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Does the VI community considered themselves commercial composers rather than artists?

When I write for myself I am trying to capture something I feel inside me....most of the time it would only resonate or 'work' for me so it never sees the light of day, but creatively I am happy for having created it, even if I have nothing financially to show for it.

-DJ

This is me. I've gone broke before not writing for anyone...I just had to finish a piece I felt was more important and fulfilling.
 
The main impulse for creating music was always an arty one - so having room to exeriment (also with others) and to set myself targets to do / finish stuff even without paying customers. This is quite important to me, that this is possible.
Collaborating is of course also a pleasant affair.

I also earned some money with music, which was partly fun and on one other hand not that much, when the music which was licenced and paid wasn't something I really was proud of in the end. But this can happen. I also made the experience many times when there people around saying "to get commercial success you have to do (...) and (...), this worked never out in those cases, was more like a cramp. So the main impulse to create therefore has to be independent from that. Getting inspiration and reading what others think and what is powering them is an interesting read here.

And - to come back to the art-topic - I guess it's most important to get satisfied for one self first, if others like it too, then the better.
 
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How do you feel about EDM or really bad punk music xD

-DJ
I like and listen to some EDM genres occasionally. Don't like punk personally, but I would still be interested in hearing what kind of punk you are secretly making!


Or check out music that was both meant for the world and intensely personal, like Beethoven's late-era Kammermusik.
I find specifically the fact someone doesn't want to share something intriguing. Like your symphonies that you won't let us hear.
 
I like and listen to some EDM genres occasionally. Don't like punk personally, but I would still be interested in hearing what kind of punk you are secretly making!



I find specifically the fact someone doesn't want to share something intriguing. Like your symphonies that you won't let us hear.

That's different, as those symphonies are perfect examples of how not to compose correctly lol!

I seem to do better at trying to help people than I do at composing (even if I do make a buck or two off the latter). Either way, doesn't seem I'm particularly good at either, really.
 
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I think it would be super interesting to hear the music that people deem meaningful to themselves, but don't want to share with the world.
Was my first thought too...especially concerning Daniel James. Did you ever listen to his argentinian tangos in 9/8th? That was really different!!:rofl:
 
Hats off to you. I still don't get it even having suffered the discomfort of having had to get an explanation!
Sorry John! I sometimes forget that brit humour doesn't translate very well across the internet.

On the subject, I haven't written music "for myself" for about two decades. Every note I write is done for coin. I should probably address this. Put me squarely into the "commercial hack" column.
 
The honesty of everyone's answers is truly impressive. Thank you all! You've educated me and changed my perspective of VI. The dignity and quality of your responses has demonstrated a valuable and diverse community of composers.

Likewise, from what I've watched of Mike Verta's "Unleashed" at Redbanned, rising to the challenge of harsh critique and brutal honesty will hopefully improve my composition skills.

I wish everyone good luck with their art, craft, business, symphonies, operas, loops, beats, queues, scores, trailer tracks, and youtube videos. Thank's very much for sharing your experiences and insights, and I look forward to seeing all your future work.
 
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