What does it mean to be a musician?

The question reminds me of the dead-horse-beating question: what is art? Most students who have gone through any formal education around arts has been “challenged” by the question in a classroom. Inevitably the classroom debate boils down to the unsavory “it can be anything”. Is that toilet bowl in an exhibit art? Are birds singing art (they are just doing what they do — but it is it art? Is humming a tune at work art? Is sitting on your butt and watching TV art if you say it is?

Sometimes I wonder whether being a “musician” is nothing beyond declaring yourself as one. Calling yourself a musician is the magic wand that makes you one. Erudite and trained musicians often scoff — are you really a musician if you don't have some level of skill? What is the threshold for that skill?

Perhaps the question is a shorthand for a “professional” musician... but what does that even mean? If I play a few gigs a year, am I a professional musician? There's a regularity of sharing, practice, performing in the idea of being a musician.

I struggle with the question for myself. Am I a “real” musician if I have other sources of income? Am I a “real” musician if I am not famous or have a following of X million fans on some Social Media platform?

Well, of course I'm a musician — the questions are remnants of the toxic air of music education, classical music culture, and other demands in the ecosystem.

So I then wonder... at what point will I be satisfied with myself as a musician? There are always musicians who are going to be more skilled, who will have more impact. I'll place my odds at extremely low that I'll have an impact higher than the Beatles — I'd be setting myself up for failure if that was my metric.

The closest I have so far is that being a musician involves consistent growth, consistent sharing, and consistent engagement. For me, being a musician demands consistency. Sure, taking a break from music does not mean one is not a musician. But for me, in this moment, the central tenant of my musical practice, my being a musician is consistently showing up to the craft each day.

The words of Goenka ring out: Patiently and persistently. Patiently and persistently. You are bound to be successful, bound to be successful.