Sharing with the world that you’re an artist of any kind is a sure-fire way to get a stamp on the forehead that denotes that you’re probably unreliable or delusional at best. But fiercely pursuing your passions should not be a mark of failure when so many others do not dare to do it themselves.
Choosing to embrace your identity as a musician is very admirable to many but may come with some unpleasant stereotypes attached that’ll sadly follow you around for the rest of time. If you are interested in learning more about stereotypes and how they impact our society, you can access resources here.
Thankfully, when you align yourself with your passions, the right people tend to follow; like-minded people that will stick by you and remind you that you’re doing the right thing by being yourself.
But for those non-believers out there, let’s dispel some of those negative stereotypes about musicians once and for all!
Musicians Are Starving Artists
Sadly, taking the leap to pursue any creative hobby as a professional can be wrought with financial instability. Still, you would be wrong to assume that this is the trap of the starving artist. There are many ways to be a musician that doesn’t involve the pursuit of being rich and famous. In fact, many musicians are forced to develop a business sense to survive.
Musicians can make things like royalty-free music, teach classes, make music for advertisements, and do a slew of other day jobs that incorporate their passion for music while working on their debut album behind the scenes.
Musicians Are Always Extroverted
Just because being a musician means having to perform for crowds regularly doesn’t mean that all musicians prefer to be in large groups of people all of the time. Being somewhat outgoing is part of the job, but it doesn’t have to be their entire lifestyle.
Just like with any other public-facing profession, interacting with new people every day can be a rewarding experience, but even the most extroverted folks out there love to come home and unwind from all the chatter of their work.
Musicians Are Substance Abusers
This is a very serious stereotype that the media have mostly perpetuated. It doesn’t mean that there aren’t rockstars out there consuming recreational substances, but putting this on every musician out there is not fair. Many onlookers might assume that musicians depend on substances to create music or perform late nights multiple times a week. Still, it is absolutely possible to have a bright, creative spirit without the use of drugs. You may also want to consider other high-pressure positions too. You might not think your lawyer is dependent on substances, but that’s only because you offer them a certain level of respect. Musicians deserve this same respect for their craft as well.
Musicians Are Overly Sensitive
Art is a path innately defined by emotional connection, musicians’ connection with their listeners, and musicians’ connections to their own emotions. So yes, musicians are sensitive to a certain extent, but it’s their sensitivity that helps them create meaningful art.
However, when people refer to musicians as being sensitive, they’re referring to them being irrationally irritable and prone to unwarranted reactions to even the smaller provocation. However, this is just another one of those things that can attributed to a person’s unique personality. Again, you can be a banker with a hot streak too.
Musicians Are Unfaithful
Another significant stereotype largely portrayed on television shows, and movies are that musicians are incapable of being in healthy, long-term relationships or at the very least being faithful to their partners. One can say that if a band is on tour or out playing gigs into the late hours of the night, that temptation is sure to creep up every once in a while. Sure, but the temptation to cheat can happen at the office or the library. Bottom line, being unfaithful is something anyone can do, no matter their profession if it’s something they want to do, and musicians are no different. So don’t rule out your guitarist boyfriend or girlfriend out just yet.
