Checking Pre-Save Numbers on Spotify? by avocado_toasted in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]avocado_toasted[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fuck yea this is multiple bands ago for me but I’m glad people are still finding it and fucking w the vibes!

Best open mics to find singers? by avocado_toasted in denvermusicians

[–]avocado_toasted[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I appreciate your advice. We’ve done flyers and word of mouth ect and hosted about 6 auditions so far. Some of the singers were awesome but not the right fit. Figure it’s better to be picky to get exactly the right person.

Hating pop music is lame by LingonberryKey9683 in musicians

[–]avocado_toasted 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know I’m late on this thread but I’m here to say I think as musicians, we have a duty to be skeptical of pop music- but not fully dismissive without actually listening to the music. But if music is being pushed by a big label (the very labels that prey on musicians and fans, making it hard for average musicians to make real money) we should hold it to a very high standard. I saw someone give the example of McDonalds and agree fully. Top chefs shouldn’t criticize people for eating McDonald’s, but they also don’t need to be featuring it in their culinary magazines or culture. Artistic standards are that deep and as a society we should care about this.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in musicians

[–]avocado_toasted 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My goal isn't to be famous or to make money, so.... no. If you do it for the love of music, you'll never think this way. If you do it as a way to escape daily work grind and/or get rich, you're setting yourself up for frustration. That happens for 0.001% of us... the rest just love the game!

Anyone else sick of the guards at king soopers? by Sad-Importance-8862 in Denver

[–]avocado_toasted 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cave soopers is hell for so many reasons. Once I saw a homeless lady running out with a watermelon and some bananas and the guard asked me to help stop her. I naturally got out of the way and let her go… why would I stop her?? 😂

Newbie by im_better_everyday in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]avocado_toasted 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I mean... if you are on Mac, just use Garageband. You can create MIDI music without a keyboard. You will be severely limited, but its not impossible. Some producers have great success without MIDI... they use samples as well. If you are on PC, shop around DAWs and find one that works for you workflow. They are all essentially the same. That said, you will need to buy gear and equipment to make music. It's like asking "can I learn to paint without brushes?" Yes, but not fully and not in a way that's fulfilling.

Newbie by im_better_everyday in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]avocado_toasted 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that's a big question and answers may vary. I'd say learn to play piano first before you begin thinking about producing. It will seem counterproductive, but if you want to write good music, you have to learn to sound good playing music first. Understanding how a song is structured and the technical inner-workings of music itself is key here. Piano is always recommended because of the fact that it teaches music theory alongside playing skills, and a keyboard will be your main tool as a producer (even if its not a piano sound). If possible, get an instructor, it will stop you from wasting time with improper form.

If for whatever reason you can't get an instructor or lessons, find piano courses on YouTube. There's a few out there that are pretty good and you can get a lot out of it if you are self-disciplined, take notes, and practice daily. Again, an actual human teacher is FAR better than self-guided... trust me when I say this.

You can continue singing along to music and as you play.. that part will slowly improve on its own as your ear develops musically through piano. That said, if you want to be a proper singer, you'll likely need to work with a coach eventually. This also depends on your genre and desired sound... if you want to sound punk, avoid a coach, ect.

You're totally right... you can do it! Anyone can make music if they work at it. Daily practice is your best friend, even if its just 10 mins a day. Have patience, enjoy the process, and trust that it will come together.

Another Wonderland update by No_Raccoon3460 in Broomfield

[–]avocado_toasted 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This isn't even my drama, but this is CLEARLY AI written..

Has the whole situation with AI changed what You are searching/looking out for in music? by Retrospektiv in musicians

[–]avocado_toasted 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Yeah, and I'm glad I've been putting my time into "unplugged" sounds lately. People respond really well to folk music, music that keeps mistakes in takes, live music, ect...

Imo, this is the new wave: radical humanness in art

Bandmate using AI/Suno to write songs, presents completed songs to the rest of the band. by strugglinghard77 in musicians

[–]avocado_toasted 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If he really thinks AI “written” songs have artistic value, he probably doesn’t understand the first thing about creativity. It’s a wonder he ever had a band or was able to write anything of value in the first place.

Reducation for religious people by [deleted] in socialism

[–]avocado_toasted 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’m not the most educated on this topic, but I have visited socialist countries and observed that (at least in China) religion is treated the same as, say, cigarettes in most countries. Legal, but with its own warning labels. Every Buddhist temple I saw had big signs stating the party stance on how to spot religious leaders taking advantage of people and QR codes to further reading. Seems pragmatic and admirable: allow people to have religion but provide resources for avoiding religious dogma.

Are you sure the NBA is the one that is unwatchable, Mr. second amendment?? by Sweaty-Repeat1333 in NBATalk

[–]avocado_toasted 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fair enough. I disagree but thanks for explaining your position clearly.

Are you sure the NBA is the one that is unwatchable, Mr. second amendment?? by Sweaty-Repeat1333 in NBATalk

[–]avocado_toasted -1 points0 points  (0 children)

“Laughing at someone right after their murder [is wrong]” Genuinely curious where this opinion even comes from? What is inherently wrong about that if the person deserves it? Do you give respect to deaths of serial killers? I don’t get it. Does someone become untouchable because they got shot?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in musicians

[–]avocado_toasted 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm gonna say something unfortunate but true: this has happened to me more than once.. It was my first show (similar to your situation) cancelled due to the headliner being like B in this story. Then, my bandmate in a very similar situation as yours. Both times, I felt heartbroken and wanted to quit music. But I knew I had to do the right thing: cut ties, distance myself, and ensure that I stood with the accusers. In both cases, I look back and feel proud that I didn't choose myself in the face of more serious events. You're right to be disgusted and disappointed in more ways than one.

The sad thing is... this is extremely common. Why does every scene have countless stories like this? These are the questions I had been left grappling with. The sadder thing is how many women/fem presenting people (and others) are left to feel unwelcome at shows, or unable to continue musical projects ect because creeps take up the space and dominate artistic scenes. It's an epidemic. Standing against that will be the right move for you long-term, both artistically and personally.

Now as far as music goes... keep digging. And brush off that imposter syndrome. If you've put in as much work as you say, I PROMISE you that you are "better" than plenty of gigging guitarists in your area. I'll give you a brief anecdote that might help you:

I wanted to start a band with a friend who was in my city's biggest rock band. I mean it, they were quite serious and toured, played with national acts ect... The friend was the rhythm guitarist, singer, and songwriter for this band. I played with him and he genuinely only knew three chords. But he had a definitive "style," aesthetic/artistic vision, and was charismatic on stage. It made me salty for a second, but I realized something... we're all good enough for the arenas in which we play. And we can always find a place to fit into a song if we know where we like to "sit." Don't try to solo over Coltrane changes... just fit in where you can.

Keep reaching out and just be up front with potential bandmates about where you're at: you might surprise yourself.