Is this just a music site ...

... or is it more ?

Obviously music is the reason wikiloops was created but I believe it has now morphed into more than 'just a music site'.

The purpose of jamming is to find musicians with skills to compliment yours but that involves
a togetherness where bonds are created, loyalties grow, humour is shared. Wikiloops is sometimes like a dating agency for lonely musicians :D

Can you find out more about someone by forming a musical connection, sure you can! Collaboration can be quite revealing.
Mental disorders are widespread generally but in 'artists' maybe more so. Insecurities, anxiety, confidence issues and all kinds of neurodivergent states become known. It's likely that everyone here can identify with a mental problem, either themself or in someone close.

Hidden problems like gambling, alcoholism, poverty and physical disability may exist but music (performing or listening) can be used as a way to escape the bad things in life.... or actually to expand on them to create meaningful works of art.

This subject doesn't come up on music sites as a rule but because this site is 'not just a music site' getting to know someone through their music and lyrics and the way they interact is now embedded in the site.

We can all make music in our bedrooms, alone... some of us can earn money publically gigging ; but to be happy and willing to pay to make music, unseen in this virtual home where it can be freely downloaded! well, there must to be a compelling reason.... share it!

So I ask "Why do you make music" and I'll follow it up with "Why do you make music at wikiloops?"

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the "why" might be hard to explain. it's like asking "why do you breathe?". sometimes there might be a point, a message, but often than not, it's like scratching an itch. i didn't ask for the itch, it just was...and i scratched. choices based on feelings. you chase things you can’t quite describe. you know when something is wrong long before you know how to make it right.

every once in a while, all of those decisions turn into something that feels like it had been there the whole time. a spark can ignite the itch...you just never know when that scratch is gonna itch and when that itch is gonna scratch.

a sound pops off in the ol' noggin...a theme or imagery takes flight and it needs a soundtrack...and you follow it...wherever it goes...sometimes nowhere...sometimes for no one...sometimes it only existed in your head...for you only...and sometimes it comes out and ends up here...

i don’t know if that explains why i make music.

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As far as I’m concerned, Wikiloops is like a notebook where I scribble down sketches. Regarding connecting with other musicians, I have mixed feelings, given the lack of interest in my proposal to organize a sort of festival for connected amateur musicians ( https://www.wikiloops.com/forum/viewthread.php?thread_id=4415#post_32931)It seems that spending time in the "Wikiloops barn" is the best way to gain acceptance...

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if life permits, a visit to your area would be great my friend. i'm hoping that could become a reality and our paths could cross in person, over music, food, and good wine. cheers!

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With great pleasure: guitar picks and glasses of wine!

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I think Wikiloops can be anything to anyone, it all depends on what you want to "achieve".

Some may use it as a pure provider of backing tracks to play to without ever uploading anything on top of the tracks.

Others may use it as a creative outlet in a way that encourages others to add new ideas.

And I suppose a third group uses it as an audience or a testbed for tracks they plan on releasing somewhere else.

Just guessing, but overtime many will drift between these groups.

My main reason for being and staying on Wikiloops is that there`s a broad range of inspirations and ideas that in turn get me thinking and experimenting. Plus, it`s non-competitive - or if it is, it`s easy to ignore.

Reason for making music? Easy, it`s all about emotional satisfaction which can relate to the input (my ideas) and/or the output.

Anyway, I can`t paint or draw, my knitting skills are zero (though I do weave great soundcarpets :D ) and I`m past the age where chasing girls was a fulltime job (and required creativity), so music is the valve, the release, for dealing with myself and the rest of the world and trying to stay somewhat sane.

Re Didier: I`m not really surprised as I think many Loopers actually want and enjoy creating in the safety of their own home. And that`s how Wikiloops is designed (and works). On the other hand, it only takes 4 or 5 people to make something happen but someone has to be in the driver seat.

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I’m sticking with my idea: on Friday, we’re meeting with people who have already organized open-mic nights and concerts to discuss it. They’re interested in the idea of ​​experimenting with something connected. Stay tuned! Thanks for your interest!

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I was about to post something similar to MySounds.

The jump from 'virtual' to actual is impossible for many musicians for a variety of reasons, many I touched on in an earlier post.

It's fine to share music and ideas and even personal stuff online where you are in your safe place, unseen, not judged beyond your wiki productions... but what if ....

* You can't perform live because your wiki uploads are electronic or remixed many times. Do you really want to put yourself alongside the superior skills of others!

* Maybe you are shy, nervous or you have trouble socialising.

* You could be extremely overweight or have physical disabilities or you stutter.

* What if you are much older and uglier than you look in your 1970s profile picture.

* Could be that you work full time or have home responsibilities.

* Many people can't afford (or find it difficult) to travel.

* You may think your language skills are restrictive.

* Perhaps you don't drink!

I may be exagerating and you may laugh or dismiss my concerns as irrelevant but actually these 'excuses' are very real to many online musicians. Thankfully for good mixers and organisers like Didier or Dick, there are enough people who are up for the challenge and ready for a little live fun and games :)

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Well, this might be better added to Didiers original post, but anyway....

I think what Didier is trying to do (which I support and think it`s a great idea) may be difficult for some because it`s not simply a continuation of Wikiloop jams in a different (real) environment.

Playing live is a different kettle of fish compared to the Wikiloops "culture". The people need to rehearse together, they need to decide on a setlist, there are dates they need to stick to and in general the preparation of the live setting requires a different sort of committment.

Not everyone is a recording artist as well as a performing artist is what I`m trying to get across.

p.s. skill level really shouldn`t be an issue. a band made up only of virtuoso musicians where each tries to outdo the others is bound to fail every time.

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It doesn't seem very complicated to me to present a few loops in public and invite willing loopers (!) to improvise over them, either live or through Wikiloops. Of course, it's better if some preparation has been done beforehand.

If the audience is properly informed that these are amateur musicians who want to introduce people to Wikiloops, that the performance is free of charge, and that they won't be subjected to the same old cover songs, there's a good chance they'll be won over!

At least in my area, people are always eager to discover something new.

But perhaps I've remained a bit too much of a dreamer.

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I was drawn in to reading this thread this evening, and would like to add my $0.02. As a newcomer (my 1 year anniversary is in October I think), I can see that a lot of the people on wikiloops might be hesitant to interact with a lot of you veterans as you all seem to know each other well and are on an actual first-name basis, so it might be intimidating for some people to want to jump in to a forum discussion as they may feel somewhat awkward doing so.

And I can also understand why some people, perhaps like Shamika, might be disappointed at not getting recognition from the community at times. After all, recording a mix is a lot of work, and most people seem to take it very seriously and try to do their best, so it is disappointing if your efforts go unnoticed or perhaps not as noticed as you'd have hoped.

I know I have felt that way at times, but when I do, I remind myself of why I am here. It's to create music, and to learn how to do it better. If someone else listens, great. If someone likes it and says so, even one person, then joy! And if nobody likes or comments, well, then if I like what I did, then no hard feelings, and it's on to the next one.

I have lived in the city I'm currently in for nearly 30 years, but due to the nature of my work (software development, work from home -- now retired), I literally have only been able to make one real friend here in all that time, and that guy is no musician! The rest of my actual friends are scattered around the country and in Europe and parts of Asia. And the only other musician I know here is the guy I take guitar lessons from, and as much as I've learned from him, I haven't been able to hook up with any other musicians through him for whatever reason.

So for me, when I discovered wikiloops, I immediately realized this was the place that was going to let me pursue composing and recording original music in collaboration with other actual people. No matter that I'd likely never meet them in person or even chat a few words back and forth on-line. The interactions here, when they happen, are always supportive and polite, so when they don't happen, that's okay too. Sometimes the tunes pile in here so fast that it's easy to get overlooked.

Anyway, I have performed live, but few times and far-between, and I'd probably be scared shitless if I had to do it again, but if I had the opportunity, I'm sure I'd do it anyway. So to Didier, I say, keep dreaming, and maybe you will find enough people out here who can get together in person to play in a live wikiloops band. I think it's a wonderful idea, and I hope you can make it work.

:W

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I've given this much thought because so many wikiloopers are virtually 'One Man Bands' and are fully equipt to produce with their Digital Audio Work Stations, looper pedals, samples whatever. So why do they need the imput of other artists?

The definition of a musical "Loop" is a short section of sound that repeats continuously. This is how wikiloops started... it was much simpler back then. Now we have strayed so far from that original idea that it's hard to find an 'old school' loop among the grand productions of Poly-loopers.
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I asked AI why solo artist choose to jam with others now they can be multi-instrumentalists all by themselves. This is the feedback of reasons.

* New Ideas: Other players bring different styles and sounds.

* Better Skills: Playing with a group pushes you to listen and adapt fast.

* Shared Energy: Live groups feed off each other to make the music feel alive.

* More Fun: Making art with friends stops music from feeling like a lonely job.

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But having read all that I still believe many people like to do it all themselves.
I have collaborated with a few people who wanted complete control and dismissed all my suggestions.
I have also worked with people who let me do almost all the work but gave themselves equal (if not maximum) credit.

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When uploading a track, Wikiloops allows each contributor to specify whether he/she used multiple instruments—such as guitar, bass, and drums—effectively acting as a one-man band. After all, who hasn't fantasized about that teenage dream fueled by the star system?
You can even choose your sequencer! This exponentially expands the possibilities for musical creation, whether using a DAW packed with instrument plugins or tools to "sculpt" the sound.
Using an amp, an audio interface, and music editing software—all essential for participating in Wikiloops—proves far more complex than the simple (!) act of playing an instrument. You play the notes while also focusing on the sound itself—another vast, complex, and fascinating realm...
To my mind, only vocal tracks call for a more understated approach that serves the song.
Unfortunately, it must be said that this doesn't happen every day!

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