What Makes a Musician a Professional?

By Anne Sullivan 

What makes a musician a professional?

The usual definition of a professional musician is a person who gets paid for playing music. Simple, and true enough, as far as it goes. But most professional musicians would define it much more broadly.

Professional musicians know it’s not just about the money, although that’s certainly part of it. It’s about attitude, life habits and choices. Music is part of the life force of every musician, and professionals have made that life force their destiny. In more down-to-earth terms, it’s not just what they do, it’s who they are.

Perhaps that sounds like someone you want to be. Or perhaps music is part of you, but not with that level of intensity. Whatever kind of musician you choose to become, you can still have the focus and desire to learn that a professional does. You can develop those skills that set professionals apart in the same way you develop your technique and repertoire. It’s about attitude. 

Here are some qualities and attitudes that mark a professional musician. If you aspire to be one, you would be wise to start adopting them now. Even if you aren’t sure of your path, these traits will help you play the harp better and enjoy it even more.

A professional musician:

• Makes time every day to work – to practice, perform, play, rehearse, teach. Time is humankind’s most precious resource. We define ourselves by how we use it.
• Shows up mentally and physically. Our art demands our presence, concentration and focus.
• Persists. One more time, five more minutes, 100 more repetitions…
• Desires to learn. There’s always a new and interesting piece, fact, person, technique to explore.
• Continually strives to improve. That’s the beauty of making music; you get to make it again, and better.
• Shares. We share with audiences, students and colleagues. Communication is the essence of music.
• Fears and does it anyway. All life is a risk…
• Would make music even if there was no money in it and no one to hear.