Music as capital: Deputizing among London's freelance musicians1

Deputizing, the substitution of one musician by another for a particular per formance event, has long been a common feature of London's musical landscape. Although it may at first appear a simple operation of personal logistics, it is in fact a transaction permeated by judgements on musicianship and musicality, social relations, individual identities and basic economics. Thus, from this perspective, musical events can be seen as symbols which musi cians interpret with reference both to their underlying conception of self and their perception of the talents and abilities of those around them. Such issues are here examined from a variety of theoretical perspectives, which offer use‐fid insights into this deceptively complex process.