Forum Newbies... a few thoughts + FAQ

[ontariolightning]

Get a lot of hook ideas by reading peoples post tooFor instance when I read your comment "Amen"Immediately the title "A man said amen" popped up

[hummingbird]

Quote:Hi, I'm not new here but I'm not really well knownI've probably already made a few people mad I've got 8 R & B/ Hip Hop cuts soon to be released by a singer in South AfricaPlaced high in several songwriting competitonsWrite every type of style but mainly country these daysI'm honest and don't really care If I hurt anyones feelingsAs long as It's for the best and meant to helpUnless I see someone with a chip on their shoulderWho shouldn't have oneI don't have any demos of my songs yetI will soon hopefullyHiWelcome aboard Mr Lightening. Yes, one of the purposes we are here is to listen to and give feedback on other people's work. And yes, honesty should be part of that feedback. However, we are also here to support each other in the journey of becoming successful at writing, composing, producing & marketing our music. And therefore, respect and encouragement are also desired from those who post reviews. And giving critiques is not just saying 'this isn't good enough', it's taking the time to explain what you hear or what you see that isn't working & give detailed & considered suggestions on how the work could be improved. In other words, sharing your knowledge and expertise with other members in giving honest, respectful and thoughtful feedback & continued encouragement to others is, IMHO, what we are here for. I always was an idealist H

[lucas]

Quote:IThis is a place to learn and get better but I can't worry about hurting their feelings..... I can't help them if they're gonna be like that (I've ran across a few already) ontariolightning..!You're right in one respect: This is a place to learn and get better, and you my friend will do well to change your attitude about hurting people, because your arrogance will not only piss most people off, it will also show up in your songwriting, and a songwriter without compassion is like a builder with no tools, other than a hammer. The only thing he's good at is breaking things.Besides, what makes you think you have anything to teach anyone? You have no credentials, no demos, 22 years of life experience seasoned with a suicidal hit-and-run-attitude. Let me teach you something I have learned in my 56 years on earth. Go grow up, live and learn, with the emphasis on LEARN. Think before you speak and be very careful what you say because wasted words can never be unsaid. Us ordinary folks are here with the aim to learn. Maybe it's a good thing if you try learning before you try teaching. But then, that's only my humble opinion.Lucas

[ontariolightning]

You really skipped over everything I said Lucas, I said I am learning from every lyric and songMy extensive study in lyrics, all the lyrics I've read from forums and the hundreds of lyrics written by professional songwriters that I've scoped over, whether or not I haven't even made a demo Is irrelevant to any of this, I buy cds, I know what's good and what's badI read critic websites that review songs to understand why they don't like themThen I sort it out and if it makes sense then it makes sense and I learn somethingDo I need a number one hit in slovakia to know all this? NoAgreed with hummingbird though I will be less blunt about it and try and butter it up like I see everyone else doing

[hummingbird]

Quote:You really skipped over everything I said Lucas, I said I am learning from every lyric and songMy extensive study in lyrics, all the lyrics I've read from forums and the hundreds of lyrics written by professional songwriters that I've scoped over, whether or not I haven't even made a demo Is irrelevant to any of this, I buy cds, I know what's good and what's badI read critic websites that review songs to understand why they don't like themThen I sort it out and if it makes sense then it makes sense and I learn somethingDo I need a number one hit in slovakia to know all this? NoAgreed with hummingbird though I will be less blunt about it and try and butter it up like I see everyone else doingOntLightening - If by butter it up you mean speak honestly but gently, then that's okay. But if by butter it up you mean to suggest that we don't give honest feedback here, then I beg to differ.Lucas - I have often had thoughtful feedback from less experienced songwriters. I listen to all feedback carefully and consider all comments when reworking, revising, etc. ....Not so very long ago, I was a new songwriter... and thankfully more than one person here took me under their wing and gave me honest, in-depth feedback and strong encouragement that I could do better with time.H

[ontariolightning]

I meant be honest and still nice, but I've seen examples where people haven't gave honest feedback eitherDidn't mean to hijack this thread sorry

[lucas]

Quote: NoAgreed with hummingbird though I will be less blunt about it and try and butter it up like I see everyone else doingBy this you confirm exactly the attitude I was talking about. What you dismiss as Buttering up is what we call giving POSITIVE feedback. You somehow equate honesty with being arrogant and rude. You know what is funny? I just gave you a bit of your own medicine: Telling it like it is without concern for your feelings. How come you don't mind dishing out, but you hate receiving it? It hurts, doesn't it.?Maybe you remind me to much of myself when I was your age. Lucas

[lucas]

Quote:[quote author=ontariolightning board=general thread=1192486086 post=1208075055]Lucas - I have often had thoughtful feedback from less experienced songwriters. I listen to all feedback carefully and consider all comments when reworking, revising, etc. H That is true, Vikki. You are one of the most gentle and balanced people on the list. I have never seen you being rude, or arrogant when dealing with anyone. Yet you always give honest opinions, and I appreciate that. I really mean this without the butter, he he he ThanksLucas

[ontariolightning]

Hey lucas I don't mind people ripping into me, just didn't seem like you read anything I wroteI've given positive criticism here already and they still took exceptionCan't make everybody happy I guessTheir response was much like yours:Besides, what makes you think you have anything to teach anyone? You have no credentials, no demos, 22 years of life experience

[lucas]

Quote:I meant be honest and still nice, but I've seen examples where people haven't gave honest feedback eitherDidn't mean to hijack this thread sorryYou didn't hijack anything. We were having ourselves a discussion. You gave input, which is your right, and I reacted, which is my right, and we don't always have to agree. Hummingbird thought we were going to kill each other, so she intervened, with grace to keep the peace, as she always does , and I sort of expect it from her because that is her way. So no hard feelings.But that aside, which South African singer is recording your songs? I live in South Africa, and I would like to be prepared for when I hear it on TV.. LucasPS. One last thing about honesty. It can sometimes hurt much more than telling a little white lie, to make a person feel good about themselves. But then, on a forum like this, we are not obliged to make coments if we think that the truth is going to hurt, are we?Take care