We are adopting a new format and with it we are going back to using polls.

Contests will be for original songs only. We understand that covers are very popular, however we would like to listen to your creative side too and we know you have it in you so show us!

The monthly contests will be based on themes, the theme will be a list of topics provided by staff and will be very subjective and open to interpretation for both the contestant and the voters. So though you will be asked to submit a song according to the theme they sky's the limit on it.

BASIC CONTEST/CHALLENGE RULES:

Only one entry per person. You need to post your entry in the submission thread started by the Host of a contest/challenge. The submission thread is for original song entries only, no comments. The Host should start a separate thread in this forum just for comments.

The winner of the contest agrees to host the next month's contest (or recruit someone else to host the contest), and pick the next month's theme from the provided list. Typically the winners have not been able to enter a song in the next contest. A backing track can be provided, we do not expect everyone to create the full song. The host should choose and post a generic track for everyone to use.

Well Eric, just some sugestions. Im not b1tching or anything, just wanna give you some constructive sugestions.

I understand why you choosed not to use a cover for this forum contests but, i think thats is also an impediment for many users.
Maybe there could be a month of an specific band and guitarists can choose any song they want....or, maybe improve a classic song riff or create a diferent solo than the original song... i dont know. But we can find a way.

Let me explain. Not everybody have the gear or PC skills to create or even develope a decent backing original music. And not even soundfonts gonna do that job quit well.... Most of us are guitarists, not software geeks.

And for the "generic" backing track for the moth contest idea, i think is hard for the listener to hear the same backing many times with diferent guitarists on the same thing. It turns a little repetitive and this also turn back the creativity of the musician inside of us cause many of the forumers are advanced guys that can phrase very well over a BT.


Changing this subjects and rules can atract many more forumers here to this contests. We all know we have tons of creative guys here...so please think about it :)

I know there is a "Cover" section and a "Battle" section, but we all know that recording a song for a contest is also a very demanding job ....with a diferent goal than just exposure: to compare sounds, tones, techniques and everything else on the guitar realm. With all those guitar work details here and there and...too much blah blah blah...:)


There should be guys who disagree, there should be guys who agree with me. But everything is for music sake, and restricting styles is closing a patch that many guys could follow if they have the chance.

WE ARE NOT G101, and that´s clear to me and to all the incredible guys that have the GB shirt on. But sometimes i feel some kind of paranoid feel on many members about that other place that wants to grow apart from that.

I think we have our own distinctive style. A VERY GOOD POSITIVE STYLE. So that shouldnt be a problem...

Your doing a terrific job here for everyone. Honestly :yourock:

So, once more: Thanks. My $0.05:wavey:

GT

Maybe there could be a month of an specific band and guitarists can choose any song they want....or, maybe improve a classic song riff or create a diferent solo than the original song... i dont know. But we can find a way.

Let me explain. Not everybody have the gear or PC skills to create or even develope a decent backing original music. And not even soundfonts gonna do that job quit well.... Most of us are guitarists, not software geeks.

And for the "generic" backing track for the moth contest idea, i think is hard for the listener to hear the same backing many times with diferent guitarists on the same thing. It turns a little repetitive and this also turn back the creativity of the musician inside of us cause many of the forumers are advanced guys that can phrase very well over a BT.
Changing this subjects and rules can atract many more forumers here to this contests. We all know we have tons of creative guys here...so please think about it :)

I know there is a "Cover" section and a "Battle" section, but we all know that recording a song for a contest is also a very demanding job ....with a diferent goal than just exposure: to compare sounds, tones, techniques and everything else on the guitar realm. With all those guitar work details here and there and...too much blah blah blah...:)
I think we have our own distinctive style. A VERY GOOD POSITIVE STYLE. So that shouldnt be a problem...



GT


Thanks for putting your views forward m8 , we always welcome new ideas aswell as listening to feedback from everyone :)
The reason the old mp3 compitition has been altered is due to many of its flaws , we were having ppl nominating themselves multiple times and using diffrent accounts to do the samething , amongst many other problems aswell .
So you have those ppl to thank for the old system being withdrawn and for the new one being put into action .
Now i understand that this new comp is alot diffrent and maybe not be up everyones alley , but first of its only this months theme that is limited by one backing track , Avalon and myself kindly gave our time to make a bt for everyone to use and to do whatever they wished over it , hopefully with diffrent themes we will allow ppl to use what songs they want obviously which fits the criteria of that months theme :)
Secondly i agree it is hard for ppl to come out with original ideas however i don't think its beyond anyones capabilities on this forum to come out with something original , we all jam to things and improv solos , whether thats guitar , vocals or using a triangle lol :toothless:
Also i think this is a fantastic idea because it pulls ppl out of there comfort zone and having to think on what there playing , none of us get better by playing the same set of licks over and over n over , so really not only is this good creative wise , its excellent learning wise to.
On your other point about the bt and ppls entrys songs sounding the same, well ive listened to everyones , i can safely say everyones entrys for this month sounded diffrent to me(they are all spooky tho :D) , so i don't think thats a problem either and as i said above we will review the coming themes , maybe let ppl use diffrent songs but with the same theme that fits that month.
Onto your other point about comparing techniques , skills and such , thats not what these comps are about , if i listen to this months comp and someones entry had mad apreggios, tapping all through it still won't get my vote, what im listening to and i hope everyone else does to is who captures the overall theme the best , to me its not about technique , ability , skill, its about creativity , theres alot of diffrence :)
I can assure you and everyone else we are all working to try to improve everything but sadly these things do take time , all we can say is that give it a chance and try it out , we will continue to try to improve things m8 :rock: :rock:

Hi there,

Thought that I would chime in as well.

Listening to the entries for this month's theme, despite them all having the same backer, they all sound very different. People are using different places to start, different tones, and different sound samples. Also, the different tools people have used to mix with has also had an effect on how the different tunes have turned out. I certainly didn't get bored listening to them all through again when it came to voting.

I didn't know the reason why the old system had gone, but multiple nominations kind of took away from the theme of this site, so if this is the only way to enforce that, then that's the way it is. A shame though, but the few always fuck it up for the many, don't they ?

As for technique and ability, I have none of these, but still had a crack at this month's. I don't expect to win at all, but that's not what it was all about for me. Certainly this month's contest has been fun, there hasn't been a feel of competitiveness about it at all. People are just enjoying listening to 9 originals that wouldn't have come about if the theme and backer hadn't been supplied and enforced. Like Bahamut says, you had to come out of the comfort zone.

I for one am not here to trade licks. For one, what I put out there was moderately simple stuff. I did utilise my whammy bar in it at one point, but that was only in the way Eddie Van Halen uses it in the fill in Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love. No wizadry, tapping, or fast licks in there, and I couldn't tell you what key it's in, or what scales I am playing (though I suspect it is the old pentatonic). So I doubt anyone was that impressed to want to know my licks. As for the other guys licks, I'm not of the ability to replicate them, so that's out of the window for me I am afraid.

The only negative point about this format is the lack of visibility to the forum. Only 15 votes so far. I don't know how many votes secured a win with the old system, but I'm expecting that it was more than the odd 2 or 3, but I am not privvy to such information. But this was always a problem with this format. The actual listening of a bunch of entries at the end in order to decide kind of puts people off and like you say, most posts and views are in the covers forum. I have no suggestions for how to overcome this though. The poll is visible from the portal page, and all the mods have links in their signatures.

But I do agree, there is room for improvement, if only to increase exposure to this forum. I was put off initially because I thought that I would be out of my depth posting amongst such talent. However, I needn't have worried. I forgot how supportive and fun this community is, so I won't let it put me off in future.

All I wanted to do was participate and get a tune out that I was happy with. I managed to accomplish that. The feedback received, encouragement and now a couple of votes is an added bonus, and totally unexpected.

Anyway, not sure whether my post has helped or not and I have no doubt gone over the post limit, but let me finish by saying:

:yourock:

Well i can't complain about the old system much having won it a couple of times, but i prefer the new system, solely because you're not forced to enter, that was my biggest gripe on the old system that you had no choice if u entered or not, and i don't like to compete tbh.
There are some great entrys in this months contest, we might not have 8 or 10 votes per person, but everyone only has one vote to use now, and under the old system, you could have multiple entrys on 10+ votes from the same ppl effectively, so its really not alot of difference in the amount of votes available, just that everyone now just has one.

Would it be nice to see some more activity in there, yes ofcourse, but i think we've had a good first month, hopefully with time and effort it will progress along nicely, and i think as long as each month has a level playing field for everyone to work from, then it will (which i believe has been the case this month).

Well i can't complain about the old system much having won it a couple of times, but i prefer the new system, solely because you're not forced to enter, that was my biggest gripe on the old system that you had no choice if u entered or not, and i don't like to compete tbh.
There are some great entrys in this months contest, we might not have 8 or 10 votes per person, but everyone only has one vote to use now, and under the old system, you could have multiple entrys on 10+ votes from the same ppl effectively, so its really not alot of difference in the amount of votes available, just that everyone now just has one.

Would it be nice to see some more activity in there, yes ofcourse, but i think we've had a good first month, hopefully with time and effort it will progress along nicely, and i think as long as each month has a level playing field for everyone to work from, then it will (which i believe has been the case this month).

Good points Avalon, regarding the one vote to cast and not having a choice whether to enter or not.

I never thought of those.

All hail the new old system !

Cheers,

we were having ppl nominating themselves multiple times and using diffrent accounts to do the samething

:lol:

its not as though theres a £1000 prize eh....name n shame em i say!!
there obviously not here for the "fun" factor thats for sure lol.

rtegards,
jim.

[quote=Bahamut;74014]Thanks for putting your views forward m8 , we always welcome new ideas aswell as listening to feedback from everyone

Bahamut and ericgtr,..I have an idea about how the entries should be submitted. First I think that the new format is fine and I think everyone here has the skills to do it!

Second, When the monthly contest is posted and when everyone gets their track/song done,..I think each entered mp3 should be uploaded to the person in charge of the contest that can't vote or a special forum that no one can enter,..like a holding place where all the entry's go until a specific date is set to end the contest and then all the entry's are posted at once with no names on the Mp3s of who entered it. Then have the polls open and let the voting begin. After the poll is closed then the names should go up along side the mp3 of who entered it. So, in a nut shell say, that 5 people entered,...you could post all of them at the same time(with no names given out) and post them as Mp3-1, Mp3-2, Mp3-3, Mp3-4 and so on. That way no one knows who's is who's until the voting is over. Then everyone could comment on the tracks entered!
I think it's great idea and I think it would be a good solutions for the voting polls. It would become more of an even contest/voting system! Well, that's my 7 1/2 cents worth:lol:

Johnny

Well i do like the idea of that tbh Bulletman, i remember this being discussed on 101 though, and i think the answer then was along the lines of, that anyone who wants to cheat only has to let everyone know which track is theirs to get around it, and thats the biggest problem i see with that system, even though in princible i agree to what you're saying.

If everyone approached it from the "Fun-Factor" point of view (which 90% of everyone does i think), we wouldn't even have to discuss this i guess, which is a shame, but its just like Mondy said, there is always a small few who ruin it for the rest.

Hey everyone!
Secially Avalon and Bahamut:

I dont know if i sounded ofensive with my point :slap: . In NO WAY i tried to offend you guys with that post, both of you deserve a statue for making this place a suberp forum. You are unique and necessary guys wich i really like and respect as guitarists, friends and incredible human beings, you know that!!!:hug:
I think it would be easy for me to explain myself in my mother lenguage.
The same goes for all the contest players wich i feel the same for them.
I hope no one take what i wrote in a personal offense but i apologize if i made it sound like that. You know i try to get involved in every jam you make cause this makes me a better guitarist and i enjoy it so much, so im saying this from the heart with honesty.

Its hard for me to explain what im trying to say, but i know you understand me guys. Mondy made a good point "The only negative point about this format is the lack of visibility to the forum. Only 15 votes so far"...And still..... we all can find a way to improve OUR forum.:yourock:

Thanks once more. GT

Hey everyone!
Secially Avalon and Bahamut:

I dont know if i sounded ofensive with my point :slap: . In NO WAY i tried to offend you guys with that post, both of you deserve a statue for making this place a suberp forum. You are unique and necessary guys wich i really like and respect as guitarists, friends and incredible human beings, you know that!!!:hug:
I think it would be easy for me to explain myself in my mother lenguage.
The same goes for all the contest players wich i feel the same for them.
I hope no one take what i wrote in a personal offense but i apologize if i made it sound like that. You know i try to get involved in every jam you make cause this makes me a better guitarist and i enjoy it so much, so im saying this from the heart with honesty.

Its hard for me to explain what im trying to say, but i know you understand me guys. Mondy made a good point "The only negative point about this format is the lack of visibility to the forum. Only 15 votes so far"...And still..... we all can find a way to improve OUR forum.:yourock:

Thanks once more. GT

No not at all mate, you didn't offend me in the least lol, and i think this is a very health discussion for the competition :)

No offence taking in the slightest m8, i know exactly where your coming from and the ideas/feedback everyone is giving is excellent , i wasn't being rude either or i hope i didn't give that impression, this months comp is the first and you know its new n all , things take time to settle down and have to find there place as im sure this will :)
I was just saying what has been going on not just to you but to everyone and why this new comp has come around , hopefully we will keep trying to improve on it but also make sure everyone gets to know how this is going to work :)
Bulletman i do like your idea aswell about taking names away from the mp3s, only problem i can see though is that ppl can argue that the voters know who they are listening to , cos alot of us jam with each other to i reckon some of us can pickout ppls playing styles.
The future polls will be public aswell , so if any clever so and so thinks they will vote for themselves, well they will be shamed infront of the whole forum lol( it will show the voters ), so that will take care of that problem, as for this poll the admins can see whos voted where, so im hoping none of us are that idiotic or have stooped to that level just to win a compitition ;)
Anyway ladies/gents , keep the ideas coming :yourock:

Hey everyone!
Secially Avalon and Bahamut:

I dont know if i sounded ofensive with my point :slap: . In NO WAY i tried to offend you guys with that post, both of you deserve a statue for making this place a suberp forum. You are unique and necessary guys wich i really like and respect as guitarists, friends and incredible human beings, you know that!!!:hug:
I think it would be easy for me to explain myself in my mother lenguage.
The same goes for all the contest players wich i feel the same for them.
I hope no one take what i wrote in a personal offense but i apologize if i made it sound like that. You know i try to get involved in every jam you make cause this makes me a better guitarist and i enjoy it so much, so im saying this from the heart with honesty.

Its hard for me to explain what im trying to say, but i know you understand me guys. Mondy made a good point "The only negative point about this format is the lack of visibility to the forum. Only 15 votes so far"...And still..... we all can find a way to improve OUR forum.:yourock:

Thanks once more. GT


No way bro,..If ya don't say what ya have to say,...then we couldn't make things better. No worries M8. All is cool bro!:thumb:

Johnny

Well i do like the idea of that tbh Bulletman, i remember this being discussed on 101 though, and i think the answer then was along the lines of, that anyone who wants to cheat only has to let everyone know which track is theirs to get around it, and thats the biggest problem i see with that system, even though in princible i agree to what you're saying.

If everyone approached it from the "Fun-Factor" point of view (which 90% of everyone does i think), we wouldn't even have to discuss this i guess, which is a shame, but its just like Mondy said, there is always a small few who ruin it for the rest.

Avalon, I agree,..if everyone just had fun with it,..then we could all sit back and enjoy our selfs. I really don't care if I ever win any mp3 monthly contest. I just get into these because it make me think out of the box and be creative. I just love playing!...PERIOD!! That's all that matters to me,.. and being part of this great site. You guys rock!
Now lets get this together and come up with a November theme,..so I can record something messed up....:lol: :wtf:

Johnny

:lol:

its not as though theres a £1000 prize eh....name n shame em i say!!
there obviously not here for the "fun" factor thats for sure lol.

rtegards,
jim.
:lol::lol: Man I can´t agree more with ya! I mean, cmmon, is that a joke or what? I can´t believe a dude supposedly grown up can act such kiddiesh, having to make another account and/or relying on his-her buddies for nominating-winning a lil badge, LMAO! It sounds like one of those High School TV brat shows where kids fight themselves for being the most "in" cool dudes, hahahaha! I myself have nominated (and left comments for why I have done so) back when I felt the song (whoever fixed it up) deserved it. But I´ve seen soo many ackward/hang on buddies-like winnings in the past both here and 101 (hell, I even got PM´s for the issue by some folks, just for that!). I just don´t give a damn for polls. Nominating (trueheartedly that is) is ok, but I hate competitions. I already felt like that with battles and such long time ago. I´d LOVE to see the stats for the IP´s and usernames which have voted on every months nom song, but for sure I´m asking for an impossible, LMAO! I´m sure we ALL would have a surprise (or maybe not?) about who´s who, :thumb:.

Well the last comp is done and dusted , what counts now is the current comp and making sure its not abused:)
For the better part we do have decent ppl who will take part and are quite happy just jamming to a song and sharing it with others, most of us are happy to do so :)
I do agree though Tony it is really sad , you can only laugh at ppl who feel the need to win like that :lol:

Yeah, it kind of takes it away from it, it really does. I only take part for the fun factor, and yeah, it'd be nice to win one, but I dunno now. I'd like to win on my own merit if I did, but then would others have doubts that I cheated ? And would it mean that much knowing I'd won against people that were potentially abusing the system.

Makes you wonder if it's best not winning them eh ? Least you can have a clear conscience ? Either that or you didn't create enough aliases before the voting started !

:tard:

[quote=Bahamut;74014]Thanks for putting your views forward m8 , we always welcome new ideas aswell as listening to feedback from everyone

Bahamut and ericgtr,..I have an idea about how the entries should be submitted. First I think that the new format is fine and I think everyone here has the skills to do it!

Second, When the monthly contest is posted and when everyone gets their track/song done,..I think each entered mp3 should be uploaded to the person in charge of the contest that can't vote or a special forum that no one can enter,..like a holding place where all the entry's go until a specific date is set to end the contest and then all the entry's are posted at once with no names on the Mp3s of who entered it. Then have the polls open and let the voting begin. After the poll is closed then the names should go up along side the mp3 of who entered it. So, in a nut shell say, that 5 people entered,...you could post all of them at the same time(with no names given out) and post them as Mp3-1, Mp3-2, Mp3-3, Mp3-4 and so on. That way no one knows who's is who's until the voting is over. Then everyone could comment on the tracks entered!
I think it's great idea and I think it would be a good solutions for the voting polls. It would become more of an even contest/voting system! Well, that's my 7 1/2 cents worth:lol:

Johnny


Ditto BM!