One of the things I’ve discovered in over 30 years of playing music is that there are fundamentally two types of musicians: Performers or Writers. So how to tell if a musician is a Performer or a Writer? It usually breaks down into what/where/why they enjoy about making music. Both are closely related: they like making audible art. But fundamentally they have a completely different approach to that art and their motivations for making it.
A Performer is usually someone who makes musical art simply because they like the act of doing it. They like how it makes them feel. The things that it brings them. How people look at them differently because of what they do. But it’s not who they are. The same way that driving a sports car doesn’t make you a race car driver. It’s just something you do with one of your possessions.
A Writer is usually someone who expresses their truest self through music. It is an outlet for them to relate to the world in the safe-space of art. Where if you don’t like it, then just change the channel or don’t listen. They have to make music, because there is something in their life that they can’t express normally. They aren’t a whole person unless they “get it out” through music.
How To Tell If A Musician Is A Performer or a Writer: The Difference
What’s the difference between Performers or Writers? Writers are someone who breathes music and lives for art. Performers are someone who wants attention and to impress people. Writers will toil away in obscurity, never to be heard or appreciated for most of their lives. Just as long as they can express themselves. If Performers aren’t getting laid or paid they pretty much give up and follow the money / prestige. These are usually the people who give up after high school.
How To Tell If A Musician Is A Performer or a Writer: Motivation
So, how to tell if a musician is a Performer or a Writer? One way is by what motivates them to do the work. Are they happy just to have written or do they insist everyone notices it? Are they creating from the heart or trying to follow the latest trend? Do they want to plaster their face on everything or are they OK with just the music doing the talking?
Conclusion
How To Tell If A Musician Is A Performer or a Writer? Both are important, but sometimes you are looking to collaborate with someone who enjoys Performing. Sometimes you might want to collaborate with someone who prefers the art of Writing. If you are finding yourself frustrated in your musical endeavors it is probably because you are working with the wrong type of musician.
Once you know the signs, it’s really easy to tell if a musician is a Performer or a Writer. Both are important to the art of music. Writers create opportunities for Performers to stand out and shine. Performers motivate Writers to perform their music in public. It’s the same thing with shy coders and extroverted designers. Just different sides of the same coin.