Soft drum forum - a serious self examination

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Hi everyone,

I'm leaving this discussion. I refuse to partake in blo's need to be heard.

See you guys at the other threads.

rla
 
Yup. Enough have been said. Everybody should get the point and move on to get it done in our own circumstances... engage, exchange and encourage... i just want to do that with my brother's band drummer next week in Terry's. Will be lending him my collection of cymbals for him to try out. PM me if anyone care to join me for a drink... not necessary to be alcoholic...
 
Maybe I'll like to chip in some words here. With no offense to anyone here, I think perhaps some softies are just too busy buying and selling their stuff here on the forum that they forget all this equipment they're buying and selling are supposed to help them improve their drumming.

I mean also some are just too reliant on the forum. When it comes to playing drums, playing with a band in live situations, and getting down to working out on the practise pad are what matters the most. (That's my opinion.)
 
Blofeld, are u a lawyer-to-be by any chance?

cos if u aren't, let me say that the impact of the points you stated are much alike a public prosecutor, giving damning proof of the accused, actually, in reality, committed the said murder.

and all the accused can do is bow his head, awaiting the judge to go, 'sentenced to hang till death'.

however, im against the death penalty. BIGTIME!

you are solid.



u noe, its funny how we are sometimes. when someone brings up a important, genuine issue like the title of this thread, the others don't even waste a second to RE-QUESTION the person who threw up the questions in the first place.

SAD!

anyways, what are the suggestions?

im pretty sure they'll do the following if the right pple talk to them in the right way.

i was thinking, if the superstar drummers sign up as members, they can receive msges from us.

the stars can also put down their links so that we can visit the sites and watch videos, read their lessons learnt, advice, opinions, etc.

and if this buzz is truly generated, this will provoke the leaders of the other intrument sections in this forum, to want to have their own set of superstars, be members of this forum.

and soft.com.sg will then have to rename itself as hardcore.com.sg.

;)

anyone?
 
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=lester_music

Indeed !

I was playing drums in a band decades before internet forums were even dreamed of.

But my point is simply this... this forum claims to promote the betterment of the drumming community in Singapore yada yada...and I am simply questioning whether it is going the right direction with the kind of emphasis that is fast becoming obvious here.

Any community needs to be balanced with the right proportion of young, old, skilled, newbies, teachers, talkers, and yes..even bullshit artists !!

Looking at the composition of its members, one can be forgiven for thinking that this is the Drummer's Youth Wing of Singapore. Please say I am wrong.



Yes you’re Wrong ….Frank - - hahahaha ! Of course this Forum is trying it’s best to promote the betterment of the Drumming Community.here in Singapore and this forum serve as a medium for Drummers to communicate as in a Socially Acceptable Manner. The direction is set, but as to who are the drummers patronizing this forum and who are the ones that will make full use of it is subject to individuals (perfectly nothing wrong with that no matter what’s their objective is) - - - The fact/truth is (in a profitable or non-profitable organisation) – It is not how they want to position themselves – but the truth is the market position them (Real life)….Now, even if the majority of Forumers here are seen as the Drummer’s Youth Wing Of Singapore., as what you’ve perceived us to be - - - Is this a Problem or a Major Problem that needed a Solution to this Perceived problem of yours here only? ….

You mentioned: any community needs to be balanced with the right proportion of young, old, skilled. Newbies, teachers, talkers and even bullshit artists - - - How is that Possible?…….What is numbers of Drumming Instructors? Young or old drummers, skilled drummers. Newbies – of course how could this ratio be in proportion? …..forget about this.

I mean Blofeld, honestly let me ask you a question here ----- how healthly is your Tanglin CC Jazz Jam on a Sunday (after so many years since it's been there now) - - since you’re the Jam Master there.

How many actually attend your Jam Session REGULARLY ....and what is the makeup of the Musician there? Did It Grow (guess it should, since it’s been there much longer than DXS here)? If it didn't, and hoover aound that same numbers, or worst it falls. Seriously you too have to re-look at your own area of managing it as a Jam Master of Tanglin CC....You know best of course.

and - How many Professional Drummers actually go to your Jazz Jam Session on a Sunday, and who are they?...Tama ? Jimmy Lee? Tony Zee ? Audrey ? Boon Gee or which professional drummer attend your Jam(I don't think they go to your Jazz Jam Session - since 2008 )...maybe once in a blue moon.

I too undertand that Tanglin CC use to have a Forum for discussion am I right...What happen to it now? .... I heard it die a natural death ? or was it because of a certain reasons?…..Maybe you could use your talent to better managed your own area and with a proven success formula – that you then share it with us here….that would be excellent. Or else it will Sound Like " A Pot Calling A Kettle Black “ here.


Frank we need no solution, cause we don’t see a problem with the way this Forum is been managed, but we do thank you for your concern here….
 
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Clap clap...this is what I like to see here..allegations and rebuttals...thrust and parry. I hope it shows that drummers can also express their views properly and not just sit there paradiddling or flamming their backsides ! Regretably however, this is what many members here do : they get intimidated by logic and big words...and they walk away because they do not have a clue on how to participate in an intelligent discussions among adults. Life is definitely more than just talking, dreaming, eating, and shitting drums ..no? Or am I wrong again?

Anyway, I will do the courtesy of responding to your points best as I can. Here Goes :




Yes you’re Wrong ….Frank - - hahahaha ! Of course this Forum is trying it’s best to promote the betterment of the Drumming Community.here in Singapore and this forum serve as a medium for Drummers to communicate as in a Socially Acceptable Manner. The direction is set, but as to who are the drummers patronizing this forum and who are the ones that will make full use of it is subject to individuals (perfectly nothing wrong with that no matter what’s their objective is) - - -

If you set aims and directions, then it is also your responsibility to try to achieve these goals and not choose the path of least resistance , leaving it to random behaviour..... if you are not prepared to walk the walk, then don't talk the talk. You cannot have the betterment of drummers if gross mediocrity is the accepted norm, and the exuberance of youth drowns out the quiet wisdom of those who have been before.


The fact/truth is (in a profitable or non-profitable organisation) – It is not how they want to position themselves – but the truth is the market position them (Real life)….Now, even if the majority of Forumers here are seen as the Drummer’s Youth Wing Of Singapore., as what you’ve perceived us to be - - - Is this a Problem or a Major Problem that needed a Solution to this Perceived problem of yours here only? ….

A successful organisation must have a vision of where it is going, and not let the crowd (I do not call it a market) dictate your directions. If you do not see this perception (Drummer's Youth Wing of Singapore) to be a problem and still expect the betterment of your members to happen, then I feel sorry for you. Is it also your damning admission that there is no place for the older and more experienced voices of this community ? As it is, I am already the oddball out here pushing the cart uphill against the wind. Many of your members here would be only too happy to see me shut up and not disturb their cosy little dreamland here...one has even gone as far as ask me to leave because he cannot match my wit and logic. Sometimes I wonder what the hell am I doing here when others much better than me who can offer more ..have studiously stayed away.

You mentioned: any community needs to be balanced with the right proportion of young, old, skilled. Newbies, teachers, talkers and even bullshit artists - - - How is that Possible?…….What is numbers of Drumming Instructors? Young or old drummers, skilled drummers. Newbies – of course how could this ratio be in proportion? …..forget about this.

Your poor comprehension of language and semantics have let you down again. I said "right proportion" not equal proportion. Please go figure it out once more.

I mean Blofeld, honestly let me ask you a question here ----- how healthly is your Tanglin CC Jazz Jam on a Sunday (after so many years since it's been there now) - - since you’re the Jam Master there.

How many actually attend your Jam Session REGULARLY ....and what is the makeup of the Musician there? Did It Grow (guess it should, since it’s been there much longer than DXS here)? If it didn't, and hoover aound that same numbers, or worst it falls. Seriously you too have to re-look at your own area of managing it as a Jam Master of Tanglin CC....You know best of course.

I'm glad you asked, because I am sure you will try to deflect the issue into my court. A jam session is very different from a forum. A jam takes place in a limited time frame (4 hours once a week) and only so many people at one time can actually get to play. I can have 50 people coming but I'd be lucky to fit in half of them to play ( each jazz jam song lasts at least 10 minutes, excluding changeovers...each jammer get to play 3 songs max..go do your arithmetic.) I started the jazz jams way back in 1998 at Thomson CC, and moved it over to Tanglin about 4 years ago. I have an average of between 10 to 20 people dropping by each time - a mix of newbies, la Salle and NUS jazz students, hobbyists and working pros. Over the years the jam has grown in that people come and go, and we get fresh faces all the time. It's not the numbers but the quality we seek, as well as fresh faces. Remember it's JAZZ not blues or pops(I can give the figures there too but they are different jams) so we are restricted to a smaller pool of musicians capable of actually sitting down and playing from the Real Book. And it's not only about drummers....you want to know who are the pros that drop by regularly? Come see for yourself..you probably wouldn't know them if they are not drummers since drummers like you have such a narrow field of vision. Heard of gigging pros like Rufus, Boon Chye, Colin, Sebastian..etc..know what they play ? Come check our register and see who signed in.

And, besides being the Jam master at Jazz, I am also active in the overseeing of the jams at the other genres. I can seriously claim that we have the busiest and most well attended jam sessions anywhere in Singapore - 3 jams a week..3 large jam studios... 120 members...15-18 registered bands using our facilities at any time 12/7...and that does not even count the numerous grassroot events and commercial gigs that musicians from Tanglin play at And you want to compare us with SOFT?

and - How many Professional Drummers actually go to your Jazz Jam Session on a Sunday, and who are they?...Tama ? Jimmy Lee? Tony Zee ? Audrey ? Boon Gee or which professional drummer attend your Jam(I don't think they go to your Jazz Jam Session - since 2008 )...maybe once in a blue moon.

You are trying to compare durians and apples here. A jam session is not a publicly accessible forum. I'd be quite shocked (pleasantly) if Jimmy or Tama turns up one day. They know about the jams and sometimes they send their students there to experience jazz ..but do you seriously expect them to actually pay the CC fees ($30 a year) to come and jam on a Sunday ? It's one thing spending a few minutes everynow and then on the PC on some forum...(which they don't even bother for SOFT)....it's quite something else for them to take their day off to come jam with mainly amateurs. But Boon Gee used to jam when we were at Thomson..and Audrey uses the studios to rehearse her band. We have had Fairoz and Ahpek doing workshops, and working drummers like Rizal Sanip, Louis, Richard Khan, and even Bruce (USADRUMMER) jammed a few sessions there. But we are not only about drummers as I have said..and I am thankful we do get the other pros in the sax, guitar piano and bass departments to give their time on a regular basis.

BUT BOTTOM LINE is you cannot begin to compare Tanglin Music Club to your SOFT community. Tanglin is a community of active musicians of all levels..actually doing their thing on a regular basis, real time..real music. Sure we have room to improve and we work at it all the time. Your input is always welcome.

SOFT is a community of a few serious working drummers and a majority of posers, wannabes, and newbies with big dreams. Yours is a drum focussed organisation no more no less. And this forum is your main avenue of expression and release. Need I say more?


I too undertand that Tanglin CC use to have a Forum for discussion am I right...What happen to it now? .... I heard it die a natural death ? or was it because of a certain reasons?…..Maybe you could use your talent to better managed your own area and with a proven success formula – that you then share it with us here….that would be excellent. Or else it will Sound Like " A Pot Calling A Kettle Black “ here.

Still trying to deflect using decoys? No..Tanglin CC never had a forum within it's Music Club....not to my knowledge anyway. At Tanglin we do more than we talk and pose. Can you say the same for your SOFT DRUM forum ? Just look at the quality (or lack of) of your threads and posts. This was what prompted this thread, and this is the problem you either refuse to see or are incapable of understanding.


Frank we need no solution, cause we don’t see a problem with the way this Forum is been managed, but we do thank you for your concern here….

sure sure...have it your own way. I am only blasting hot air here. It's your forum and you run it anyway you wish... I just like to bring the temperature up every now and then...wake up all the sleeping lizards, you know.
 
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I am a adult too....but all this discussion sounds so deep and complex to me...I just wanna play music...play it well if I can....that is all...:D:D:D:D
 
Blofeld, are u a lawyer-to-be by any chance?


and soft.com.sg will then have to rename itself as hardcore.com.sg.

;)

anyone?




No..I am not a lawyer but I take it as a compliment.

Unfortunately, I was brought up and educated in an era where people speak and write properly, using capitals, punctuation, and proper spelling of words.

A lot of (presumably) younger people here seem to use a very different language ... is that what they teach in schools nowadays?

I would like to properly respond to your comments but for the life of me, I cannot comprehend what you are trying to say. Even my Thesaurus cannnot help.

Or would you like to repeat that in English please?
 
Music is but another form of communication

A monkey can be conditioned to play music and do simple arithmetic.

What makes us humans unique is our ability to think, analyse and communicate beyond grunts and hand gestures.

Enjoy your music...but work on your human communication.



I am a adult too....but all this discussion sounds so deep and complex to me...I just wanna play music...play it well if I can....that is all...:D:D:D:D
 
my take on this is: if anyone has any beef, take it up with the big man himself. then let him give HIS take. it's his forum afterall. if he's happy with the way things are, great. if he's not, i trust he'll do something about it, or not. it's HIS forum, remember? i do believe his purpose is to reach out to the masses, and he's done it.

the users of this forum may give feedback...gripe...exhalt...whatever. end of the day, no one's putting a gun to anyone's head to come here. it IS still sort of a free world out there and we are all most definitely allowed to visit other forums (duh).

there's nothing to stop one from starting one's own forum either.

lastly, note that the pple in here posting inane junk are all around us. they live in this country too. i have come to realize that no community is without such individuals. sometimes i tell them off, sometimes i think zen (and let them off to go annoy someone else bigger than me). pointless trying to take them on, there's just too many of them, sadly.
 
first of all, i must say that i'm not a drummer, and i'm not a particularly active SOFT user.

from my understanding of what i've read thus far, the threadstarter seems to have issues with:

1) too many inane discussions on SOFT, largely due to too many new/casual/lazy drummers on the forum.

2) lack of insightful discussions due to forum users and moderators tolerating too many of the above-mentioned inane discussions, and being offended by more provocative ideas.

3) lack of professional-level drummers contributing to the forum.

4) a certain lack of fluency in communication of ideas.

the ultimate result being SOFT having a culture akin to a kopitiam filled with teenagers and random jokers, with the occasional old man dropping in.


here are my views:

1) yes, i agree with the threadstarter that there are a whole load of really pointless threads. heck, i may have contributed to a few of them myself! unfortunately, there are no prerequisites for registration to be a member of this forum, as i believe we want a variety of people in here. i think we must keep in mind that this is an open internet forum. if you were to speak to 10 people on the street, not every one of them will be able to or interested in holding a serious, insightful conversation.

2) i also agree that sometimes the members of this forum are a little shy to appear confrontational, not in an aggressive sense, but in terms of putting forth strong, possibly offensive ideas. let's not forget that, not that long ago, the idea that women should have voting rights was a controversial idea, so sometimes seemingly extreme viewpoints should be allowed to float. however, as far as somehow limiting recycled questions etc. go, i don't see how that can be done without SOFT becoming a draconian institution.

3) is it truly reasonable to expect to see professional musicians here? first of all, of all the musicians (anybody who plays music/sings, including 12 year olds holding their first $50 guitars) in singapore, how many have the skill level to be professional? how many with the skill eventually end up doing it full-time? i don't have any statistics regarding the number of professional musicians here, but let's assume that 1/20 musicians earn money through music, and professional musicians are as active on the internet as amateur ones. that means that for every 100 active SOFTies, there will only be 5 professionals. furthermore, since this thread has a focus on drummers, out of those 5 professional musicians, no more than 2 will be drummers i.e. out of 100 active SOFTies, you will have 2 drummers.

4) sometimes when i see posts which contain horribly mangled english (not singlish, just really bad english), i do cringe, but...once again, that isn't the forum's problem, really.

lastly, i'm not sure what my fellow users want out of this forum. i mainly use this forum for its buy/sell section and to keep track of gigs. i think it is far more efficient to practice dilligently and look for instructional guides (print/video) as well as qualified and experienced teachers if the intention is to improve in musicianship. the lengthy process of posting on forums and handling inane replies, or worse, highly inaccurate information is hardly a good route to improvement. however, i think forums are very useful for equipment reviews, although there's harmony central for that...

unfortunately, i get the feeling that this thread was not started with the intention of contributing constructive criticism, and certain posters are not replying with the motivation of open discussion. the questioning of the threadstarter's personal ability/credentials isn't necessary. the air of "i'm better/smarter/more articulate than you also isn't.
 
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= Blo

From many of your replies, it's pretty obvious U thoroughly enjoy verbal jousting and debates on forums. According to James (soft), who owns this forum, none of that is under his objectives of creating soft.com.sg.

Sure, other forums might work the way you say they do, but is there a rule saying this HAS to conform to that? If you're looking for a good old debate there are SO many other avenues. Other forums, even youtube (although much of the comments are filled with stuff that's mostly immature and personal), this website called ted.com (a more intelligent youtube), all these would much more fulfill your desires as portrayed in this forum, and perceived by me.

Don't say im contradicting myself by even typing this out, I dont do this all the time, if ever at all. All I'm saying is if you don't like the way this forum is run, you don't have to remain here. And I am not saying this in hostility, I actually enjoy reading threads which have you posting replies in.

What I am saying is that although what you are trying to bring into soft does have its good points like being able to spark more intelligent talk (or opportunities to brag in order to fan one's ego, whichever applicable), bring in pros which would definitely raise the value of this forum and etc, it also has its bad points. Creating something that is not under James' objectives of this forum, or worse, opposing the objectives, from the forum's POV, is not welcome at all.

If you're gonna question the objectives then, that is something you should speak to James himself about privately.
(phew long post)
 
Frank yes there is no point to make a comparison between TCC and Soft here. TCC managed it in it's own ways, so do we here in Soft.

Anyway soft does serve itself as a Platform for Musician to interact and meetup, whatever based on the many of the CC members in the CC Bands looking for Bassists, Drummers. Guitarists etc etc. here within Soft (that's a fact) ....as I still communicate with quite a number of them since they do call me. Some still around and some no longer there at the CC, people move around....as always - like the CC use to have 50 over bands.

Still go down to the CC once in a while where there is a Concert, some Appreciation Evening gig and such and watch them play .....and it's good to keep this music passion alive - for TCC..that's good


So be it also - in our own ways here at Soft.,,,and no hard feelings.


Your Friendliest Moderator in Soft and Friend

Eric
 
Blofeld

Do you have any suggestion as to how we can attract "Jimmy Lee...Tama...Pragasam...Tony Zee...Henson Beng...Louis Soliano...Boon Gee...Mat Nor...Fairoz...and some of the locally based expats like Shawn Kelley, Darrell Irvin, Eddie Layman..." to participate actively in this forum?

Or maybe you could help me ask them why they are not doing so if you have their contacts? Instead of us guessing their reasons, I think it is better to just check with them.

Think of SOFT like the 1960's Singapore. We are working on it. Little by little.
 
Blofeld: Yes, there's no comparing TMC to SOFT.

Both are operated on different philosophies, yet both share the same agenda - To gather musicians as a community.

TMC has its jam sessions and perhaps more professional approach, while SOFT has its warmth and more family-like approach.

Both have done well to be where they are now. TMC has been around for years, musicians know about it, there's been a steady attendance/membership. So has SOFT, in fact membership has risen considerably.

While you might not agree with how SOFT is run, you can't agree its existence is only going to do the local music scene good. Just like TMC.

I too would like to see what you envision SOFT to be in time to come - A vibrant community of musicians participating in intellectual/insightful discussions where the members are not afraid to speak up and stand by their beliefs. I too would like to see more professionals visit the forum and actually post regularly, especially for those who are already members, if their schedule permits.

The fact is SOFT isn't what we want it to be just yet, it'll take time. Everything takes time. And the sheer size of SOFT at present, I think, mean it'd take more time to properly (lack of a better word) steer this ship in the direction we want it to go.

About the newbies/posers/etc, we all start somewhere. I'm not gonna say that it doesn't suck with these people around (I'm a person of very low tolerance for a lot of things). I started out as a one who knew nothing about drums. I only knew Pearl, Tama, Yamaha, Sabian, Paiste and Zildjian. I knew shit about rudiments, keeping in time, grooving, gear and a whole lot more.

Yet the members here were patient with me, explained things clearly. For that I'm grateful to this forum and its members. People like Alfe, Eric, Fuman and more; I have only the utmost respect for them, and I'm thankful. It was from here where I discovered more avenues of improvement.

Since you mentioned you've got a few ideas on how to improve the forum, perhaps you could start the ball rolling? I'm sure everyone here would appreciate that. I know I would. And maybe once you start, the readers will start pouring out their ideas and suggestions.

sign0134.gif
 
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I honestly think that this discussion will be more fruitful if there is less sarcasm used.

Using sarcasm does not help educate anyone. It will only cause conflict and defensive behavior. If the aim is to educate, then give the younger ones a chance. The youth needs nurturing, not going around pointing fingers at them putting them down. Having a holier than thou attitude will not help the youth.

I would expect the more mature ones to guide the younger ones, not putting them down. There will be better communication that way. :)
 
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