[CPLX]

Also you have to play with other people. I'm a lifelong musician and former professional musician, and I was always in bands, both school and rock bands with friends, right from when I started playing.

I think that's just crucial, I never would have stuck with it just sweating it out in the basement. You aren't a musician if you aren't playing with other people and in front of audiences.

[compiler-guy]

Good to know I’m not a musician even though I play two different instruments 3-4 hours a week each.

I hate playing with others and stick with jam tracks for accompaniment. I never play in front of others either. Super awkward.

I do occasionally put a recording on YouTube, but the listens are never more than a dozen per year, and I don’t promote it ever. Not sure how I get the listens that I do get.

Not sure what it is I’m doing, but apparently it’s not making music. I do love what I do, and find the craftsmanship and technique as pleasurable as any video game.

[RHSman2]

Of course you are a musician! Just because some arse tells you aren’t because of x, y and z. Everyone is a musician with voice, hands etc.

Do it cos you like it (like anything else) and that is the reason.

[thewebcount]

> You aren't a musician if you aren't playing with other people and in front of audiences.

That’s a terrible attitude. There are plenty of, for example, solo piano players who love playing, but aren’t interested in either being in a band or being a celebrity playing for other people. They are every bit a musician as you are.

[CPLX]

I didn’t say they had to be a celebrity. But to be a musician you have to actually produce music, its among the performing arts.

Solo piano players have recitals, or make and share recordings of themselves, or do things that aren’t solo too. I stand by the idea that musicianship is a thing that involves other people, at least in some manner or another.

[grvdrm]

I agree you should play with other people, but disagree entirely that you aren't a musician if you don't check those boxes. Maybe what you mean is "performer" and even then I'm not sure the logic holds.

[RHSman2]

That is bullshit that you’ve told your ego. An audience of one aka the person making music/sounds is just fine.

[CPLX]

The context of the story here is kids and music, we’re not talking about people who no longer really bother with worrying about an audience we are talking about kids.

I think kids should play music that reaches other people or they aren’t likely to actually become musicians.

Not sure how controversial that actually is, I’m mostly just making a tree falling in the forest argument.

[RHSman2]

I’m not saying that isn’t true but it isn’t the only part of being a musician. I think you are suggesting it is.