I am a 'LOOPER' Only as of now!
Wednesday, January 25 2012 @ 10:13 PM CST

Hello fellow MacJAmmers, firstly I would like to thank all of you who have supported me since I joined this community of mature and serious magic makers of music. As most of you know I make all my music from the wonderful offerings of musicians who offer their musical gifts and provide 'Loops' to those of us who have no technical ability to play instruments. Technology provides the rest. My purpose of joining MacJams in July of 2011 was to learn how to use Garageband to produce a 'Soundtrack for a movie I am producing 'ZipAvenue'. Because of this opportunity that MaJams provides I am able to say I have accomplished my task and the 'Soundtrack' is complete. While at MacJams I discovered another 'site' and started posting there. My activity was constant and I went to the top of the charts there quite fast. Then the Loop haters started attacking with there vicious and mean comments. It did affect me and fortunately 'abzwork was a friend and encouraged mr to keep going. Here at MacJams I have not experienced the political culture that exist on the other 'site' and I am impressed by the lack of bias and politics here. However recently I notice that others who post primarily on the other 'site' are appearing and making those same kind of comments using 'Loop" intentionally and neglecting to refer to my pieces as music. I hope the poison from the other site is not tolerated here and we all respect and appreciate each others contributions to the magnificent community of artist here at MacJams.I have never tried to pretend that I am a musician or that I play an instrument. However I am learning to play now. Just saying......

A SincerelyZipped, TvRicky

Re:I am a
Wednesday, January 25 2012 @ 10:23 PM CST

Dude.... Rick....... Musics..... music...
If it moves you or you dance... if it controls you by chance.....
Ok I'll stop......
All of us want to preform..... not gonna happen.... some of us here are right damn good and professionals ........
some of us just throw it up.... that maybe whats about to be lost....
but so far ....
We all just rock....
glad to know ya........

Re:I am a
Wednesday, January 25 2012 @ 10:31 PM CST

I wouldn't let it affect you Ricky...I look at it this way, Mac/Garage Band was built with the availability of thousands of loops. They are there to be taken advantage of by all aspiring musicians.... beginners, experts...whatever. Now some of these loops have been overused in the community, and are instantly recognizable, but nevertheless, it is an option to be taken advantage of. You can edit the sound of most all of the loops as well so that they sound different, I would suggest trying that as an option. Finally, many of the most successful artists in the world today use loops, tracks, autotune, and don't write a majority of what they perform, so keep that in mind when some yahoo off of this site or any other community starts giving you grief over using loops. Being creative is being creative, no matter what form you choose. Peace, RoK

Re:I am a
Wednesday, January 25 2012 @ 10:41 PM CST

I agree with rok41

Re:I am a 'LOOPER' Only as of now!
Wednesday, January 25 2012 @ 10:50 PM CST

the loops are alright

check out LIOLI

http://www.macjams.com/music/?cid=0&search=lioli

http://www.macjams.com/artist/LIOLI_10

Re:I am a 'LOOPER' Only as of now!
Wednesday, January 25 2012 @ 11:52 PM CST

My feeling is a piece of music either works or it doesn't. If handled with taste, loops can rock; conversely, if just just thrown together they can sound robotic. In my opinion, your stuff falls squarely in the first category. As my father used to say "don't let the bastards grind you down".

Re:I am a 'LOOPER' Only as of now!
Thursday, January 26 2012 @ 12:13 AM CST

don't even waste your time worrying about that kind of stuff. music is the ultimate in personal art, to be made entirely as the individual see's fit. to provide entertainment and an opportunity to express ones self. sometimes people like what you do, sometimes they don't. ultimately it doesn't really matter, as chances are good you'll still keeping doing your art.

i can actually play a lot of instruments, and lately I have been into making my own loops and creating songs based around them. I find it fascinating. I also find it fascinating how different people can use the same tools, and come up with wildly different interpretations.

if someone spends that much time concerning themselves with the "inadequacies" of your artistic process, then they are somehow lacking in their own process and trying to compensate (IMHO). Too bad for them, must be hard going through life with such a crappy attitude.

Re:I am a 'LOOPER' Only as of now!
Thursday, January 26 2012 @ 12:16 AM CST

You have my moral support, TVR. You know that you know what you're doing, and so does everyone else that listens to your creations.

Re:I am a 'LOOPER' Only as of now!
Thursday, January 26 2012 @ 03:01 AM CST

I don't care how you do it, just that you enjoy it and get a kick out of it. Pay the haters no mind - quite why they would get any gratification or see any purpose from griping about how others make music I don't know. Carry on sir.

Re:I am a 'LOOPER' Only as of now!
Thursday, January 26 2012 @ 03:54 AM CST

I agree with all the above ! I think I wouldn't say anything more which has been said above and I agree with them.

In addition (and I'm joining to what rok41 said), there are many tools out there which you can use, which can give you more freedom and flexibility for being creative. Even if you don't play the instrument, you can design a melody and use it creatively in an arrangement.

My last point would be, if you can take time to develop yourself, this is really what matters. If you regret not being an instrument player, it's never too late for starting to play. If you have time to go into matters like music theory, do it, it will boost your creativity and songwriting. If you think you can develop yourself in music production, take your time to learn and practice more.

I think the important thing is not being satisfied with what we have and keep developing our skills.

Other than that, you achieved things and you're making music, the only feeling that you should have is pride.