Amateur vs. Professional?

[John]

I've found it quite interesting and enlightening reading many of the responses from the "forum friends." It certainly appears that we have a wide variety of "knowledgeable" types out there. Which brings me to my question. What classifies an amateur of classical music and an expert of classical music? I, for one, view myself as an amateur (pretty darn close to the bottom). Although I tremendously enjoy classical music, and can rattle off a respectable list of composers and compositions, I feel woefully inadequate in comparison to some of you out there. It's incredible what you know and what amount of thought you've put into classical music. So what are you - amateur or expert?<P>John

[hornplayer]

What is the scale based on? The total history of classical music? The average knowledge of the average individual? The averadge of the people here?<P>If I were to have to say though, Id probably be an amateur.

[~Leslie]

Hi John, I am strictly amateur these days, though I nearly made music my profession when I was younger. <P> I just come to these Beethoven rooms to meet & chat with other Beethoven lovers, being curious what kind of ppl listen and sometimes even play B. <P>To learn pertinent trivia about his life,his philosophical & political sentiments, try to decipher his dual personality, and who his immortal beloved was. To learn new information about the music, and<BR>how he influenced other composers. ~<P>

[BenG]

By 'professional' you must mean someone who is an accomplished musician or someone who makes money from classical music (performer, academic or teacher). I am a rank amateur because I've never made a dime from music. Nor do I play an instrument with any skill. But I have spent a small fortune on classical records and CDs through the years and I have read the dust jackets (or inserts) on every album I've bought.<P>My 5th-grade son plays violin for a district-wide honor orchestra here and I have sat in the background of some of the rehearsals. During the first rehearsal I heard the teacher ask them if they knew who Mozart was and if they were familiar with his music....and got back a few replies. One asked her when he composed and it was obvious she didn't exactly know. She mumbled something about the late 1600s!! I was aghast. I knew Mozart died in 1791. Later she also told the kids Bach wrote music in the 17th century. Wrong again! Bach died in 1750--the mid 18th century. She may have been confused, but my point is you need not be a professional to have valid, meaningful opinions here. Even professionals aren't always accurate or 'experts.' All you need is a love of the music.

[serge urtizberea]

I think by definition a professional is someone who makes a profession, a career, out of whatever s/he works at. Peter is a professional, and so is anyone else here who makes a living or a name through music. The rest of us are just plain ol' amateurs.

[JasonK]

<BR>Everything in my life is strictly amatuer.<P><p>[This message has been edited by JasonK (edited 03-08-2001).]

[shostakovich]

Amateur or professional??? Modesty forbids. <P> I once wrote to William Flanagan, then editor of High Fidelity Magazine about feeling left out of the music scene because I loved music, but had no "talent" for it, and asking what kind of active role a person like myself could play. Well, he answered that the appreciation of music WAS a talent. That helped my esteem. No job offer came with the letter, though. I pass this on so that if any reader feels left out because of inactive participation in music, be assured you DO have a talent for music. <P>It's been noted that "professional" music lover means making a buck from it. I've made a few bucks from teaching and lecturing about it, but I would not want to give up my amateur standing. The photographer, Alfred Stieglitz, once compared "amateur" vs "professional" in his field. He felt that the amateur working for love of his subject was often superior to the professional who did it for the money. I'm with Stieglitz on that. Take heart.<BR>Shos

[shostakovich]

Oh, Jason, there are some harmonica and accordion concertos that might be transcribed for kazoo. Don't bother to send me my 10% of anything you make. But I encourage you to maintain your amateur standing as humorist. You love it so.<BR>Shos

[hornplayer]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by serge urtizberea:<BR>[B]I think by definition a professional is someone who makes a profession, a career, out of whatever s/he works at.B]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Thats true...I never thought of that...but I interpreted professional as being someone who is very knowledgable about music or plays and instrument well...either way though, Im still an amateur...

[BenG]

...the amateur working for love of his subject was often superior to the professional who did it for the money...<P>Great quote. Nice post, Shos!<BR>

[hornplayer]

Kudos to all of you out there who have talent; Lord knows Ill never have any. I curse the person who ever made me enjoy classical music and want to try to play it.<BR>

[JasonK]

A day without laughter, is a day without sunshine....so I champion my amatuer status....people tend to take themselves too seriously, so there always needs to be a countermeasure....and that is usually me.<P>I also love to be a troublemaker...but in a good way.