LpMike75


I am one who listens to more than I comment on.  Stand by for list of excuses:

1) New baby
2) Working lots of OT to pay for new baby
3) music school
4) Selling house, looking for new house
5) complete exhaustion from the above 1-4
..luckily sleeping is never in the way, as I have given that up 10 weeks ago.

So I apologize for not commenting as much as I have in the past, I still listen to songs and comment when I can.

Danny Danzi

philz


I think that this subject is an area of concern for many of us, James.  FWIW- I have my own ideas as to why we're seeing a lack of activity here in Songs, so here are my thoughts-

1. Some of the reasons already cited by Reece and Herb.  At the moment I've been able to be pretty active here, but there have certainly been times when any number of non-musical 'life pressures' have kept me away.

2. There are more than a small number of folks who repeatedly post new material in Songs but rarely or never comment on anyone elses.  IMO, if one is a reasonably frequent poster here, they have an obligation (for lack of a better word) to pay others the same respect and courtesy that they are seeking.  It's just the right thing to do.  How to address this issue is a tricky matter.  PM'ing them or posting some sort of 'hint' as a comment on their songs could be misconstrued as intimidation if it weren't handled very tactfully.  Perhaps a thread like this is a step in the right direction, assuming of course that they bother to read it .  Maybe a 'sticky' about being a 'good citizen' in Songs????

3. I have had discussions with many long time forumites who occasionally listen but never comment due to past 'drama' or bad experiences with having commented in Songs.  I think that this is now a generally a pretty civil place, and maybe we need to reach out to some of those folks and encourage them to give it another try.

I guess that's my $.02.

I agree with all that as well Phil. I'll give you a few of my ideas.
 
1. Summer time: I would hope/think some are away enjoying some time off. I do lots of gigs in the summer and have been really enjoying myself with my little cover band doing old Van Halen tribute shows.
 
2. Economy: I'd be willing to bet with the economy like it is and people losing their jobs that some may have taken on a second or 3rd job. A lot of my friends have been forced to go down this road and it's pretty sad when you have to work double or triple just to survive and keep your house.
 
3. Post and go-ers: I see nothing wrong with this. I actually feel that no one should ever feel the need to justify why they do or do not comment. Some people share their music and don't comment to others...is that really wrong? I say the forum speaks for itself when these people do that, and you see no comments on their song postings. I think if you have the time to listen and comment, you do so. If all you can do is post a song here and there and don't have the time to comment on other peoples material, so be it. What's the harm? Why should there be a rule that states "you must comment on other peoples songs or you will get no comments on your own". Sure, we call it principal...and we'd like to see people comment that post and receive comments. But no one should feel they need to justify themselves if they comment, don't comment, post lots of songs or enjoy being in stealth mode.
 
4. Improper commenting: I've seen a few blow-outs based on how some people delivered critiques that probably shouldn't have opened their mouths. One thing I hate about the ability to comment on someone else's songs is how some people that aren't even familiar with a certain style of music feel the need to comment negatively about things that ARE acceptable in a style. It's nice they listen and comment, but it would really help if they had a clue about the genre before they just send out negative vibes.
 
5. Fear of hurting others: Some people don't have anything good to say, and if they were honest, maybe they don't know how to tread softly with their honesty. Some tunes are in need of work and sometimes you don't know how the individual will handle what you have to say. I'm selective in who I post comments to because if I can't be honest and tell it like I hear it, I will not comment at all. However, I have NEVER commented to the point of being so harsh that I hurt someone's feelings. That's not the way to do things. If I say I heard something I wasn't down with, I'll include why and how to fix it to further explain what I'm hearing. Should everyone comment like that? If you can, it sure is helpful...but it's all in the delivery and there definitely has to be compassion for another person's "baby". Our songs are our children...it's easy to get bent when someone posts for the sake of a voice that is way off the mark. The whole thing will always be subjective, but there is a way to deliver the subjectivity to where it doesn't rip a person's face off.
 
6. Why don't you post or comment more Danny: I don't post songs because I don't feel the need nor do I think anyone would enjoy the stuff I do. Whether that's right or wrong, it's just how I feel. I comment when I can and have a pretty good idea who can take what I have to say and who may not be able to. I'm one that doesn't believe in "nice job!" and moving on. I see quite a bit of sugar coating going on in some of the comments as well. Not that it's a bad thing, but there are some songs that really need some guidance and in all honesty, there are times when you can do a friend a diservice by just saying "nice job, loved it!" and move on when you know there are issues that should be brought to a persons attention. Sure, sometimes we don't have the time...but do some of you that get a whole page of "nice job!" really accept that as honest, or are your friends just telling you what you want to hear? I just can't do that and have never done it on any site I've been on. Ok, so I'm too anal and have too much to say all the time...but if I say something, there's usually a good reason for it and once I bring it to your attention, just about always you'll at least see where I was coming from even if you don't agree.
 
7. Time, time and more time: As we get older, our lives change. There are times when you can crank out 2-3 songs per month, other times you crank out one song in 6 months to a year. This is just how life goes for us at times. Family, work, other obligations, the list goes on and on. Some of us have grown our businesses, other have grown a family. Some have lost their businesses, jobs, divorce, health issues...you get the picture.
 
At the end of the day, anything that gets posted here should be welcomed with open arms whether you like the person, comment or don't comment. We get a lot of incredible music on this forum for free that rivals some of the pro stuff we hear on the radio. I say embrace what we have when we get it, comment if you can, and if you can't, don't worry about it. It's all about sharing the gift of music. Sometimes we share the music, sometimes we share the emotions we get from the music...sometimes we choose not to share at all. It's a gift to us no matter what as far as I'm concerned. :)
 
-Danny
 
 

No How

LpMike75


I am one who listens to more than I comment on.  Stand by for list of excuses:

1) New baby
2) Working lots of OT to pay for new baby
3) music school
4) Selling house, looking for new house
5) complete exhaustion from the above 1-4
..luckily sleeping is never in the way, as I have given that up 10 weeks ago.

So I apologize for not commenting as much as I have in the past, I still listen to songs and comment when I can.

Mike,
 
CONGRATULATIONS on the new baby!!!
 
Yes, sleep is over rated. 
 

rockinrobby


Ben, listen to my latest? MFer! (That's not a comment toward you, that's my latest? It's called MFer) :-) And it's pretty good?

rockinrobby


Ben, listen to my latest? MFer! (That's not a comment toward you, that's my latest? It's called MFer) :-) And it's pretty good?
 
 
Ok I've had a listen to a couple of your tracks, I must admit it is not my kind of music but Missing Person and In Time were really well recorded and mixed.  The problem with MFer is the drums are a little washy.  The toms don't have enough punch, it sounds like the room you recorded in was a little crap.  On saying that, was that a real violin, if so, the recording is exellent.  Also excellent musicianship, I think I heard banjo, do you do it all yourself?
 
Well Done Brother and Peace

Janet

rockinrobby


Yeah I'm actually Janet too?

Oh, no you're not!  You talk WAY too much for me. 

JY: At the beach?  All the time?  As in, you live there?  You make me sick.    But enjoy it for me, K? 

As for me...life is busy.  Just way too busy.  But I do try to comment on most of the songs around here out of common courtesy and of course, because I actually like several of them. :)  Unfortunately, I'm not much (OK, hardly any) help with mixes and such, but once in a great while I may have something useful to say.

Danny, what makes you think we wouldn't like your music?  There's all kinds of music around here, and there's always someone to enjoy it.  :)  I've heard some of yours and I know I do.

Anyway, carry on....  I have some rare time in the studio I want to make the most of.  But I think part of the problem is the fact that it's summer.  And well, then there's that other problem...