Zson
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Posts posted by Zson
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Another good post Ryan,
To chime in my oh two.
Yeah I always find the intros and outros last.....
I focus on my main riff, and or melody. Then the changes in the melody structure, the main riff groves, I like to set up expectation...what comes next....I'll work on making interest around that and then either meet the prediction or use it to give a pleasant change or twist . Now I've got something to go from. From that point on I then kinda listen and think , is it cool? is it rock or is it boring.
Melody > create good changes > a bit of unpredictable > back to grove > a change of pace feeling > back to main grove (yer old friend by now)
That's one chain of thought I use.
Sometimes the main theme is the intro, its not a bad way to go.
I think the best way to learn these structures is to learn to play the cover songs you really like. Start using those songs to help give you ideas of how you want to be creative.
Sometimes the hardest problem in your song becomes the best moment in it.
I had a problem in a song called TODAY, I couldn't transition into the sections of chorus. Everything I tried...crap. I kept going, I did not give up and now it's a happy transition. it really stands out as the 'wow' moment in the song, you can hear it at this link if you want to give it a listen.
https://soundcloud.com/radarpirates
So Tom really nailed that, every problem in your songs can be a great opportunity to do something very different.
Hang in there brother,
James
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I welcome all criticism!
As to what you said, what if I made every word in my name a different font?
And I was going for a dream-like feeling with that logo.
Did I do something wrong?
What exactly should I do to improve on that image?
Glad your ok with it.
Mixing fonts, is bad, mm'k.
seriously, it just won't work unless you want it to read like a ransom note.Dream like feeling....great...go for it.
Did you do something wrong. nope, not at all.
Here is what I would do to improve.
Search up the following:
- How to create better text logos, that is what you are creating, its' a brand, a flag, a look , a feel.
- Award Winning Text Logos, images
Those two things should get your look up to the next level.
Your end result will really depend on what you are willing to do to deliver what kind of results.
You could go with what you have ....and be pretty low end as far as impact, creativity and design.
Or you can do a bit of digging and work up some designs that kick ass and engage the viewer. You could make heart stops with the right stuff. Nice eh? Wouldn't that do a lot to promote your goals.?
The music bus is very tough, the win goes to those who create impact. Your competition, the pros, work at this and don't settle for less than the best. The reason I say the pros is becasue they are the only one making the dollar. The space to be among those who make a living at this is limited for music, everyone is shouting out...me, me and me again.
Just things to keep in mind. I sure have to.
I've got music to play to the world. so? so does everyone else. Mine's the frign'n best....yeah, heard that, got the t-shirt.
See where this goes. It ain't pretty and it ain't fun, just sheer bloody hard work. As I too am finding out.
Take a look at this work group here for better information about how to make your goals work and find your dreams.
http://forums.songstuff.com/groups/1-songstuff-music-promo-workgroup/
I've never read or found better stuff than what John is putting up here.
Sorry I was so damn long worded.
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So how about this?
This one is better, far better.
This should be your rough but I can only speak on what I see here.
A bit too centered for my taste.
Your kerning needs work. The spacing for the letters is not on, little tiny space adjustments really make a logo work or not work. This, text logo, looks pretty poor in terms of a pro level design. This is from my eye. I've been creating art graphics for many many years.
one thing to keep in mind. Almost touching vs space. It will give the viewer a better , i.e. easier to read feeling if you either connect all the lettering or give them all a bit of space. When its too inconsistent your eye just goes wrong. Most times folk can't tell you why.
Do some image searches for text logos, copy the work that stands out for you. Use those to compare to a feeling you want to give the viewer.
I like the name and concept, that is way cool
I like the art quite a bit. Your saturation and black and white levels could be better.
A hard and very picky critique I know. I hope that you don't mind.
J
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I think I prefer a publicly accessible member showcase, non brand related videos etc I would think the Showcase board itself would take care of miscellaneous member showcases, so we have
- Member Showcase (Public)
- Promo Videos
- Single, EP and Album Releases
We then have a choice...
I think it would be good to have this area as "the best", ie, not someone sitting down with their guitar, recorded with their phone and phone mic, or web cam. Not an audio equivalent either. It would mean moderators and or special "editor" style members monitoring quality.
Items not making the grade would be shifted to the musician's lounge, or the critique boards.
Setting a standard can be a good thing. From experience if we want a "best of", self-approved posting will result in a lot of the amateur content I mention above. I don't think that helps members really trying to improve, or the site, if that sort of post is not kept to appropriate areas.
My two cents.
I like it
- Member Showcase (Public)
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If you do do something like this, I think a new "Music Showcase" should be a "Member Showcase," because many members are inlvoved in other creative efforts besides music. For the same reason I think the current "Musicians Lounge" should be "Members Lounge," and that to the current description of that board James suggested I would just add an "etc."
I also don't think YouTube should be promoted by name, unless they pay Jon for it.
There are other video hosting sites (e.g. Vimeo), and I think it this subheading under "Memebers Showcase" should just be a generic "Video" - music videos and other videos made by members I also think audio recordings should not be limited to "Albums," especially since digital singles are far more popular online, and they (as well as EP's) should not be excluded by such a heading. I would suggest a simple "Audio" - audio recordings made by members (musical, spoken word, etc.) posted for sharing and not for critique. I also think the third category of "New Bands Showoff Demo" is superfluous. I like this. Love the Video only label
Musicians Showcase, Members Only [?]
Promote your music here. Be Shameless, Be Bold! You know you want to.
New Music Video
New Music Albums and Singles
The Spoken Word and other Recordings[?]
Musicians Lounge
General Chat, Ask Questions, Network with other musicians. Etc.
Yeah, New Band Demos could be too much. As HoboSage says its not really needed per se. I guess I was thinking of a new member song posting area, almost like an introduction but it's to introduce the new members material. You'd only post there once like your introduce yourself post.. That was my logic chain anyway. Just thinking out loud a bit.
.I had thought that 'Audio" is too generic. Isn't songstuff primarily about songs? I could be missing the target a bit here. Could "The spoken word" be a label if there is a need for it?
I think a new "Music Showcase" should be a "Member Showcase," because many members are inlvoved in other creative efforts besides music.For the same reason I think the current "Musicians Lounge" should be "Members Lounge," and that to the current description of that board James suggested I would just add an "etc."
Other creative projects won't be as relevant to posting about music yet can still be posted as general chat. Plus this is a site about music so I like Music Showcase. I also find the Musicians Lounge a very cool and attractive label.
Just my thoughts
James
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Hey,
After looking again at the current layout I revised what I wanted to see there.
Here is my thinking about it and why I think the current forum listing are not creating the correct traffic.
I continually move posts and have wondered for a long time if that's not what drives the errors....."increased visibility".
Yeah, I have wondered about that too.
I'll give my first impression of the visibility,
Discuss developments in the indie music scene, promote your band and your songs, network with other musicians... shameless promotion, put together a band, and DUN dun dah! - general chat.
I didn't / couldn't even read the subtext. So It took a while for me to know it could also be about promoting
The Current Name / Label is not a great choice. It has diluted the content with too many subjects, not a great neighborhood
Here is the Kind of Labeling I think would be easier to understand. I know this kind of layout would have gotten my traffic click.
Musicians Showcase, Members Only [?]
Promote your music here. Be Shameless, Be Bold! You know you want to.
New You Tube
New Albums
New Bands Showoff Demos
Musicians Lounge
General Chat, Ask Questions, Network with other musicians.
Anyway this is just my over active mind sticking my 2 cents in. I hope it can be helpful and not just a pain in the forum.
James
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Self promo's are good, who else is going to do it?
Good Stuff! Dig it.
I'd put your album on bandcamp....why? Check it out. Its a great site for just what your doing.
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God I'm glad I found this site.
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Great Tune,
Look to enter the songwriting contest.
One way to get your music some attention
Great song, post your lyrics too.
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Congrats on a great release ! Yeah Working Man is my fav too, I am so glad you included that one. It really resonates somehow. I think it reminds me of my grandpa.
Inflation, that guitar work is so good I missed all the words the first time I heard it.
I love the art you did for the cover....really rocks.
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dig it....
There are other video hosting sites (e.g. Vimeo), and I think it this subheading under "Memebers Showcase" should just be a generic "Video" - music videos and other videos made by members I also think audio recordings should not be limited to "Albums," especially since digital singles are far more popular online, and they (as well as EP's) should not be excluded by such a heading. I would suggest a simple "Audio" - audio recordings made by members (musical, spoken word, etc.) posted for sharing and not for critique. I also think the third category of "New Bands Showoff Demo" is superfluous. -
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Collaborating, How Do You 'do It'?
in Musician's Lounge
Posted · Edited by Zson
Good questions and answers.
I sometimes think about Lennon and McCartney, It was a real give an take yet one person still had a core idea and the other one would help out with the tweaking...yet since they were there in the room with each other, both could play, sing, etc. that made for a powerful song team.
As I read lyric only, I really wonder, how will that work once you add in music? I know I change my lyrics based on the music and then tweak it as needed. How can folk in separate physical places bring the two , the lyric and music together and create a good song.
Yet to do all that by text alone? I have a hard time seeing that work out without a lot of extra time and work involved.
I just did a collaboration with a female singer / song writer. I was fun and cool, but still very hard. It was a first time collaboration and though it went well it had problems with the final tweaking and she is right here in a nearby town. BTW, we did get a recording done of the song, still needs a bit of work.
One of the problems is that is just takes a while to get used to working with a co-writer. There were changes I wanted to make and did, but I didn't run them by the co author first....this was just 'cause I am not used to having a partner in creating a song. Yet I just said sorry and let go of some of the changes that I thought improved it...and it still was a good song.
So collaborating, I think, is a very tricky deal. Seems like it would take a long time to get that synergy going that a good writing team needs