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VicDiesel
Forum Full Member


Registered: 02/14/06
Posts: 2691
Location: Austin, TX
 
Re:Pretty S-l-o-w
Saturday, August 04 2012 @ 11:30 AM CDT

Quote by: chikoppi

1) A place for consumers of music to discover (and become fans of) independent artists,



We seem to have almost no people who don't make and post music themselves. That's definitely a defining characteristic of MJ.


2) A place for musicians to improve their craft and/or pursue commercial success,

3) Or, a social network for amateur musicians to collaborate and share resources.



There are a few pro musicians here, but a few high profile pros have upped their roots, deleted their tracks, and are never seen here anymore. So 3 is probably the defining characteristic with a definite sprinkling of 2: most people are interested in growing as musicians/composers.



I think most members would say, "well, it's all of those things." The problem is, it doesn't satisfy any of those audiences particularly well. For each of these audiences there are other "brands" available that are devoted to serving each particular interest



Oh? I'm aware of certain forums but none that cater so much to the active amateur, with the interaction aspect. Some forums have music of higher quality but less interaction: they are more showcases. Others have more discussion and of higher level, but posting music is not the emphasis.

I think MJ hits a sweet spot. I do wish the forums were organized a bit better. Basically there is only one forum right now.

Victor.

-- My CD. Use coupon code "macjams" on BandCamp.
DWL
Forum Full Member


Registered: 10/24/06
Posts: 1116
Location: Everywhere and nowhere baby ,
 
Re:Pretty S-l-o-w
Saturday, August 04 2012 @ 12:01 PM CDT

I think that maybe internet music forums are simply slowing down but why I don't know. Another forum I'm on used to get maybe 6 new songs a week. Not a lot I know but there's been nothing posted at all for over a week now.

I look at my own usage of this forum. I had some issues with a trapped nerve which left me unable to play and I lost interest in music and taking part in the forum and I haven't posted anything for a couple of months. I'm gradually getting it back though which is good.

Why others have fallen off the radar I have no idea. I don't think it's anything to do with Macjams as such because the other music site is equally slow.

I'd guess that part of it is the summer and that folks have other priorities. Also people just move on and do different things. In the end I don't think there's any one reason.

Cheers

Dick

Hanging in with the out crowd (All rights reserved)
Feter
Forum Full Member


Registered: 07/03/06
Posts: 4462
Location: , Nowhere !
 
Re:Pretty S-l-o-w
Sunday, August 05 2012 @ 01:19 AM CDT

When I closed the door
I knew by then the party is over
it was loud
but it echoed nicely
you cant beat the shadow
but the sun can hit you
better stay in the shade
and raise your hat
to your neighbor
its a new day

«Blues is easy to play, but not to feel » (Jimi Hendrix)
Bent_Axis
Forum Full Member


Registered: 01/23/11
Posts: 177
Location: N/A
 
Re:Pretty S-l-o-w
Sunday, August 05 2012 @ 01:30 AM CDT

[QUOTE BY= chikoppi] If MacJams were a client, I'd say it has a positioning problem.

"Is MacJams:
1) A place for consumers of music to discover (and become fans of) independent artists,
2) A place for musicians to improve their craft and/or pursue commercial success,
3) Or, a social network for amateur musicians to collaborate and share resources."

Excellent points! It's neither 1 nor 2 as there are no paying consumers or commercial successes as they are forbidden to post their commercial products so that leaves #3 which should be more of a focus. Perhaps people should outright ask for more collaborations, have it as a tag on any song if chosen to be a collab. Similar to Kompoz, a creative lead can be named on any given collab therefore giving someone creative control of any given project.
bronco
Forum Full Member


Registered: 05/31/04
Posts: 399
Location: N/A
 
Re:Pretty S-l-o-w
Sunday, August 05 2012 @ 11:05 AM CDT

I've been around here longer than anyone but a select few (member 2004 and poster since early 2005) so I think I have a good feel for the situation. When this place was young the internet and it's potential uses had just taken off. There were a lot of frustrated musicians out there who had chosen other careers for a multitude of reasons. They thought that the internet would expose their music to millions of people and that they might build a fan base.

Only problem was getting those millions to listen in the first place, or to know where you were and how do do that. I know others have had more success than me but the most I ever had at our peak was a couple of thousand listens and maybe a couple of hundred downloads.

Once I adjusted my expectations I was happy though. Fun to post some of my songs and get some feedback even though I knew some of it wasn't sincere and just people trying to get you to listen to their music. Still it gave some sense of immortality to know that maybe some of my music would live after me. At least as long as this web site existed or people still had my music on their computers.

The impression I have always gotten is that the majority of active Macjams members have always been men in their 40's, 50's and 60's. Women posters and young people have been few and far between with some definite stand out exceptions.

I was 57 when I started posting here and now I am almost 65. I have slowed down due to health and fitness (read energy problems). the few young people have either had some success and gone on to other sites or discovered live music and spent the majority of their efforts there (Selters and Feter come to mind). Others have had their feelings hurt and gotten into emotional arguments that made them leave.

The competition factor also came into play. There are now a multitude of places that you can post your music. There were already three sites that played just to the Mac audience when I first came on board (although we quickly picked up lots of people who used PC's and Windows). I think that was the original concept here that it would be people with Macs who were recording on the new app Garageband.

So to wrap it up ,although this is already long winded, I think people have left because their expectations weren't met, they got into personal fights, or they just got bored and found other priorities in their life. The one other thing is the burnout factor. I have seem the happen quite a few times also where Macjams became an obssession and for a year or so they are on here every day and post hundreds of songs. They become friends with and correspond with lots and lots of people. It eventually becomes too much and interferes with their home life or work life or both. They then stop and are never heard from again.

Macjams needs more publicity, more young people, more women and lots of quality songs. If we get that we will continue if not we will just fade away.
bud
Forum Full Member


Registered: 06/17/05
Posts: 3545
Location: Brooklyn, NY USA
 
Re:Pretty S-l-o-w
Sunday, August 05 2012 @ 02:17 PM CDT

MJ is a bar with a jukebox where the patrons make the records. People come and go - suggest that other people drop by - make some lasting friendships and some surface acquaintances too. Find and lend an ear - and try to stay out of trouble for the most part. As long as the door is open - there will always be someone here. Like any bar - it will devolve over time or become an institution. Not sure which is worse.

I loved this sign in the window of a dive bar in the lower east side habituated by mostly old men - "Frosted Mugs".

It's better to regret something you have done, than something you haven't done.


 
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Sunday, August 05 2012 @ 04:10 PM CDT

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J_Gretch
Forum Full Member


Registered: 03/23/11
Posts: 215
Location: , United States
 
Re:Pretty S-l-o-w
Wednesday, August 08 2012 @ 08:20 AM CDT

Quote by: VicDiesel
Quote by: chikoppi


Oh? I'm aware of certain forums but none that cater so much to the active amateur, with the interaction aspect. Some forums have music of higher quality but less interaction: they are more showcases. Others have more discussion and of higher level, but posting music is not the emphasis.

I think MJ hits a sweet spot. I do wish the forums were organized a bit better. Basically there is only one forum right now.

Victor.



Could not have said it better.

just glad to be here...
MikeRobinson



Registered: 08/29/11
Posts: 120
Location: Nashville, TN United States
 
Re:Pretty S-l-o-w
Monday, August 13 2012 @ 07:30 PM CDT

If you come to a place like this thinking that you are going to get rich you will be disappointed.   But if you come here to share music and to hear outstanding music that is shared, you will never be.
 


 
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Friday, September 14 2012 @ 02:03 PM CDT

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