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Author Topic: Is this music/recording thing just a hobby?  (Read 14920 times)

Dave Martin

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Re: The meaning of Music/The meaning of Life
« Reply #30 on: March 05, 2006, 12:51:07 AM »

midnightsun wrote on Sat, 04 March 2006 17:32

Music consumes my life and I have no desire to make a living participating in it.    .............

Music is one of the activities in my life that is not a chore.   I don't like the term "hobby."    I also consider it to be more off an obsession or necessity.      


You know, this is one of the reasons that I wish the word 'amateur' had not been co-opted to mean 'un-professional'. The word amateur comes from the Latin "amator:" lover, devoted , devotee, enthusiastic pursuer of an objective.

Not too long ago, an 'amateur musician' was simply one who loved to play music. It sounds as though you've balanced music and the rest of your life in a way that's healthy for you.

I admire you for that.

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John Ivan

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Re: The meaning of Music/The meaning of Life
« Reply #31 on: March 05, 2006, 01:48:28 AM »

good point Dave. Oh and, thanks for the words of encouragement about flying Smile . I really should do it.

Ivan..................................................
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"Transformation is no easy trick: It's what art promises and usually doesn't deliver." Garrison Keillor

 

maxim

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Re: The meaning of Music/The meaning of Life
« Reply #32 on: March 05, 2006, 05:22:06 AM »

dave wrote:

"... I wish the word 'amateur' had not been co-opted to mean 'un-professional'. "

the two are not mutually exclusive

... i mean, 'amateur' and 'professional'
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hmm...

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Re: Is this music/recording thing just a hobby?
« Reply #33 on: March 05, 2006, 08:40:03 AM »

It's interesting - I do this (songwriting, and production of) because it's fulfilling.

And when I don't, for any length of time (2-3 days, week), something seems missing.  

The moment I pick up the guitar or sit at the piano, I am either writing something brand new, almost by itself...although sometimes it is just playing something I've already written of course.  

And, then the 'post writing' part always happens ... I'm doing something else, but singing parts of the song I just wrote in my head...many times without realizing it or intending to...and 'filling in the blanks', automatically.  Gee, ... I wonder to myself, did I just extend that verse with a pre-chorus?...that thing's GOT to go back on to tape (hard drive).

So i play and record because it is a part of me, and somehow keeps me whole.

I always think...it's not a hobby ... it's a need, a release, a requirement and something good for me.  and, sharing it with others comprises some of the most special moments of shared joy, interest, connection and fulfillment I've had.
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Tom C

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Re: Is this music/recording thing just a hobby?
« Reply #34 on: March 05, 2006, 01:41:10 PM »

Dave Martin wrote on Sun, 05 February 2006 09:26

Here's another question for y'all; a bunch of you have said (on the artist threads) that you don't perform live (and don't want to perform live), but a lot of you also mentioned that you're still creating new songs and such; here's my question: Why?



Because I like it Smile
I enjoy the act of composing and mixing and are now doing the
first steps in mastering.
And as others already mentioned, if someone sends me an email
that he or she likes a song it makes me happy.

Quote:


Who (especially those of you who don't do live gigs) are still searching for success as a singer, singer/songwriter or as a  songwriter? And why are you doing so? How are you going about it? Do you have a plan?



I already made a comforable living when I started with music,
and in fact having some kind of success in me mind would
hinder me doing the things the way I like them.
When my music pays for some of my equipment it's an additonal
plus, but not more.

Tom
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Tom

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Roadster

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Re: Is this music/recording thing just a hobby?
« Reply #35 on: March 05, 2006, 05:50:30 PM »

If you take the number of musicians in the world and factor
in the chances of anyone even becoming a "one hit wonder" let
alone the chances of duplicating that success?

It's probably easier to win the lottery...which of course would
allow you to live like a rock star.  Smile (If that's what
you're living for.)

So one might conclude that, yes, it's just a hobby.

So you have a hobby you love. Works for me!
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Rich
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Musician, Songwriter, Research Technician on Creative Muse

Dave Martin

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Re: The meaning of Music/The meaning of Life
« Reply #36 on: March 05, 2006, 07:29:28 PM »

maxim wrote on Sun, 05 March 2006 04:22

dave wrote:

"... I wish the word 'amateur' had not been co-opted to mean 'un-professional'. "

the two are not mutually exclusive

... i mean, 'amateur' and 'professional'


Of course they aren't. but in the modern world, folks think that they are the same thing.
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maxim

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Re: The meaning of Music/The meaning of Life
« Reply #37 on: March 05, 2006, 09:42:34 PM »

dave wrote:

"Of course they aren't. but in the modern world, folks think that they are the same thing."

i am so in agreement with you

i suppose this is why you started this thread

does working in nashville make you bring this up this even more?

one the one hand, great inspiring and inspired "amateur" musicians and songwriters, on the other the most cynical "professional" hit factory since disney
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Dave Martin

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Re: The meaning of Music/The meaning of Life
« Reply #38 on: March 05, 2006, 10:08:59 PM »

maxim wrote on Sun, 05 March 2006 20:42

dave wrote:

does working in nashville make you bring this up this even more?



I don't think so, other than the fact that this is where I live and work. I know a surprisingly large number of professional musicians who are also, in the purest sense of the word, amateurs. They'll charge double scale all day long to sit in the studio and play what they need to play, and then go out and play in some little bar somewhere simply because they love to play.
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maxim

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Re: The meaning of Music/The meaning of Life
« Reply #39 on: March 06, 2006, 12:48:02 AM »

dave wrote:

"I know a surprisingly large number of professional musicians who are also, in the purest sense of the word, amateurs."

i must say that is the thing that makes me (among many others) want to make a trip to nashville one day
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Bob Olhsson

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Re: The meaning of Music/The meaning of Life
« Reply #40 on: March 06, 2006, 12:08:36 PM »

Dave Martin wrote on Sun, 05 March 2006 18:29

...in the modern world, folks think that they are the same thing.
It's always fashionable to call something "professional."

PookyNMR

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Re: Is this music/recording thing just a hobby?
« Reply #41 on: March 06, 2006, 12:55:53 PM »

I do music for a living.  I do like to keep it very diversified though.  I can kind of relate to the professional-amateur theme.  I find I have too many musical interests to put myself in one spot too long.  I love playing live, I love running FOH, I love recording, I love to compose and/or arrange.  In some ways I think I may be short changing myself by not being a specialist in one area, but what do you do when you have so many different things burning in your heart?  At least the wife and kids aren't starving... yet...   Smile

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Nathan Rousu

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Re: Is this music/recording thing just a hobby?
« Reply #42 on: March 06, 2006, 04:16:28 PM »

I think the problem is not so much that "amateur" means "unprofessional," as that is technically correct. Rather, the problem is it has come to mean "substandard" or "low-quality," which couldn't be further from the truth in many instances.

Even Anthony Bourdain, the rather ascerbic professional chef, recognizes the "talented amateur" in the world of cooking, admitting that you don't need to be a professional in order to be good. Yet, in many fields, including cooking, this is not the prevailing view at all.
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Darren Landrum

"Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic." - Dave Barry

maxim

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Re: Is this music/recording thing just a hobby?
« Reply #43 on: March 06, 2006, 05:46:16 PM »

darren wrote:

"admitting that you don't need to be a professional in order to be good."

just like nonna used to make...

most professional chefs admit that the best food they've eaten was at home, growing up
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Consul

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Re: Is this music/recording thing just a hobby?
« Reply #44 on: March 06, 2006, 05:57:08 PM »

Hehe... See also, my signature line.  Very Happy
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Darren Landrum

"Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic." - Dave Barry
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