5 Musician Stereotypes You Never Want to Be

Musicians are an interesting bunch and in my 18 years of playing music, there are a few stereotypes that always seem to pop up.

While you may not be able to change someone else’s attitude, you can avoid adopting it as your own. Here are 5 musicians you don’t want to be and one that you absolutely do:

1. Mr. Insecurity

The more he talks, the less you believe he can play. He’s been talking to this record label and that producer. He’s kind of a big deal. At some point, he will ask to play your guitar so he can show you how great he is at “Dust In The Wind”.

2. The Tone Master

This girl spent way more on her gear than she ever did on lessons, but all that Evantide Timeline delay is doing is repeating her mistakes over and over and over and over…

3. Mr. Right

There is only one correct way to play a song and this guy knows it. Sure, 99.9% of the world doesn’t care if you left the major 9 out of your background ambient pad, but he does and he’s going to make sure you know it. Don’t bother asking him to get creative though, because “different” is just another word for “wrong”.

4. The Procrastinator

Never mind the rest of the band listened to demos you sent out and worked out their own parts, this guy is just going to wing it. He’s also going to think of a much better part a week after you record.

5. The Lone Wolf

It doesn’t matter what the rest of the band is doing, this girl has her own thing going on. You need her to wait until the chorus to come in? No way. Need some simple piano chords? More like scale runs between every change. She doesn’t play for the song. She plays for herself and has a severe listening impairment.

The Best Kind

The best musicians don’t need anyone to stroke their ego. They work hard, they continue to learn, and they take satisfaction in playing well and know the band is greater than the sum of its parts. They also have a ton of fun–be that musician.