Do you think of yourself as a musical 'artist'?

[Gank Bass]

I'm definitely borderline artistic, or at least on the artistic spectrum 

[Dood]

Tim Minchin said something about developing his brooding potential. 

[snorkie635]

2 minutes ago, Dood said:

Tim Minchin said something about developing his brooding potential. 

"I wish to make clear, this has nothing to do with me!"

 

[Man.about.Tyne]

Artist. Artiste, whatever..

 

Anyone can call themselves whatever they like and everyone else can laugh at them as they see fit.  If someone has made enough cold hard cash to laugh back then their status as an artist is considerably emboldened.

 

This does, however, lead to a considerable number of artists without much artistic merit.
 

[Owen]

An artist for me is someone who pursues expression within their chosen discipline. 

 

As a bassist I have never seen myself as an artist. I am a craftsman, and I like it.

 

I have recently started wrting and recording my own stuff. I never used to because I could not imagine anything I ever wrote comparing to Zawinul or Corinne BR or Floyd or Ben Folds (only the 5 iteration). I have recently made peace with the fact that the noise I make is the noise I make and none the worse for that. So part of me is exploring that artist side. I have just retired so the world better get ready for my Grey Vanity Project! The advantage of retiring is more time (apparently). The disadvantage is that I no longer have access to the beautifully equiped, ATC packing, control room at work. 

[Martin E]

People who rap all seem to call themselves artists.  

Great self belief always helps I suppose...

[Musicman666]

16 hours ago, SumOne said:

The general consensus/cliche is that musicians are artists - creative, expressing themselves, communicating emotions n'all that. But is that what you think of yourself? Seems a bit pretentious to me! 

 

Perhaps I've got no soul or artistry, but the more I play music and learn about it the more I think of it as a process, a technical skill. 

 

Is being in an orchestra and sight reading artistic? Is playing a cover version with some embellishments? Is even playing some sort of free-form Jazz? After all, even that is mostly about applying technical skill and music theory. Is making original music? Usually that seems to very heavily rely of pre-existing musical formulas. 

 

I think there are some musicians that are genuine 'artists', people that really do something original that transcends technical skill and know how, that's only a small % of musicians though. 

playing and creating new music influenced by music that i already like and primarily just to please myself ...is this art? .. i have no idea but I'm doing it constantly. Do a lot of home recording.

 

It definitely comes under the category of self expression but its expression back to myself... if i get paid or published for it then that's a bonus but that's not the prime reason. If i do a gig its for my own pleasure, definitely not for the money.

 

If i was the last guy on earth i would still be noodling on a bass as well as all my other gear....don't crave an audience.

Edited yesterday at 04:10 by Musicman666

[ambient]

The dictionary definition is:

 

‘noun

One, such as a painter, sculptor, or writer, who is able by virtue of imagination and talent or skill to create works of aesthetic value, especially in the fine arts.

 

A person whose work shows exceptional creative ability or skill. 

"You are an artist in the kitchen."

 

One, such as an actor or singer, who works in the performing arts. 

 

One who is adept at an activity, especially one involving trickery or deceit.  "a con artist."

 

One who practices some mechanic art or craft; an artisan.  Similar: artisan.

 

One who professes and practices an art in which science and taste preside over the manual execution. 

 

One who shows trained skill or rare taste in any manual art or occupation. 

 

An artful person; a schemer. Similar: schemer.

 

A person who creates art.’

 

I don't see anything pretentious in calling yourself an artist. If you do create art then you're an artist. 

 

Does playing ‘Sex on Fire’ down the Dog and Duck on a Saturday evening make you an artist? Probably not, but if you're writing lyrics and composing your original music, then yes.

[chris_b]

I'm an entertainer.

[Bluewine]

I think of myself as a guy that seems to be able to play rock and roll bass guitar.

 

Daryl

[TimR]

Sure. If you create something from an idea in your head, whether that is original or a copy, and it provokes an emotional response, then you're creating art.

 

The difference between craft and art is really just verb/adjective. You craft a piece of art.

 

Whether or not you consider it or feel like it, it's down to the beholder to decide if its beautiful art or not.

 

I think we undersell ourselves too much and have mostly forgotten that many people can't even contemplate how we manage to play an open E in time with the rest of the band. Something we see as easy and everyday, really isn't to your average person. 

[Dan Dare]

The words "art" and "artist/e" have acquired a lot of baggage, as is evidenced by many comments above. A lot of people seem keen to say something along the lines of "Artist? Me? Nah, mate. I'm just a regular geezer who plays in a band".

 

Music is a form of art. Therefore, those who make it can be considered artists. It's up to them whether they choose to refer to themselves as such, but beware inverted snobbery.

[Al Krow]

On 16/10/2025 at 17:12, Linus27 said:

I think my own view is I consider myself a Musician, if asked in what, then I would say a bassist. If I am writing music or basslines then I am being creative, if I am putting together a structure or how the song is to be played then I am arranging and if I am playing in front of people then I am performing but the over-arching title I would use is I am a musician.

 

Nailed it!

[paul_5]

I’m just a bloke who likes to make low frequency wobbly noises, turns out that some people actually LIKE that sort of thing, and (on occasion) are prepared to compensate me for my ‘ability’. Who knew?!?

[ian61]

Definitely not. I just like playing tunes written by people with talent. If said tunes have pleasing bass lines embedded them it's a bonus and has nothing to do with me being creative. Even adding an extra run here and there would be stretching the point a bit, Im just doing what I've trained for.

[Heathy]

I have always referred to myself as a stupid pretend pop star.

 

I picked that up from watching ‘Bad News’ years ago, and it resonated.

[Dood]

I don’t know what I am. I find it very awkward pushing my own creations, but will happily talk all day about other’s work, which I can’t help but be incredibly enthusiastic about. I like being a bassist and working with others, in a team for the betterment of a project or an inclusive passion; but I work alone as a teacher and am more than confident in my realm knowing both my worth and my sh*t for which I expect to be compensated for.

I write, compose, journal, review, produce columns, professional videos, music and bass material for myself, session or freelance work. I get to do my ideal job, passion and hobby as my gainful employment and run my own business.Well over  35 years playing bass, over 15 it has been my sole income. 

 

Educator? Influencer (eurrghhhhh), Artist? 

 

Oh, I know, as my career’s officer actually said, “that’s all well and good Daniel, but what will you do for a real job?”