Every "Profession" has it's entry point

For doctors its a Degree and a test score
For lawyers its a bar exam (with or without a degree)

For Cosmologists its a state board
For musicians..it's a paycheck.

IF you ger paid and make a living for what you do you are a professional. The argument here seems to be who is the BETTER professional?

SOmeone who can read every note or someone who is blind. Someone who can play the classics or someone who can play Rock......

WE are talking ART here where subjectivity rules. No one ever asked me for a degree when hiring me. No one ever checked my credentials. My credentials were obvious as soon as I sat down. Either i could cut what they wanted or not. Does not matter if I have a Doctorate in Music. IF I cannot play what they want NOW Im not getting the gig.

You cannot equate the definition of "professional" on the same scale with other non subjective trades no matter how much those who spent years with a teacher and rote excersizes were accomplished.

Yeah it can be diheartening for some to see someone with no training get work on a plastic keyboard with few knobs. But thats life..

My wife has had professional training and can sight read. She has played in shows where she had to read and does singles. Her keyboard is a Roland RD-700 and a 61 key Casio. LOL She has never been out of work in 30 years.

It does not matter what one plays oon. It only matters whether the listener is pleased.