YouTube Virtuosos (Old Man Rant)

[whatizitman]

I think my "not getting it" may have something to do with my use of YouTube:
..................

• Music Videos: MTV hasn't played actual videos in a decade and they sure as hell don't play metal videos. I also like watching professional quality concert footage since I'm not really in to going to shows.
• Promoting my own band: My small local band doesn't have the money to travel to the places where we have fans. I make sure to post videos of our performances to people on the other side of the country, or in other countries, can see us.

When it comes to the virtuoso thing, I really can't argue with you. Not my thing. But consider what holes youtube might be filling for the average performing/creating musician and the average music fan. Times are a'changin'.

EDIT: I actually feel the same way. Not much of a concert goer, myself. That has an impact on how I see marketing and performing my own music. Why should I expect people to pay to see me put on a show, when I would so rarely go to see other no-name musicians, much less pay for it? Youtube then takes on a new context for me.

 

[socialleper]

It also seems like the YT universe is insular unto its self. There are big fish in a small pond that never seem to break into "pop" culture. I have no idea who this Dirty Loops guy is.
Ironically, some of the top YT channels are for pop stars or things popular outside of YT. It seems that it is easier to go in to YT and use it as free advertising, than to use it as free advertising to break out of YT.

 

[Luke19Boarder]

It also seems like the YT universe is insular unto its self. There are big fish in a small pond that never seem to break into "pop" culture. I have no idea who this Dirty Loops guy is.
Ironically, some of the top YT channels are for pop stars or things popular outside of YT. It seems that it is easier to go in to YT and use it as free advertising, than to use it as free advertising to break out of YT.

Just because you haven't heard of Dirty Loops before, doesn't mean they aren't professional musicians that owe a lot of their success to Youtube.

With the number of followers/viewers some of these Youtube channels get - they don't need it to break into pop culture. They are pop culture. And like I mentioned previously, not everyone is trying to be the next big thing - many of them are just trying to share their passion/hobbies/whatever with as many people as they can, and a lot of them are making good money doing it.

 

[EMoneySC2]

Not so hard, numbers are public.

Invalid Link Removed will give you the basics. It can be more if they have deals with advertisers, endorse some products etc.

RPM numbers are not public, unless YouTube publishes every channel's RPM. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Even with that site's "typical RPM range", your still looking at a huge range.

If I tell you I make between 50k and 100k you still don't know much about my earnings.

 

[socialleper]

...or some kind of free-market competition.


...but it always SOMETHING else comes with the Territory/as a side effect. I was so wrong about all those "smart" phones many years ago.



With a few exceptions, I agree 100% with your statement about the "One Man Show."
My example - one of my wife's favorite Lenny Kravitz "proudly" recording all instruments.
(But it's ONLY MY HUMBLE OPINION.)


or NUMEROUS OTHER issues/problems in REAL LIVE that could Substantially affect your performance, but...

How much money does 1 million YouTube views get you?

Interesting videos.
The puppet one explains why no one is really talking about their YT numbers. Apparently you can get @#$%ed if you do.
The middle one with the top 10 YouTubers is interesting because I'VE NEVER HEARD OF ANY OF THEM. I only know the name Pewdiepie because of South Park.

I also find it interesting that a mark of "success" is Twitter. I use FB and Instagram a little, but I can't think of bigger hand job to yourself than Twitter. Any idea that can fit into 140 characters isn't worth saying.
The only thing I use Instagram for is following 4 pedal makers so I know when they are having sales. That's it.
Much like YT, the idea of "Social Media" as interactive when it comes to Instagram or Twitter is a misnomer. It should be called "bullhorn media." These are really broadcasts, not communication. There is corporate advertising, but much of it seems to advertising of the self as well.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

Just because you haven't heard of Dirty Loops before, doesn't mean they aren't professional musicians that owe a lot of their success to Youtube.

Yes, they are REAL and Serious Musicians that have played LIVE a lot their own songs or covers, with superb arrangements skills, etc...

 

[bass12]

Interesting videos.
The puppet one explains why no one is really talking about their YT numbers. Apparently you can get @#$%ed if you do.
The middle one with the top 10 YouTubers is interesting because I'VE NEVER HEARD OF ANY OF THEM. I only know the name Pewdiepie because of South Park.

I also find it interesting that a mark of "success" is Twitter. I use FB and Instagram a little, but I can't think of bigger hand job to yourself than Twitter. Any idea that can fit into 140 characters isn't worth saying.
The only thing I use Instagram for is following 4 pedal makers so I know when they are having sales. That's it.
Much like YT, the idea of "Social Media" as interactive when it comes to Instagram or Twitter is a misnomer. It should be called "bullhorn media." These are really broadcasts, not communication. There is corporate advertising, but much of it seems to advertising of the self as well.

I don't think Marshall McLuhan's suggestion that "the medium is the message" was ever more true than it is today. I feel the same way about James Brown ("Talkin' Loud And Saying Nothin'").

 

[Whousedtoplay]

I don't think Marshall McLuhan's suggestion that "the medium is the message" was ever more true than it is today. I feel the same way about James Brown ("Talkin' Loud And Saying Nothin'").

When are we going to reach that "youtube saturation" point?

 

[Luke19Boarder]

Yes, they are REAL and Serious Musicians that have played LIVE a lot their own songs or covers, with superb arrangements skills, etc...

Not sure if you meant that against something I said? But I am aware...

 

[Basshappi]

"Who do you want to be today, maybe someone on YT ?"

 

[Whousedtoplay]

Not sure if you meant that against something I said? But I am aware...

Invalid Link Removed

All three of the band's members studied music at Södra Latin together. Nilsson studied classical theory while Linder and Mellergårdh studied jazz.

Henrik Linder began his music career as a pianist at the age of four and bass at the age of 13.

On 3 September 2011 the band backed Danny Saucedo at the Aftonbladet music gala, "Rockbjörnen".

In 2012, the band traveled to the U.S. to face several major music profiles, among others, singer Brian McKnight, drummer Simon Phillips and bassist Nathan East .
In late 2012 the band supported David Foster and Andreas Carlsson in Japan, China, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand for the "David Foster & Friends Tour." They played for tens of thousands of people during the tour. One highlight of the tour was when Jonah and Chaka Khan performed together as a duet.
In late 2012 the band supported David Foster and Andreas Carlsson in Japan, China, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand for the "David Foster & Friends Tour." They played for tens of thousands of people during the tour. One highlight of the tour was when Jonah and Chaka Khan performed together as a duet."

 

[wintremute]

This thread is an "Old Man Rant". "They're not doing it the way I did it when I was their age."

My son plays guitar and checks out lots of youtube videos. He sees and learns new things all of the time. Sometimes I'm amazed at his progress. In the meantime, he tries to start bands, meet other musicians, etc...and has learned at an early age just how lame and flakey and fake people can be. I wish something like this would have been around when I was young and learning how to play bass. The music I liked wasn't exactly popular, and if I could look for a video that showed someone playing it so that I could figure out what was going on...that would have been magical.

YouTube is also a way to find people with similar interests. If someone loves to play speed metal banjo, but can't find anyone else in their area who does - maybe if they put it online they'll get some feedback, maybe find some like minded musicians.

We don't all have to like the same types of music, the same instruments, the same food, the same clothes, etc. If you don't like it, find something that you do like.

In 10 years all of this YouTube stuff will seem antiquated, and something new will take its place.

 

[Luke19Boarder]

Invalid Link Removed

All three of the band's members studied music at Södra Latin together. Nilsson studied classical theory while Linder and Mellergårdh studied jazz.

Henrik Linder began his music career as a pianist at the age of four and bass at the age of 13.

On 3 September 2011 the band backed Danny Saucedo at the Aftonbladet music gala, "Rockbjörnen".

In 2012, the band traveled to the U.S. to face several major music profiles, among others, singer Brian McKnight, drummer Simon Phillips and bassist Nathan East .
In late 2012 the band supported David Foster and Andreas Carlsson in Japan, China, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand for the "David Foster & Friends Tour." They played for tens of thousands of people during the tour. One highlight of the tour was when Jonah and Chaka Khan performed together as a duet.
In late 2012 the band supported David Foster and Andreas Carlsson in Japan, China, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand for the "David Foster & Friends Tour." They played for tens of thousands of people during the tour. One highlight of the tour was when Jonah and Chaka Khan performed together as a duet."

Again, I'm not quite sure what point you are trying to make? With nothing but copy/pasted wiki info, it seems like you are trying to contradict something I've said, but I could be mistaken. Care to elaborate?

 

[Whousedtoplay]

Again, I'm not quite sure what point you are trying to make? With nothing but copy/pasted wiki info, it seems like you are trying to contradict something I've said, but I could be mistaken. Care to elaborate?

I would divide all youtube musicians into two groups, with my different attitude and opinion:

(I'll be VERY diplomatic in order to HIDE my opinion about the representatives of both groups.)

1. The youtube musicians who are Recording and Playing their own - original - stuff, including lessons, tutorials, etc..., between some studio recordings and touring,
and
2. all those "youtube warriors" playing ALONG the recordings, like Marta Altesa with MILLIONS OF VIEWERS = 2,536,186 (!)

 

[wintremute]

How can YouTube help you?

Meytal Cohen - Story

Quote from her website:
"I started playing drums at 18 years old, despite the conventional ‘you’re making noise, you’re wasting time, you’re spending money, and this will never mount to anything’ sorta attitude I was getting at home. That same year, I graduated from high school and was drafted to the Israeli Defense Force (it’s mandatory), I served my country for 2 years and was released from the IDF.

At age 21 I moved to Los Angeles to attended the LA Music Academy, and while in school I managed to break my back in a car accident. I broke three vertebras, and had to wear a back brace for 6 months. I returned to Israel for the healing process, and within a year I came back to LA and later on graduated.

After school, it wasn’t easy, like it never really is for a musician trying to make a living at it. I tried to find my place in the huge and scary music industry of Los Angeles, and I can’t say I had much luck. In 2009, a few friends and I recorded a metal violin cover of System Of A Down’s Toxicity. We shot a music video for it and put it up on YouTube. A few months later, that video had 3 MILLION views.

After seeing the response to our toxicity video, I decided I was going to shoot 100 drum covers and see what happens next. 5 years later, I now have over 120 videos, 120,000,000 views, 800,000 subscribers on YouTube, and 1,000,000 likes on Facebook.

Many amazing things have happened / are happening thanks to your support – I’m incredibly fortunate to be endorsed by the best music companies in the world, to have produced my very own instructional package for drummers, the Maximum Meytal, and for creating my first original album funded by you guys through kickstarter, to name a few."


Had trouble with the music scene in L.A.
Became famous on YouTube.
Now has endorsements.
Made instructional package for drummers.
Made an album funded by KickStarter (NOT a record label).
Is currently touring.

Definitely not the traditional method.


Invalid Link Removed

 

[Luke19Boarder]

I would divide all youtube musicians into two groups, with my different attitude and opinion:

(I'll be VERY diplomatic in order to HIDE my opinion about the representatives of both groups.)

1. The youtube musicians who are Recording and Playing their own - original - stuff, including lessons, tutorials, etc..., between some studio recordings and touring,
and
2. all those "youtube warriors" playing ALONG the recordings, like Marta Altesa with MILLIONS OF VIEWERS = 2,536,186 (!)

Ok. I still fail to see how what that has to do with the post I made.

I will say that I don't think it's ever productive to categorize people into distinct, disparate groups (as there are far more than 2 different kinds of people in the world), but I'm not sure that's a conversation topic appropriate for this thread.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

Ok. I still fail to see how what that has to do with the post I made.

I will say that I don't think it's ever productive to categorize people into distinct, disparate groups (as there are far more than 2 different kinds of people in the world), but I'm not sure that's a conversation topic appropriate for this thread.

I completely agree with your statement about Dirty Loops.

Just because you haven't heard of Dirty Loops before, doesn't mean they aren't professional musicians that owe a lot of their success to Youtube.

I'm trying to prove your point about Dirty Loop.

 

[Luke19Boarder]

I completely agree with your statement about Dirty Loops.


I'm trying to prove your point about Dirty Loop.

Gotcha, gotcha.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

After seeing the response to our toxicity video, I decided I was going to shoot 100 drum covers and see what happens next. 5 years later, I now have over 120 videos, 120,000,000 views, 800,000 subscribers on YouTube, and 1,000,000 likes on Facebook.

WOW!!! We have some serious MILLIONAIRES here at TB.
Congratulations.

 

[Nic.]

To sum up.
On Youtube the Form - LOOK - takes over the Substance.

How's this any different from offline performances? There'll always be the few people believing "the sound/music is all that matters" while the mainstream pay attention to the overall package and appearances more than just audio alone.

I'm usually bored by instrumentals, and most "virtuoso" CD bore me. Whether it is guitar, bass, or drums, I find myself thinking "when are you going stop wanking and play a song." I honestly believe that one person's ideas are made better by the energy created when it bounces off other people. One person playing, even if they are doing all the instruments sounds, for lack of a better word, singular. I have never once heard a solo artists work on YT and found it interesting enough to listen to more than one thing, or more than once.

Through this discussion, I've learned that some of these people are recording engineers that already have all the gear to do this stuff handy anyway. They are doing this on the side. Makes sense.

It also seems like the YT universe is insular unto its self. There are big fish in a small pond that never seem to break into "pop" culture. I have no idea who this Dirty Loops guy is.

The middle one with the top 10 YouTubers is interesting because I'VE NEVER HEARD OF ANY OF THEM. I only know the name Pewdiepie because of South Park.

I also find it interesting that a mark of "success" is Twitter. I use FB and Instagram a little, but I can't think of bigger hand job to yourself than Twitter. Any idea that can fit into 140 characters isn't worth saying.
The only thing I use Instagram for is following 4 pedal makers so I know when they are having sales. That's it.

Hi @socialleper, I've been reading this entire thread and I think this needs to be said, and I genuinely mean this without offence: I believe that much of the confusion here arises because you and many others in this thread are assuming your own personal views and experience are applicable to describing the world and other people's views and experiences (which may or may not be valid). For instance, your frequent mentions of things like "I've never heard of them"... Please correct me if I'm wrong, but implicitly you seem to be suggesting that "if I've never heard of them, they can't be that famous" or "if I can't find it interesting, I don't understand how others can be interested in it", and therefore it casts doubts on the legitimacy of the whole youtube enterprise. Am I misunderstanding what's going on here...?