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Neeps
New member
madmush said:
If your not getting pleasure out of it you can't be doing it right! I always get a great buzz out of creating something.
If your not getting pleasure out of it you can't be doing it right! I always get a great buzz out of creating something.
M
madmush
Member
Handsome Al said:
....i do get pleasure out of making music
it just isn't my primary motivation....
Hard2Hear
New member
Timothy Lawler said:
Apparently you've never heard my music. Homogenized, over processed and artificial is what I do best
H2H
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Hey H2H, I visited your site and listened to a lot of your stuff after you did that C1 mic comparison.
Tim
Tim
Incanus
Nerd-man
madmush said:....i do get pleasure out of making music
My primary motivation, so far as music is concerned, is getting the song to sound the best that I can get it, music-wise or recording-wise.
And when the work starts to pay off. . . It's a great feeling!
M
madmush
Member
Incanus said:
How does it pay off, you mean in cash?
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Thinking about +’s and –‘s of different posted mp3s I have to backtrack and say you were right. 99% of the music discussed in this forum is aiming for similar standards of being in tune, in the pocket, tone, balance…
And so generally...
Given that common ground of listening expectations, I’d say that the main issue I see as important is the way neg comments are expressed, and the depth to which they probe. I guess it’s a matter of personal mood and style but I can’t help but think that an approach that balances + and – is most effective, and that –‘s especially are most valuable when they don’t dig deeper than the recipient is likely to understand or benefit from, given the level of sophistication in their work.
I’ve noticed a couple times that even mp3 posters who initially come across as a little arrogant – and it isn’t backed up by their music quality - seem to come around to a reasonable understanding of where they are, quality-wise, with some tactful input from the forum. Especially after they hear the quality that some of the guys are putting out. And on the larger scale, isn’t it true that the abused tends to become the abuser, and likewise those treated with a little kindness are kind in turn? Some of the harsh comments I’ve seen make me think of - If I brought my wife a latte in the morning and she were to say, “The foam is too bubbly… not enough espresso in it… not hot enough… and you know – your nose is kinda weirdly shaped. And look at you, have you stopped doing your sit-ups?”.
Tim
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Incanus
Nerd-man
madmush said:
Well, I think I said it, but not clear enough. It's a great feeling. Money is not my motivation for music.
I'd rather feel good and be poor, than feel horrible and have money, but that's just me. Ideally, I would like to feel good AND have money too.
I'm just wondering, if you were working on a song and you came up with a part that YOU really liked, and then came up with a different idea for the same part that you thought would be more popular, sell more, etc. but you didn't personally like it as much, which would you go with?
It's not that I think you're beliefs in this are wrong, I just don't personally share them.
M
madmush
Member
Incanus said:
well, i agree, ideally i'd too be rich and making music without worrying about if it's gonna sell. Second best = not being rich. When i write songs, so far i've always done it straight out of the heart. I always accepted feedback and considered it, and looking back i even think i probably accepted too much of other people's opinion sometimes. If i were ever to make music in order to sell it, i would have to keep that in mind from the start... and i imagine it would be a bit like playing texas holdem
great fun to see how much the next one is gonna sell.... but a different activity alltogether. And my lyrics would change dramatically accordingly ...
Incanus
Nerd-man
Right on madmush!
I figured that we could probably agree more than disagree.
Really what we are talking about is what motivates people to create art in general, and that is a complex question.
I must confess that I don't know what (a) texas holdem is.
I should a few things about myself to put into context where I'm coming from. I haven't written lyrics in years! I tried and tried but was never satisfied with my ability to express myself in that form (turns out prose and fiction are where my strengths lie in as much as language is concerned). I write some music and I found someone who is great at lyrics and vocals and music. So I can concentrate on what I am good at (mostly rhythm section).
I was in a band a few years ago that did play a 'currently popular style', but now what I'm doing is not currently popular, but it is better, or at least is something that I would rather listen to.
This has been a fun thread and I hope I'm not bumping it to anyone's chagrin.
I'm gonna listen to your music when I get a chance soon. . .
I figured that we could probably agree more than disagree.
Really what we are talking about is what motivates people to create art in general, and that is a complex question.
I must confess that I don't know what (a) texas holdem is.
I should a few things about myself to put into context where I'm coming from. I haven't written lyrics in years! I tried and tried but was never satisfied with my ability to express myself in that form (turns out prose and fiction are where my strengths lie in as much as language is concerned). I write some music and I found someone who is great at lyrics and vocals and music. So I can concentrate on what I am good at (mostly rhythm section).
I was in a band a few years ago that did play a 'currently popular style', but now what I'm doing is not currently popular, but it is better, or at least is something that I would rather listen to.
This has been a fun thread and I hope I'm not bumping it to anyone's chagrin.
I'm gonna listen to your music when I get a chance soon. . .
Dogman
Unkle Ticklefingers
Incanus said:
Incanus, lyrics are what you make of them. Some people are good at expressing what they feel, some express thoughts, and some can take a story, fiction or real, and turn it into an interesting tale. I try and write lyrics for the feel of what the music is doing. Slow plodding angry and dark music, needs something that is offbase. Good, heartfelt lyrics may not cut it. Music that flows very well, has tons of melody, and space for lots of harmony, well, it begs for lyrics that may be more personal.
I think of Flight Of Icarus, by Maiden. Rhythum and lyrics tie well together. A fable , but cool story line. Put some heartfelt, emotional words in there, and you stand a good chance of ruining the tune. Take a tune you and Supercreep did, and put some of my dark, out-of-this-world words to it, and people would wonder what the hell was going on.
Guess what I'm saying is, You may not be someone to write lyrics from the heart, just from the mind. Don't feel them, listen to the rythum, and think them. Doesn't matter if they are just words, with no meaning to you. If they fit the song, everyone gets it then. So, write away, and see what happens.
Ed
Incanus
Nerd-man
Dogman said:
Dude, thanks much for the encouragement.
It appears, after reading back my own quote, that in my haste I left out a word or two and constructed poor sentences! Nit-picking, but I'm usually better than that.
Anyway, way, way, back in my old days of 4-track cassette recording, I would do the Paul McCartney, Pete Townsend thing of recording all the instruments (I had mostly junky stuff) to see what I could do. Almost everytime, the instruments sounded okay (poor by my standards today), but when I did a vocal part the song went to hell. The biggest problem really was the vocal performance. But I was usually pretty lazy in the lyric department as well and just used the first mediocre stuff that spewed out of me.
I have been thinking about lyrics again lately; I've got a few little ideas and tidbits running around in the old noodle. But I like what you said about 'writing from the mind'. Yeah. My weird, obscure, mind lyrics were always a little better than whenever I tried to tap into the emotion pool. Hmmmmm.
Supercreep and I do have a new song that is somewhat upbeat in feel, that has dark, losing your mind, lyrics. Somehow, it seems to work. We're struggling with the drums 'cause they suck, but we're stuck with them, but that's another story. . . We'll put it out here one of these days. . .
Thank you again, Ed. I really love this place.
Dogman
Unkle Ticklefingers
Incanus said:
You're welcome. I enjoyed listening to the music you guys put out. Very cool, and can't wait to hear more. As far as the first stuff you did, you might find the thread SpaceBoy started, about first recordings. It's funny, nostalgic, and actually damn good. I dug up a tune I did with a band I had in 85. Rented 4 track, and all. Terrible stuff, but we had some fun doing it. You should check the thread out, and maybe put something in there.
Good luck with the new tune.
Ed
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What makes you save an mp3 and listen over and over?
OK, so we've talked about performing and recording quality, communication, aesthetics, creative philosophy and some other things, but...
When it comes down to it...
What is it about particular mp3s you've found here that makes you listen to them again and again? Which mp3s? Who performed them?
Do you cycle through them in extended playlists like I do? Do you have to explain to your roommate or spouse that when they wrinkle their nose at certain recordings, maybe they’re not hearing all of what’s really there?
Tim
OK, so we've talked about performing and recording quality, communication, aesthetics, creative philosophy and some other things, but...
When it comes down to it...
What is it about particular mp3s you've found here that makes you listen to them again and again? Which mp3s? Who performed them?
Do you cycle through them in extended playlists like I do? Do you have to explain to your roommate or spouse that when they wrinkle their nose at certain recordings, maybe they’re not hearing all of what’s really there?
Tim
Dogman
Unkle Ticklefingers
I'll say for me, it's knowing someone recorded it in a similar fashion as I do. If I hear a real pop rock, or overprocessed tune on the radio, I don't pay much attention. If I hear something on this site that is not what I normally listen to, I give it a good listen. People here can explain how, or why they do certain things. This could be helpful to me, and they are in the same boat as me. They want to improve the quality of the recordings they do. I love music, and even if it's not hard rock, my preference, I try and find stuff in it I do like. Boy bands, Milli Vanilli, and Ashely Simpson, NO!!!! Pop, country, jazz, CLASSICAL, noise...etc...on here, I'll listen to, and try and explain what appeals to me. Being able to interact with whomever made the tune, is way more fun than the tune itself. Why did they do something. What does it mean. Did it just sound good....Timothy Lawler said:
I won't go out of my way to listen to softer rock. I don't buy much classical. No rap or country either. I do listen to all these genres on this site, though. I know it is a musician like me, recording, like me, and enjoying it, just like me.
And the results are two-fold. I have opened up my mind to what really sounds good. Little Purple Circles comes to mind. The melodies are awesome, and they did an excellent job recording it. I can find no flaws in the songs. Not my usual genre, but they posted it in the clinic. After listening, I wondered how some of it came about. Here, you can ask Supercreep, or Incanus. They will also give input on other songs. They listen to music that is not near what they do. They give an outside perspective on that as well.
What I'm really saying, besides I have had alot of beer, is that with this MP3 clinic, you can get some different perspectives on your music. Why don't I try different harmonies in my music? Never thought of that before. Now that I have heard some different music, and gotten advice from Casey and Steve, maybe I'll try some stuff I haven't even thought of.
Anyway, just cool to hear some homebrew music.
Ed
M
madmush
Member
Is this a DANGEROUS Q?!, I think so!,
If I get a kick of some sort from a song, I'll spin it again... now, to me, music is more than just the air moving. For a full impact, I need to hear a message.
I'm also really sensitive to people's motives. If I find the act behind the music appealing, I'm more likely to come back to their music. It's like a friendship thing. If I hate the artist for whatever reason, then it doesn't matter how good a tune it is. I won't listen to it
What people are TRYING to do matters to me as much as what they actually pull off.
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mixmkr
we don't need rest!!
bsabbath...but listening back, they don't seem recorded as good as when I initially heard them. I liked the inovative use of his Ebow and in general his unique, recognizable style of music.
what was the question??!!!
what was the question??!!!
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I looked up b. sabbath and found some of his music hosted at the Rec Proj site. Pretty interesting stuff and well done. Especially liked his "Guitar and Piano" piece.
Tim
Tim
true-eurt
Maneater
I can identify with MADMUSHs' post. If for some reason, there is no connection with the artist in a positive sense, then I lose interest in thier works. Example being, I do like Madonna's voice, but I am not impressed by her performances in Videos. I will listen to her on radio sometimes, but I have never purchased one of her CD's. I never will. On the other hand, I may be so-inclined to purchase a CD of an Artist, that I do not believe to be the greatest. IF there is an appealing nature to them, or the heart in thier songs. Example as in, Neil Young. I have never thought he actually sang that well. Always sounded off to me, but I could here his heart in those songs, hence, the buying of his albums.(long time back) A simple worded song with heart power, can grab me,hold me, and keep me, far longer than a brilliantly written song of coldness. That chills my soul.
I don't watch American Idol anymore for this very reason. It is like an assembly line of empty hearted performances, doing the chill me to the bone sonata...oooooo....It is frightening to me. They wind them up, and send them out to the lions. I feel bad for these singers. You can sense some of them are about to go over the edge....yet never do.
To me it is about an unquenched passion of a song in your heart, seeking fulfillment in a performance that exudes of the desires you have within. And in that release of who you are....man, what an org.....fulfillment.
I rarely accomplish this, and when I do, it is usually when I least expect it. I am alone with the music, lost to all other things. Just me and the passion.
I listen for that in other musicians/singers.
A simple worded song with heart power, can grab me,hold me, and keep me, far longer than a brilliantly written song of coldness. That chills my soul. I don't watch American Idol anymore for this very reason. It is like an assembly line of empty hearted performances, doing the chill me to the bone sonata...oooooo....It is frightening to me. They wind them up, and send them out to the lions. I feel bad for these singers. You can sense some of them are about to go over the edge....yet never do.
To me it is about an unquenched passion of a song in your heart, seeking fulfillment in a performance that exudes of the desires you have within. And in that release of who you are....man, what an org.....fulfillment.
I rarely accomplish this, and when I do, it is usually when I least expect it. I am alone with the music, lost to all other things. Just me and the passion.
I listen for that in other musicians/singers.
M
madmush
Member
For me that's true even when it's a performance of another. They fulfill a passion in my heart. And the greatest compliments I've been given are when someone felt that a song of mine expressed their desire... which was fantastic, because it reminded me that i wasn't alone!
Sometimes, if i feel neutral towards the artist or the message, but the music is all swinging and boogying, then that's great too. And i have a preference for certain genres.... punkrock, alternative, reggae, is more likely to appeal to me...
But here's my confession: so far on this forum (only been a few weeks), i don't think there's been a recording i will come back to very often... RAMI was close
...