I don't even know where to start on this one. Yes I realize the title of this thread sounds weird, but it is just how I have been feeling. I have always identified as a musician, but now I am starting to want my space from that label. I've played the guitar for a while now, and to be honest, am pretty good. Like if I played right now for people, I would probably be pretty impressive. I'm not trying to brag believe me! I can't STAND being asked to play for people. People are always asking me to play for functions, or for their parties, like hey come play your guitar at my party! Well what people don't seem to be understanding is that the guitar really isn't a solo instrument, unless you are playing solo guitar which is incredibly difficult. I'm not much of a singer, so it's not like I sing songs or anything. I am just being called the "guitar man" or the "rock star". The fact that I have long hair as a guy just makes this generalization even more frustrating. Like I feel if people see me they just think he looks like he probably plays the guitar! I really don't know why I feel so ashamed of it. Why am I not proud to say I play the guitar? I feel it might be because I think it's so washed and widespread now. Like seriously, EVERYone plays the guitar these days. Even people don't even give it the attention it deserves, like popstars like lil' wanye, katy perry, etc. I just feel like these days it's just like yeah pick up a guitar! So I feel when I tell people I play guitar, they might just think, yeah. who doesn't. boooring... Which is frustrating because I play a lot of technical stuff like fingerstyle blues, ragtime and classical. I just feel like there is NOTHING interesting to someone about playing the guitar anymore. Like it doesn't make me unique. I know this is stupid to say, but it just how I've been feeling. Like I play in a bluegrass band, and I have always just been ashamed to say I'm the guitar player. I try so hard to distance myself from being seen as "that guitardude" that I am just trying to focus on my college science degree. Just wondering why I just can't be proud that I play the guitar...