alexboxall
From New Community, Southampton
Hi Everyone,
I've noticed recently that many songs posted on here don't get many comments and that many people are posting songs but not commenting on other people's. I'm just as guilty of this as anyone else, so this is not a dig at anyone.
I was wondering whether it would be a good idea, in order to get the comments flowing again, to make a rule (well, guidelines really) that before posting a song, you should comment on at least two other people's songs?
This would ensure that people are getting songs commented on and that the ratio of songs to comments would be favourable.
Anyhow, feel free to dismiss this idea, after all, it is just an idea.
I'd be interested in hearing other people's opinions.
Thanks,
Alex
weve talked about this before on here, me and paul talked about this around nov when there was the peoples podcast.
if theres no 'incentive' then most people wont post sadly.
i would second pauls idea for a completed songs section and a work in progress section.
not really sure i really helped to the discussion!
God bless,
Gav.
Hi guys,
I know am guilty as charged on this one!
I have tended to post in splurges - given the incentive of posting one of my own songs I will then look at the site and take the time to review some of the other songs because I am on - then the busyness of life takes over again and I don't do either for a while.
I agree with the idea of a songs in progress section and a completed songs section - for me the value of the forum is for the former - I confess I found I felt quite vulnerable putting up a song on the site but incredibly helpful.
What about as part of the upload instructions (or another sticky posting) a kind of 'ground rules' section encouraging people to (for example):
- review other people's songs;
- consider whether their comments are; truthful (without being negative) and helpful - I think Christians have a tendency to be nice (maybe this goes without saying and so doesn't need to be said?);
- post any questions about their own songs that they want others to address (eg regarding lyrics, theme, theology, melody, arrangement, production etc)
- make it clear if the song is a final version or work in progress - this could be done in the title eg 'Song Name (Final)'
- etc?
Murray.
Greetings chaps.
As with Murray, I've been a bit lax on commenting on people's songs. As is the way! However, I still think this is too good a resource to allow to fall behind on.
Paul, I think you make a wise and important observation in relation to the effect of the People's Podcast on the Songwriting Forum. No idea what the guys' plans are, but as far as I'm aware (I could be mistaken!), only one of the three songs selected has been "released" as a New Song so far.
However, it is worrying that there seems to be a lack of 'incentive' to post songs in progress. I'm still unsure over a completed songs section - it raises all kinds of difficult issues about how someone determines a song to be "finished", followed by the obvious difficulties associated with posting your own "finished" song.
I was looking at The Worship Community website (a similar sort of site based in America) and they're running something quite interesting at the moment. This is the link below:
http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/forums/song-center-share-originals-collaborate/4908-calling-all-songwriters-may-songwriting-challenge.html#post30804
Would be interested to hear others' thoughts about the above....
I particularly like the focus on people taking on other peoples songs on their behalf. Seems a really great way of seeking to overcome the obvious humility/pride issues that can so easily entangle us all.
Hi Sim,
Good thoughts! Any song that's already been recorded to CD might be one definition of a fininshed song. But there's alot in a middle stage of completion.
I'd love a podcast invitation for a song written as some kind of collaberative effort using the forum. As has been pointed out, there are practical difficulties of doing this without being able to use musical notation, or easily upload alternate versions of someone elses song in the same thread. These features would probably aid collaberation.
It seems to me that since the start there has always been a handful of individuals who’ve been giving feedback.
Maybe it should be noted how much growth is to be had through reviewing other peoples songs. If you want to grow as a songwriter, you ought to practice giving helpful and encouraging feedback to others. I can say that from personal experience.
I agree with Marc. Any efforts to give advice to others actually shape my own process and approach. I don't think we should be shocked that in serving others, God blesses us with clarity too.
New Song
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I'm not sure that would work. I suspect it would just lead to some token posts to hit the "quota".
Providing good, constructive feedback on a song is quite time-consuming, and the quality and usefulness of feedback can be pretty variable. There are far more songs posted than are feasible to provide good feeback on. Also, I think there are many songs posted that look for affirmation (i.e. completed songs where the writer is looking to share, rather that being open to change). I'd be infavour of splitting the forum into songs-in-progress where feedback is really helpful versus completed-songs.
The change in contributions during and after the Novemember competition has been evident, and I think that should challenge us as a community about our motives.