So you're an audiophile - are you also a musician?

I regret not getting in this thread sooner. I had an idea that many a-gonners were musicians, but I am surprised at the overwhealming majority, or what seems to me to be.
I have played, but never made the jump, I have always stopped just short. I cannot really answer why I haven't played for enjoyment besides. I have a recent thread I answered on this recently that might explain my confusion, if anyone cares to get that deep.
What is of interest to me in this thread, is this question for those who play or have played- what is the connection between audiophilism and musicianship? I always have thought of audiophiles who do not play, or have not played, to be musical much the same way as a musician. I have thought of a non-playing audiophile as closer to a non-playing or unpractised musician than say, an "average" person who listens to music more like the general public with less of a passion and more for casual enjoyment. This is the connection I feel.
Thank you for this insightful, thoughtful poll.

Trumpet. Graduated from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Sadly, I no longer play, but as Bishopwill points out, it dramatically alters the way that I experience and listen to music. Those who are not formally trained could not possibly listen the same way, IMHO.

been a guitar player and song writer for 30 some years. Played hard rock in the 70's, alternative in the 80s and after moving to New Orleans in the the 80's and Austin Tx in 90 turned into a blues player...go figure. Played professionally on and off for about 20 of those years but the high travel day gig gets in the way these days. You want to talk money sink...get into high end audio and collecting high end guitars and amps.

Dan, I'm curious about how/in what way people without formal training can't listen in the same way as those with formal training. Do you mean that those with formal training can analyze the technical details of music, like "So and so is playing the Mixolydian mode for the first two bars of the solo, then switches to the straight major scale? (Aeolian Mode? I forget my theory; been a while)", or something like that?

Thank you all for answering my thread. My intention was to test my hypothesis that most audiophiles, like myself, are really frustrated musicians in disguise and that by investing heavily in audio gear create a panacea for not being up on stage and performing. Thanks to "Basement" for raising the audiophile-musician connection as that was what I was after. The audiophile-musician connection is probably strongly correlated, afterall evolving from listening to music to playing music seems like a pretty natural progression. Thanks too to dan@xenote.com for raising the possibility that trained musicians listen differently than weekend-musicians &/or non-musical playing people. While dan@xenote.com comments sound somewhat elitist I would have to agree that training may improve one's ability to listen differently, not better, just differently. Being able to discern a Selmer alto sax from a Yamaha or Fender bass from a Rickenbacker comes easiest from first hands experience.

As a newbee to Audiogon, I appreciate the passion and participation of its members. Without both elements we'd just be a bunch of "gear heads." In case you were interested, I have played trombone, piano, keyboards and alto sax, and have played in marching and concert bands and come from a musical family where each person plays at least 2 instruments. Hope that didn't sound elitist . . . just blowing my own horn!

Kevinzoe