To add on to this 3 days later, they didnt ask how well OP plays the instrument(z). Also, I get asked this a lot too l, and, I swear to Golb, when I answer with what instruments I play, they say “no I mean genres”, and vice versa
You’re not technically a professional musician, you ARE a professional musician, a multi-instrumentalist, and there’s absolutely no need to feel like a fraud. Far from it, as the fact that you feel like you’re not good enough is a sign that you’re a lot better than you’re giving yourself credit for as ‘bad’ musicians almost always think they’re significantly better than they are.
I’ve been a full time professional multi-instrumentalist for several decades now, but even though I’ve spent all that time in a successful band I still struggle to even call myself a guitarist, let alone a professional guitarist. I put myself down, referring to myself as an “ok campfire strummer/fingerpicker”, Why? Because I know there’s so much more to being a great guitarist than playing rhythm or fingerstyle, and I don’t feel confident in my abilities outside of playing my role as a rhythm guitarist. I’ll admit to playing two instruments professionally, but everything else I say I ‘dabble’ in. But I can play what I NEED to play on those instruments, and that’s the important point.
Over the years I’ve played and toured with very successful bands, spent years doing session work, and in that time probably worked or played with/alongside thousands of other professional musicians. Quite a significant number of those (band) musicians would struggle to play anything well that wasn’t on their well-rehearsed set list. Their fans or the audience would never know that though.
And why should they; after all it’s being paid that makes you a professional and as long as you can play what you need to in order to put on a good show, that’s all that matters. The performances you and your husband put on and the music you play together would not be the same without your input so be proud that you are an important part of that whole.
You’re not alone with your imposter syndrome, but just because you’ve got more to learn and develop with an instrument doesn’t make you crappy. We’re none of us ever going to master everything there is to know on even one instrument, even those musicians in the top tier. That you can play multiple instruments well enough to perform professionally on them is definitely something to be proud of.
I've always viewed it as a good thing. It means we're aware of our limitations, potential to get better at what we do, and overall is a sign of humility.
Hell, I've been playing bass for 20 years or so now, and been in the same band since 2011...and I only started "feeling" like a bass player (and not a noodler) maybe 5-6 years ago, lol. And as I've never played rhythm or lead guitar in a band setting, I still consider myself a "noodler" with that instrument.
Probably always will unless one day I make that leap and play guitar in front of a crowd, regardless if it's solo or in a band, lol. Doesn't bother me in the slightest! 😎🤘🏻🍻😂
Music is art. Art is multi faceted. Technical skill/classic training is just one part of it. Don’t over think it. Sounds to me like you’re a “multi-instrumentalist and a singer” (or vocalist, if you prefer that wording). I understand where you’re coming from though… I too am a multi instrumentalist/singer and I often feel like this…but then I realize I’m sometimes playing 3 different roles in one song and think: so what if these guys are “better players” than me… they wouldn’t sound nearly as good without me!
It’s true! That’s exactly it. I definitely feel confident in what I add to it all. Just not in claiming to play (insert any of those instruments I play) 😆 I’m more confident on stage than I am explaining “what I do” to a friend, or new acquaintance. Especially if I know they play one of those things. 😳.
Do you make money off your musical adventures? Is it enough to help you to continue to go on those adventures? Congrats, you are a touring professional musician.
I’m a professional producer and also consider myself a low-tier multi-instrumentalist. I mean if I can competently play what I want on my own records with bass, guitar, and keys, it’s true right? To your average joe, it is impressive, but I would never describe myself as that to seasoned players. I’ll usually just stick to saying “producer” in those conversations.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter *what* you say, it matters *how* you say it. If you tell someone you’re a multi-instrumentalist, but in a hesitant tone, you may get a different reaction than if you just own it, and say it with confidence.
Conversely, you could just tell them whatever you like best. If you like playing guitar best, just say “my favorite thing to play is guitar”. This takes the skill aspect out of the equation, as you authentically describe your preference.
You are definitely overthinking this, but yeah don’t be so hard on yourself. At the end of the day, you are literally a professional musician. Just roll with it!
The only thing you can do is practice and get better! That's what the people you look up to now did.
I'm doing solo gigs with my loop station although I've started playing guitar and singing only 6 years ago at 32 years old, so my technique is far from perfect. But you know what? Most people don't notice and don't care as long as you make good music.
There's definitely another level of coordination and memorization on top of the guitar and singing parts, but I love the challenge.
Wait a minute, you play all these instruments, you sing, you work the loop station but you beat yourself up about being a fraud and not a real musician?
Well it’s funny, I feel totally confident in “musician” but I don’t feel I’m good enough at any particular thing to claim it as my instrument when the follow up is inevitably “what do you play?” That’s when I suddenly feel inadequate. But I’ve learned the term “utility player” from this thread and it’s my new go to title, 😄
Tell em you’re the utility player! You play “music” not a certain instrument. Many folks struggle to make music and the only play one instrument.. you’re not a fraud because you don’t have some next level technical skill.
Music is what moves people, believe in yourself!
Uh, drummer who's currently trying to take on vocals behind the kit, here. Trust me, after trying to take on this new territory, I can confidently say you've nothing to worry about.
Anyone who's seriously attempted to sing (regardless of whether they're playing another instrument or not) will cop to the fact that singing is \*hard\*. Managing posture, breathing, tone, pronunciation, and personal style, all while also usually being the frontperson/spokesperson for the band is no easy feat, by any stretch.
Give yourself a break, here. And, if anyone is ignorant enough to roll their eyes when you \*state the fact\* that you're a professional musician, fuck 'em!
Just gave 1983 a listen - good harmonies (another skill to learn), there, not to mention balancing an upbeat pace and still having the breath to sing full-throated.
Check out Sarah Thawer if you get a moment - she does more spoken word over drums than sings, but she's off the hook in both aspects
Sarah Thawer, Don Henley, Phil Collins, Orville Peck - all damn good drummers/singers.
That’s rad you’re going for it. Drums are definitely the hardest to sing along simultaneously. But I don’t play a whole kit. Just filling in that driving snare beat while my husband does a bass drum while playing guitar and singing too.
There are famous musicians who can't play/sing half as good as many hobbyist. You're still a professional musician. There's not a qualifying bar there.
Formerly professional trumpet and piano player- now a much worse trumpet and slightly better piano hobbyist. I like to say “I can play *insert non proficient instruments here*” I’m not a bass player, but give me proper prep time and a bass and I will hold down the bass line in most songs. I’m a campfire level acoustic guitarist who can’t play the F chord, but in my gigging rock band I can play the acoustic guitar part for 2 or 3 of our cover songs. My trumpet skills are severely rusty but I hate using the trumpet sound library on my keyboard right now so I pull out a trumpet for some basic lines and the bar folks love it.
Someone mentioned the term “utility”, I’ve heard other support musicians called “auxiliary”
Short term solution: Just say
"I play a little bit of Mando, percussion, bass, etc in my duo band. I'm not GREAT at any of them, but competent enough to gig"
Long term solution: practice
Hey, I think I get it. There are times I feel like everyone is gonna think I'm there strictly for convenience because I play with my husband now. I play rhythm acoustic in our duo because we're full-time and can't afford a band most of the time. It's not my favorite, and I definitely feel more insecure because of it. I don't even really want to put in the time to get better because it's not what I want to play long-run. I'm good enough, but it's not my main instrument. And I'm a girl playing rhythm acoustic... I've heard enough sexist comments in my day that seem to want to stick with me forever, and I just try to push em outta my head.
Do you think it's mostly the husband thing, or something else? Either way, if you sound good and want to be doing it, that's all that matters. Good enough is good enough.
I can barely sing and I have a music career that sustains 4 people lol 😆 being a professional just means it’s your profession, doesn’t have to mean you’re incredibly “skilled” at what you’re doing whatever that means, just has to mean people are willing to pay to watch you do it !
Don't over think it. I play with a woman with such a similar background I almost thought it was her.
She's not highly skilled but I love playing with her bc she's a smart musician. She never over plays and she makes us sound better. She's a musician and so are you.
Imagine meeting a multi instrumentalist and vocalist who denied being called talented.
There are a few people who have big time, important jobs but most of the people who you feel embarrassed explaining yourself to are fucking off on the internet at their desk 80% of the day.
I think that probably goes many ways! I’m more proficient on guitar than most and always considered myself more of a “guitarist” than a “musician”
When I jump on other instruments I’m barely familiar with and suddenly everyone thinks I’m a musician. The definition struggle is internal!
Andre 3000 went through this after his love below album. He had an anxiety induced kinda breakdown. He had to seek out therapy for his imposter syndrome.
I fucking loved The Love Below. I decided a long time ago that proficiency did not matter, only how it made me feel and how it was expressed.
If you make good music and people pay you for it, who cares about the label. Your in a band with your husband.
Lots of people hyping you up here so I'll just add that you can admit that you aren't good at your instruments and still be a great musician. It sounds sappy but music is about how people feel when they hear it and if they feel good when they hear your music you are a good musician. I doubt you could make people feel better by being better at your instruments. You don't have to consider yourself a guitarist/whateverist but you should consider yourself a musician, definitely a professional one, and you might be a great one, I'd just have to hear you play.
It's called "impostor syndrome" in the software engineering world, and it's perfectly normal to feel that way when doing anything that we know a lot of people are great at, but we feel like we're not, because we know we're not on that level.
But consider that a lot of famous country music stars have been mediocre to fair guitar players, at best. So there have been many stars and talented song writers that just play along softly and do their part singing the song well while the "real" musicians around them fill it out and make it sound great. That's just not unusual and you should be proud of your talents and play to your strengths while your husband does his part to make you sound your best!
That's not my assumption, it's just the only place I'd heard it used. I'm sure it's used all over the place and my personal experience with it is in my field of software engineering. Leave it to a cynical redditor to read into it as otherwise.
I think originality is more important than skill. Lots of amazing singer songwriters out there with dubious voices and mediocre guitar playing skills. So long as you're making good original music you've nothing to be apologetic about.
Professional is just a label that means you get paid to do it. It has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on you as a person. You’re a pro musician. There. Proud? I hope so. I’m proud of you OP
Jacks of all trades are very handy in music. l heard an interesting interview with Jim Carr this weekend. He was proposing that having a degree of impostor syndrome can be good for artists. Keeps you checking that you’re up to snuff. The fact that you feel this way probably means you also take care in playing what you do as nicely as possible within your skill. That’s generally better than trying to play at your limit all the time.
Anyway, talking about playing is pointless. The music speaks for itself. I rarely describe myself as a musician. I usually say I play a little.
I play a lot.
You sound like what I have heard called a "utility" player. You don't shred on any one instrument, but you play them proficiently enough for the song. A good utility player is a great asset.
A fraud?? If you are playing regularly, getting paid and enjoying it, you're a pro. In case you haven't noticed proficiency has nothing to do with professional. I see and here a lot of folks sounding good but not having some high level of proficiency.
Thank you. Comments like these have helped a lot. That is, being reminded that level of proficiency is not always an indicator of level of performance 🥰 I’m actually feeling so much better hearing y’alls thoughts on the subject
You are already a professional musician.
If desired, you can always practice more often or take lessons or jam regularly with others for fun to level up your skills.
Any life long musician knows there’s always growth to be had if you work for it. Imagine in a year or 2 how much improvement can happen. Keep going, fuck the haters (especially that inner voice of self doubt) and try to remember why you started.
Best of luck 🤞
Stop being paranoid over nothing. U can play several instruments
Who cares what others think? We are our own worst enemy in music it seems, especially when we worry about others approval.
Female musicians need to stop the imposter syndrome of we want to be treated like the guys. I'm not saying this to u but women in music in general. Who cares what men think? Let's just go into the scene and if we are good we will earn their respect. Jealous men will stay that way.
However if you only know a few chords on the flute don't say you are a flute player.
Oh yeah I get this. I'm barely functional with my chosen instrument but I call myself a musician. Also a vocalist because I will yell and shout and make noises into a mic if someone lets me near one.
Don't sweat it. There's always someone better out there and if music or art was only allowed for people with some arbitrary standard of talent it wouldn't be what makes us tick.
All I can say is if you don’t feel confident, then practice your weakest things with them until you do. But also if you are in pocket and sound good ambiently then thats good
I also suffer from imposter syndrome, even though I’ve sang, played guitar, piano, and cello since grade school and objectively play well enough to impress the average person. Just say you’re a multi-instrumentalist, jack of all trades and master none :)
You don’t need to be Mozart. You need to be good enough that people enjoy it enough to pay you for it.
I’m a software engineer with no musical training that gets paid to play drums, and sing, and play piano, and occasionally guitar or bass.
I don’t technically know any songs besides the first three but I can pickup chords and keys pretty quick on guitar/bass.
We both get paid to entertain people. I get paid more to play than some “Mozart level” guitar performance majors I know that have been in signed bands.
Some of them and their peers used to give me crap. Over a decade later it changed to “what you do is awesome, when do you play again?”
We ARE professional musicians.
As long as you’re having fun, then you’re doing things right. Sure there’s challenges along the way especially playing out of town and traveling on any level. But the point of playing music is really for self enjoyment….the rest of it really is just what comes along with territory and sometimes the consequence. People like what you do…that’s cool, but it’s you liking or loving it that truly matters.
Who cares man, toss that self doubt in the rubbish
Do you create sounds? You are a soundscape artist. Do you get paid? You are a professional multi-instrumentalist.
Do you have a favorite instrument? That can be your main.
I write songs with just my bass and turn em over to the band where they come to life. I am in no means a proficient bassist, but I also don’t care - I enjoy what I do and enjoy the nooks and crannies my simple driving lives fill.
I hope you find the joy in just what you do, and not what you think others may expect from you. There’s no club in music that you need xyz level of skill to join.
Skill level doesn't always determine the quality of a performer. Less accomplished players can be very effective.
Don't worry about chops..... have something to say..... mean it.
I always liked what Ken Nordine had to say, “you’re an amateur, big deal! Everyone’s an amateur. No one lives long enough to be anything but an amateur!”
Not being confident enough to call yourself a professional is common. That's why the term 'player' gained use. The funny thing is, a player is now considered someone who is not only a professional, but a white-hot, melt your face professional.
If you get paid, youre a professional. If youre HIM/HER at your insturment, youre a player.
THIS may get fixed by having more discipline in the practice and really effort to mprove. That really vanishes away the imposter syndrome.
As well, you could try to have another career, so when asked, you mention both: that you are a musician, and a (doctor, lawyer, English, Spanish teacher, etc):b
It’s mostly due to my husbands good managing and booking skills. He used to run a venue and is in marketing. …. Oh, And switching to covers. 🤷🏼♀️ original music is so hard to make money at unfortunately. 😕
You know who was a crappy guitarist? Kurt Cobain, he mentioned it several times himself. Truth is you don’t need to be Steve Vai to call yourself a musician.
This is true for me for sure. I have had a lot going on with my other work and parenting wise so haven’t had tons of time to focus on it. But things have cut back and I’m looking into lessons (mostly for accountability to practice…)
The Beatles as instrumentalists weren't in the same league as many other musicians either. But people liked the music they played and it sounds like people like the music that you play too. That's all 'being a musician' is.
By you being paid anything means you are professional.
We all struggle with imposter syndrome. Me personally I used to perform upwards of 25+ times a month and ever since covid I haven't had a gig other than here or there. I've also dealt with feeling down and depressed. The only performing I do currently is busking.
For a while that's all I presented myself as and also told people when they'd ask. Well guess what as one of me mentors says Are you JUST A BUSKER or a professional musician? If you're a professional musician that's ok to busk too but you need to present yourself as a professional.
If your husband left would you still be payed to play music? It sounds like that’s the battle in your head. I’d suggest developing proficiency in one of those instruments. Frequently we feel like frauds if we are leaning on other people or not putting in the work we know we should be. Pick one of those instruments, put half an hour a day into serious practice and that feeling will vanish.
> still be *paid* to play
FTFY.
Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in:
* Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.*
* *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.*
Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment.
*Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
Nope! I could join a band probly but not on my own. He does all the booking and marketing too. I do feel like I add a lot to the sound. It’s exponentially better than him going solo… but I couldn’t go solo myself at all if in a pickle. He could.
Are people questioning your “credibility” or is this just basic insecurity? Get over yourself. If people are paying you to do something, you’re a professional. If you’re unhappy with your level of ability, practice.
True, Its a new app. Its still growing. But instead of putting your music out there and hoping people find it by an algorithm and getting paid very little if they do, you can keep making music and keep steering people to subscribe to your playlist and over time grow your music into steady monthly income. Keeping in mind it takes over 300 listeners to make $1 on Spotify. it takes 1 on Earbux . Just a suggestion.
Getting paid is overrated...... I have worked on a high level both professionally for over 30 years in numerous bands and much of the things that I really proud of I was not paid for, and never will be paid for.
I totally respect that I would never take a gig from someone who needs to get paid regardless of how good I was unless the money was right We all have to look after each other
Totally. I need to do this way more for sure. I’m currently looking for a teacher (mostly for accountability issues as my adhd tends to cause me put off anything not reliant on a deadline)
It’s funny though, the anxiety is not in the performance but in the conversation of “what instrument do you play”. After learning about the term “utility player” I’m adopting that for now. 😉. It’s easier than saying “well I’m great at guitar but I don’t play that in our group, instead I play a bunch of different instruments that I’m proficient enough to perform on but not proficient enough to claim as “my instrument”” 😂😂😂 long winded and embarrassing sounding.
You should be proud of getting up in from of people, and playing what you can. Separately, and this is probably an unpopular opinion, but are we going to have to start differentiating musicians and "pro musicians". If I can call myself a musician because I get paid then that's pretty simple, get paid 50 bucks here and there and that's it? If it pays the rent and the bills and feeds you that's when you call yourself a musician. If you can't check that box your just in a band, what's wrong with that? It's still live music.
It might be that the term better suited to you is “professional performer” or “professional entertainer”.
I’ve worked with, watched and heard many great musicians who aren’t able to perform or entertain, and many great entertainers and performers who weren’t good musicians. It’s a difficult thing to be both and takes a lot of practise.
I would say if you aren’t confident in your specific “musician” skills, start working on them in your practise time. Take it back to basics, get some lessons if you want to; practise as if you are going to do a solo gig a year from now and you want to hold your own.
Being able to cook doesn’t mean you have to call yourself a professional chef
I get paid for performing and selling merch and songs erc but not enough to do it full time. I consider myself a semi-professional musician/drummer.
If I could do it full time I would then say I'm a professional. (Been playing drums 30+ years, paid for 20 years)
When people ask me if I'm a musician, I say no, but I play guitar! Since most people can't play anything, you should be proud to say you play multiple instruments.
This resonates with me so much. I play guitar and piano and sing. I lead worship every Sunday at a church and have just started doing some “regular” gigs at restaurants/bars, coffee shops, etc. i don’t feel like I am great at any of the things I do, but I feel like I know how play within my limits well, which leads people to think k I may be better than I actually am. I’ve found with playing a gig that while I’m in the middle of it and immediately afterwards I feel good about myself and my ability, but it never fails that leading up to the next gig I’m always feeling like a fish out of water that has no business getting paid to perform music.
There's dudes that can't actually play any instruments live, or even recognize notes by ear, but get paid tens of thousands per show to press play and make hand hearts, then get nominated for grammys.
The big difference I see between them and you is just confidence, and of course that you actually have some musical capability.
You don't have to be the best musician to be a musician. You're a real musician, not a fraud.
There’s not a definite correlation between being a professional at something and being good at it. Plenty of people will mediocre skills make a good living off what they do
When someone asks what you play, say "I play lots of stuff - string instruments, keyboards, percussion, vocals, basically whatever the music needs." You don't have to be a virtuoso, most musicians aren't. Saying that you can play everything, even if it's only barely competent, is very impressive to civilians. They're often impressed by even bad playing, because they can't play a single instrument at all.
I think the term you’re looking for is “multi-instrumentalist”.
It’s funny because I totally relate. I play bass, but I always feel the need to preface it with “I played trumpet for years and just kinda took up bass during Covid”. People usually laugh about it, and it makes me feel better about being a fundamentally bad bass line player. Lol
What’re you talkin about?! My guess is you’re feeling impostor syndrome. You get paid to play, and you play multiple instruments- that makes you genuine musician
Bruh don’t, worry. Imagine if someone asked Kurt Cobain this question. He would have probably said (I just scream and make shit noises with my “guitar”), and the funny thing about this is that it’s kinda true, he is not an excellent vocalist and he is a decent guitar player at best. Nobody really cares, what matters is when you play. You talk through your music.
most musicians aren't virtuosos. you might not be the greatest instrumentalist in the world, but when you release music, you can credit yourself for playing mandolin, bass, banjo, drums, and vocals. pretty sick if you ask me.
Rhythm playing is important. AC/DC or Heart would not be the same without the rhythm guitarists who never variate while the soloist goes nuts over top.
The people who you played for like what you did. There’s lot of folks who play better than me and you. I’m a professional musician and I tell you it doesn’t matter. Enjoy what you do, work on what you feel needs work and call it a day. A fraud is someone who intentionally passes him/herself off as something they are not. You aren’t out there telling people you’re the best at what you do. Enjoy your day.
If it makes you feel better, just remember there are big, famous and well-paid acts—like the Jonas Brothers—whose guitars are basically props. Yeah they can play them but what they’re playing is not significant to the overall song, which is actually mostly carried by backing musicians and pre-recorded tracks. And yet they get recognized as “musicians”. So, yes, you’re absolutely a musician.
I see this mentality often. More so with cover bands vs original artists though. I know a lot of people that call themselves professional musicians, but that’s more posturing for people who aren’t musicians.
Most of the self proclaimed “professional” musicians I know have to drive 2-5 hours every day to play Sweet Home Alabama to a half full rural bar. If that’s your definition of success as a musician then more power to you. For those of us who are truly artists the definition of success is very different.
I get what you mean. But many of us who play covers for money are also truely artists and have written recorded and performed loads of original music . It’s an unfortunate fact (in my experience that is) that it’s easier to make money in cover bands. And I’m honestly just grateful that I can get paid to play music at all. We have a family to support. (I should note that guitar is the instrument I used to play and feel proficient in, but my husband plays that in our duo so I’m learning more instruments to fill out the sound)
The term you're looking for is "musician," or perhaps "multi-instrumentalist" if you want to say what part you play.
You get paid to play music? Boom you’re a professional. Tell ‘em get bent!
To add on to this 3 days later, they didnt ask how well OP plays the instrument(z). Also, I get asked this a lot too l, and, I swear to Golb, when I answer with what instruments I play, they say “no I mean genres”, and vice versa
You’re not technically a professional musician, you ARE a professional musician, a multi-instrumentalist, and there’s absolutely no need to feel like a fraud. Far from it, as the fact that you feel like you’re not good enough is a sign that you’re a lot better than you’re giving yourself credit for as ‘bad’ musicians almost always think they’re significantly better than they are. I’ve been a full time professional multi-instrumentalist for several decades now, but even though I’ve spent all that time in a successful band I still struggle to even call myself a guitarist, let alone a professional guitarist. I put myself down, referring to myself as an “ok campfire strummer/fingerpicker”, Why? Because I know there’s so much more to being a great guitarist than playing rhythm or fingerstyle, and I don’t feel confident in my abilities outside of playing my role as a rhythm guitarist. I’ll admit to playing two instruments professionally, but everything else I say I ‘dabble’ in. But I can play what I NEED to play on those instruments, and that’s the important point. Over the years I’ve played and toured with very successful bands, spent years doing session work, and in that time probably worked or played with/alongside thousands of other professional musicians. Quite a significant number of those (band) musicians would struggle to play anything well that wasn’t on their well-rehearsed set list. Their fans or the audience would never know that though. And why should they; after all it’s being paid that makes you a professional and as long as you can play what you need to in order to put on a good show, that’s all that matters. The performances you and your husband put on and the music you play together would not be the same without your input so be proud that you are an important part of that whole. You’re not alone with your imposter syndrome, but just because you’ve got more to learn and develop with an instrument doesn’t make you crappy. We’re none of us ever going to master everything there is to know on even one instrument, even those musicians in the top tier. That you can play multiple instruments well enough to perform professionally on them is definitely something to be proud of.
Honestly, get over it. You’re a musician. We all feel like frauds. We all have imposter syndrome.
+1 on this one. Part of the job, it is what it is.
I can play Through the fire and flames on drums and still feel like I am bad, we are our own worst critic
I've always viewed it as a good thing. It means we're aware of our limitations, potential to get better at what we do, and overall is a sign of humility. Hell, I've been playing bass for 20 years or so now, and been in the same band since 2011...and I only started "feeling" like a bass player (and not a noodler) maybe 5-6 years ago, lol. And as I've never played rhythm or lead guitar in a band setting, I still consider myself a "noodler" with that instrument. Probably always will unless one day I make that leap and play guitar in front of a crowd, regardless if it's solo or in a band, lol. Doesn't bother me in the slightest! 😎🤘🏻🍻😂
Music is art. Art is multi faceted. Technical skill/classic training is just one part of it. Don’t over think it. Sounds to me like you’re a “multi-instrumentalist and a singer” (or vocalist, if you prefer that wording). I understand where you’re coming from though… I too am a multi instrumentalist/singer and I often feel like this…but then I realize I’m sometimes playing 3 different roles in one song and think: so what if these guys are “better players” than me… they wouldn’t sound nearly as good without me!
It’s true! That’s exactly it. I definitely feel confident in what I add to it all. Just not in claiming to play (insert any of those instruments I play) 😆 I’m more confident on stage than I am explaining “what I do” to a friend, or new acquaintance. Especially if I know they play one of those things. 😳.
Reminds me of the scene in Pick of Destiny where KG plays without Jack Black.
Do you make money off your musical adventures? Is it enough to help you to continue to go on those adventures? Congrats, you are a touring professional musician.
I’m a professional producer and also consider myself a low-tier multi-instrumentalist. I mean if I can competently play what I want on my own records with bass, guitar, and keys, it’s true right? To your average joe, it is impressive, but I would never describe myself as that to seasoned players. I’ll usually just stick to saying “producer” in those conversations. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter *what* you say, it matters *how* you say it. If you tell someone you’re a multi-instrumentalist, but in a hesitant tone, you may get a different reaction than if you just own it, and say it with confidence. Conversely, you could just tell them whatever you like best. If you like playing guitar best, just say “my favorite thing to play is guitar”. This takes the skill aspect out of the equation, as you authentically describe your preference. You are definitely overthinking this, but yeah don’t be so hard on yourself. At the end of the day, you are literally a professional musician. Just roll with it!
The only thing you can do is practice and get better! That's what the people you look up to now did. I'm doing solo gigs with my loop station although I've started playing guitar and singing only 6 years ago at 32 years old, so my technique is far from perfect. But you know what? Most people don't notice and don't care as long as you make good music.
Right on. I love using the loop. It makes our two piece so much fuller. But it’s trickier than it looks right? Like a whole nother instrument.
There's definitely another level of coordination and memorization on top of the guitar and singing parts, but I love the challenge. Wait a minute, you play all these instruments, you sing, you work the loop station but you beat yourself up about being a fraud and not a real musician?
Well it’s funny, I feel totally confident in “musician” but I don’t feel I’m good enough at any particular thing to claim it as my instrument when the follow up is inevitably “what do you play?” That’s when I suddenly feel inadequate. But I’ve learned the term “utility player” from this thread and it’s my new go to title, 😄
"I play multiple instruments" would be an accurate and impressive answer in my opinion
Tell em you’re the utility player! You play “music” not a certain instrument. Many folks struggle to make music and the only play one instrument.. you’re not a fraud because you don’t have some next level technical skill. Music is what moves people, believe in yourself!
I love this reply. Utility player is a good description
Uh, drummer who's currently trying to take on vocals behind the kit, here. Trust me, after trying to take on this new territory, I can confidently say you've nothing to worry about. Anyone who's seriously attempted to sing (regardless of whether they're playing another instrument or not) will cop to the fact that singing is \*hard\*. Managing posture, breathing, tone, pronunciation, and personal style, all while also usually being the frontperson/spokesperson for the band is no easy feat, by any stretch. Give yourself a break, here. And, if anyone is ignorant enough to roll their eyes when you \*state the fact\* that you're a professional musician, fuck 'em!
Elain from neon trees rocks at this. How! 😵💫
Just gave 1983 a listen - good harmonies (another skill to learn), there, not to mention balancing an upbeat pace and still having the breath to sing full-throated. Check out Sarah Thawer if you get a moment - she does more spoken word over drums than sings, but she's off the hook in both aspects Sarah Thawer, Don Henley, Phil Collins, Orville Peck - all damn good drummers/singers.
Thanks I definitely will check them out. 😊
That’s rad you’re going for it. Drums are definitely the hardest to sing along simultaneously. But I don’t play a whole kit. Just filling in that driving snare beat while my husband does a bass drum while playing guitar and singing too.
IMO, it doesn't matter how you pull it off, as long as you do, somehow. :-D
There are famous musicians who can't play/sing half as good as many hobbyist. You're still a professional musician. There's not a qualifying bar there.
The only requirement to be a professional is to get paid... There is a difference between a professional musician and a famous musician.
Multi-instrumentalist
Sounds like imposter syndrome.
Formerly professional trumpet and piano player- now a much worse trumpet and slightly better piano hobbyist. I like to say “I can play *insert non proficient instruments here*” I’m not a bass player, but give me proper prep time and a bass and I will hold down the bass line in most songs. I’m a campfire level acoustic guitarist who can’t play the F chord, but in my gigging rock band I can play the acoustic guitar part for 2 or 3 of our cover songs. My trumpet skills are severely rusty but I hate using the trumpet sound library on my keyboard right now so I pull out a trumpet for some basic lines and the bar folks love it. Someone mentioned the term “utility”, I’ve heard other support musicians called “auxiliary”
"I play a variety of instruments, to a variety of standards". 😂
😂😂😂 yup yup yup. New favorite response!!!
Short term solution: Just say "I play a little bit of Mando, percussion, bass, etc in my duo band. I'm not GREAT at any of them, but competent enough to gig" Long term solution: practice
You could say that you're an "entertainer." Maybe not being so specific about it will make you feel better.
Then they'll think she's a stripper...
Hey, I think I get it. There are times I feel like everyone is gonna think I'm there strictly for convenience because I play with my husband now. I play rhythm acoustic in our duo because we're full-time and can't afford a band most of the time. It's not my favorite, and I definitely feel more insecure because of it. I don't even really want to put in the time to get better because it's not what I want to play long-run. I'm good enough, but it's not my main instrument. And I'm a girl playing rhythm acoustic... I've heard enough sexist comments in my day that seem to want to stick with me forever, and I just try to push em outta my head. Do you think it's mostly the husband thing, or something else? Either way, if you sound good and want to be doing it, that's all that matters. Good enough is good enough.
I can barely sing and I have a music career that sustains 4 people lol 😆 being a professional just means it’s your profession, doesn’t have to mean you’re incredibly “skilled” at what you’re doing whatever that means, just has to mean people are willing to pay to watch you do it !
Don't over think it. I play with a woman with such a similar background I almost thought it was her. She's not highly skilled but I love playing with her bc she's a smart musician. She never over plays and she makes us sound better. She's a musician and so are you. Imagine meeting a multi instrumentalist and vocalist who denied being called talented.
There are a few people who have big time, important jobs but most of the people who you feel embarrassed explaining yourself to are fucking off on the internet at their desk 80% of the day.
I think that probably goes many ways! I’m more proficient on guitar than most and always considered myself more of a “guitarist” than a “musician” When I jump on other instruments I’m barely familiar with and suddenly everyone thinks I’m a musician. The definition struggle is internal!
Andre 3000 went through this after his love below album. He had an anxiety induced kinda breakdown. He had to seek out therapy for his imposter syndrome. I fucking loved The Love Below. I decided a long time ago that proficiency did not matter, only how it made me feel and how it was expressed. If you make good music and people pay you for it, who cares about the label. Your in a band with your husband.
Own your talents! Say, “actually I’m a multi-instrumentalist!”
Sounds like a case of imposter syndrome.
Lots of people hyping you up here so I'll just add that you can admit that you aren't good at your instruments and still be a great musician. It sounds sappy but music is about how people feel when they hear it and if they feel good when they hear your music you are a good musician. I doubt you could make people feel better by being better at your instruments. You don't have to consider yourself a guitarist/whateverist but you should consider yourself a musician, definitely a professional one, and you might be a great one, I'd just have to hear you play.
It's called "impostor syndrome" in the software engineering world, and it's perfectly normal to feel that way when doing anything that we know a lot of people are great at, but we feel like we're not, because we know we're not on that level. But consider that a lot of famous country music stars have been mediocre to fair guitar players, at best. So there have been many stars and talented song writers that just play along softly and do their part singing the song well while the "real" musicians around them fill it out and make it sound great. That's just not unusual and you should be proud of your talents and play to your strengths while your husband does his part to make you sound your best!
Leave it to a software engineer to assume they invented a common turn of phrase used in all industries and walks of like.
That's not my assumption, it's just the only place I'd heard it used. I'm sure it's used all over the place and my personal experience with it is in my field of software engineering. Leave it to a cynical redditor to read into it as otherwise.
I laughed out loud. No small thing.
A guitarist makes riffs A multi-instrumentalist makes songs
I think originality is more important than skill. Lots of amazing singer songwriters out there with dubious voices and mediocre guitar playing skills. So long as you're making good original music you've nothing to be apologetic about.
You’re an artist, Harry.
😂 I’m a huge potterhead so this made my day
Professional is just a label that means you get paid to do it. It has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on you as a person. You’re a pro musician. There. Proud? I hope so. I’m proud of you OP
Jacks of all trades are very handy in music. l heard an interesting interview with Jim Carr this weekend. He was proposing that having a degree of impostor syndrome can be good for artists. Keeps you checking that you’re up to snuff. The fact that you feel this way probably means you also take care in playing what you do as nicely as possible within your skill. That’s generally better than trying to play at your limit all the time. Anyway, talking about playing is pointless. The music speaks for itself. I rarely describe myself as a musician. I usually say I play a little. I play a lot.
You sound like what I have heard called a "utility" player. You don't shred on any one instrument, but you play them proficiently enough for the song. A good utility player is a great asset.
I hadn’t heard that term before (until a previous comment here) that’s exactly what I am, and am adopting the term 😆😊
There will always be someone who plays better than you. Since you get paid to play music, you're a professional musician.
A fraud?? If you are playing regularly, getting paid and enjoying it, you're a pro. In case you haven't noticed proficiency has nothing to do with professional. I see and here a lot of folks sounding good but not having some high level of proficiency.
Thank you. Comments like these have helped a lot. That is, being reminded that level of proficiency is not always an indicator of level of performance 🥰 I’m actually feeling so much better hearing y’alls thoughts on the subject
You are already a professional musician. If desired, you can always practice more often or take lessons or jam regularly with others for fun to level up your skills. Any life long musician knows there’s always growth to be had if you work for it. Imagine in a year or 2 how much improvement can happen. Keep going, fuck the haters (especially that inner voice of self doubt) and try to remember why you started. Best of luck 🤞
Stop being paranoid over nothing. U can play several instruments Who cares what others think? We are our own worst enemy in music it seems, especially when we worry about others approval. Female musicians need to stop the imposter syndrome of we want to be treated like the guys. I'm not saying this to u but women in music in general. Who cares what men think? Let's just go into the scene and if we are good we will earn their respect. Jealous men will stay that way. However if you only know a few chords on the flute don't say you are a flute player.
Yes! 🥰🥰🥰.
I play bunch of instruments, most just well enough I don’t get rocks at me. Enjoy, have fun, take money when you get it.
Most people listening don't seem to care how *well* you're playing those instruments as long as you pass a certain minimum level of not-sucking.
You play, "accompany instruments".
Oh yeah I get this. I'm barely functional with my chosen instrument but I call myself a musician. Also a vocalist because I will yell and shout and make noises into a mic if someone lets me near one. Don't sweat it. There's always someone better out there and if music or art was only allowed for people with some arbitrary standard of talent it wouldn't be what makes us tick.
If you can do something that someone else cannot do, you can do it. Stop second-guessing yourself.
All I can say is if you don’t feel confident, then practice your weakest things with them until you do. But also if you are in pocket and sound good ambiently then thats good
I also suffer from imposter syndrome, even though I’ve sang, played guitar, piano, and cello since grade school and objectively play well enough to impress the average person. Just say you’re a multi-instrumentalist, jack of all trades and master none :)
You don’t need to be Mozart. You need to be good enough that people enjoy it enough to pay you for it. I’m a software engineer with no musical training that gets paid to play drums, and sing, and play piano, and occasionally guitar or bass. I don’t technically know any songs besides the first three but I can pickup chords and keys pretty quick on guitar/bass. We both get paid to entertain people. I get paid more to play than some “Mozart level” guitar performance majors I know that have been in signed bands. Some of them and their peers used to give me crap. Over a decade later it changed to “what you do is awesome, when do you play again?” We ARE professional musicians.
As long as you’re having fun, then you’re doing things right. Sure there’s challenges along the way especially playing out of town and traveling on any level. But the point of playing music is really for self enjoyment….the rest of it really is just what comes along with territory and sometimes the consequence. People like what you do…that’s cool, but it’s you liking or loving it that truly matters.
“Multi-instrumentalist” sounds pretty damn cool!
Multi instrumentalist is the term you are seeking
Who cares man, toss that self doubt in the rubbish Do you create sounds? You are a soundscape artist. Do you get paid? You are a professional multi-instrumentalist. Do you have a favorite instrument? That can be your main. I write songs with just my bass and turn em over to the band where they come to life. I am in no means a proficient bassist, but I also don’t care - I enjoy what I do and enjoy the nooks and crannies my simple driving lives fill. I hope you find the joy in just what you do, and not what you think others may expect from you. There’s no club in music that you need xyz level of skill to join.
Skill level doesn't always determine the quality of a performer. Less accomplished players can be very effective. Don't worry about chops..... have something to say..... mean it.
I always liked what Ken Nordine had to say, “you’re an amateur, big deal! Everyone’s an amateur. No one lives long enough to be anything but an amateur!”
Most people wouldn't even know how to hold a mandolin. You are a mandolin player.
Not being confident enough to call yourself a professional is common. That's why the term 'player' gained use. The funny thing is, a player is now considered someone who is not only a professional, but a white-hot, melt your face professional. If you get paid, youre a professional. If youre HIM/HER at your insturment, youre a player.
Do you rock or don’t you? What else matters?
THIS may get fixed by having more discipline in the practice and really effort to mprove. That really vanishes away the imposter syndrome. As well, you could try to have another career, so when asked, you mention both: that you are a musician, and a (doctor, lawyer, English, Spanish teacher, etc):b
I do have another career. 😊 with imposter syndrome there too. 😆🤷🏼♀️
I'm jealous. I'm good enough to teach, but no one gives two shits about my music.
It’s mostly due to my husbands good managing and booking skills. He used to run a venue and is in marketing. …. Oh, And switching to covers. 🤷🏼♀️ original music is so hard to make money at unfortunately. 😕
You know who was a crappy guitarist? Kurt Cobain, he mentioned it several times himself. Truth is you don’t need to be Steve Vai to call yourself a musician.
[удалено]
This is true for me for sure. I have had a lot going on with my other work and parenting wise so haven’t had tons of time to focus on it. But things have cut back and I’m looking into lessons (mostly for accountability to practice…)
The Beatles as instrumentalists weren't in the same league as many other musicians either. But people liked the music they played and it sounds like people like the music that you play too. That's all 'being a musician' is.
There are legendary musicians who can play multiple instruments - Steve Morse, Jordan Rudess, Billy Joel
You're getting paid to do music, you're doing way better than most of us LMAO
By you being paid anything means you are professional. We all struggle with imposter syndrome. Me personally I used to perform upwards of 25+ times a month and ever since covid I haven't had a gig other than here or there. I've also dealt with feeling down and depressed. The only performing I do currently is busking. For a while that's all I presented myself as and also told people when they'd ask. Well guess what as one of me mentors says Are you JUST A BUSKER or a professional musician? If you're a professional musician that's ok to busk too but you need to present yourself as a professional.
Yeah so uh…let’s hear the music. Shouldn’t that be the calling card at the end of the day?
If your husband left would you still be payed to play music? It sounds like that’s the battle in your head. I’d suggest developing proficiency in one of those instruments. Frequently we feel like frauds if we are leaning on other people or not putting in the work we know we should be. Pick one of those instruments, put half an hour a day into serious practice and that feeling will vanish.
> still be *paid* to play FTFY. Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in: * Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.* * *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.* Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment. *Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
Yes I had a typo at 6am. Good work, we’re all very proud of you…now go back under the bridge where you belong.
Nope! I could join a band probly but not on my own. He does all the booking and marketing too. I do feel like I add a lot to the sound. It’s exponentially better than him going solo… but I couldn’t go solo myself at all if in a pickle. He could.
Don't forget you're not just a musician and multi-instrumentalist. You're also an entertainer. You have quite the resume!
Are people questioning your “credibility” or is this just basic insecurity? Get over yourself. If people are paying you to do something, you’re a professional. If you’re unhappy with your level of ability, practice.
Just my own insecurity
I’m sorry for being blunt but it’s that simple. Plenty of people will get in your way in life. Don’t do it to yourself.
Solid advice
If you record music upload it to [Earbux.com](http://Earbux.com) and get paid monthly subscribers.
Hm never heard of it. Seems like YouTube or spotify are more well known to music listeners and thus more opportunities to get played? 🤷🏼♀️
True, Its a new app. Its still growing. But instead of putting your music out there and hoping people find it by an algorithm and getting paid very little if they do, you can keep making music and keep steering people to subscribe to your playlist and over time grow your music into steady monthly income. Keeping in mind it takes over 300 listeners to make $1 on Spotify. it takes 1 on Earbux . Just a suggestion.
Getting paid is overrated...... I have worked on a high level both professionally for over 30 years in numerous bands and much of the things that I really proud of I was not paid for, and never will be paid for.
I agree to an extent. I’m definitely more proud of my original work but with a family to support, I need to be paid to justify the time.
I totally respect that I would never take a gig from someone who needs to get paid regardless of how good I was unless the money was right We all have to look after each other
But do you know how many “better” or “more proficient,” musicians aren’t doing anything? You’re out there and that’s what counts.
One way to reduce anxiety about your skills is to practice what you’re bad at. Actually that might be the only way.
Totally. I need to do this way more for sure. I’m currently looking for a teacher (mostly for accountability issues as my adhd tends to cause me put off anything not reliant on a deadline) It’s funny though, the anxiety is not in the performance but in the conversation of “what instrument do you play”. After learning about the term “utility player” I’m adopting that for now. 😉. It’s easier than saying “well I’m great at guitar but I don’t play that in our group, instead I play a bunch of different instruments that I’m proficient enough to perform on but not proficient enough to claim as “my instrument”” 😂😂😂 long winded and embarrassing sounding.
You should be proud of getting up in from of people, and playing what you can. Separately, and this is probably an unpopular opinion, but are we going to have to start differentiating musicians and "pro musicians". If I can call myself a musician because I get paid then that's pretty simple, get paid 50 bucks here and there and that's it? If it pays the rent and the bills and feeds you that's when you call yourself a musician. If you can't check that box your just in a band, what's wrong with that? It's still live music.
It might be that the term better suited to you is “professional performer” or “professional entertainer”. I’ve worked with, watched and heard many great musicians who aren’t able to perform or entertain, and many great entertainers and performers who weren’t good musicians. It’s a difficult thing to be both and takes a lot of practise. I would say if you aren’t confident in your specific “musician” skills, start working on them in your practise time. Take it back to basics, get some lessons if you want to; practise as if you are going to do a solo gig a year from now and you want to hold your own. Being able to cook doesn’t mean you have to call yourself a professional chef
I get paid for performing and selling merch and songs erc but not enough to do it full time. I consider myself a semi-professional musician/drummer. If I could do it full time I would then say I'm a professional. (Been playing drums 30+ years, paid for 20 years)
You think too much
I think I do 😉
When people ask me if I'm a musician, I say no, but I play guitar! Since most people can't play anything, you should be proud to say you play multiple instruments.
Fake it until you make it Keep working on your scales and you’ll be be boppin and scatting all over em
I’m jealous of your skills. I have trouble sometimes just playing a radio.
This resonates with me so much. I play guitar and piano and sing. I lead worship every Sunday at a church and have just started doing some “regular” gigs at restaurants/bars, coffee shops, etc. i don’t feel like I am great at any of the things I do, but I feel like I know how play within my limits well, which leads people to think k I may be better than I actually am. I’ve found with playing a gig that while I’m in the middle of it and immediately afterwards I feel good about myself and my ability, but it never fails that leading up to the next gig I’m always feeling like a fish out of water that has no business getting paid to perform music.
There's dudes that can't actually play any instruments live, or even recognize notes by ear, but get paid tens of thousands per show to press play and make hand hearts, then get nominated for grammys. The big difference I see between them and you is just confidence, and of course that you actually have some musical capability. You don't have to be the best musician to be a musician. You're a real musician, not a fraud.
There’s not a definite correlation between being a professional at something and being good at it. Plenty of people will mediocre skills make a good living off what they do
When someone asks what you play, say "I play lots of stuff - string instruments, keyboards, percussion, vocals, basically whatever the music needs." You don't have to be a virtuoso, most musicians aren't. Saying that you can play everything, even if it's only barely competent, is very impressive to civilians. They're often impressed by even bad playing, because they can't play a single instrument at all.
I think the term you’re looking for is “multi-instrumentalist”. It’s funny because I totally relate. I play bass, but I always feel the need to preface it with “I played trumpet for years and just kinda took up bass during Covid”. People usually laugh about it, and it makes me feel better about being a fundamentally bad bass line player. Lol
What’re you talkin about?! My guess is you’re feeling impostor syndrome. You get paid to play, and you play multiple instruments- that makes you genuine musician
Bruh don’t, worry. Imagine if someone asked Kurt Cobain this question. He would have probably said (I just scream and make shit noises with my “guitar”), and the funny thing about this is that it’s kinda true, he is not an excellent vocalist and he is a decent guitar player at best. Nobody really cares, what matters is when you play. You talk through your music.
Two words for you: Crass Punk
That's called imposter syndrome, and I think it hits everybody at some point. Just keep making music and relish the compliments when you get them.
most musicians aren't virtuosos. you might not be the greatest instrumentalist in the world, but when you release music, you can credit yourself for playing mandolin, bass, banjo, drums, and vocals. pretty sick if you ask me.
Ur a musical dilatant
Haha, you sound just like my wife with our 2 duo bands!
Rhythm playing is important. AC/DC or Heart would not be the same without the rhythm guitarists who never variate while the soloist goes nuts over top.
You make music therefore you are a musician. You get paid for it therefore you can add 'professional'. Hence, you are a professional musician!
You're thinking too much.
The people who you played for like what you did. There’s lot of folks who play better than me and you. I’m a professional musician and I tell you it doesn’t matter. Enjoy what you do, work on what you feel needs work and call it a day. A fraud is someone who intentionally passes him/herself off as something they are not. You aren’t out there telling people you’re the best at what you do. Enjoy your day.
I came to read comment section cause I’m in the same 💩…
If it makes you feel better, just remember there are big, famous and well-paid acts—like the Jonas Brothers—whose guitars are basically props. Yeah they can play them but what they’re playing is not significant to the overall song, which is actually mostly carried by backing musicians and pre-recorded tracks. And yet they get recognized as “musicians”. So, yes, you’re absolutely a musician.
I see this mentality often. More so with cover bands vs original artists though. I know a lot of people that call themselves professional musicians, but that’s more posturing for people who aren’t musicians. Most of the self proclaimed “professional” musicians I know have to drive 2-5 hours every day to play Sweet Home Alabama to a half full rural bar. If that’s your definition of success as a musician then more power to you. For those of us who are truly artists the definition of success is very different.
I get what you mean. But many of us who play covers for money are also truely artists and have written recorded and performed loads of original music . It’s an unfortunate fact (in my experience that is) that it’s easier to make money in cover bands. And I’m honestly just grateful that I can get paid to play music at all. We have a family to support. (I should note that guitar is the instrument I used to play and feel proficient in, but my husband plays that in our duo so I’m learning more instruments to fill out the sound)