Blog: What is a REAL musician?

Ahem. The following content may be viewed as offensive or irritating. Therefore, someone out there may feel bad for those whom are offended. Please contact them for apologies, as I am writing this not to offend, but instead to encourage and enlighten.

Musician:(as defined in Wikipedia, the most socially used media dictionary) 

A musician usually plays a musical instrument, especially (although not necessarily) as a profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music. It's also a person who makes music a profession, anyone (professional or not) who's skilled in making music or performing music creatively, or one who composes, conducts, or performs music (especially instrumental music) is a musician. 

We have a problem here. Just a tiny issue. Or mainly, a major issue that does offend me. A lot. "usually plays a musical instrument" is truly the wrong thing to say to those of us that picked up a guitar, a clarinet, a bass, the drums, and played until our fingers bled, our minds were mush unless there was music playing, and there was someone somewhere listening to our music and truly having a better life from us inspiring them. 

So when you tell me that the kid who has a computer with a bunch of synthesizer programs on it and has made "music" which consists of the screeching sounds I usually compare to a car running in front of a train and he's MAKING MONEY from it as a "musician," then I totally allow the run-on sentence that just happened. I'm serious! I understand that there are people out there that believe in themselves to make music, and I truly do respect that, but when you're sampling other people's stuff or just copying off of a computer, it's almost sacrilege. Did I say almost?

If "musician" whatever their name is put a microphone up to their hastily bought guitar and played it through the entire song along with all of the synthesizers, I would change my mind. I wouldn't necessarily like the music, but I would agree that they are a musician. Not to mention the fact that they take away from the idea of what a DJ is. You know, A DJ. That totally awesome guy that takes your favorite music and mashes it together in the best way he can to give you a wonderfully entertaining night. He's awesome. He doesn't take away from a musician because he DOESN'T WANT TO BE ONE. He listens to what we make and he plays it for you. He learned his craft on technical equipment and he never deviated from his course.

How about I turn our attention to national figures and household names.

Lady Gaga: I'm not a fan of her music, but she learned how to sing and play piano as well as other instruments, yes she has more technical know-how than a DJ, but she puts her music together. (Disregarding tales of copying Madonna)

Nicki Minaj: Does she just "sing/rap?" If so, then she's a singer/rapper, which she normally describes herself as, not a musician. She's also an artist. NOT a musician.

Kanye West: Rapper, artist, can he play an instrument? He often samples other people's music but then writes his own additions to it.

Maybe I'm in the wrong genre.

Taylor Swift: Musician, teenage heartthrob, possibly dating a Kennedy, only writes about relationships, but DEFINITELY a musician.

The Beatles: I dare you to say they aren't/weren't musicians.

Tim Tebow: Athlete. Can't figure out the position he plays, but not a musician.

I may have made my point. I don't like those "musicians" who can't play an instrument but can spin their computer on their finger like a basketball. Newsflash- I can do that too. Oh, but I also play guitar, bass, piano, learning drums, the list goes on. AND I RECORD IT THAT WAY.  

So when someone walks up to you and says, "hey, I'm a musician," make sure you ask what instrument they play. If not, then let them know you think they're a wonderful artist. Then go home and play Creedence. That's what I've been listening to the entire time I've been writing this. Moldy oldies: the best ever.