A new person has a question...

[stkeb]

I've been a Taxi member for two years but am just getting started submitting my songs and fully utilizing my membership. I've made a few submissions, finished my demo, and just recently signed up for the forums. I'm hoping for some peer feedback on my songs....but...I'm just not quite sure about the etiquette/protocol on the forums regarding asking for feedback on my stuff. I've seen some posts that seem to suggest I should respond to others requests before I ask for feedback on my songs. I've looked through the various forums, but don't really see any guidance in this area. Thanks in advance for any feedback...Triciahttp://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=763320

[davewalton]

Quote:I'm just not quite sure about the etiquette/protocol on the forums regarding asking for feedback on my stuff. I've seen some posts that seem to suggest I should respond to others requests before I ask for feedback on my songs.http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemus ... 3320That's true to a basic extent although mostly those kinds of responses are given to the new forum members who posts something like this..."HEY YOU JERKS!!! I posted sixty-two of my best tracks over 15 MINUTES AGO and yet no one has bothered to listen and give me detailed feedback (telling me how great I am). WHAT GIVES, YOU UNFRIENDLY BUNCH OF SNOBS???!!!" My Internet connection is going in and out so I can log on and start typing but I have to wait until the connection goes up again before hitting the reply button. Given all that, I can't listen to streaming music until Monday when the tech guys are supposed to come get me fixed up. Big storms in this area in the last few days with trees on top of houses and all that. Our house is fine but my Internet connection apparently took a hit.

[stkeb]

Thanks Dave. I have started reading and responding to others, I certainly want to help others if I can. Even though I've been doing music my whole life I've just now started chasing the dream. I'm definitely up for paying my proverbial dues. This songwriting thing is sometimes hard to know what the "rules" are -- I hope that hard work, a tough skin and helping others will be enough to keep me in it for the long run. Like so many here...can't give up my day job...but the music is in me and has to come out!! Good luck with your internet connection and hope the weather calms down for you. If you have a chance to give some of my stuff a listen at your convenience, I would sure appreciate it. I'm going to your site right now to give yours a listen. Thanks again....Tricia.

[hummingbird]

Hey Tricia - very nice to meet you!!! I'm glad you are here. You will notice that we are a little dysfunctional, but hopefully we will grow on you. There is a thread on the topic of newbies wherein we discussed some of the sort of unwritten wants from those of us who already live here. Seems like you clued in to some of it. If you'd like to read it, it's at http://taxi.proboards27.com/index.cgi?b ... 6Beautiful voice you have there & some creative songwriting. Good luck with your submissions... and don't be afraid to ask questions if we can help cheersHummin'bird

[stkeb]

Thank you for your warm welcome, Vikki. I sort of feel like I know you -- I've been a (do they call it) a "lurker" (?) for a little while - just trying to see where I fit and how things work. I've listened to your music, very creative and definitely original - I admire your ability to write in so many different styles. I also love your attitiude, positive/realistic/warm. I've been growing my tough skin - it took me all these years to be brave enough to put my stuff out there and take what comes. Like a lot of folks, this is my full-time dream, part-time job -- but I love it!! Again, thanks so much for your feedback -- in all areas! I look forward to getting to know you better here. Thanks again...Tricia Burnett

[elser]

Quote:I'm hoping for some peer feedback on my songs....but...Hi Tricia, I've been asking for some feedback myself lately and have been lucky enough to get some very detailed, largely positive, but more importantly instructive comments. So now I'm about to unload on you...just kidding.First off, I liked your lyrical themes, I think they're fairly universal, especially for 'grownups'.I really liked the ballads, I'm guessing you're a singer/ piano player. I thought the piano playing was first rate on the ballads, very flowing, nice chord changes and song form. Your voice(if that's you) I thought sounded a little nervous maybe, you might try and slow down the vibrato, take deeper breaths, not sure, I sing completely by the seat of my pants so I'm no expert but those were my general impressions. First and foremost all 3 ballads moved me and they seemed sincere and touching for that reason.The groove stuff with drum machine didn't leave the same impression. I'm not sure if it was the songs themselves or the production. The drum programming sounded kind of like Casio left hand autorhythm stuff and this caused the piano playing and singing to sound a little more herky jerky and unnatural. I think it's O.K. to say herky jerky here. nyuk nyuk. The phrasing of the lyrics also seemed forced, cramming words into places they don't belong....sort of. And if you're not aware already you soon will be that production really does matter.Anyway welcome and don't be afraid to ask for help, there's alot of Super Cool people in this little space of the web who are all helping each other out. Elser

[diogenes]

Hey Stkeb, I'm listening to "You don't have to be perfect" right now. I think your stuff sounds really good. Well produced. I had to go back and listen twice after reading Elsers review though as I never noticed the drum machine Is it a drums machine btw? It's hard to get to in depth with my crappy little computer speakers, which is another reason why I generally don't comment on production. You get an idea on where you stand with regards to that stuff as soon as you start getting some feedback from taxi though. Good luck. I thought your stuff was definitely in the ball park though.-Dax

[stkeb]

Hey Elser and Dax -- thank you guys both for your feedback. Elser, I wish that was me playing the piano -- but it was my demo guy. He did a great job listening to my guitar/vocal scratch demo and coming up with the arrangements. It is me singing, although I wish I could have afforded a demo singer, just didn't have the budget available. As far as the drum tracks, there again...budget issues. Thank goodness my demo guy is a family member of a family member kind of thing and didn't charge very much at all to do them. Also, it's actually good to get feedback that my voice isn't that great -- the funny thing is I'm not crazy about it either. My main complaint is the lack of control, that weird vibrado thing, and that it doesn't sound "big" -- I think consulting all day in my day job, and lack of really training my voice is hard to overcome. Although, I'm just starting to get my songs out there, I have been writing songs since I was little, - (egads!) -- thirty something + years ago. I've definitely got a lot to learn and a long way to go! Thank you again to you both for taking the time to listen and respond. I will return the favor shortly!!Take care, Tricia

[elser]

Hi Tricia, I hope I could didn't get too personal with the voice comments. For myself I know that I used to feel really vulnerable when anyone talked about my voice. I used to be devastatingly shy, so singing at all was a big leap. What really helped me eventually, and may help you, is singing along with records of stuff I liked. Just feeling comfortable with my own voice singing at the top of my lungs, in my own house, and emulating someone I really wanted to sound like, made me much more comfortable singing on a stage or in my studio. I don't know, maybe this doesn't apply to you at all, but I just felt like maybe I struck a nerve there, and that's certainly not what I meant to do. It's hard to be critical/analytical and encouraging at the same time. Good luck to ya, Elser

[diogenes]

Hey stkeb, I just wanted to write in to say you shouldn't be that down on your voice. You have a good voice. A little training and confidence (confidence is key) and your vox will be top notch. I am sort of a singer by necessity myself and I don't particularly care for my voice either, but I don't really want anyone else singing my lyics I think a lot of singer actually feel that way! Elser also had some good ideas. Just hang in there. But I think your voice is easily good enough that I wouldn't worry about hiring a demo singer, instead maybe invest that money into some time with a good coach. later-Dax