinion you are an artist

[kgoedman]

Originally posted by thewellander
Not to sound snobbish or anything,

Being a musician doesn't have anything to do with how hard of songs you play, but I think it has to do with how much you actually understand music theory.

If you can't read music (and I'm not talking about tab) or understand how chords and melodies go together than you're not a musician. Period.

Just my opinion, though. I'm sure I'm gonna get flamed for that comment.

Chris I disagree.

[GOCDMB]

Originally posted by thewellander
Not to sound snobbish or anything,

Being a musician doesn't have anything to do with how hard of songs you play, but I think it has to do with how much you actually understand music theory.

If you can't read music (and I'm not talking about tab) or understand how chords and melodies go together than you're not a musician. Period.

Just my opinion, though. I'm sure I'm gonna get flamed for that comment.

Chris

I am not going to flame ya....in fact just the opposite....I agree (but only to a point).

Here is my opinion. Yes a TRUE PROFESSIONAL SERIOUS MUSICIAN, is the exact description of what wellander gave.

NOW......there are a lot of VERY talented people who "Play musical instruments" and make a ton of money at it, and play in front of thousands. Are they musicians...sure they are, even though they do not understand anything more than how to play thier guitar.

They are different types. I have a guy who I play with who is a classsicaly trained guitarist, has played for about 25 years, taken lessons the whole time, and still does, can play ANYTHING , by anybody note for note...ANYTHING! Just give him the sheet music...and it is a done deal, most of the time he doesnt need the sheet music...he can just hear it and play it, and it will be damned close if not note for note.

Contrastly, I have been playing for about 4 years or more, we played together in the same group, we both played the bar and got paid...I can play what I learn, or get taught, no formal lessons, very little "theory knowledge" other than if it sounds good it makes sense.
I can't read music, and can't just hear it once and play it like he can.

For me to call myself a musician next to him, who is a MUSICIAN...would be foolish. I play guitar...he is a musician!


Or better put maybe he is a Musician,with a capital M...and I am a musician , with a lower case m.


That's how I see it.
GOCDMB

[DreamingTree34]

to be a true musician you should know music, regardless of the instrument, you should knwo scales, the whole 9, and you should be able to pick up sheet music and know what is going on...also i think multi-instrument musicians are amazing, people that can pick up a guitar, a sax, a mandolin, sit at a piano or drum kit and play them all well is a good musician too.

[bigeyedharper]

make music.

[Firedncin8nancy]

Originally posted by bigeyedharper
make music.

well said

[acmorgan]

Originally posted by DreamingTree34
to be a true musician you should know music, regardless of the instrument, you should knwo scales, the whole 9, and you should be able to pick up sheet music and know what is going on...also i think multi-instrument musicians are amazing, people that can pick up a guitar, a sax, a mandolin, sit at a piano or drum kit and play them all well is a good musician too.

I can play the guitar, the bass, and the drums pretty good (best at guitar)...but I know absolutely nothing about music, can't read sheet music, don't know scales, don't know anything about theory...so in your reply I feel as if I AM and AM NOT a musician...weird

[Dancing Ants]

Originally posted by DreamingTree34
to be a true musician you should know music, regardless of the instrument, you should knwo scales, the whole 9, and you should be able to pick up sheet music and know what is going on...also i think multi-instrument musicians are amazing, people that can pick up a guitar, a sax, a mandolin, sit at a piano or drum kit and play them all well is a good musician too.

I play multiple instruments, but I can't read music (very well)...

[jprzybys]

Originally posted by bigeyedharper
make music.

I think that is what it takes to be a real musician.

[jimibadfish]

Originally posted by thewellander
Not to sound snobbish or anything,

Being a musician doesn't have anything to do with how hard of songs you play, but I think it has to do with how much you actually understand music theory.

If you can't read music (and I'm not talking about tab) or understand how chords and melodies go together than you're not a musician. Period.

Just my opinion, though. I'm sure I'm gonna get flamed for that comment.

Chris
do you think kobain, nowell, hendrix, or morrison did to much music reading. nope, music comes from the soul.

[acmorgan]

Originally posted by jimibadfish
do you think kobain, nowell, hendrix, or morrison did to much music reading. nope, music comes from the soul.

[AnUprightMan]

sorry to go off on the side here

as far as you guys that don't know any theory go, all i can say is learn some. It is so helpful in so many ways to even know some basic stuff.

[moe.ron]

knowing theory helps but some people are just muscially inclined that they can do everything by ear.

[livesbydave]

i'm not a fan of "music theory" i consider my style of playing the bass to be just like steffans. i just like what sounds good, why should i look for more than a good sounding bassline? i don't care if its weird, or simple.

[SilverTurtle]

I agree there are some people that just 'get' it when it comes to making music that sounds good or right or whatever.

I do think it's beneficial to have some basic knowledge of theory and WHY some things sound good while other sound wrong, or dissonent, or whatever. I've JUST begun trying to write my own songs (other than stuff I had to write for theory classes) and I find that sometimes when I'm stuck, the fact that I know certain chord progressions work and why can help me either find the next chord or fix what's wrong.

I'd also say if you have aspirations of being a professional musician and plan on putting in studio time or playing with different bands reading music MAY be a requirement. Then again, that depends on what you do. You may never see written music your entire career

So if you have "it", consider yourself lucky, but don't be afraid to push yourself either. IMHO it can only help. :)

[Blaha 41]

to anyone who said bob dylan isn't a great musician: you've obviously never read his music beyond a superficial level.