Come on fellas. Your not really being fair to the player. He didn't post this work up for us to critique someone else did just to show how having more keys could open up your playing style .It's clear he's just playing to have fun and its not a performance of any kind . For the style if playing that he does it is fine. I just don't think it's nice to critique someone just having fun. I will shut up now 😊

If you choose to post your work online, what the hell do you think it is up there for? So everyone can pat you on the back and tell you what a great fella you are? If that were true, that would be an even more damning condemnation of the act...

The truth is, anyone that posts ANYTHING on the web opens themselves to criticism AND praise. In fact, to perform for anyone other than simply yourself is to invite them both. Mind you, if you are honest about your own playing, even playing alone doesn't insulate yourself from criticism! It's how we get better.

Now, that doesn't mean that all criticism is valid (nor is all praise!), and everyone is free to make their own minds up about a performance, whether for good or bad. And everyone ELSE is free to decide if they agree with the opinion offered, whether good or bad. But basically, if you offer yourself up on the web for all to see, you ARE going to get both. Only a fool would think that everyone is going to love what you do, and only a fool would think that, just because they MIGHT have put it up just as a bit of fun, that insulates it from critical judgement.

If you don't want criticism, better not post anything, ever! But then you also end up not getting praised, either. Nothing ventured, nothing gained...

Actually, it's pretty hard to get an honest opinion most places.
Most people say something nice no matter how bad it is. That really doesn't help us get better or make changes for the better.
I tend to just not say anything if I think something is bad. after all, my opinion isn't worth that much anyway.
However if you ASK for it, I'm not shy about making suggestions. I do try to make them in a positive way though.
As Diki says though, if you post a song for all the world to see, you will get criticism, usually both good and bad.
I didn't comment on this performance mainly because the guy said he was "just practicing".
DonM

I really didn't post my remarks to be mean-spirited. My intention was to help make newbie keyboard players aware that what you see is not always what it appears to be. Hopefully keep them from getting unnecessarily discouraged like I did.

In my early years, I was "intimidated" by so many players I encountered who seemed to be world-class....then came the Internet and it got even more confusing. Many will portray themselves off as "fully-developed" musicians anxious to get a slice of the adulation pie! Presto, zippo....make a video with your I-phone, put it on Youtube and proudly show it to family, neighbors, friends, co-workers, your dog, etc

I still have to remind myself, when I watch someone on a video, that maybe the song/songs this person plays were the only 6 songs he knows and plays them daily, morning, noon and night, and once more before he goes to bed! But the performer forgot to mention that.

Honestly, if I were just starting out today playing an instrument, I'd take one look at all these deceptive video's and maybe pack it in and switch careers. There should be qualifiers that go with all these Youtube shots. In Tommy's case it would be something like: "Don't get discouraged by what you hear....keep in mind this is my own style, I practice everything this way, and I can't play in any other key but C.


Reference....this trend to praise everyone who posts a demo, not just here but other groups too. I never understood why everyone feels obligated to dish out those remarks: "great job" "thanks for posting this" "keep 'em coming," etc. Many I think truly deserve such remarks, but there are just as many who should be advised they are not quite up to snuff and to go back to the drawing boards!

When I was learning (and playing out), I couldn't give two hoots about positive comments. I went out of my way to ask friends, audience members, even the club owners NOT what was right about my performance, but what was WRONG....what could I improve on, did I make obvious mistakes, how is my own personal style coming across to the audience, can you think of other songs I should be playing, OR.....songs I should NOT be playing, etc? And I used the feedback to get progressively better.

Now, if everyone is "good" then there is no "bad" to benchmark it against. "Good" becomes meaningless because it exists in a vacuum by itself. It's like "beautiful" and "ugly." How can "beautiful" exist if there is no "ugly" to compare it with.

I think anyone who is good, just knows by instinct they are "good!" Why would you need to hear it again from someone else?


But...I have to say, I do admire those folks who do dish out the compliments. I think they are genuinely caring people out to encourage others (who they recognize NEED encouragement)!

Very true words, Mark.

I have always been one of the 'What do I need to do to get better?' kind of guys, too. I didn't really ever need much in the way of encouragement, the music itself always drove me, and it was easy to spot what my strengths were. A lot harder to spot your own weaknesses, though!

I've always learned more from having something ripped than having kudos for it.

Overall, I find continually taping yourself, and taking the time to LISTEN to it, critically, is probably the best feedback. In the end, whether it's what everyone else expects or not, musically, what I'm playing is a deliberate decision. But while you are playing, you never quite get the chance to be pure critic. But later, it's usually easy to spot whether your vision worked or not. But there have been many times I've ripped myself on the spot, only to listen to playback and go 'Well, wasn't quite what I thought was coming, but it actually worked!' and cut myself a bit more slack next time!

But no-one ever got better from continually being told how great they were... It's the brickbats that do the most good, not the kudos.

Very true.

It's a shame That the guy in the video tommy isn't here to respond to some of your comments. That's what I object to. It amounts to criticising someone behind their back. Sure you can do it if you want to if that's how you feel. I just think its kind of lame when the guy just posted clips of himself having fun.

Some here say that If you expose your music to the world you must accept folks to criticise. That's true. But should we be the guys criticising without invitation and can it be done more constructively than picking apart a fellow musicians abilities without his knowledge ?

It's just my opinion. Do what you feel is appropriate.

You play out in public, whether at a concert or on the internet, you will NEVER be able to hear or read everything said about you.

How is this any different..?

You go to a concert, see an act, then talk about it afterwards, perhaps critically. Do you feel guilty for 'talking behind his back' doing that? Of course you don't!

This is pretty ridiculous, spalding.

The mere act of performing in public is an INVITATION to criticism or praise. If you want to remain in control of what anyone can say about your playing, don't ever let them hear you play! That's the only way you can do it.

Do you have anything up anywhere for all to hear? If so, did you do it in the expectation that you would remain in control of what others think of it? I doubt it.

It's not about control Diki It's about respect for a fellow musician and good manners ....But you i understand if you cant grasp that .

If someone has posted their work to be critiqued then fair dinkum . You are a professional and if you perform for an audience who have come to hear you and they don't like it then they have every right to criticise what you delivered to them .

But If are doing something for your own pleasure and you posted up your jam session or dance or trick just for the fun of it then its pretty lame in my book to take that as an invitation to criticise someone just having fun . its like watching the guy on the dance floor having fun who is mot the best dancer and critiquing his poise or balance or rhythm . Why can't it just be taken for what it is ? Just a guy having great fun on his instrument ? Some times I wonder if anyone here remembers that playing an instrument can just be for fun ....

That's why I think all this criticism is distasteful and unfair and frankly quite petty. But I am the fool here . Look who I am trying to explain good manners too ...I am done here . Best of luck to you all. I enjoyed being on the synthzone and for the most part it's been Fun .I guess I am just becoming too sensitive to the usual chat . Take care. Worth

There is a place to post comments on the youtube page under the video. That seems to be the most direct way to say your peace where it will be read by the one who submitted the video.