I am NOT a Musician. (Not exactly...)

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In some ways this feels self indulgent, but I really do want it to start conversation.

I'm active in the comment section anyways, but really want to hear from other people on this one.

[semyonboyk]

Took me over a decade to accept that becoming a rock star is not the only way to "win at music" as I imagined in my teens. Glad to hear you found your place and you enjoy being there.

[KattKirsch]

Ten years ago, at SXSW, I remember having a fan cry in my arms after a show because he'd travelled to see my group play. It was the most professionally successful tour, show, and moment I'd experienced as a professional, fulltime, this-is-my-job musician. My tour manager and I privately wondered what our next step would be, personally and professionally. Privately, I kinda wondered if I even wanted to write or play on another album.

Now, I'm a housewife. That tour manager is now my spouse. I quietly write new songs when I'm not cleaning or keeping my daughter from spontaneously combusting, and I couldn't possibly love music more. As an artist, this is how I define success now. I love watching you repair gear and dig through chip designs, and your energy fills me with desire to create. I can't thank you enough for the good vibes and raw honesty. <3

[synthseeker]

Aaaawww Jorb...you sweety. You're totally a musician, and a tech. You can play, and (more importantly) you can play with other musicians. You aren't a composer (or aren't right now, ) and maybe you aren't a producer. But who cares? Those are just words. There isn't a value tier-list for musical roles with tech lower than composer or musician. You don't need to be insecure. We love you and we love what you make. Thank you for letting us into your life and insights. Keep doing what you do. :)

[lo-firobotboy]

I have a few albums out there of cheesy, lo-fi synth music that like, 10 people have heard, and I've made little snippets of music and sound that have ended up in independent video games or trade show presentations, but for the most part, music making is very much a personal & private thing. I buy, sell, trade and collect synths because I love the instruments and the sounds they make. I also recognize that the type of music I enjoy making is really not what the vast majority of people want to listen too. It's not a commercially viable venture. I'm quite content with the joy of anonymously experimenting with sounds in my little home studio.

[lrkx_]

@Jorb Fully agree, dude. Releasing an album isn’t the only way to appreciate music, and playing (while impressive and commendable) isn’t the only way or reason to embrace music and sound. There are as many ways and reasons as there are people on the planet, imho. No need for doubt. Whatever floats one’s boat…

[mastercylinder]

Same here, I’m no musician. I play by ear, repeating a phrase until it matches what I hear in my mind, then commit it to the sequencer. I don’t work with software, only hardware, it’s synths, drum machines and sequencers.

[FuzzleMusic]

You've quickly become my favorite YouTuber, and this video is a great example of why. I really appreciate how open and conversational you are with... everything. You're living your truth and doing what makes you happy, and that's all that matters. Keep it up, my dude.

[Dorachagi]

I've been playing with music and instruments at least at a hobby level for 30 years, but only in the last few years have I finally accepted and stopped feeling guilty about being someone who doesn't have any of the "normal" kind of musical goals that it always felt like I was supposed to have or work towards. I don't write songs, or really ever write stuff down, I rarely record anything, I basically never play with other people. I just like playing with sounds and diving into whatever gear fascinates me at the moment and seeing what happens with no goals, purely self-indulgent satisfaction that takes me away alone from all the other stress in life. It's all I really enjoy doing musically, but I REALLY enjoy it and it's very important to me, and I now finally understand and actually feel that's a totally ok way to be musical and creative. Whatever way music and instruments and gear (or anything else) make you personally happy and satisfied then that's a great thing to have in your life.

[jjdekay]

you got 8 minutes of applause from I went from classically trained percussionist to drum set to guitar to bass to keys to mando to violin to drum tech to guitar tech to band tech to guitar repair to guitar building and customizing guitars around the world to synths TECH!! I wish I had a tech friend in my city because most musicians look at me like a leper when I get to talking about gear. I'm in my mid 50's with the enthusiasm of a teenager which CAN be rough on other people my age lol! Thank you Jorb for a spot on topic!

[LeRoyrd]

Thank you, Jorb. I have a BA in music, graduated from a conservatory post bac, performed and taught music for years. As much as I enjoy performance, and composition, my main focus, and joy, is in teaching, and facilitating others in their education and discovery. It's often difficult to describe to others.

[rovemusic]

I don’t think writing your own music is a requirement to be considered a musician. You obviously are capable of playing instruments and performing live in a band, so that makes you as much a musician as anyone else.

That being said, I really enjoy your approach to synthesis and teaching synthesis because you focus on the sounds and textures themselves, rather than the technicalities and music theories behind them. Even though I enjoy writing my own music, I relate to that process because I’m weak in the music theory department and just mess around with things until I like the sound. So keep doing your thing!

[devinbelangermusic]

Good video man, appreciate the vulnerability :) as long as someone is being genuine that's what matters!

[BoBeats]

Super relatable! ♥️

P.S see you on my channel tomorrow!!

[shearfury]

I searched for this video specifically to see where you are at in your...journey. I personally am somewhere in between. Ive written and still write music. i can sing and play guitar very well. Its an outlet for me at times. Other times i want the tech side of things. How can i fix this or make this better. Sound better. What can I create thats mine that improves my sound and helps me in my expression or art. How can i be more satisfied with the end result? Expression in music is the greatest stress reliever.
You and your channel are so honest and genuine its almost...sickening. Dont ever change, ever. You have a great thing going on and the discourse has been excellent. Stay supportive of creativity and stay creative yourself Jorb!

[seanrichards]

I appreciate what you have to say here! I struggle in much the same way. Am I a physicist, teacher, or musician. But I think I look toward my family for the answer. I am a son, a brother, a husband, and a father all in one. It’s like Batman said, it’s what you DO that defines you!

[jrodohio]

Totally feel you, Jorb. But I think you've found your calling. Always love watching your videos.

[crazyhorse]

This definitely resonates with me, I think of myself mostly as a synthesist. I got interested in synths and music tech by trying to make music as a teenager, but the older I get, the more I find myself enjoying tweaking and refining patches rather than making any actual songs. Sometimes I get this feeling of "why am I making sounds if I am not going to make any songs with them" but the reality is that I just like making sounds and honing them until they sounds beautiful and expressive.

[axwax]

Thanks, that's super relatable, both on the desire to enable others and to use tracks more as a vehicle to showcase a concept or piece of gear. I am also at times struggling with the more negative aspects of this mindset, such as hesitating to release tracks for not being musical enough, or, on the flipside, for not having enough of an educational angle to put out. I've only just discovered your channel, but am super impressed with the topics you cover. Big up!

[mitchvose]

GENRE Club was one of my favorite experiences in college. Super cool to see you grow your channel and follow your passions under whatever banner you choose. Keep it up man!

Ps: Jorb hair tutorial when?

[middaymeds]

Hey Jorb, been a long time subscriber and just wanted to say thanks for making thoughtful content. So many channels in this field just end up being advertisements for cool new gear that it's rare to see someone delve into the more personal side of synthesis. There's so much interesting discussion to be had around music technology beyond "wow, this is cool" and it's nice to see another channel exploring that landscape.