Thanks DezrasDragons! I was thinking about uploading it here, but as there's no batch upload feature I really don't have time ATM. After all we're talking about something like 60+ tracks here.
If anyone who downloads the music would like to do it though, feel free :)
WHAT THE HELL is up with the spam filter thing here? I edit my post and upon saving it I'm told that I need to fill in the captcha. Well, there was no captcha to begin with, TYVM. And when I mistype it, I'm told I'm being reported as spam?
I was feeling disheartened and annoyed, I needed to vent, and for some reason I thought that this might be a good place to do it. Not a very good first post on a forum, I admit it.
*sigh*
Anyway. A lot of good points have been raised in this thread. I don't necessarily agree with everything that's been said, but we all have different backgrounds and outlooks and reasons for doing what we do.
I realize that I probably have myself to blame for the situation I've been complaining about, at least in part. I'm really not good enough at going out there and promoting my own work. That's something I need to work on. I'm kind of stuck in the mindset that the quality of one's work will speak for itself... but that's worth nothing if people don't even know about it to begin with.
So. I have nothing to add I think. I feel silly for bringing this up. Thanks for your patience and advice.
Thanks for your comments everyone. First of all, I think might have worded my first post badly. At least it seems I didn't get my point across to everyone, judging from some of the more snide responses above. So please let me clarify.
This isn't about making a living from releasing free content. Neither is it about finding paid work (and no, I'm not really good at selling myself, but that is a separate discussion). It's about encouragment from the people using my work, be it economical or otherwise.
I don't know about anyone else here but I don't have unlimited free time. I can't take three weeks off from work to compose music unless there is some money to show for it.
Also, I can't create music in a vacuum. When it seems that the sole reason people are using my music is that it's FREE, I lose heart. I need feedback, I need encouragement, I need to feel that someone is actually interested in my music regardless of whether its free or not.
So basically, without some means of supporting myself financially when creating music, and not knowing whether anyone gives a hoot about the stuff I create... it's sooner or later going to end with no free music for anyone. That's what I meant with "sustainable". Information may want to be free, but so do I. I want to be free to create things that benefits everyone that might have a use for it. Sadly, this is not realistic as far as I can see.
Crowdfunding is a nice thought and I have considered it, but to pull something like that off you'd need a sizeable fanbase. Which I don't have.
This is probably coming off as whiny and naive and insecure but still... it needs to be said, because these are questions I wrestle with and I realize I'm not going to come to any sensible conclusion without input from others.
Thanks DezrasDragons! I was thinking about uploading it here, but as there's no batch upload feature I really don't have time ATM. After all we're talking about something like 60+ tracks here.
If anyone who downloads the music would like to do it though, feel free :)
WHAT THE HELL is up with the spam filter thing here? I edit my post and upon saving it I'm told that I need to fill in the captcha. Well, there was no captcha to begin with, TYVM. And when I mistype it, I'm told I'm being reported as spam?
Sheesh.
This forum's kinda broken, huh?
I kind of regret ever posting this topic.
I was feeling disheartened and annoyed, I needed to vent, and for some reason I thought that this might be a good place to do it. Not a very good first post on a forum, I admit it.
*sigh*
Anyway. A lot of good points have been raised in this thread. I don't necessarily agree with everything that's been said, but we all have different backgrounds and outlooks and reasons for doing what we do.
I realize that I probably have myself to blame for the situation I've been complaining about, at least in part. I'm really not good enough at going out there and promoting my own work. That's something I need to work on. I'm kind of stuck in the mindset that the quality of one's work will speak for itself... but that's worth nothing if people don't even know about it to begin with.
So. I have nothing to add I think. I feel silly for bringing this up. Thanks for your patience and advice.
Thanks for your comments everyone. First of all, I think might have worded my first post badly. At least it seems I didn't get my point across to everyone, judging from some of the more snide responses above. So please let me clarify.
This isn't about making a living from releasing free content. Neither is it about finding paid work (and no, I'm not really good at selling myself, but that is a separate discussion). It's about encouragment from the people using my work, be it economical or otherwise.
I don't know about anyone else here but I don't have unlimited free time. I can't take three weeks off from work to compose music unless there is some money to show for it.
Also, I can't create music in a vacuum. When it seems that the sole reason people are using my music is that it's FREE, I lose heart. I need feedback, I need encouragement, I need to feel that someone is actually interested in my music regardless of whether its free or not.
So basically, without some means of supporting myself financially when creating music, and not knowing whether anyone gives a hoot about the stuff I create... it's sooner or later going to end with no free music for anyone. That's what I meant with "sustainable". Information may want to be free, but so do I. I want to be free to create things that benefits everyone that might have a use for it. Sadly, this is not realistic as far as I can see.
Crowdfunding is a nice thought and I have considered it, but to pull something like that off you'd need a sizeable fanbase. Which I don't have.
This is probably coming off as whiny and naive and insecure but still... it needs to be said, because these are questions I wrestle with and I realize I'm not going to come to any sensible conclusion without input from others.