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Many engineers have hobbies such as different sports, computer programming and computer games.
Many physicists and medical doctors have hobbies such as playing music and literature. (And sport...)
What hobbies do professional musicians typically have?
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Hmmmmmm!!!! Great question,
In Malmo quite a few of my colleagues were into gardening. In Gavle they loved playing poker. In Malaysia lots of musicians were into diving and photography. Most of the musicians that I know love to watch sports and drink beer
and most love the nature and camping. Quite a few are into boating as well.
I love the ocean, diving, great food and wine, good movies, inline skating, and being a home barista.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Hello Fiddlerman,
That sounds all like very very nice hobbies!! Especially diving seems so wonderful to me. Unfortunately, my swimming skills are only theoretical, so I think I am not permitted even to try 
Its quite interesting, how different hobbies vary among different carrers! I found myself being under stimulated by the people in engineering environment (nobody cared about music or any other arts) but love the environment of physicists, where I feel "at home". We usually also meet once per week to drink beer and eat wonderful food
Gee, I'm glad to hear that report. I used to be in engineering. Electrical with a large dose of plasma physics.
I think it is only professional musicians who look for hobbies to break the routine of on-demand performances. Violin IS my hobby and I'm not at all sure I would want to be a pro.
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Fly fishing is my thing. I also love getting together with friends, jamming and drinking beer.
Well, one thing that I have noticed among my professional musician friends is that they never play any music while socializing. It's always quiet at their dinner parties, etc. They never turn the radio on and and rarely put on a CD.
I'm the same way. Photography and reflexology interest me though. Being outdoors and fishing. And of course great food!
I'm beginning to suspect that playing music professionally can become work while us amateurs can enjoy whatever flights of fancy without leaving the house.
My son, while just in high school, left the house one Friday evening with his trumpet and announced that he had a "gig" ? ? ? ( how cute !). Then he repeated this on Saturday and Sunday. So happens he was playing in a semi-pro pit band for a local play production and he wound up with $200 ( gimme a break !).
After high school he abandoned the trumpet entirely. Everyone asked him "why" and he said "I don't want the life of a musician".
So, maybe hobbies become more important when/if it does become work. Fortunately, I have a lot of room remaining before boredom sets in : )
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I have to say that even though I sometimes get tired of playing, especially certain gigs, I still love to play the violin, especially when I play for myself. for me, few things beat the feeling of working on a piece without a deadline, just loosing yourself in that piece even though you are playing it simply because you want to and not for a job. Unfortunately, as a professional, you can sometimes play so much for money that you don't find time to play for yourself. We should!!!
The other thing Oliver is, those of us who play professionaly really can't call it a hobby. People would expect us to play for free and we would starve to death 
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Just occurs to me that my new electric is sort of a hobby within a hobby ... if that counts. ( True success begins at 100 watts ! )
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Oliver, are you referring to electrifying your fiddle? I would love to hear about that.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
No, I have a regular e-violin, the Bridge Aquila which I'm playing with a 4 channel guitar amp. The violin is better than the amp however and I'm thinking about a keyboard amp which is supposed to be a better choice.
I have tinkered with the acoustic and cheap lapel mics but my next move might be to a keyboard amp. Still researching.
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paula said:
Well, one thing that I have noticed among my professional musician friends is that they never play any music while socializing. It's always quiet at their dinner parties, etc. They never turn the radio on and and rarely put on a CD.
I can't understand why people would put music on just so they can ignore it!
When I was about 14 I was invited to dine with some rather formal, ridiculously preppy relatives of mine. There was much talk about nothing with candles lit, cloth napkins and some "relaxing" music in the background. "Easy listening" Beatles covers, Beethoven's and Mozart's better known pieces, etc. I was horrified, it seemed so disrespectful. XD
In fact, it still bothers me when my mother talks in the car while we've got the radio on. And when I had a few friends over for Thanksgiving this year I tried to put on some unobtrusive music because I felt it was expected of me, but it just ended up distracting me. And I'm the only person I've ever known to complain about the predictability of a television show's soundtrack.
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@ Anathama - That is an interesting way of looking at it. Are you saying that you would like your mom to be quiet in order to hear the music and enjoy it as you do? Or quiet so that you can listen to it properly?
I never considered that I might be bothering someone by having background music on while hosting a dinner or get-together. Thanks for bringing up the thought.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Fiddlerman said:
@ Anathama - That is an interesting way of looking at it. Are you saying that you would like your mom to be quiet in order to hear the music and enjoy it as you do? Or quiet so that you can listen to it properly?
I never considered that I might be bothering someone by having background music on while hosting a dinner or get-together. Thanks for bringing up the thought.
Oh neither, I just find it extremely hard to ignore so that I can listen to her. I really doubt you'd be bothering anyone by having music on; I'm easily distracted.
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I'm not a professional musician, but almost all my hobbies lie within the creative arts. I'm a crafter- I crochet, make jewelry, paper-craft, embroider, cross stitch and sew. Beyond that I'm a voracious reader and enjoy movies and plays. And of course I love music. I tend to focus on one craft intensely and then move to another.
Of course theres never enough time.
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@ anathana - I see, you get taken by the music. I can be too.
@ LLL - sounds like you are really living the life. Good for you. I feel sorry for those who only do there job and come home only to sit in front of the TV all the time.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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