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What is a "pro musician?"

Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2024-01-15 20:32

Growing up, I always figured a "pro musician" was someone whose income derived solely from duties surrounding the profession of playing music.

However, as I aged, I realized this definition didn't really fit what I saw. Too many of my favorite jazz "pros" - the folks whose records I learned from - had other jobs, and played off-hours.

Rather like actors moving to NYC to act...a job was used to support the profession...yet the level of professionalism wasn't in question.

So - I've come to believe that while my initial definition of a "pro musician" isn't wrong, it isn't really inclusive of what a "pro musician" might actually be.

In the world of sports, the line to cross used to be: if you received payment for your sport (even once), you were considered a professional. (I remember a time when - at least in the US - such a payment could keep one out of the Olympics.)

I'm curious how other folks here define "pro musician."

Fuzzy
;^)>>>

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