Why are you a musician?

[shamann]

Does this make the computer "an musical instrument...a device used to produce music" and those who use it to create music, musicians?

If Merriam Webster's says so, then it must be true.

It works for me, but then I take a fairly broad view on the definition of music. Being able to play an acoustic instrument, when I'm really on my game on a computer, I see little difference between the two acts. But the computer can fill in some gaps in skill, in some cases to the point where it really is just a playback device no different from a hi-fi. Still, if folk in those cases want to call themselves musicians, I take no offense from the suggestion.

[The Chase]

I make music because I kiss boys and then kill the little babies.

[ross g]

music is personal, bottom line..it's what it means to you, not others that matters ...

Say that to Pop Staples.

he passed away a few years ago...but Mavis is still kickin' it, tell her!

[sonicfire]

Because it pleases the ladies

[Hink]

music is personal, bottom line..it's what it means to you, not others that matters ...

Well I have too much stage fright to be a clown, so music was the next best choice. I'm not sure if you've experienced it, but when you compose music that someone just falls in love with... it's the greatest feeling in the world. The most rewarding aspect of music to me is entertaining someone else with it.

Some musicians are entertainers, others are artists. Sometimes I'm an entertainer, sometimes I'm an artist, but I like to entertain with my music more. It doesn't mean it's less personal, it just means I make a conscious effort to express myself as clearly as possible and to make the music as accessible as I can.

It's just who I am.

but see for me the appreciation is the reward, not the goal....you're damn right that's a good feeling. However some songs will touch you but not others. Are you to say if you expressed the feeling or emotion you wanted that doesn't also feel great? Then the reward of others is gravy...either way as you said you feel great...how is that not personal?

Do you write songs that only make other people happy but not you? Of course not, making other people happy must make you happy if their appreciation creates such elation...still comes down to making you happy.

Let's say you're in it for the money or the attention and fame...still that is to make you happy...still it comes down to you and still it's personal....the goal is pleasure, sharing makes it better and is a reward...

[Hink]

Because it pleases the ladies

nah it pleases the girls, trust me when they grow up (if they grow up ) they are more impressed with respect...

[chagzuki]

Because I need something to do whilst surfing the net and looking at porn.

[Hink]

Because I need something to do whilst surfing the net and looking at porn.

uhm...okay...I thought what you did while surfing porn was implied...

[DotNoir]

I tried not to read the thread, so I'm very sorry if I'm repeating what someone else has said...

Anyways, why am I a musician? That's a very good question indeed, Abu... Abu. (sorry, finnish joke).

When I was a teenager I was very facinated as what different bands could do, I asked my parents to get me a guitar for my 14th birthday, and to be perfectly honest, I have no clue why I wanted a guitar. Propably because it was cool? Anyway it was an acoustic and I learned to play it a bit, then I got an electric one and played it a bit. Never really learned to play guitar too well, but I was facinated in all "noise", everything that might express something in some way. In the end I drifted to be a bass player in a heavy rock band. I realyl love playing the music but still it's not really "me". I havne't been able to "compose" a song which I would've been satisfied with. I am unable to make "easy" or simple music, I want to make complex stuff but in the end I am unable to produce stuff that satisfies me.

Hmmm... the point? The point is there is no point. I am a musician because I am facinated by noise and soundscapes I myself am unable to produce. I have in my life only finished one song and even that I am not satisfied with, it lacks something, it has too much repetiviness. And at this point I have to of course reveal that I have no dificulties listening to the latest pop "crap" and afterthat something made by Patton or Meshuggah. I just love noise but I cannot say I hate pop music.

...Ramblings... I think I'd better stop, there really is no point. Music is just a part of me, wether I want it or not.

[Bunnyboy]

music??? is that what this place is about??

[Ildon]

music is personal, bottom line..it's what it means to you, not others that matters ...

Well I have too much stage fright to be a clown, so music was the next best choice. I'm not sure if you've experienced it, but when you compose music that someone just falls in love with... it's the greatest feeling in the world. The most rewarding aspect of music to me is entertaining someone else with it.

Some musicians are entertainers, others are artists. Sometimes I'm an entertainer, sometimes I'm an artist, but I like to entertain with my music more. It doesn't mean it's less personal, it just means I make a conscious effort to express myself as clearly as possible and to make the music as accessible as I can.

It's just who I am.

but see for me the appreciation is the reward, not the goal....you're damn right that's a good feeling. However some songs will touch you but not others. Are you to say if you expressed the feeling or emotion you wanted that doesn't also feel great? Then the reward of others is gravy...either way as you said you feel great...how is that not personal?

Of course that's not what I'm saying. Expressing myself through music has always been loads of fun, and sometimes it is my only goal, but usually it's not. I do get more pleasure from seeing a smile on someone's face than I do from just expressing myself (most of the time), and putting the two together just makes it all the more enjoyable.

I never said it wasn't personal, I said the opposite actually. In fact, I was thinking of editing my last post before you replied saying "since when was making people happy not personal?"

Do you write songs that only make other people happy but not you? Of course not, making other people happy must make you happy if their appreciation creates such elation...still comes down to making you happy.

Let's say you're in it for the money or the attention and fame...still that is to make you happy...still it comes down to you and still it's personal....the goal is pleasure, sharing makes it better and is a reward...

Bingo.

[deaf dunderkwac]

I usta hoard my music like a mizer...
now I don't..
it's personal, and the only art I ever really enjoyed making.

[The Chase]

lol ive written songs that I would never, ever, ever share with others, when I've written songs completely for other people.

[CapnLockheed]

I did it for the nookie....guess that explains
why I'm still a virgin!! Perhaps if I'd practiced
guitar more than skin flute or male organ...

Cheers.....CL

[dover666]

This is, of course, a complicated question.

I am more interested in abstract 'this-is-what-music-means-to-me' sorts of answers, than in personal 'because-my-mom-made-me-take-piano-lessons' sorts of answers.

But given that the person who starts a thread is generally on the level of pond scum in terms of what eventually happens to it around here, I will obviously have to settle with whatever people want to talk about.

was, will and always be a musician, from the rythm of my steps to the dollars i dump into it. uhh. (got my first guitar at about 1)