Karaoke Forums

tigger whilst some people will offer help and guidence and try to steer you in the right direction with your vocals if you are that serious sweetie then get yourself a professional vocal teacher who will start you from basics and make you a better vocalist...i know peoples circumstances are different but if you can afford a few dollars a week 1 lesson a week will very quickly improve and you will be getting the proper and correct help....i had misread the points you were making ...i thought you were feeling down about yourself and the talent you have not about ratings, comments and such

I know exactly how ya feel tigger... all I had to do was listen to the "top ranked" songs and singers to figure out the rules of the site... hell I even switched out the speakers on my system to make sure what I was hearing on the "top ranked" songs was really what I was hearing... the comments did not match what I was hearing so it really takes away what comments mean overall... it totally explains the rejects we see on AI who have a lot of family and friends afraid to tell them the truth... just keep alot of salt to take a grain of when ya read all the comments on your subs- if someone says something that you can use to better yourself then GREAT... keep on singing hun- michael

THIS...IS...EXACTLY...WHY...I...LUV...MY...FELINE...TWIN.

He's no B/S!!! He understands exactly how I feel.....thx again Tigrr. Oh to articulate how I feel, like that. Perhaps testosterone shots are in order. We shall see.

Don't wanna upset you two kitty cats, but just wanna say one more thing in my closing statement. When I comment, I do so HONESTLY. I look for all the POSITIVE aspects of the subs, just like I've done on both of your wonderful subs. I believe in courtesy and respect at all times. I will not ever knowingly hurt you. I'm not a professional, no matter how many people like to make me feel like I am, and I so appreciate that. But the fact is, I'm just a regular joe-ann like anybody else. I've never had training and I don't sing professionally. The few things I've done in front of people I've never gotten paid for. I come here for fun, amusement, to make friends. I'm fully satisfied in all aspects and that is why I stick around so much.

You and me must have different ear structures, Luly!

No hon, I've said before in other threads I hear some things sometimes like being off key or such (which I am also guilty of), but I won't say anything about it, cuz I feel it serves no purpose. I'm not a trained professional and I don't know of anyone else here with that kind of education. Maybe there are some, like Jazzy, but I don't really know for sure who is and isn't. My point is, I will only listen for the best parts of your songs and comment on that. I figure your family can tell you honestly if there's anything you need to improve, and it'll hurt less than coming from a stranger.

I do agree with you that if you've done your best on a sub and aren't getting many comments, that can hurt. But girl, sing for yourself. That's all I can say about that. I think I get a lot of comments because I also give a lot of comments. Not saying you don't, but just an observation.

Ok, let me explain it a different way:

I tell my daughter, go clean your room then you can watch tv. She hears: go to your room and watch tv. It's called selective hearing. I select the parts of the songs I can comment positively on. The rest if any goes to file 13.

It's not different ear structures, I guess it's just a different way of thinking. Not saying one is better than the other. It's gonna always boil down to personal choices.

So how do you know if the people commenting are wild about your singing or if they comment because, as you say, you've put an awful lot of time into commenting on so many others' subs? Makes ya wonder, huh.

If spending hours on here, commenting like crazy, is THE WAY to get subs listened to and commented on, then what a truly hollow victory. It means absolutely nothing. I know! Why not just stop singing, and just comment on each other?! That'd save us so much time; time we could put towards......COMMENTING!!!!!!!!

I guess I'm just not worried about it, Tigger.

Wow, good for you! But wait....then why do you comment so much, as you say you've done? Because it's loads of fun spending hours on the Net that you could spend with your family?

Luly, I think this is part of the problem (unless I misunderstood you which is entirely possible - I've done it before). Yes, positive reinforcement is important and I would never say anything bad without finding something good first. But what if you can't hear the music because the vocals are too high, the mic's are clipping because the levels are wrong, if they are horribly flat, sharp, and then flat again? They need to know they have a problem and what it is. The comments section isn't long enough to give them information on how to fix it always, but explaining the problem might be enough sometimes. I think this is what tigger is getting to. If all we post is the positive aspects of a performance then we can say 'great'. All the time in the back we're thinking, 'Great job hitting the high note, but you sounded flat during the second chorus and I could only barely hear the vocals'. Even a simple 'great singing job! I was very impressed overall but please double check the mic levels - I think they were clipping in the 3rd verse' gives them a chance to improve or correct the problem.

I know that responding with 'You Suck' won't fix the problem, will create animosity between myself and the singer, and isn't kind in any way. Constructive critisism is just that - constructive. We point out what's wrong but still providing valuable input on what's done right.

Problem: You keep slicing the ball on drives that are averaging 350yds or more.
Critisism: You're an idiot! You're slicing that ball like it was cheese!
Constructive Critisim: You've got a great drive but it might help correct that slice if you try to keep your elbows in a little more.
(Note: I don't play golf. The above may or may not be good advice. I almost hit a photographer once off the tee - don't ask, it's NOT funny).

Tact is being able to tell someone there is a problem without offending them in the process. A little tact goes a long way to keeping the problems down, but too much creates a false utopia of hopes, dreams, and smoke up the posterior again....

Well this subject has been discussed like a million times but let me add something..

Sometimes the best technical singer is not the most enjoyable to listen to or the most entertaining. It is like Russian gymnasts or ice skaters..they hit every mark, every spin better than everyone else, but totally lack artistry and emotion in what they are doing. Singing is 75% about emotion and artistry and 25% of voice tone/technique. A typical example of this is Neil Diamond and about 50% of the male singers on this website here can sing circles around him when it comes to tone/techique, but he is a superstar and they aren't. Also like everything else...everyone has different tastes. So this explains why some people think something is good and another person thinks it sucks.

Ed, all good points. But my answer is the same: we all have the right, judgment and personal choice to comment as we please. I choose to always use tact when commenting. And my way also means I don't say anything negative. Just like I'm not gonna tell you how to form your conclusions when you rank, I don't expect anyone to tell me. Just offering my opinion of how I rank and make sure people understand that not saying negative things doesn't mean you're not being honest.

Tigger, I comment so much because I enjoy what I hear. I don't happen to agree with you about the awfulness of some subs. If people are commenting back to me simply to "return a favor" in their minds, so be it. I'm not concerned about it. Yes, you're concerned about it, I wasn't trying to make it a concern with no validity, just trying to keep things light.
But, my internet time is over and I do need to get back to my family! So, good night for now! Try to stay sweet!

CerealSinger.. I COMPLETELY agree with you.. I am the WORST with disliking the people that EVERYONE else loves, ... (well, disliking isn't the right word... More like not going gaga over, or raving about.) I have an odd taste in music... And with everything OUT there right now... I don't care if the person isn't perfect technically, I just want to listen to something different/unique. However, the amazingly great technical people are still great to listen to. Sometimes, SOMETHING about a voice, just catches me... good or not.

There are some amazingly terrific technical singers around (I am NOT one of them:), that I love to listen to.....but sometimes simply lack.. a special something. Like (he will kill me if I use him as an example) Tpeterson... i don't know, but, he has something REALLY special, that I LOVE to listen to, regardless of quality of mix.. or being in tune or not, etc (Tim, babe, i am NOT saying you are all out of tune, and have a bad recording:).. He has a REALLY unique voice, that i LOVE. However, As much as I rave about him, My husband has only ever liked two songs he has done. (Mind ya, my husband is a HUGE jimmy buffet fan:).. actually, Justy listens to EVERYONE here, and has never REALLY liked a single person... myself included:)

Everyone has different tastes, obviously. I am well aware, that some people may like MY voice, and i know for a FACT that a LOT of people find it odd, and irritating (myself included), But I sing for MYSELF, simply to make music (my instruments have been in storage for the last year, so I took up singing). I don't care if no one LIKES my voice, or if no one offers me advice, etc. on comments. I just like the "online" friendships formed on the site, and like meeting new people who love music as much as I do. Go ahead, tell me you dislike my voice, or my submissions, but I do it for fun, as a hobby.. because I can't knit:) I wish it was more about fun for everyone else... I have seen this topic SOO many times, whether it be ratings, or comments etc.

Ok, I know this was long and rambling... but I like to share my opinions, even if ya'll don't read 'em:)

And luly? I am from the same camp.... however MY reason, is that I tend to be on the rude side, and blurt things I shouldn't. SO, if REALLY don't like something, I keep my darn mouth shut.... and go find something I DO like. If want to REALLY know what I think... write in private:) But, I won't lie on your submissions...if I say i like it, etc, then i DO... However, that makes it sound as though, if I don' comment on you, I don't like your sub. I LOVE to listen to you all, ALL day, but since we moved, we have dial-up, half of the time, and it takes a good 15/20 minutes to dl each song... AND i have a family. (the husband takes more time though...the kid is surprisingly easy:)

I am SOO proud to belong to this site, and LOVE all of the people that I have come into contact with, and had the chance to get to know. I love all of the DIFFERENT talents, all on one site, to choose from, to listen to.

Ok, kid's in bed, hubby's watching tv. Chores are done. Time to play.



But the end result is the same whether you're looking at it from my angle or yours. I don't consider it lying, I see it as looking at things from a positive side.

Basically, I'm saying I can't offer techie advice, because I'm not a tech. I can't offer lessons in singing, cuz I've never had one. But I'll always be your cheerleader and root for ya all the way.

Tigger, if you seriously want constructive criticism and you're not getting it, there are avenues you can take. That's what I was trying to say initially. I just feel I'm not qualified to offer it and I come here to have fun. That's why I stopped getting ranked. I seriously think it takes all the fun out of it. You have different objectives obviously, and I respect that. I wish you the best of luck in meeting them.

I agree, with ya girl:) I can't offer technical advice, not unless you start posting tbone solos:) I didn't say you were lying, i am saying it would be If I DID:) I love your reading your postive comments:)

I know a few people on these sites, who, after hearing people, decided to go take voice lessons. And they have REALLY improved:) maybe that is something you might want to look into? I can't offer advice, because I haven't had a lesson in my life, and never would. I would pee my pants, to sing in front of someone:) Just sing for yourself, like no one is listening:) I think you are terrific tigger, and I am sure many others do as well, and aren't just "blowing smoke up your" bum:)

Ok, I bow out.. I am just confusing.

Dont worry, Gilly, I know you weren't implying that. You were saying you won't lie, and I was trying to say I don't either. When I say what I say, it's true blue honesty. Because I don't talk about the negative, it doesn't mean I'm not being honest is what I was trying to say from my first post. I am very honest about the positive things I say.

Now, who's rambling??

Tig, Gilly is right.

If all of us were musical techies, this site would be just as boring as all the crap you hear on the radio these days.

I love listening to singers pour their heart out into song. As far as I am concerned, most of us here do better than the artists out there with their creativity and such.

I mean, I am quite sure if I really wanted to, I could make a perfect sub with no pitchies, perfect mix, etc. etc. as can everyone else here.

But, who has the time?? If I wanted that, I would pay to use the studio rather than do this at home for fun.

I mean, it takes sometimes days to make a sub perfect...engineers sitting around mixing, fixing pitch, and whatever else it takes. I don't ever expect my karaoke subs to be anything but that...karaoke subs.

I sing here to get away from everything. I sang at a studio. Not peaches and cream like everyone likes to think. It is hard work. Write the song...sing the song....get told a million times how pitchy you sang....sing the same line over 100 times in a row. It is so stressful!

Most of my subs are like Gilly's....one take. I can't sing loud or long as I have neighbours. I don't expect to be perfect, just like I don't expect anyone else to be.

If people want to tell me where I am pitchy, that is fine, but I already know every single spot I missed a note. I listen to my subs over and over and over so I can see every single horrible part that I can fix. I practice singing at least two nights a week for at least a half hour to an hour at home in the tenant's lounge, and try to hit karaoke at least twice a week. I have half hour singing lessons once a week to keep me in tune.

I don't know what else to say. I am confident in myself and have a good self-esteem when it comes to my singing, wheather I sing good, bad, or booed off the stage. If I come here and all I get are people telling me how great I am, then so be it. If there are people that I belive are worse than me getting higher ratings, then so be it too. That is life.

The nice thing about here is I know after a bad day, I can come here, sub a song, and hear everyone say nice things...it just picks me right up. Yet, I don't need the comments to feel great about myself....I mean it helps, but I definately feel good about my singing no matter what anyone says It is nice to know that I have "fans" that want to listen to my subs, just like I have people that I can't wait to see sub, and when they do, run and listen as soon as possible

I don't worry about what I can't control, and just do my best every chance I got.

Well, then you're more evolved than me, R-Roo (not trying to be sarcastic, girl you know I love ya). It all does matter to me. I don't feel good being around so much unfairness and dishonesty.

I think it is very easy to tell the difference between something that is good and something that just plain sucks....and if people want to keep saying that big ole ugly emperor's nekkid body is covered in beautiful angel clothes, I can't stop them.

And it is insanity for me to keep participating in something that causes me such distress. I need to go out and sing live so I can feel better. Cuz right now, if everyone at this site truly thinks my subs are worse than some I've heard, I can't deal.

Give the emporer my best. Tell him he needs to wax his a$$$$$!!!!!!