The Definition of Professional Musician?

[Virtual-Symmetry]

I get a bit confused as to the real meaning of the word, because in my eyes the word Pro means nothing but the total opposite of what it is suppose to mean.

Take for instance a Rock musician that has been going 40+ years. Back when first started out they were eager, determined & very good, maybe Money & sucess drove them. As the years go by they seem not to be any of that & kinda take the profession for granted, New instrument, new techniques progressively getting worse at what they do imho, Maybe got a few bob by now & feel its no longer important.

Now its odd because looking over the entire career the early days i would call the early years the Professional period.

[YNWaN]

It just means that being a musician is the primary way they earn a living - it's got nothing to do with how good they are or how proficient or 'professional' they are.

[Macca]

Just means you get paid for it.

Professional as in good or innovative is a different thing. After a 30 year career and 20 odd albums it must be hard to come up with something fresh and good. Back in '72 or whenever it had all still to be done. Tull are a good example, over the years the songwriting starts to deteriorate, you are aware that he is struggling to find things to write about.

[struth]

Same as some gals;)

[Joe]

Plus of course if you're a 'professional' musician in an orchestra you're paid to play the notes the composer wrote in the order he wrote them; any attempt at 'originality' will get you chucked out fairly speedily.

[Virtual-Symmetry]

It just means that being a musician is the primary way they earn a living - it's got nothing to do with how good they are or how proficient or 'professional' they are.

Ok lets look at how they play now to how they played donkies years ago. Prog drummers that played in odd time signatures will now perform the songs in time signatures more simplified.

[YNWaN]

Ok

[Stratmangler]

Ok lets look at how they play now to how they played donkies years ago. Prog drummers that played in odd time signatures will now perform the songs in time signatures more simplified.

I doubt that, unless the songs have been completely rearranged.
The time signature is likely to be a constant.
That's not to say that they haven't simplified their parts. Let's face it, none of us is getting any younger, and some instruments require much more physical fitness and stamina to play.