10 Things You Shouldn’t Say to a Musician
As musicians we often come across the same questions or comments related to our job. Here we picked the absolute classics. Many of you will certainly recognize one or more comments.
1. “What’s your real job?” It is generally known that musicians aren’t always able to live off their work. Strictly speaking, the term “musician” is not officially a real job, as you may have heard your parents often kindly advise, “Get yourself a real job!”
2. “You should try out for X-factor!” No thanks, plus musicians are not precisely what they are looking for.
3. “What is your backup plan?” Very important! A musician must have a backup plan. Everyone has a backup plan, right?
4. “Play us something!” Ok, but only if you show me how you sell your insurance… actually nevermind. Where’s my guitar?
5. “So you’re trying to become a musician?” To be honest, I’ve tried for 6 years and after 20 years of practice and professional training, I actually am a musician.
6. “You sound like …!” Yeah great! Nothing is more rewarding than sounding exactly like someone else in the music business. Wait, hold on a second!
7. “To be successful, you need to be very talented.” A fact that evidently only applies to the music industry.
8. “When will we hear you on the radio?” Now we’re getting somewhere. You’re only a musician when heard on the radio! This is reminiscent of the tree falling in the forest speculation: If nobody hears you, you as a musician don’t exist.
9. “Nowadays, music is only made by computers.” Musicians who use computers should be ashamed of themselves! We should follow the example of other industries such as bankers who still use an abacus.
10. “Music is way too expensive. It should be free.” You’re right, forget all the time invested and expenditures involving employees, studio equipment and instruments. I think that eating in restaurants should be free and accessible to all.
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Steve M. says:
Spot on mate’s;))
Larry says:
😀
alexander says:
And another classic: “Your performance sounded great. Your gear must have cost a fortune.”
Because anyone with money to spend will instantly become a great musician.
Larry says:
and ignore the blood, sweat and tears >:( Classic!
Tracy Hunt says:
worst comment i got after a gig was – you would be famos and in the charts now if you wasn’t so fat!….. yeah thanks for that! wanker!! lol
Larry says:
How incredibly rude !!
Fiach says:
Guilty of #6 …. sorry!
Larry says:
its a tricky one that one 🙂
Jason says:
“We can’t afford to pay you for this gig, but it will be great exposure!”
Just like, “I can’t afford to pay rent this month, but I’ll be a great tenant.”
Pat says:
I’m a solo performer, an older guy watched me bringing in my gear to a gig which was a small venue, after I passed in and out 3 or 4 times he said ”do you need all that stuff” and on my last trip in he said” you have as much gear as a good lad”
jimi hendrix says:
90 percent of the people who call themselves musicians are just guitar players
LittleJo says:
Ok, So? That Doesn’t Mean That They Aren’t Musicians! I’m A Guitar Player And I Love It! I Still Listen To Other Instruments, And I’ve Tried Playing Other Instruments, Only Playing The Guitar Gives Me Real Joy. And It Doesn’t Matter What Instrument You Play, As Long As You Play That Instrument And Enjoy It, You’re A Musician.
Stephanie Taylor says:
You know number six is a hard one for me. Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight are all Power House singers. I’m absolutely thrilled, (and flattered) to be told that I sound like them all the time, (or remind someone of them), however on the flip side… Yikes!
Joe says:
Yup, number 6 can definitely be hit or miss.
Stephanie Taylor says:
Thank you for saying that! 🥰
Sylvia Millam says:
I asked a brilliant guitarist in Worthing if he could kindly play me something, he was very talented indeed. He graciously played it really beautifully, but everything he played sounded amazing. I regret not thanking him properly. He was exceptional, and a really quiet, humble kind of person. He actually played with more emotion and deep feeling than any guitarist that I’ve ever heard. I’m not a musician, just a random bystander who appreciates beautiful music, played with genuine talent.