What I've noticed lately...
Saturday, November 29 2008 @ 02:16 AM CST

...is that the majority don not respond to comments on their own songs anymore.

Lately, my estimate (which is usually out of my hat) is about 2.3 out of a dozen respond to a comment made to their own song.

If you can't embrace the community that taps into you, then why are you here?

I'm not here for acknowledgement of my feedback. That is but a courtesy. If your going to say anything to me, say it to my latest song. I don't know why I ramble, I guess I feel comfortable enough to rant like an old-timer for the first time.

It just seems like there are a lot more impersonal profiles than in the past. There is some great music, don't get me wrong, but there is a new taste in the macjams wind.

It just feels a tad colder. But I think that this community is strong enough to weather the passage.

Just by toosense.

Pete

Re:What I've noticed lately
Saturday, November 29 2008 @ 02:56 AM CST

I agree. I always (ok 99% of the time.) write a thank you to a comment. It isn't just to be courteous, but respectful to those who have taken their valuable time to listen to my non-sense.

Just a "Thanks" is enough.

You are right Pete.

Dave

Re:What I've noticed lately
Saturday, November 29 2008 @ 04:04 AM CST

I said thank you to your comment Pete.
I do me best to keep up with it.
If someone's dropped in it's nice to respond with a thanks but I don't get the hump if someone doesn't reply to a comment I make especially if it's a great, great song and there's loads of comments

Re:What I've noticed lately
Saturday, November 29 2008 @ 08:03 AM CST

guilty as charged, lets put it in perspectiive some have been here for awhile, and have been responding for the most part, the pressure to be up on it all the time gets boring. The fact that there are so many new songs to listen to, it becomes overwhelming. Also if it becomes a rule that leads to exclusion then I say, dont listen. Commenting is great I try to listen to all who comment on my music. Thats my way of responding. This was typed before my early morning coffee (no musicians were harmed in this post).......

Re:What I've noticed lately
Saturday, November 29 2008 @ 08:16 AM CST

I know where you're coming from on this Pete, but I can't say I really expect a response to a comment - I just listen, leave a comment if the song demands one then move along. Do you think people go back to songs they've commented on to see a response? You might get into an infinite loop of responding...

Re:What I've noticed lately
Saturday, November 29 2008 @ 09:57 AM CST

I used to answer every reply, on every one of my songs. I stopped doing that a while ago.

Why? I'm not exactly sure. Part of it is that there are only so many ways to thank someone for listening. Maybe it's boredom or an increasing sense of meaninglessness around here (for me anyway).

I used to look forward to new song submissions from some of my favorite artists, but several of them are gone. I used to comment on lots of songs, but no more. Somehow the thrill is gone. I'm not listening as much any more either.

I was also trying out collaborating, but my interest in that has faded as well.

I was writing songs for the enjoyment of the creating. I was doing that way before I knew of MacJams. Somehow, that enjoyment is waning too. That concerns me the most. One can live without MacJams, but to live life without the Muses seems a bleak and dismal existence.

I don't know if I have a point to make; just some random thoughts and a strong sense of meaninglessness.

Re:What I've noticed lately
Saturday, November 29 2008 @ 11:10 AM CST

Quid pro quo... one good turn deserves another... you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours... whatever way you wish to look at it --- it's a positive model for an equitable relationship among like-minded community peers.

After all is said and done, the only thing all of us really have to give is our time. If someone is thoughtful enough to take a bit of their time to listen to and then comment on one of my songs, I feel the least I can do is to thank them. It's a simple courtesy, really... just to let them know their input is appreciated and they're not just talking to the hand.


--- Joe

Re:What I've noticed lately
Saturday, November 29 2008 @ 12:00 PM CST

Quote by: SmokeyVW I used to answer every reply, on every one of my songs. I stopped doing that a while ago. Why? I'm not exactly sure. Part of it is that there are only so many ways to thank someone for listening. Maybe it's boredom or an increasing sense of meaninglessness around here (for me anyway). I used to look forward to new song submissions from some of my favorite artists, but several of them are gone. I used to comment on lots of songs, but no more. Somehow the thrill is gone. I'm not listening as much any more either. I was also trying out collaborating, but my interest in that has faded as well. I was writing songs for the enjoyment of the creating. I was doing that way before I knew of MacJams. Somehow, that enjoyment is waning too. That concerns me the most. One can live without MacJams, but to live life without the Muses seems a bleak and dismal existence. I don't know if I have a point to make; just some random thoughts and a strong sense of meaninglessness.

I hear you loud and clear Bill. I think we all go through what you're experiencing to one degree or the other. MacJams presents a particular challenge to artists. For many of us it's an amazing explosion of creativity - exposure - exploration - affirmation - collective endeavor - ego boost - etc. etc. The result is a very potent high that can last for a surprisingly long time (about 3 years for me) but eventually leads to a crash of one sort or the other. As a result some people leave - others moderate their activity - and still others branch out into live performance or other ways to keep the muse speaking.

I'm definitely in the latter two camps and find that my relationship to MJ has changed quite a bit. Still I notice new blood coming in all the time - exhibiting some of the same enthusiasm I used to share. I have no worries for MJ - but I keep a close watch on this heart of mine.

On the comment reply subject. Sometimes I do - sometimes I don't - but I always try to. But like Tim said - I always do my best to reciprocate the listen and comment on the work of those who have been generous enough to visit my work.

The only constant is change.

Re:What I've noticed lately
Saturday, November 29 2008 @ 12:19 PM CST

Quote by: Pete_NB ...is that the majority don not respond to comments on their own songs anymore.

If someone comments on my music, I listen to theirs, and leave a comment. That should be acceptable too, right?

Victor.

Re:What I've noticed lately
Saturday, November 29 2008 @ 12:21 PM CST

Since I have very little material posted, its easy for me to keep up on the posts, replys, thanks yous etc. For myself, part of the reason to be here is to get feedback, props, constructive critisicm, and to converse with other musicians. If you are only hear for praise simply because you posted something regardless of its merits, then whats the point.

But hey its a large community, so you will get all kinds, from the very gracious and respectful and social, to the quieter more introverted types.

Possibly another way to get more responses for your own songs and others would be too not submit a gazillion at once. (Hard to do for the prolific writers among us) but it may make it easier for the community at large to keep up and better serve all the new material posted. It would give us the opportunity to digest all the music that is flooding in here.

Even if I come across an artist I really like, if they have a ton of new stuff, I usually don't have time to listen to everything and make respectful, fully formed, useful comments.

Remember quantity does not always equal quality.