[ICallHimTurtle]

Originally Posted by Role Modlin

If you ask me if I'm a guitarist it is possible that I will answer, "No." However, I play in public and lead worship at church. When I hear "guitarist" I automatically think of someone who can play much better than me. I guess that some would look at me and consider me in the same light.

It must come down to perspective.

This.

[1/2-Fast Player]

Originally Posted by bobthecockroach

I just think you are selling yourself short.

Yeah, well, you haven't heard me.

[beanbag]

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

My older brother was a concert pianist and did no writing for piano at all. Most of the classical musicians I know do not write much.

i think this is a good distinction. i do consider myself a guitarist--i have played longer than i can even remember, i taught professionally and was pushed to attend a conservatory (ultimately decided not to apply), and i recognize that i am constantly learning and always have room for improvement.

however, i am classically trained, and classical music is founded in discipline, rigor and repetition. i found a flair for writing hymns in college, but that is creativity within a very structured box. i am just now beginning to experiment with improvising on bass even though i picked it up 4 1/2 years ago.

i don't write my own music but i don't think it makes me less of a musician...it just means i have different strengths and a different background.

well...i can make up silly lyrics and parodies on the fly..i wonder if that counts for something.

[Rainer.]

Originally Posted by beanbag

well...i can make up silly lyrics and parodies on the fly..i wonder if that counts for something.

Must. Hear. This.

[1/2-Fast Player]

Originally Posted by beanbag

well...i can make up silly lyrics and parodies on the fly..i wonder if that counts for something.

Why not? For Weird Al, that counts as a career.

[beanbag]

maybe i should quit my day job and go on tour as strange beans.

[tykeith]

Originally Posted by tenwatt

I would say that there is a difference between being able to play an instrument, being able to play a few chords on a instrument, and being able to play a song or two on an intrument.

I can play just about any chord on a piano. I can play a few songs on a piano and play them well. But I would not say that I can play the piano. When you say "I can play the piano" I hear "I am a pianist".

I would say that I can play the guitar and that I am a guitarist because I can come up with something to play for just about any song that someone could throw at me. The same goes for drums, and bass.

I can fiddle around with other instruments and play songs and make them sound good but I wouldn't say that I can play them.

Although I consider myself always able to learn something new on guitar, I agree with this a lot. My first instrument was the bass guitar, but I don't consider myself a "bass player" anymore. I can and do fiddle on the piano, but all my playing is by ear and would not even say I play piano.

[Kentl]

Here is an exsample, I can strum chords, I can make my own stuff, but I cant learn some VERY,VERY basic things, cant take something and make it my own, and suck at time
'

Am I or am i not a guirtarist?

[tykeith]

I don't think anyone other than our own selves can answer that question, since everyone learns differently and plays differently. That's kind of up to you. One way to look at it is this... From the moment you picked up an instrument and said to yourself "I'm going to learn this thing", then yes, you're a guitarist. We should qualify ourselves based on other accomplishments. I don't expect to be Eddie Van Halen:-)

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by beanbag

i think this is a good distinction. i do consider myself a guitarist--i have played longer than i can even remember, i taught professionally and was pushed to attend a conservatory (ultimately decided not to apply), and i recognize that i am constantly learning and always have room for improvement.

however, i am classically trained, and classical music is founded in discipline, rigor and repetition. i found a flair for writing hymns in college, but that is creativity within a very structured box. i am just now beginning to experiment with improvising on bass even though i picked it up 4 1/2 years ago.

i don't write my own music but i don't think it makes me less of a musician...it just means i have different strengths and a different background.

well...i can make up silly lyrics and parodies on the fly..i wonder if that counts for something.

I started out with classical as well. And stuff I write tends to be rather boring IMO. I am a bit more of an arranger when I am at my best. Lately I have been playing fingerstyle celtic folk tunes which has been quite a stretch but is considerably harder than a lot.