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? ;)