I WANT TO BE A MCGUFFIN. isn't there a rich widow out there who would like to support my habit?

Well it's look like you got a major problem.

I'm listened to all 7 so-called songs and found them to be less than desireable. The quality of the instrumentation is very low, samples are rather tinny and shallow. I heard no actual musical instruments outside of what sounded like a cheap computer based beat box. I would not listen to any of them again. There are plenty of people on Creative Commons that are much much more talented that will never be famous or even recognized either.

If your motivation is "fame" you might want to try something other than music... I was in the music biz for a number of years and met many musicians that were amazingly talented - much more so than most of the top 40 junk you hear on the radio, and none of them have hit it big. First, if you're performing an art, and doing it for anything other than a love of the art, chances are, you're not going to have any success at all. Second, assuming you're extremely talented, the bad news is, it doesn't really matter. There are just too many talented musicians, and not many open spots at the top of the heep. Check myspace - over a MILLION musician profiles there - all of them trying to hit it big. So... if it's fame you want... you probably want to try something else.... Maybe be a astronaut or something...

hehehehehe...man, you're quick

Johnathan, it's OK if you wanna be famous, I think we all wouldn't mind it in one way or another, it's human nature. IMHO anyway.

I'm not a musician at all, so I can't offer any advice there, but since you are, and you are good at Vegas, have you made any music vidoes? That might help on your profile or whatever you submit to decision makers?

And you're obvioiusly going to have some people just hate your music / look / taste, etc, but not everyone likes Sting or Madonna either, so go with what you know and do best and you will have an audience.

bigrock, thank you. Not sarcastically, but really, thank you. I appreciate that you described WHY you didn't like it. My father, who endlessly played T-Rex and the Beatles for me as a child, really isn't into this 'buzzy beat-box' either. Perhaps you would prefer my more acoustic song "Dead Eyes" <- that's a clickable link, but I understand if you are so turned off by my music already that you wouldn't want to. :) Mucho respect for being willing to post that and articulate yourself.

Jay_Gladwell, did you read my reply? I really didn't mean FAME, but it was an expression that I think I described in my last post. If you don't believe me, then I do apologize to you, because I wasn't trying to be shallow. I would edit the original post, but I don't want to, seeing as that makes everyone else's posts less accurate. I've just never been a fan of that. I hope you read this post though.

MH_Stevens, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you so much, spreading the music out there is one of the most important things for me to do, and it's the part I'm worst at (obviously, if you've read my posts and replies). This entire thread has been a valuable learning experience. vicmilt's advice takes on new light already.

Jonathan Neal - In all honesty your post is inane. Quit posting to an NLE forum and get off your a*s and DO. IOW: put up or shut up.

right jaydeeee, no one ever promotes their crap on this forum,, gimme a break

I think I'm more on topic than the next Democratic National Convention, I'll add the OT to the original post subject header if someone who replied to my original post approves. At least that way I got some kind of consensus. :)

I am DOing, believe me, that's why I'm on the computer so much. Everything is done digitally these days. Catch up, man! (lovingly said)

I also this think this thread has been far more valuable than just any shameless promotion. I sought advice from those in the entertainment industry, and I got some great advice. Like I said in my original post, good things start here. I'm entirely grateful.

I don't know where you are located, but.....

Be wary of anyone approaching you locally to help "discover" you, promote your music, "sign" you to a regional label, etc. Invariably they want you to pay for whatever happens upfront (which is different than a traditional record contract, where you pay for whatever happens out of sales, but that's another topic).

If you want to play or record music, just do it. Do it locally. If you don't have any ties to where you are and you think you're good, move to a Music-centric location like LA or Nashville and find out. If you want to play professionally, take any playing gig you can regardless of if you like the music or not. You'll be competing against thousands of others with the same dream.

If/when you find out you won't be famous, will you settle for playing music on cruise ships? Holiday Inns? Local theatre orchestra pits? Can you sight-read? Your income potential is cut in half if you cannot. What if you can only earn enough money playing music for it to be a part time job? Would that discourage you? That's where most of us are at (or were).

It's really, really, REALLY difficult to make a living playing music. There are some of you out there who do and you know who you are and I have a boatload of respect and admiration for you.

Treat it like a career, regardless of the level you are at. Be responsible with finances. Keep the vices at bay. Alcohol and drugs have ruined many more local players than the Jimi Hendrix's of the world. Not to mention affairs, divorce, less-than-desireable people that come with the territory, etc.

So...my guess is there are 80.9% of the working musicians out there playing / making music as a part time gig only, and that's all it will ever be...19% of the working musicians do it on a full time basis, and you've never heard of them....and 1/10 of 1% are "famous", even though I don't think that's what you really meant.

Oh...I haven't listened to the music yet. It really doesn't matter that much. I will listen, though. Good luck.

>>no one ever promotes their crap on this forum,, gimme a break <<

No, most don't. And when they do it's related to the topic of the forum (vegas - until they put up that "hopeful dreams" section in the forum list at least).

>>I am DOing, believe me, that's why I'm on the computer so much.<<

Um, ok. :|
you have your replies as you say, so now you can end this thread. good luck

Jaydeee,

I don't usually involve myself in heated debates but your last post was out of line and just plain rude. If you aren't interested in his work, don't involve yourself in the thread. It takes a great deal of courage to post one's work for all to hear/see. He wanted some feedback from people he obviously respects as professionals. Your last post was anything but professional. Not to mention, Jonathon has contributed quite a bit to this community.

There are at least five threads a day on this forum that are completely unrelated to video editing and I usually read them all. I don't recall you responding like this to any other off-topic threads. Maybe you're just having a bad day.

Anyway Jonathon, I like your acoustic song as well. Last week I was considering posting a song I composed for anyone that wanted to use it for a montage, etc.. I think I'll reconsider that idea. You never did mention what applications/hardware you are using (other than the cheapo microphone).

I'm having a great day Mr. Shep, but thank you.

First off this isn't a "debate", nor "heated" for that matter.

I could care less if he gave you free candy on fridays,the post is inane and ridiculous and Ithat's my opinion. I left it at that. Any other "feelings" on the matter aren't applicable to the thread topic. He asked for opinions and got many, this was mine.

i wish the man luck (re-read).
Any questions? email me at circlefile@hotmail.com

good luck Jonathan

Fair enough, Mr. deeee. Good day to you.

Sorry to keep this topic going, but when I saw this article, I couldn't resist...

I think I've found the PERFECT solution for anyone wishing to become famous, and I mean REALLY famous. In fact, your head shot will probably be found in encyclopedias for centuries to follow! Not only that, but you don’t really have to "do" anything and once you’ve become famous, it’s pretty much a guarantee that you’ll never do another day’s labor for the rest of your life, other than the occasional media interviews that you can use for a little extra cash! Oh… you will have to make a trip to Russia, but you may be able to get Dr. Vladimir Demikhov (AKA Dr. Frankenstein) to pay for your airline ticket.

Got your bags packed!? Thanks to the ingenuity of Dr. Vlad, some lucky individual could have the distinction of having the world’s first HEAD TRANSPLANT!!

Sure, you’ll be paralyzed for the rest of your life, since he still hasn’t figured out how to fuse the spinal chord, but that hasn’t stopped him from performing head transplants on various animals including dogs and monkeys. If you like lounging around all the time, it might not be so bad… Here’s an article on Vlad’s accomplishments…

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/technology/technology.html?in_article_id=426765

To further irritate those who hate this posting...

Some of you "purists" are killing me... acting all elitist and artsy-fartsy. Everyone here talks about doing video work, and of course we love it for its own sake, but in the back of our minds, who doesn't think that something we make might make us famous? Of course we all do. Maybe Jonathan's posting would have fit more on a music forum, and maybe it initially sounded over the top at first (but he's since humbly clarified it about 5 times!). But I've really benefited from some of his postings in the past... so oblige him a bit. I thought his posting was adventurous. And some of the responses --especially VicMilt, David McKnight -- really were interesting. In the end, I think some of the issues of artistic process relate very much to what this forum is about.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Some of you "purists" are killing me... acting all elitist and artsy-fartsy. Everyone here talks about doing video work, and of course we love it for its own sake, but in the back of our minds, who doesn't think that something we make might make us famous? Of course we all do. Maybe Jonathan's posting would have fit more on a music forum, and maybe it initially sounded over the top at first (but he's since humbly clarified it about 5 times!). But I've really benefited from some of his postings in the past... so oblige him a bit. I thought his posting was adventurous. And some of the responses --especially VicMilt, David McKnight -- really were interesting. In the end, I think some of the issues of artistic process relate very much to what this forum is about. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<


Ah bullsh*t...the post was ridiculous, and you're being just as ridiculous in supporting it. Your post and his is insulting to EVERY GOD**MNED TALENTED ARTIST WHO HAS TAKEN THE TIME AND CARE TO HONE HIS CRAFT, and you can bet I take offense to it.

Delivered "humbly" my a*s.

"I want to be famous"
GARBAGE!! COMPLETE GARBAGE!!

Maybe YOU support today's shortcut to fame/fly by night CHILDISH bu*lsh*t fantasy...but that doesn't mean everybody else with scruples and talent has to entertain or cater to it.
No. Not acceptable. Not from some fool who thinks "getting with the times" in music is more work on the computer...posting his crap all over the forum and other sites.

I've got several student examples of hard-working, TALENTED, go getters who make it their business to KNOW THEIR SH*T MUSICALLY - AND DO THE FOOTWORK/MEET AND GREET to make things happen. These artists are KNOWN for delivering based on their time and work honing their craft.
They don't have to sit and plead on a forum screaming "I want to be famous"...no, they aren't even worried about the word FAMOUS....EVER!!!
They worry about being great artists, doing their job as expected, being able to perform the best they can - EVERY F***IN TIME!! That's what they worry about, that's what they want. These are the aspects to be rewarded...NOT the bu*lsh*t you're pretending to try and backup here.

stop and re-read that (50x).

And you know what...for every goofball like Mr. "i want to be famous", there's a kid out there who WILL BE because of the above.


Not that it matters really but have you even HEARD his clips by the way?

"I want to be famous"....
Yeah, and I want world peace and hunger to stop today.

Way I see it, the replies he got let him off EASY. Go join him in idiocy if you want - most will not, and as a professional working musician I will NOT let your post go unanswered either. You're defensive reply for the "adventurous" (more bu**sh*t btw) urinates down the back of every talented,real artist who trudges through the training and discipline it takes to be working professionally in this field.

Best advice this kid could get is a dose of the f'n, flat-out truth. That was delivered to him over and over in the thread.

jaydeeee,

You're entitled to your opinion but your attitude needs serious adjustment. You speak of professionalism yet your tirade reads like a childish temper tantrum. You take offense to the compliments paid to Jonathon? Well find a less offensive way of expressing it. I (and I hope others) will not sit idle while you bully anyone with whom you disagree. Keep your insults and vulgarity to yourself.

Not to be testy to anyone, but I've paid a lot of money over the years for music that sounded bad. I would say that the samples provided by Jonathan at least are interesting.

Shoot for the European Techno sound, mix up your samples, the slower mixed with the head banging.

Hell, what do I know. Like I say, interesting, with potential.

>>>You're entitled to your opinion but your attitude needs serious adjustment.<<<

My reply to Jonathan was "good luck" (yes, he'll need it)

My reply to a post in DEFENSE of Jonathans view of "fame" vs. this business of music and art still stands.
Learn the difference.

There is no vulgarity, there is very real outrage however.
I and many artists are offended with today's "American Idol" mentality of the art of music and FAME, but even more so of the fools who try and back it, promote it. Running before walking, representing this art in a piss-poor manner (yet again).
You bet I'll speak my mind. We got your opinion of praise...now you will allow for the other opinions as well (honesty). You are NOT helping him by pandering and avoiding the truths he will need to approach the word "fame".

If you read it as vulgarity rather than the BEST ADVICE/LESSON this kid could ever receive...
then I'm not the one with the problem. This business is cut-throat and I'm serious when I say my comments are there to only HELP him. I don't charge $150/hr min to pander to anyone.

(Once again) good luck Jonathan. Get your sh*t together MUSICALLY kid (I'm not kidding) and get off the computer a bit and do the footwork it's going to take - at the very least there is your starting point.

To those defending the original post, I wish YOU good luck as well (you may need it even more than Jonathan). YOUR ATTITUDE NEEDS ADJUSTMENT.

>>>Not to be testy to anyone, but I've paid a lot of money over the years for music that sounded bad. <<<

Good, now help try and put a stop to it.

Reality is though, everyone has their own tastes in music. That will never change thank God. It's the very reason a kid like this might even have a shot...no matter how slim it might be.

jaydeeee,

man, you are on a roll tonight!