Goals of those posting songs?

Date: May 31, 2006

Goals of those posting songs?

Date: May 31, 2006

I personally started posting my songs here for exposure and feedback. There are better sites to use for that as this site seems to be more about the competition. I am discusted at some of the comments I've read. "Not music" " this sucks" etc. Who in there right mind needs to be so degrading to a fellow artist. One who is insecure I guess. Anyway, I am after exposure mostly.

William Richard Gillespie

Date: May 31, 2006

Shay Penn,

I believe that people forget when they are on this Internet thing, they can be dealing with adults and children and foriegn folks, sometimes all in the same moment. While the want for good constructive comments is most likely the desired target ya gotta remember what you are dealing with. Right now this is the Wild wild west in terms of what can happen after a song is submitted.

You have a few that will consistantly give you valid comments that you can use, IF you choose to use them. You also have that little nerdy 15 year old that will rip apart anything that is not of a genre they like. And if it is, they will rip that up to.

It's just a bunch of people dropping by to share a song or two and its just like the real world in a lot of ways. You have positive things and negative things, drunks and bone-heads I would almost bet there are some here that cannot even play. They just harass.

Me personally, why do I submit? Well, let's see. I thing I have to justify all my gear:) But I will work on a tune with more focus if I know it will be heard by someone other than my dog. He's deaf ya know.

As for you Mister Bill, if exposure is your goal, you might want to tone up your skin. Being thin skinned and ballistic is a recipe for disaster in the business anyway. If you have a better site to go to, share with us where it is, then go to it and stay there. I have no need to hold the hand of a cry baby because he or she "can't take it anymore." No body is worth that, not even myself.

Jack O'Brien
GetaDotlife.com

Date: May 31, 2006

I appreciate your comments in that I see the same kind of feedback happening. I read the next guy's comments, too, and yeh, I realize this is an open place and anybody can say anything, but if there's going to be anything valuable communicated, constructive - all-be-it negative- is the only way to go. People crucifying songs just 'cause they can doesn't accomplish anything, except some little pathetic pissant feeling coooool for thinking he makes somebody else feel bad.

Date: May 31, 2006

I would only disagree in that it's NOT like the real world - for better or worse in the real world, we generally have to face our critics (either literally or e-wise or through some other form of interchange/direct contact) AND the subjects (or targets) of our own criticism. Anonymity, unfortunately, I see often breeds contempt here. NOW - that is not to say that it may not also breed more honesty, potentially, but that remains to be seen, as far as I can see.

Date: May 31, 2006

Try this: When you post a song, be the first to leave a comment and tell the listeners what you want from them. A few people have done this and it seems to work ok. For example, you could write something like:

I just finished this demo and I want to know if this chord structure works well.

Let me know if there are places where the lyrics are weak.

What instrumentation should I use for this.

etc etc etc

A lot of writers are too nervous to ask such pointed questions that invite people to skewer them, but the writers that have the guts get the answers they want.

Date: May 31, 2006

Just as a matter of the structure of how the responses work, though - When I listen to someone's song, I don't get to see what anybody else has said til *after* I post -- which is good, in that I am not influenced one way or the other, I just say what I think, then I get to see what others have said. But if the writer/poster leaves the first comment, the critics still will not see it til they have already posted their comment. The songwriter/poster should get to leave a "preface" about their intentions, limitations, etc. that the critics would see first, before their own comments. That might help steer critics toward more realistic comments.

Date: May 31, 2006

I think the preface you suggest is in fact the song. I think to get the best assessment the listener has to be guided by his or her ears. Frankly, it is annoying to me when a writer explains the song before I have heard it. It is a very personal experience for most.

What BC says makes some sense. There are others that completely have no clue about where they are strong or weak at.

Experiment with it and have a fire extinguisher AND a blow torch handy:)

Jack

Date: May 31, 2006

I post my little crappy 4 track demos to see what works and what doesn't. I think Artist Weekly is great for that. When I do go into a professional studio I'll keep this web site in mind. I've gotten a lot of great feedback and some bad rip my song apart feedback. Its all good though. This site helps me weed out the crap.

Date: Jun 1, 2006

Adam - I'm a fan. Keep it up.

I post on artistweekly not just for the contests or the reviews (although some are helpful), but to diversify where and by whom my tunes are being heard. Granted, I'm not sure exactly who is listening, but there's an outside chance someone might Google my name and find all the other sites I'm on and tell their friends.

Jack - I agree. I don't want to read what the songwriter thinks about his or her song before I listen. The realistic comments are the ones that come with no preface. That said - if I think a song is below par, I'm certainly not going to write "this sucks". But I will put my name at the end of my comment.

Granted, everyone here has limitations. We're not (yet) professionals with extensive tools at our fingertips, but that's what most of us are probably striving to reach. Generalizations aside, for whatever reason motivates someone to post here, the reality remains that some people just don't give constructive criticism - ever. I don't expect to read a list of 'this is the most glorious song I have ever heard' or 'the modulation at the bridge brings a nice change in mood, but the lead vocals pinch and waver and never quite zero-in on the pitch' for anyone's song.

The people who might buy my CD are probably going to say either - 'this is cool' or 'it sucks'. If the cools outweigh the sucks, I guess I'm doing OK.

Date: Jun 1, 2006

Jack the Knife...

You don't mince words, do you? I agree with you, particularly in your comments about the demographics of this site's users. They are not all songwriters.

I also agree with Adam Middleton when he said, "I've gotten a lot of great feedback and some bad rip my song apart feedback. Its all good though. This site helps me weed out the crap." I think it is all valid feedback. It certainly isn't all constructive. But, if nothing else, it gives you a sense of what people think about it.

To Bill, I would say to you (as Monterrey Jack did) that you might want to consider having some thicker skin, particularly if you are trying to make it in the music business. Take it all in stride, and find the few diamonds in the rough.

Date: Jun 2, 2006

I post because I hope to meet singers and lyricists and hopefully get some new gigs from this.

I'm also waiting for a really gifted lyricist to say 'Hey, dude, let's co-write. You mostly do the music. I'll mostly write the words."

And they have the writing talent of a Paul Simon or Cole Porter or both.

Date: Jun 2, 2006

SteveHanlon wrote:

I'm also waiting for a really gifted lyricist to say 'Hey, dude, let's co-write. You mostly do the music. I'll mostly write the words." And they have the writing talent of a Paul Simon or Cole Porter or both.

Hey Steve,

Big Fan here. I used to say the same thing. I'm STILL WAITING !!! My advice. You are still young yet. You have a shot at a Great Career. Stop Waiting. Listen closely to Paul Simon Lyrics and learn, Listen closely To Cole Porter Lyrics and Learn. Analylize for yourself, Why you like them, then just do it you own way. Also, you still have time to take a legitamate "Creative Writing Course." ( ONLINE if you must. ) My point is, this is a craft. You learn from the Mastercraftsmen. Not everyone gets to fall into a Magic Co-writing relationship like Bernie Taulpin and Elton John. Co-Writing is a Powerful and Wonderful Tool, It's Scary doing it alone. Be Strong enough to do it all on your own, then you will contribute more to your collaborations.

Date: Jun 2, 2006

Thank you for the good words of advice.

Well taken and it's in fact the route I've been taking over the last year - self study by analyzing others' works from lyrics to chords to mixes.

But still every now and then when someone throws out a question like 'Why do you post at this site?" I feel compelled to throw out my fishing line. I still believe somewhere out there is that person who has the magic pen, the knack for writing.

I feel I have a real knack for composing music. Hopefully someone with the same kind of confidence in their lyric writing steps forward.

I'm not losing sleep waiting but still like to... (add sfx - sound of reel casting out)

Date: Jun 3, 2006

Steve ... I've got a can't-lose deal for you. You send me a song, tell me how you see it developing, what it might be about etc. (If you wish or just hand me an empty slate) and I will write lyrics to it. If you like them, you like them. If you don't, you don't. Nothing lost, but perhaps something will be gained. At the very least you will gain the insight of another persons perspective. I have extra time on my hands due to health concerns so I'd be happy to give it a shot. What do you think?

Don

Date: Jun 4, 2006

Great idea, Don.

I have the same feeling. I mean, I'm never gonna find a lyricist by not trying to find one.

Let's give it a shot. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. And if does, power to us.

Drop me a line at

ztar_dude @ yahoo . com

I'll send you an MP3 of a funk tune I've got. It's kind of in the vain of Tower of Power. I'm not sure if you're into that kind of music but give it a listen and let me know.

Cheers, mate!

Date: Jun 4, 2006

Steve ...

Email sent.

Date: Jun 4, 2006

As mentioned by Steve before - THIS is a cool thing that ArtistWeekly should be facilitating for our members, more than just having a forum to connect with each other.

We have discussed the idea of a "song lab" internally, which mirrors what Steve spole about in another thread. We will continue to discuss it.

It's nice to see these connections - makes you kind of feel like the site is doing something, no?

Date: Jun 5, 2006

Sorry Steve, I didn't mean to say "Stop Fishing", I only meant stop waiting. Would a runner wait for someone with Longer sronger Legs to run a race for him, or just maybe find a better coach?

Date: Jun 5, 2006

Jeff, no problem. Actually my words weren't at you. It was more internal dialogue than anything. I think a lot about this stuff.

Probably too much.

Date: Jun 10, 2006

My goal ( our goal, but I can't speak for Terry) is just to see what people think of what we're doing. Just like anyone, I like it when people say they "love it." Over the years I've developed an acceptance of rejection though, anyone trying to get published had better get used to "no," or in our case "how did you get in here?"

In that vein, I've also learned to appreciate the "oh my gawd" sort of ear covering that we all get from time to time. If you have a catalog of any depth, go back through it. It can be a real hoot, and you may find yourself blushing at, or better yet, reworking some of your old stuff.

For me, any response is better than thinking it must be the greatest thing we ever did and just not knowing. I don't care for the open mic scene, so this is a natural place for us to end up. Thanks to everyone so far for the comments, both good and bad, humorous, mean, critical etc. I've enjoyed and appreciated them all.

This site has spurred us to try harder, both in our writing and in our production. We'll have a new song posted soon, and I can't wait to hear what you all think.