I think this is the basis for an interesting discussion/debate.
My take is that a professional is someone who makes a living from playing. No other work. So in that case a couple of bucks or free meal is not it.
And of course there is semi-pro
Coming to party late.
I don't agree with that. On the basis of...why need it be their sole source of income ?
Why can't pro musicians have day jobs or moonlight ?
Because this definition negates half the musician population which gigs....and teaches.
All of this has already been commented on, so...apologies not saying anything new.
Then there are these folks:
reasonably mediocre musicians who do not bother presenting themselves well in performance but are excellent at schmoozing for gigs, oftentimes by undercutting the payscale of other bands.
So...they gig 'full time'. But that does not make them 'pro'. They throw together whatever musician friends are available for a given show, do not practice, just have everyone show up. Often in street clothes.
They do not try to engage with the audience at all. Sometimes they sit on their amplifiers while playing. Play forty minute sets, then take a 25 min break. They get to the ending of the song and then everyone looks at each other because nobody communicated how to end it. They do that for the entire night. Not like it happens first song then from thereon leader thinks 'ok lemme do something here so that doesn't happen again'
Play first set to an empty house. on final chorus of last tune first set, three tables walk in. They end tune and take their break anyway....instead of doing the obvious, professional thing...
You know these bands.
Yet bandleader manages six gigs/week, takes the larger cut of the pay, and that is his primary income.
Is that 'a professional' ?
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