Karaoke Forums

Although when it comes to artistic performances, I retain very high standards !  So no, I won't sub myself singing in the showcase yet

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

High standards huh? Is that you you don't really comment on anyone?  Truthfully, be honest...

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[b][color=#BF0000][color=#BF0000]http://www.procollabs.com[/color][/color][/b]

I've Critiqued, either when asked or when I felt qualified.

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Oh no, I meant just commenting, like on a *Just For Fun sub*

Let me tell ya, you'll be surprised at how many talented people there are on SS.  Many of the best singers there only sub for fun...

I can always find something nice to say about everyone, that's just my personality really.  Even if it's just telling someone that their mix was great.  It makes me happy to be able to make someone else happy...

Geez, I should have been a flower-power child!  :shock:

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[b][color=#BF0000][color=#BF0000]http://www.procollabs.com[/color][/color][/b]

Actually I wouldn't be surprized at the VERY high percentage of talent within the Showcase.  I've always made mention of that fact too. There's some amazing talent in that room, and it's why I joined.  I do on ocassion comment on the "JFF" areas assuming somebody does a song I really like, or if a friend subs a song.  I've recently started spending a little more time listening within the Showcase (I slacked for awhile),  seems that when I get involved in the bboards I practically live in them, yet when I get into the showcase I hang there and post less here.  HMMM,  which might not be a bad idea   I SHOULD spend more time in the showcase, however recently the material I've heard in the showcase has been commented on in the thread I started in the Singers forum. "Critique me here".. Pretty good thread so-far..


Anyway,  it's the big TGIF out for me.. Going to run next door and buy dinner, and a friend needs her ciggies... GOD, I hope that snake isn't still on the path

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Oh yeah.  I forgot to mention.  All my frivolous 10K posts aside, the reason I joined here was because MOST of my life has been spent backing pop vocalists in any one of numerous settings, or backing front musicians... I liked the interactive nature of this site.. and was hoping that we COULD get an actual positive helpful Critique thing going where musicians helped other musicians ONLY in a positive way.. It could work, but it would encompass people looking up the term, realizing it doesn't mean impinging criticism..  I was hoping I could be a helpful part of MUSICAL interaction here... Oh well

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

That is a FABULOUS way to be !  There's nothing more admirable !! Seriously !! Probably the most commendible personality feature an individual can have !!   Never give that up !

I should've been a Cumudgian... Wait, I am one  HEHEHE



Sheeesh,  I Grew up during that time and I've already forgotten the characteristics o f "flower children",  I know how they dressed, acted, BUT... I forgot about that aspect of the "Free love" generation, but I'll tell you, it wasn't all a bouquet of flowers..  Although certain aspects SEEMED to be "cool" at the time. I never was able to catch onto everybody sleeping with everybody because friends can do that during that period.. It was a confusing period for me.. It was the culmination of a rebelious time where kids were saying "We're going to do our thing" despite cultural conditioning... Which in SOME ways is good... but...eh..  I got confused and hurt during that time.. I was always somewhat conservative although I tried VERY hard not to be.. It didn't work for me.

ADDED IN:

I always found it interesting that the BIGGEST college rebels I graduated with, who were WILD, drugging, and doing THEIR thing. The true "college hippies" today are amazingly successful Attorneys, and Doctors, etc.  It's amazing..  I'm sure the medical field and courts love them too because a person needs to have a liberal arts disposition and values they are committed to to ground themselves in order to be the best Atty's or medical folks... Dealing with people is VERY important.. The old school folks weren't as suited as some of these youngun's  (well 50's isn't young but to me it is)

When I was an undergrad it wasn't the science wiz's that got first pick by medschools.  The medschools really went for music, english, theatre, and philosophy, and Art undergrads..  They wanted people that were more geared towards communicating with others, and pure science ability wasn't the priority in those days.. Of course the ability to grasp A&P, and Microbio, Kinesiology, and Chem at one point was compulsory, but we did it when we had to... Of course those with the better memories did the best..  Funny how to be a physician it's estimated a person must have an average IQ of 124, which is the same IQ a person must have in order to successfully make it thru a 4 year liberal arts degree.  I always assumed docs had to be WAY up there, but in most cases it's the knack or uncluttered mind for memorizing concepts they must have... My memory was never that good, hence I struggled in the quantitative science areas, even government (which I hated)..

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Mr. Kaplan, are you a writer? Just curious, you very well could be!

Oh regarding IQ tests, they aren't accurate.  There is no way possible to determine just how *smart* a person is, for humans are constantly learning.  Doesn't matter how {And I hate to use this word} dumb a person may appear or act, they still are capable of learning.  So, knowing that, how could it be possible for someone to take an IQ test one day, then learn something new the next day.  Ya see, their score was already recorded when they originally took the test, and a day later, they may be a point or 2 or even 10 higher.  

Hmmm, food for thought really...

In regards to critiquing someones song goes.  Hmmm, that's a toughie for me because I am not qualified to do such.  I never had a voice lesson in my LIFE, so I'd be useless on trying to give someone a critique.  I don't know anything when it comes to technique.  I only know what works for me, and trying to explain that to someone is so difficult because I have my own weird methods and such...

Oh, I hope you don't run in to that mean ole snake!  :shock:

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[b][color=#BF0000][color=#BF0000]http://www.procollabs.com[/color][/color][/b]

The standard testing for human intelligence is very rough and inaccurate.  However given a battery of tests that also take into consideration abstract areas, (not just the standard Stanford Binet English/Math) but coupled with Lorge, Wechsler, and of course in your location for the snobs (HEHEHE), (there at least was) The Brooklyn Mensa Society that tested... People can get a rough idea, but intellect is also subjective.. Look at the Idiot Savante ?  A different part of the brain is more developed (or at least unimpeded) when compared to the norm.  So who knows.  My own opinion is it does little good to test for such things under most conditions because it becomes yet another source of categorizing people, pseudo-elitism, discrimination, and the usual polarized thinking we already have too much of in our culture..

JMO.

No I'm not a writer, I just believe that if I'm to expect even some to read my content, I have an obligation to present it somewhat respectably.  Just like performing in the Showcase. People can't see my expression in here, this is all I have. Presentation matters (whether it should or not is moot).



If what you say is so,  that would mean you wouldn't be able to offer me advice or tips assuming you heard me attempting to sing.  Fact is a gifted ear and voice such as your own is EXTREMELY qualified to assist, OR offer an opinion, help (AKA Critique) another in an area you excel in (despite the fact you aren't "formally" schooled). Schooled is a very small area of an aesthetic artform. It really means very little.  If a person has an opinion, if they have an ear,  and in your case you excel in singing, AND have the ability to present yourself well. Rather than keep a thought that might help another to yourself, assuming they wish for feedback WHY not share it ?  Do you have the capability of helping another aspiring vocalist in certain styles of singing ?  Assuming the answer is  yes, you qualify to offer critique.  It need not be fact.. It's opinion (but of course presentation is a huge part of it so we keep it civil and positive.. Up-down-up method works. Goal is to help another person and nothing more/less assuming they request opinions. As I see it, why not try to help them ? the goal isn't to belittle them.  JMO.  Critique is a stigmatized word in here because people lose site of the fact it SHOULD be a mature egoless process that serves ONLY one purpose, to take the time in an area we love, in hope of helping somebody else who might not be to objectively gauge areas of their own performance.  It's sharing our opinions only.. Nothing carved in stone. It's also NOT a one-upsmanship experience. Peers helping peers.. Nothing more. All equal with one goal,  to improve their skill singing.  There's no better satisfaction I get than being able to tell a person something to their face, that I think is sorely lacking in their musical ability knowing they likely do have the ability to tweak this specific  area.  So tact must be used too of course, BUT.. If a person asks for our opinion, and they do something we find not so good... Isn't it a good thing to tactfully make a suggestion they work on an area ?  I think it is, but this is just my own opinion.. If something about a composition bothers me, and I can accurate think MOST are feeling this way, and the person is asking how they can improve, isn't it the honest thing to do ?  Try to help them ?

again,  JMHO..  But it's based on my own feelings I suppose and naturally falls outside of the "JFF" category.. Yet many take their singing beyond "just Karaoke" too.

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Hmmmmm, to be honest, I'll tell ya what I do when people have the *C* option on their subs. I listen to their song twice, and then I send them a PM, and I try to give them the best advice that I can.

Like I mentioned earlier, it is so difficult for me to be technical because I don't know how to be.  I mean, I know what works for me, but trying to explain it in a tiny comment box is pretty difficult.  I think it's easier to speak directly to a person, and try to explain to them about different methods etc...But to write it out, oh brother, that is quite the challenge! Also, I would never want to come of snobby to someone, or make someone feel bad, gosh I'd feel terrible if I did...


Mr. Kaplan, seems to me that you would actually excel at any IQ test you take.  Including abstract areas...Yes, that's a compliment I assure you!

Elpoep daed ees I  :shock:

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[b][color=#BF0000][color=#BF0000]http://www.procollabs.com[/color][/color][/b]

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ouldw uoy indm laboratinge egardingr het eceacedd ouy ees ?  piritualS ealmr ? sI hist a orrectc ssumptiona ? rO ctuala leshf orpsesc ?  {{{{{{hiverS}}}}}}}

nq vzr sgzs z qdedsdmbd sn sgd ozqzmnslzk ?   (+1)

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

I enjoy Critiquing because it's also a great exercize in communicating with others.  There's always a concern as to whether or not the person might reject us, or take offense at what's intended to be well-meaning (especially when critiquing them for the first and second time), but it's a chance I'm willing to take to try to help somebody and be honest with them. I have to assume most requesting the critique are capable of stating their needs, and know what the process is about (even though it's been met with opposition in the showcase and has been a source of bashing).  The Critique need not be just problem areas.. I try to TRUST that those who state they want a critique genuinely do want the critique, and can handle it, and sometimes it gets VERY tough to believe.  For this reason those stating they wish to be critiqued (in the showcase) and then turning and attacking the well-meaning person for not honoring them with just copious praise, is a sin IMHO..

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Brilliant Mr. Kaplan!! I see that you are surely one that exceeds the term *Average Intelligence*

By the way, no I do not see cadaverous commonalities, nor do I spend my time at the local morgue, but I am quite fascinated by the supernatural...  :shock:

I do admire Mr. Poe, hence my name.  However, I'm not too sure if Ravens are catogorized with Vultures, hmmmm I'll have to research that!

Please excuse me, for I do hear a rapping at my door!

Have a great Saturday  :wave:

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[b][color=#BF0000][color=#BF0000]http://www.procollabs.com[/color][/color][/b]

Have you ever watched any of Rod Serlings "Night Gallery" ?  That was one of my favorite shows.. shorter movies of the Poe type.. I enjoyed some of the older shows such as Twilight Zone..  

Here's one episode I can't seem to forget.  It was VERY scary, and seemed so vivid and real to me !

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Believe it or not.  I feel so welcome here.  It's hard for me to believe just a few days ago I was a newbie !

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Yes, I love *Night Gallery* and of course The Twilight Zone...Don't know if I ever saw that episode, I wouldn't know unless I saw a clip of it.  


Mr. Kaplan, you have been here since 2005 correct? You should be getting paid to entertain the folks here!  :shock:

Ever think about creating your own singer's site? I'm serious too...

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[b][color=#BF0000][color=#BF0000]http://www.procollabs.com[/color][/color][/b]

I really HAVE wanted to have my own site for musicians of ALL types, singers, composers, band members, you name it, ALL welcome.. but moderating my friends is something I want no part of, and it can be a problem when you have friends that hate some of your other friends.. I just no longer wish to be in a position where I'd need to moderate folks. It makes it tough to enjoy a site when that becomes an issue, and IMHO it's lose lose.... But, I'd love to have a musicians BBS.. or something comparable..



Funny you should mention this.  Because a thread was formed "Does Steve Kaplan get paid to be on this site" about a month back, and apparently it DID in fact get consideration.

Here's an email I received first week in August.

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Goodness, you have got to be kidding! That could NOT have been a serious email, or could it?  

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[b][color=#BF0000][color=#BF0000]http://www.procollabs.com[/color][/color][/b]

Well,  I was suprised at the number of board members KS had too. If that's what you're aluding to.*


*(btw,  is that to, or too.. I get confused...  Is "to" as in "also"... one "o" or two "oo"s.. I'm not in a google mood)

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

*If that's what you're alluding to* is correct Mr. Kaplan.  

Yes *Too* as in *Also* contains a double O...

Although you did leave out an L in alluding!  :shock:

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[b][color=#BF0000][color=#BF0000]http://www.procollabs.com[/color][/color][/b]