can one ever really master an instrument...?
 

or is there always something new to learn?

depends on the definition of "mastery." It's not about what you know though, its about what you play.

I believe in always being the student.

I think one can "master" something (or else it would be a useless word), but never run out of things to learn.

I am the master, my instrument is my slave! It shall obey!

Watch for signs of discontent, and don't let it near the pitchforks.

of course. It is entirely possible to master the capabilities of an inanimate object. Just not necessarily master the potential of yourself as a musician?

Sort of. I think Oistrakh did. Glenn Gould as well. Tommy Potts mastered, and redefined, a style. Munir Bashir, likewise (I'm thinking of the 'Flamenco roots' stuff). Past a point of tactile proficiency it becomes about taste and artistry. The grand litany of rock players don't cut that particular mustard, for me.

It's like chess players. Kasparov might be a grand master, but that doesn't mean he never gets beat.

I think you can master the technique, but inventivity can lead to totally different ways to express yourself with an instrument (with endless "tweaks" to it, if needed). I think the limit is not in the intrument itself.

So, the answer is yeah. But no. and so on.

yes, yes you can. i've mastered the "skin flute" :)

teach a person a song and they'll play a song. teach a person how to play an instrument and they'll play many songs!...

...er.

The answer is: No.

i dont think you can either, you can learn all there is to know about one and be able to play real well but i dont think there is ever a limit to what can be done. there is always something to learn etc.

master: a person with the ability or power to use, control, or dispose of something; a person eminently skilled in something, as an occupation, art, or science

eminent: high in station, rank, or repute; prominent; distinguished
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Yes. You can.

You only need the ability to play chords to write songs so who gives a shit how well you can play.

I think there are very few who can actually "master an instrument". People can get very good at one, or many, but to master one you need to be very skilled and there are only a select few who have ever been able to do so.

I'd consider Hendrix and Fahey masters of the guitar; totally different in what they did but both masters.

depends what you mean by "master", i don't know where this idea that mastery means nothing left to learn though

I don't know about mastery, but there's always something new to learn on an instrument.

Unless you've played a wide variety of skin flutes, with various tonal qualities and pitches (alto, tenor, etc.), I doubt you can call yourself a master. How many have you played? ;)

yes

those who master then go on to create the NEW

pah!!

i think everyone who tries to develop a skill has to keep in mind at all times that there is always more to learn. the moment you think you know everything, you'll get stuck.

and get boring

indeed. it's what they remind us of at school all the time: 'don't you dare to think you know everything'

I see differece between "mastery" and "perfection". You can master an instrument in the sense that you are very familiar with what you are doing with it, whether it's one style, many styles, or all. However, there is something more you can learn on anything. There are new techniques that can be developed at all times since there are endless possibilities with the interaction with any object. It is not possible to perfect it as a result

mastery is not perfection nor is it knowing every thing. it means the ability to do whateevr it takes to play anythng,

exactly. The OP makes it seem as if mastery is a process that may/may not "max out" artistic potential

I guess it gets to the point where the only limitations are things like playing faster than the speed of light.