What makes you a professional guitarist?

Question

I just wanted to know what the qulifications were, or what it is that makes you a professional guitarist. A guy that owns a guitar shop near me says he was a pro guitarist since he was 13.

Who decides if your a professional?

Answer 1

Technically, the IRS considers someone a professional who has made a profit 3 out of the past 5 years; otherwise, they are a hobbyist.

Very few "Professional" guitarists use this standard, but they probably should.

Other definitions of "Professional" (Like reading music, showing up to the gig on-time) are more of an opinion.

Answer 2

Being a "pro" guitarist could be considered simply being able to support yourself and make a living with your guitar playing, or it could be considered being in a band & having a record label it really depends on your perspective

Answer 3

No one decides. If you get paid to do it, by definition, you are a professional. That is it. Professionals get paid. Amateurs do not.

Dictionary says: 2 (of a person) engaged in a specified activity as one's main paid occupation rather than as a pastime : a professional boxer.

Answer 4

You are considered professional if you get paid for playing guitar.

Ability is technically irrelevant, but you definitely have a higher chance of being able to earn money if play well.

Answer 5

You receive money in some form for playing guitar.

Example: Playing at weddings, being in a band, playing for plays, being a studio guitarist

Answer 6

2 things. 1 if you make money doin it, and not just by playin gigs in local clubs. 2 if you know the guitar in and out all the scales/chord progressions/understand music theory/ could read sheet music ect. there really aint to many pros.

Answer 7

If you make you living by playing then you are pro

Answer 8

Like anything, you're professional if you get paid to do it.

Answer 9

your record sales does.