Discouraging budding composers

Another discouragement is the Nefarious Update Fairy, moving stuff around to quite inappropriate fora.

I posted an orchestral work on the Orchestral forum and said entity moved it to Repertoire. Flattering to think it was taken for standard repertoire but the gentlefairy wouldn't move it back. I had a bit of a laugh once I got over the peeve. Except no one bothered to listen to it thereafter. It took some while to put together and I'd have been more annoyed if I'd prepared and scanned a neat score, though.

I took it as an act of spite, maybe punishment for attempting a little humour which I find a bit thin on the ground here. But there it is. Some people have their quirks about these things and like to exert a little bit of power, for what difference it makes.

Result, I'll be posting music very rarely but definitely not a score at first.

:)

He wouldn't move it back? Well then, just post it again! :)

Ha! Yes, I should have but it might just have led to silliness. The mods are the mods and if they can't be bothered to read a post or don't like humour then best to let it go.

On topic -

I must admit a disdain for "composers" who turn up with a fragment along with a post like "I've just rattled this off but I don't know what to do next. What should I do?"

I mean, do they really want us to do their composing; to solve their musical problems? Or is it just small-talk?

One of the frustrations of being a composer is that it doesn't always happen like magic. One has to "stand back" aurally to take stock; develop an aural imagination; put it down and do something else until it gels.

However, there are cases where people genuinely get stuck and prompting and guidance might help so I do read the posts and add my bit hoping to help, as long as I'm not encouraging dependence rather than independence.

M

I've never understood, however, how criticism can ever be helpful. LIke.....whenever someone tells ME that something is out of place, I'm usually just like, gently caress you *I* like having that in there

I understand completely what you mean, and I admire the thoughtfulness of your first post. Music is highly subjective, yet people often think that their own interpretation is correct - without good reason. When I listen to, say, atonal music, my first thought might be, "WTF?! It started off so nicely, so why did they have to go and add in that clashing note?" My second would then be, "However, it's their composition, so I leave it up to them to decide."

In performance, it's different, and I often interpret a piece the way I like, but with composition, it's up to the composer to design his or her work. Thus, I see many criticisms as unnecessary, such as several that I was recently offered in regards to a canon I had composed for a marked assignment. I was told by my private msuci teacher (for performance, but I had showed it to him), and it was clear he hated it. First, he said, "Now, music is completely subjective, so don't take anything I say too seriously, okay?" Not a scrap of positive feedback was heard. He told me that I should have repeated the first two bars - but remember that it was a canon! Personally, I feel that three repetitions (from the three voices) of those two bars was enough (it wasn't strictly classical, so it was sort of like "anything goes" in regards to structure), but to repeat them, and thus have six repetitions? It would also mean that there would be a lot of doubling. No, thanks. I see that as personal opinion, yet people will attempt to force these types of criticisms upon you. He also claimed that the ending was not forceful enough. I mean, fine, that's his opinion and it's valid. However, I had determined that it would be that way, and that it would be a calm, pizzicato ending with a slight slow-down. Should such insignificant details be forced upon others?

These are the criticisms that should be acknowledged as being completely personal. After that, there are more valid ones, such as (just randomly thinking of things): "the harmony could be improved" or "the melody is not balanced enough".

In fact, all criticism is fine if the critic would just acknowledge the relevant parts as subjective. Clashing notes that ruin the effect? Okay, criticise that. But the choice of a flute instead of a clarinet? Acknowledge it as your opinion, I say, and explain why you would prefer its tone in the piece.

Okay, rant over. Am I wrong to shun these "insignificant" comments, which conflict with the way I've designed my own work? I ended up receiving 23 or 24 out of 25, and the teacher who actually marked it gave me relevant, in-depth advice, such as I could have exploited the range of the violin a bit more, instead of "I think you should repeat these two bars". Perhaps they sound the same to you, but in these circumstances, they appear extremely different to me.

Perhaps it was just the way the critical teacher has appraised the two compositions I've shown him. He's either made those random criticisms, or else given almost no feedback. That hurts. The first one he implied was slow and boring, and I mean, fine. Why not just say it? That's what kills. Criticism should be given tactfully. Almost everything has a good idea, so it's nice to begin with, "X was good, but perhaps Y could have been Z instead."

.........but with composition, it's up to the composer to design his or her work. Thus, I see many criticisms as unnecessary, such as several that I was recently offered in regards to a canon I had composed for a marked assignment. I was told by my private msuci teacher (for performance, but I had showed it to him), and it was clear he hated it. First, he said, "Now, music is completely subjective, so don't take anything I say too seriously, okay?" Not a scrap of positive feedback was heard. He told me that I should have repeated the first two bars - but remember that it was a canon! Personally, I feel that three repetitions (from the three voices) of those two bars was enough (it wasn't strictly classical, so it was sort of like "anything goes" in regards to structure), but to repeat them, and thus have six repetitions? It would also mean that there would be a lot of doubling. No, thanks. I see that as personal opinion, yet people will attempt to force these types of criticisms upon you. He also claimed that the ending was not forceful enough. I mean, fine, that's his opinion and it's valid. However, I had determined that it would be that way, and that it would be a calm, pizzicato ending with a slight slow-down. Should such insignificant details be forced upon others?[/b]

Not quite sure what you meant there - marked assignment/private teacher. If you showed it to a teacher other than the one marking the assignment, you're implying that you want comment, surely. You may reject his comments but at least he made some. How would you have felt if he'd just grimaced and said "I've no comment to make?"

These are the criticisms that should be acknowledged as being completely personal. After that, there are more valid ones, such as (just randomly thinking of things): "the harmony could be improved" or "the melody is not balanced enough".

In fact, all criticism is fine if the critic would just acknowledge the relevant parts as subjective. Clashing notes that ruin the effect? Okay, criticise that. But the choice of a flute instead of a clarinet? Acknowledge it as your opinion, I say, and explain why you would prefer its tone in the piece.[/b]

I think most recipients of criticism/review here accept that the critics' comments are subjective and definitely personal. Must that be explicitly acknowledged? What might be a problem is facetious or damning remarks - they are totally non-functional.

Perhaps the critic needs to be more selective. No sense in reviewing a style that one basically hates.

Perhaps (here) composers should follow forum rules and describe the genre in the post, so a listener can decide whether to avoid it.

By the way, there may be a good reason for suggesting a change in instrumentation.

Am I wrong to shun these "insignificant" comments, which conflict with the way I've designed my own work? I ended up receiving 23 or 24 out of 25, and the teacher who actually marked it gave me relevant, in-depth advice, such as I could have exploited the range of the violin a bit more, instead of "I think you should repeat these two bars". Perhaps they sound the same to you, but in these circumstances, they appear extremely different to me.

That's right - you need to be selective too.

It's always going to be a problem - we sometimes take perceived sleights against our creativity harshly - that's understandable. Ultimately, the audience is your critic. If you write music that needs a musically educated audience, then you will get a different reaction from a casual, Saturday-night-out audience.

But I do believe that someone reluctant to accept a general range of comments shouldn't be posting their music here.

M

Here is a simple fact of life. It's harsh. If you feel discourage by someone's opinion, then grow a spine. The world isn't going to treat you fairly or well. You have to fight for your right to be notice. If your work is good in their opinion then it is good. If your work is terrible in their opinion then it is bad in their opinion. Nothing more nothing less. If you cannot accept that then you should probably move to field that is more absolute.

People will tear you apart for number of reasons but if you let them get to you, what kind of person are you? If you believe your music is good, then stand by it. Do not give up. Forget what they say and keep on composing.

On a side note, Derek, would you have been nice to a young atonal composer? OR would you simply not bother or trying to change his music to tonal? After all, you do scream about how terrible professional composers' music tend to be. I treat amatures and professionals the same. Feelings are soo overrated.

I never discourage anybody for any reason whatsoever. The only people that I discourage are arrogant copulation cavities like yourself. Not that I can, of course, being as your ego is larger than Mt. Everest. I hope someday something extremely humiliating or humbling happens to you, and you look back on all the nasty, life shattering things you have said to people here (not including myself here, I am coming to the defense of others) and regret it.

Also, when I post in this thread, it is not because I have been discouraged, it is because friends of mine have been or I have seen others get discouraged. It reminds me of what happened to me when I was into programming. I have a spine now, and a hide...discouragement has YET to happen to me in music. But I have a very big heart and I CANT STAND TO SEE BEGINNERS HAVE THEIR PASSION FOR SOMETHING KILLED.

YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF, MR. ACRID WATER FOWL. AND ANYONE ELSE WHO INDULGES IN HIGH AND MIGHTY CONDESCENSION TOWARDS THOSE WHO NEED ENCOURAGEMENT. and yes, I am being condescending towards high and mighty people who condescend. At least I'm fighting fire with fire.

YOU PEOPLE MAKE ME WANT TO PROJECTILE VOMIT INTO YOUR EYESOCKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I never discourage anybody for any reason whatsoever. The only people that I discourage are arrogant copulation cavities like yourself. Not that I can, of course, being as your ego is larger than Mt. Everest. I hope someday something extremely humiliating or humbling happens to you, and you look back on all the nasty, life shattering things you have said to people here (not including myself here, I am coming to the defense of others) and regret it.

When have I ever said my work is better than anyone else? You naturally just assumed I have a big ego. People who are jerks do not have to have a big ego. You also made two statements which contrast each other. A)You do not discourage someone for ANY REASON WHATSOEVER. B)You discourage arrogant people. At least I ain't no liar. :wub:. Jk

Well, I really doubt something extremely humiliating is going to happen. What can happen? I realize I can die? I realize that life is so precious? I realize people have feelings? I realize that everything can end so quickly? Name it. I learned all that during the war. I don't need something to humble me. I am tough but I admit when someone is better. Who have I discourage on this forum? I only review works that people have asked me to review. I used to pick on noobs but a lot of people did at the time. find me a person.

Also, when I post in this thread, it is not because I have been discouraged, it is because friends of mine have been or I have seen others get discouraged. It reminds me of what happened to me when I was into programming. I have a spine now, and a hide...discouragement has YET to happen to me in music. But I have a very big heart and I CANT STAND TO SEE BEGINNERS HAVE THEIR PASSION FOR SOMETHING KILLED.

YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF, MR. ACRID WATER FOWL. AND ANYONE ELSE WHO INDULGES IN HIGH AND MIGHTY CONDESCENSION TOWARDS THOSE WHO NEED ENCOURAGEMENT. and yes, I am being condescending towards high and mighty people who condescend. At least I'm fighting fire with fire.

YOU PEOPLE MAKE ME WANT TO PROJECTILE VOMIT INTO YOUR EYESOCKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Perhaps if you knew me you would speak differently. :wub: Peace and love.

When have I ever said my work is better than anyone else? You naturally just assumed I have a big ego. People who are jerks do not have to have a big ego. You also made two statements which contrast each other. A)You do not discourage someone for ANY REASON WHATSOEVER. B)You discourage arrogant people. At least I ain't no liar. :wub:. Jk

Well, I really doubt something extremely humiliating is going to happen. What can happen? I realize I can die? I realize that life is so precious? I realize people have feelings? I realize that everything can end so quickly? Name it. I learned all that during the war. I don't need something to humble me. I am tough but I admit when someone is better. Who have I discourage on this forum? I only review works that people have asked me to review. I used to pick on noobs but a lot of people did at the time. find me a person.

I am not assuming you have a big ego, I am OBSERVING. And for the record, I ADMIT I HAVE A MASSIVE EGO. But I don't trample upon people with it!!!!!! Unless they need knocked off their HIGH HORSE.

I am not assuming you have a big ego, I am OBSERVING. And for the record, I ADMIT I HAVE A MASSIVE EGO. But I don't trample upon people with it!!!!!! Unless they need knocked off their HIGH HORSE.

Prove that my ego is big.

I am not assuming you have a big ego, I am OBSERVING. And for the record, I ADMIT I HAVE A MASSIVE EGO. But I don't trample upon people with it!!!!!! Unless they need knocked off their HIGH HORSE.

Methinks you often see high horses where there are none.

Look, I'm going to be straight forward for a second.

You and I have a different way of handing situtations. I grew up in different enivornment than you did. You probably grew up in a safe and reasonably place. You probably had loving parents and a nice childhood. While you were learning how to read, I was trying to stay alive. I grew up in countries that had rough people. Everything was direct and straight forward. We told our opinions based on how we felt. We didn't care about your feelings. In doing so, we would forgive and forget and move on. We wouldn't dwell on it and merely learn from it. The americans are not that way. It is a difference in culture. Something you wouldn't understand I suppose. Overthere, if you weren't tough and cold you weren't worth the food on your plate. You cannot expect me to become a sweet and innocent young man. It isn't reasonable. I'm extremely bitter and I hate that I had to be put through it. However, through all odds, I made it. I taught myself english and did well in school. I made it and the only reason I made it is because I never let anyone or anything bring me down. I really makes me sick when I see people like you give up because people tell you too.

Hmm.

I think some clear discernment is needed between encouragement and praise. And also between discouragement and critisism.

Personally - I received alot of encouragement from an older friend in writing my music. He happened to have a master's in music, and this helped me to feel a bit more confident. If that encouragement had not been there, there's a chance I might have stopped writing music. It is always nice to know when someone is enjoying your work, no matter how amateurish it may sound or whatever.

The point of the above is that he looked for the admirable qualities in the work, mentioned them, and encouraged me to continue with my strengths in music. There were weaknesses too, and he knew what composers were my favourites - but he didn't mention those weaknesses.

And I'm sorry he didn't. Eventually they came from other people. I still remember clearly someone's open dislike for what I was doing, and an articulation of what exactly they didn't like. It stands clearer in my mind than any praise I ever received.

And it hurt. But - I knew deep down that they were right - so I set about to fix it, understand my errors, the awkwardness in the music - to understand music better. Hah! I'm still doing that. But my music has improved (at least, imo).

I think it's important to know what the composer's likes and dislikes are in music, before making critisisms. Sure - don't be dishonest about whether you like their music or not - but if you don't know what they are shooting for, or at least what music they are trying (to some extent) to emulate, then you can't help them.

For example, I dislike atonal music. I can, with clear conscience voice my dislike for an atonal peice. But can I instruct the composer on how to write if we clearly have different tastes? No.

It's also important to realise as a composer that there will ALWAYS be people who slam your music. Sometimes it is out of honest dislike. Sometimes it is for far more selfish/ego reasons. Some people are jealous. Some people are competative. And some honestly don't like your music.

That is why, as a critic, it's important to articulate your reasons. At the least the composer will get an idea of YOUR tastes, and see if they match his own. And if they don't, so be it and move on. If they do, then you might find yourself focusing on an aspect of music that you didn't before, and improve that aspect.

It is always nice to know when someone is enjoying your work, no matter how amateurish it may sound or whatever.

Sorry, I don't mean to detract from your post but I balk at the term "amateurish". There is nothing wrong with doing something from love rather than to repay the mortgage etc. A few established composers were amateurs and many professional musicicans are effectively amateur composers. If you mean beginnerish, uninitiated or dilettantish, fine but amateurs can be as good as "professionals", the difference usually lies in matters like meeting deadlines, available resources, ability to churn out music to order, etc, which amateurs aren't particularly good at, particularly the latter. Writer's block is no use in professional circles.

I'm not sure how I stand here. Including the little profit reaped from ensemble gigs that included works I wrote, about half my music is paid for. True, I'm not good enough to make a decent living from it, then I don't pursue it single-mindedly either. I don't churn out enough to keep it coming. I was caught up in the last days of BBC3's insistence that new music was serial or otherwise atonal and non-programmatic unless extremely esoteric. Like George Lloyd, I declined to bow to that pressure. Things have changed but I have long settled into a business life and can no longer be bothered. I'm happy with music as a hobby. To an extent the business life finances that hobby allowing me things that I couldn't indulge as a professional, like I can do what I like, when I like within the limits of my resource.

Anyway...back to topic...

:happy:

Sorry, I don't mean to detract from your post but I balk at the term "amateurish". There is nothing wrong with doing something from love rather than to repay the mortgage etc. A few established composers were amateurs and many professional musicicans are effectively amateur composers. If you mean beginnerish, uninitiated or dilettantish...[/b]

The latter is what I meant. The quality or lack thereof(subjective, I know). Not whether the composer does it for a living.

Consider this early composition by me - maybe 11-12 years ago. Harsh harmony - it's all over the place. It's an amateur composition. This is what I meant by the term.

Look, I'm going to be straight forward for a second.

You and I have a different way of handing situtations. I grew up in different enivornment than you did. You probably grew up in a safe and reasonably place. You probably had loving parents and a nice childhood. While you were learning how to read, I was trying to stay alive. I grew up in countries that had rough people. Everything was direct and straight forward. We told our opinions based on how we felt. We didn't care about your feelings. In doing so, we would forgive and forget and move on. We wouldn't dwell on it and merely learn from it. The americans are not that way. It is a difference in culture. Something you wouldn't understand I suppose. Overthere, if you weren't tough and cold you weren't worth the food on your plate. You cannot expect me to become a sweet and innocent young man. It isn't reasonable. I'm extremely bitter and I hate that I had to be put through it. However, through all odds, I made it. I taught myself english and did well in school. I made it and the only reason I made it is because I never let anyone or anything bring me down. I really makes me sick when I see people like you give up because people tell you too.

Just cause you had a rough upbringing doesn't give you an excuse to make life harder for others, dude. Some people who grew up with rough upbringings are the kindest, gentlest people I've ever met. They found other ways to deal with their pain than "the best defense is a good offense." Anyway, what could be a more harmless place than the internet? Okay...so it isn't harmless...but what bit of infrastructure in the world has the least NECESSITY to be an unpleasant place? THE INTERNET! Why don't we try to make Young Composers an oasis, an exception to the mean, rather than JUST ANOTHER forum with droves of arrogant people ravaging young minds daily?

So...you and some others I expect had a rough life. So you go on the internet and say GAH YOUR COMPOSITION HURTS MY EARS...

Ya know...I think I'll just stop posting in this thread cause I think I've made my point crystal clear. Also, by saying "PROVE I HAVE A BIG EGO" you already did that for yourself =)

Not quite sure what you meant there - marked assignment/private teacher. If you showed it to a teacher other than the one marking the assignment, you're implying that you want comment, surely. You may reject his comments but at least he made some. How would you have felt if he'd just grimaced and said "I've no comment to make?"[/b]

That's almost exactly what happened. While the music teacher at my institution of study provided useful feedback, such as to exploit the violin's range more and perhaps alter a few clashing seconds, the other seemed to be struggling to produce essentially helpful criticism. Why point out such random and personal observations when there are other, genuinely real concerns? It's not so much what was said as the manner in which it was said.

It's difficult comprehend the situation without being directly in it, but I can clearly see now that my private music teacher is essentially quite narrow-minded and only very accepting of classical music, not modern styles. That is clearly what caused the flawed advice. I call it "flawed" not because it was terrible in content, but simply because he missed the point, and was obviously struggling to produce constructive criticism. No comment was given as to the level that it was, or the development of the themes. All that was given was "Repeat this more" and "Make the ending more forceful". I'm serious. It wasn't "In my opinion, this could do with some more repetition." It was "You need to repeat this more times and make them double up." You can provide all of the advice you want, but if it isn't provided in a professional and amiable manner, people will simply lose respect for you.

I think most recipients of criticism/review here accept that the critics' comments are subjective and definitely personal. Must that be explicitly acknowledged? What might be a problem is facetious or damning remarks - they are totally non-functional.

Perhaps the critic needs to be more selective. No sense in reviewing a style that one basically hates.

Perhaps (here) composers should follow forum rules and describe the genre in the post, so a listener can decide whether to avoid it.[/b]

That's a good thought. Often, if I'm reviewing a song of a genre that I don't usually enjoy, I acknowledge it: "Yo, Mr X! I don't usually enjoy genre Y, but song Y still struck me as pretty good!" Of course,

By the way, there may be a good reason for suggesting a change in instrumentation.

Obviously, there must be. My point is that not everyone will explain why. The worst posts consist of "This sucks. Go and die." However, wouldn't it be more useful to say, "This might need a little more work because you have a limited grasp of harmony. Try reading Material X"?

That's right - you need to be selective too.

Again, it was the way in which the "criticism" was said that struck me as not being very tactful. Why select such insignificant points when there were far more important ones?

It's always going to be a problem - we sometimes take perceived sleights against our creativity harshly - that's understandable. Ultimately, the audience is your critic. If you write music that needs a musically educated audience, then you will get a different reaction from a casual, Saturday-night-out audience.

But I do believe that someone reluctant to accept a general range of comments shouldn't be posting their music here.[/b]

There is no responsibility to accept comments from anyone at all. There is no bonus to bending to others' wills. However, there is no reward for being narrow-minded and conceited, either. I primarily create music how I want to. If you enjoy changing your whole style just to please others, then wow, you have a very weak will indeed. There is a difference between "accepting" and "acknowledging". I acknowledge others' criticisms of my work, but there is definitely no need for me to "accept" it; I have no responsibility at all to actually listen to any of it. I know what advice is good and what isn't, for me.

Of course, there's the advice that could be heeded or not, and that's what I refer to. I clearly understand that the pitch range could have been extended, but it was my design that the opening two bars should not have been repeated six times. It's valid advice, but it's a matter of opinion. Really, many things are up to the composer, just as books are completely written by the author. If you dislike the ending, it must be accepted, as it was the work of creativity of the writer. In the end, if you have such little confidence in your own work that you must listen to everything everyone else says, then perhaps you're not cut out for the "creative individual" life.

I know that I, personally, can differentiate relevant advice from irrelevant advice. It's all up to the individual. However, there's no reason for you to be, well, mean to "lesser mortals". Provide feedback, but justify it and soften it. Is this so hard? Are you generally an ogre on an everyday basis? It's nothing more than being polite. Seriously, being grouchy will only make others lose respect for you. I know because I've seen it happen to others, just as maintaining a friendly and positive attitude has won me accolades from the people who really matter.

It doesn't matter if the person on the receiving end is sensitive or not. It's an obvious, unspoken rule that you should treat others as you would like to be treated, so if you want to be berated by narrow-minded elitists, then go ahead: create a despised reputation for yourself.

All I'm saying is that advice can at least be presented in a thoughtful and positive manner, not intentionally vague, useless and unaccepting.

By the way, when I say "you", I don't necessarily mean "you". Hang on, let me re-phrase that. It's just a manner of speaking, not the singling out of any one person. Oh, and kindly don't make your post as long as this one. Congratulations if you made it this far.

Bitter, I agree with Derek. The fact that you're playing the "hard life card" is, frankly, an insult to the very perseverance you've shown in getting through it. I have every sympathy for people who've gone through what you've gone through, and insurmountable respect. I would never want to go through such things, and I can't begin to imagine how hard it must have been. Your flaunting of this to preserve some "privilege" of yours to vent at the expense of others diminishes greatly that respect I had for you.

Just cause you had a rough upbringing doesn't give you an excuse to make life harder for others, dude. Some people who grew up with rough upbringings are the kindest, gentlest people I've ever met. They found other ways to deal with their pain than "the best defense is a good offense." Anyway, what could be a more harmless place than the internet? Okay...so it isn't harmless...but what bit of infrastructure in the world has the least NECESSITY to be an unpleasant place? THE INTERNET! Why don't we try to make Young Composers an oasis, an exception to the mean, rather than JUST ANOTHER forum with droves of arrogant people ravaging young minds daily?

So...you and some others I expect had a rough life. So you go on the internet and say GAH YOUR COMPOSITION HURTS MY EARS...

Ya know...I think I'll just stop posting in this thread cause I think I've made my point crystal clear. Also, by saying "PROVE I HAVE A BIG EGO" you already did that for yourself =)

How so, please explain how I have a big ego. Also please find a piece where I said, anyone's music hurts my ears. In fact, find a post where Imerely say a composition isn't good without giving reasons.

Bitter, I agree with Derek. The fact that you're playing the "hard life card" is, frankly, an insult to the very perseverance you've shown in getting through it. I have every sympathy for people who've gone through what you've gone through, and insurmountable respect. I would never want to go through such things, and I can't begin to imagine how hard it must have been. Your flaunting of this to preserve some "privilege" of yours to vent at the expense of others diminishes greatly that respect I had for you.

It's not a privilege and I don't claim it is. You just have to understand where I am coming from. I'm not going to become a nice person. I Will be straight forward and direct. I will tell you how I feel. I will tell you what is on my mind. I will not back down and I will keep on doing what I am doing. Is being who you are regradless of where you are such a strange concept to the americans?

Well, perhaps to some Americans, but not to me. It just seemed like you were going off about your horrible childhood to excuse unacceptable behavior... your post was also rather unnecessarily abusive of Americans in general, and therefore us individually on the forum. Foreigners like you need to get past the whole "Americans are an embarassment to the rest of the earth" mentality. That bugs me to no end.

One thing's for sure: I have never given up when someone's told me to. Of course, not many have ever told me to in the first place... I guess I'm fortunate in that regard. Naysayers only make me try harder.

Well, perhaps to some Americans, but not to me. It just seemed like you were going off about your horrible childhood to excuse unacceptable behavior... your post was rather unnecessarily abusive of Americans in general, and therefore us individually on the forum. Foreigners like you need to get past the whole "Americans are an embarassment to the rest of the earth" mentality. That bugs me to no end.

One thing's for sure: I have never given up when someone's told me to. Of course, nobody's really ever told me to in the first place... I guess I'm fortunate in that regard. Naysayers only make me try harder.

Exactly. I'm still waiting for someone to find a piece I have reviewed where I merely said it was terrible give up composing.

Extremely repetitive. You have to learn how to keep the general mood while doing something else. You didn't do anything really interesting until half way. Even then when you switched to B, it sounded like an awkward transition. It didn't seem to fit well and sounded a bit broken. More variation in the beginning would be lovely. Although the part around 2:20 was lovely fit nicely. The part after kept me reeling.

It was basically an onslaught of piano keys being hit. It was nice for a while but then my ears started to hurt. Remember, resting is your friend. It releases tension. Learn to build and release.

Now, I don't care whether this young man was discouraged by your comments. That is not the point of my starting this thread. It is to point out that your manner of reviewing is questionable and directed at certain people could permanently damage their enjoyment of music. You are quite right, in the final analysis that is the responsibility of whoever put their music UP for review in the first place, however that doesn't mean you shouldn't consider how others might react to what you say. I started this thread not to attack you specifically Bitterduck, but you asked for an example of your harsh reviewing so I went and found one. This thread was directed at a number of people on this site, not just you. I hesitate to name names because I probably already have enough enemies as it is.

I also recall your commenting on a certain ureshi gaki a while back...I think the thread was removed, where you said some similar things. He left the site, to my knowledge. You must begin to realize what you say CAN affect others, and you are NOT entitled to just continue on doing that because such and such a person happens to be sensitive and "should" grow a spine or what not. They might be 13 freaking years old! If we were all like 18+ on this site I probably wouldn't be going after that sort of behavior so much because by that age I think people can be reasonably expected to not be so bitterly affected by harsh words.