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Scan 57
The violinist, 1900
45 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1Editor THE VIOLINIST:
2Have noticed your request in the December VIOLINIST for opinions relative to the difference between an "amateur" and "professional" musician. This being quite an interesting and equally educating subject to treat of, I will endeavor to explain same, herewith.
4The mistaken idea is prevalent amongst the majority of people that the word "amateur" is applied only to the beginner or student and the word "professional" to the proficient or adept.
6We will, at times, hear at an entertainment, where a musician (requiring a fee for his services) renders a selection on the stage in a way not quite satisfactory, (and this person is a professional) the remark: "Oh, he is just an amateur!" whereas, on the contrary another will appear, who is really an amateur and has devoted his or her study for the love of the art and not a gain or profit, pecuniarily or otherwise, and renders the number in a masterly and proficient manner, will be classed as a "professional," because he or she is a master of the art.
8Hence the most concise explanation for both is the following:
10Amateur musicians: One who cultivates the art of music or pursues the study from love or attachment, and without reference to gain or emolument.
12Professional musician: One who cultivates the art of music or pursues the study, not for love or attachment, but with a view of making a living, with his or her art, and with reference to gain, pecuniarily.
14Yours in music,
15CHARLES FRISKA.
17Editor THE VIOLINIST:
18What is the difference between an "amateur" and "professional" musician?
20At the present time there is no difference between the "professional" or "amateur" musician. Time was when a "professional" had to have the goods and be able to deliver—times have changed—good musicians are found in both classes—poor ones also. In the federation you find the "professional" doing manual labor day times and a Jekel-Hyde turn at the dance.
22Having served my apprenticeship in several of the A. F. of M. locals, you will find my answer will hit the spot. Look at it from all sides.
24You cannot tell if a player is a "professional" or "amateur" as we have artists in both ranks. "Professional" should be applied strictly to artists—not to teachers, dance or theater musicians.
26R. J. HAMMEL.
28Editor THE VIOLINIST:
29There is no difference between the "amateur" and the "professional" musicians, if both learn and follow the ten commandments and have the essentials mentioned in the December issue of THE VIOLINIST, under the article by Ovide Musin, "Why Do Americans Go to Europe to Study Music?"
31Two small boys were discussing the above question one day. The youngest fellow said, "Oh, I know; one gets paid and the 'amateur' don't."
33Yours,
34DR. J. R. MUNCHOW.
36Editor THE VIOLINIST:
37I am an old man, neither violinist nor musician. I gave a subscription to your interesting journal hoping you would take up the matter of orchestral and concerto work by other instruments (in which, sans piano, I am interested). In this matter and its essential purpose, leading up to chamber music and home concertos of a higher order, I am interested.
39Should you find cause to take up the broader field in earnest, I may be able to contribute my mite in the way of interesting matter for your paper. The theory of the order of pure diatonic music, including the inharmonic series, and the means by which such music may be made practicable is the chief study of my life; and as a mechanician, I am making good where the thought and the "wisdom of the ages" have failed. But life is short, and my flame burns low!
41The "difference between the amateur and the professional" in music, as elsewhere, is that while the "professional" is a self-satisfied embodiment of cut and dried rules and pedagogic "technic" gymnastical, relating to an arbitrary order, the "amateur" holds in his soul ideals of the pure harmonic order and always the desire for expression in that order alone.
43Yours truly,
44CHAS. F. TORRANCE.
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