This post was originally actually a response to a question “What is a musician?” out in the modern blues harmonica forum.
I had also posted it in boardgamegeek because this ethos is tangentially related to gaming because I think it is good example of my populist approach to the production of art and why I agree with BGG’s liberal distribution of the “game designer” badge. I know some people think its a shame that these badges are watered down, but I think its a good thing. More people, especially hardcore gamers, should try their hand at actually designing a game. Trite as it sounds, getting the “game designer” badge motivated me to take some loose ideas for the decktet and spend the time to shape them into something “designed”. My games aren’t great, maybe not even good, but the exercise was definitely valuable.
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A musician is someone who practices music.
Like a doctor practices medicine, a lawyer practices law, or (my profession) an architect practices the design of buildings. For better or worse, the government hasn’t deemed music-making to be worthy of official legal status so I think one is free to set the bar pretty low. And that’s great, I don’t think exalting the word “musician” is a good thing.
Making art is intimidating enough, and I think we should eliminate as many barriers as possible that keep people from practicing art. This world needs more people who practice music; we have enough people who consume and purchase music. I constantly think about the fact that you only had two options a century ago: listen to someone else play music “live” or make it yourself. Even though it is amazing that a couple mouse clicks can get you to all the Little Walter you can handle, there is something deeply powerful and transformative about actually practicing music, making music. I’m not saying I’d want to listen to noises that all these musicians are making, but society would be better if each individual practiced music, it rewires the brain and uplifts the soul.
This was brings up an interesting thought coming from my own musical history. My parents had me learn piano for a short while. The also let me play around with the trombone to get just skilled enough to make it into the UC Berkeley marching band (for one inglorious year). I am very grateful that my parents put their efforts and money into learning me some music, but it never truly clicked. Nor ten years ago when I purchased and practiced a banjo for a while on my own.
I think each of those attempts died because I never actually practiced music. Obviously there are a lot of great pianists, banjo pickers, and trombone players, playing in all styles and training under different systems in ways that feed their souls. But unfortunately for me, each of my previous forays died out because I had approached practice as executing a performance using that particular instrument. I was practicing an intense exercise in mental and motor skills that happened to produce pleasant noises on a good day. But I wasn’t practicing music – there wasn’t the inspirational foundation that could keep me going for the long haul.
I’m still in a honeymoon phase with the harmonica so who knows if it will last, but I have high hopes. This time I’ve approached this endeavor differently from before, emphasizing playing by ear, improvising, and just enjoying the journey instead of shooting for a destination. There has certainly been a lot of noises made…and just occasionally I’ve made some music. Nothing you’d ever want to hear, but music that came from me and music that I heard! That’s why I call myself a musician. A couple months ago I wasn’t a musician. I am a musician today. I suck at being a musician, but with constant effort I’m building up the skill, knowledge and experience towards being a better musician…maybe even a musician that someone other than my pet rabbits could stand listening to!
I should make it clear, I’m not at all denigrating skill nor the endeavor to become more skilled. The music that one produces is limited by their own skills and anyone serious about their art should be pushing their limitations and capabilities. I’m just saying that making music is something everyone should indulge in. To be doubly clear, I agree that the definition of a professional musician is a totally different beast…that “professional” word adds a whole new level expectations and standards…just like the difference between a “designer” and an “architect”.
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And for the record, I would fully support a “published game designer” badge that was not easy to obtain. However, I wish there were more amateur game designers, I think it would be good for the hobby.
Also posted on Boardgamegeek.com