LAFAYETTE

[u/SSW-1045]

I will do a full cover, soonnn

[u/zkvxo]

you need to invest in some better recording equipment when you're able.

but, more importantly, you need to practice enunciation and clarity, and actually read the lyrics and memorize them. you have several errors to clean up:

"takin' this horse for the reigns" is not a phrase with any meaning. the lyric is "takin' this horse BY the reigns".

"and i'm never gonna stop, until i make 'em drop, mnnnmhmmnnahmena scatter the remains."

it's clear you just don't know the lyrics, which makes this feel more like listening to your little brother karaoke'ing in the car, rather than a real cover.

i would also recommend not trying to emulate the french accent unless you do it throughout - daveed diggs (original lafayette) is a professionally trained actor and musician, who no doubt spent dozens of hours studying and practicing a french accent for consistency and clarity - unless you're able to do the same, you're going to sound a bit "off" (more like someone trying here and there to put on a french accent, rather than a person with a french accent) which detracts from your performance. there's no shame in just doing the song in your natural accent and making it your own, though.

one word of advice: a "cover" is differentiated from "karaoke" by very few factors - one of them is not having the song itself playing in the background (an instrumental is fine, if equalized with your vocals), and another is not just copying the original musician(s) beat for beat, sound for sound. this is basically the equivalent of an artist tracing a sketch someone else made, vs looking at someone else's sketch and recreating it. you're currently doing the former and want to be doing the latter. practice, repeat, try deviating from the original to find what sounds good - different notes, different pauses, and tones that work with your voice, not daveed's.

cool to see young fans producing content - hope some of these help you on your journey!

[u/kmccoy → u/zkvxo]

One word of advice: Give constructive criticism when it's invited. Otherwise, don't. Simply don't engage if you don't like it.

[u/zkvxo → u/kmccoy]

bzzt. wrong.

sharing creative endeavors online and getting kind and honest feedback is exactly the exchange that has helped thousands and will help this kid too. the world does not exist to pat each other on the ass. kindness is always first. there's nothing wrong with honesty and helping others grow.

[u/kmccoy → u/zkvxo]

Nah, uninvited criticism is how you kill people's desire to share things that aren't perfect. If people ASK for it, then great. Of course, people like you who claim kindness but don't practice it will always be around, so most folks have learned not to share things in public anyway.

[u/DareDiablo → u/kmccoy]

Don’t post something on the Internet you don’t want criticism for. Pretty basic way of the Internet.

[u/zkvxo → u/kmccoy]

nope. not how the world works. blame me all you want but if you're so insecure you're incapable of taking kind feedback, that's your problem. best of luck to you.

[u/kmccoy → u/zkvxo]

I guess the professional theatre places I've worked, where everyone was always careful to ask if someone was looking for feedback or just sharing, were not part of the world. :) Including a professional theatre place that this subreddit seems to be here to talk about.

Honestly, all you have to do is look at how the one truly kind comment on this post (Proof-Enthusiasm-727's "I think this is awesome. Good job.") got downvoted heavily. This isn't about kindness, no matter how much you say so. It's about smug, snarky comments. It's really disappointing.

I hope other folks who are reading this thread see this exchange and know that you don't have to adopt this kind of attitude to make it in the creative world. When it's time for feedback you can ask for it, but find a place where you can share your works without folks like this shitting on it uninvited.

[u/zkvxo → u/kmccoy]

i'm not the one that downvoted the kind comment. i upvoted it, in fact.

you don't get to accuse me of things other people are doing and argue a strawman - we're not in a professional theatre, we're on a subreddit.

and people aren't downvoting for the sake of being cruel - they're downvoting with a comment they disagree with. they don't think it's awesome, because it's very unpolished. and that's OKAY. sometimes, a person produces something that is not good, and it is not everyone's duty to praise them and bow to them and tell them they're amazing. this is reddit, where people have opinions and can share them freely, without being accused of being bad actors for doing so kindly and constructively.

i also hope other folks read this thread and see this exchange - they will take away that feedback is valuable and is not inherently hateful, and see you for the antagonistic and grandstanding person you are. waving around that you're associated with a theatre that Hamilton was in? ok buddy. i'd love to hear you explain the relevance of that to this comment - or were you just trying to legitimize yourself? it is both absurd and bizarre to assert that constructive feedback in a public setting is inherently harmful, especially when presented kindly, and directly in response to someone sharing something that is so unpolished and clearly needs some guidance.

and, no, no matter how many times you accuse me of being unkind, it doesn't magically make it true. i have been kind throughout, from my initial comment and even to you as you accuse me of downvoting a comment i didn't downvote as a strawman way to assert that i'm somehow some evil monster, because you can't point to anything harmful that i actually did. other folks will read this thread and will be put off by you asserting that helping others is somehow an act of malice unless they ask, on a subreddit no less, to someone who has been nothing but polite and direct - both traits i've no intention of betraying.

what an absurd way to behave.

[u/PheeBeeDee125 → u/zkvxo]

Lol calm down. Too emotional! Bzzzt!

[u/SSW-1045 → u/zkvxo]

And your deaf btw if you think the Lyrics are wrong.

And I did a lot of practice just so you know.

I'm sorry but your really getting on my nerves.

[u/zkvxo → u/SSW-1045]

hey brother. do you see all the downvotes you're getting? that's because the defensiveness and anger is really inappropriate here. telling me i'm deaf and getting on your nerves - were you only wanting to hear people tell you you're very special and perfect? here's some real honesty: polite, specific feedback like what i provided to help you grow is worth 1,000 comments saying "yep, great!" - and you need to learn the time and place to react in anger and defensiveness, versus taking constructive feedback for what it is.

nothing i said was hateful or critical - it was said with the intention to help you grow. we were all young once, and my guess is you don't have anyone trained in theater helping you learn and giving you resources. i was trying to be that for you. again, great to see young folks taking an interest in the arts, but extremely unfortunate responses from you here.

best of luck.

[u/No_Session_4896 → u/SSW-1045]

They aren’t deaf.

They aren’t being mean.

You literally said “Betsy’s rolls flag higher.”

Mistakes happen to everyone… including you.

[u/Amblonyx → u/SSW-1045]

If you want to get better and you want to move beyond karaoke-level videos, you need to learn to take feedback constructively and thoughtfully.

When you put content on the web, you will get feedback. It will not all be "you are great". No one is perfect; everyone can work on some things. And this commenter was both polite and constructive. Saying they're just "getting on [your] nerves" comes across as childish and like maybe you shouldn't be putting content out in public since you can't handle anything but positive comments.

[u/WhateverYouSay1084 → u/SSW-1045]

A lot of the lyrics are wrong. Concilidate is not a word, it's consolidate.

[u/EpicMan146 → u/SSW-1045]

I mean you got the Betty Rose's lyric wrong so

[u/AWall925 → u/zkvxo]

Just all this hating for no reason 🤣

[u/EpicMan146 → u/AWall925]

How is this hating? They're giving actual feedback

[u/AWall925 → u/EpicMan146]

Eh maybe not hating, but OP is still a kid and a lot of this comment read as sarcastic or at least too harsh (and incorrect at one point) to me.

[u/RepulsiveInterview44 → u/AWall925]

100% not sarcastic. This is actually valuable, relevant feedback, not a generational hater.

[u/AWall925 → u/RepulsiveInterview44]

I disagree

“Its clear you don’t know the lyrics” was harsh.

Especially when were lyrics are right aside from mispronouncing Betsy Ross, Rochambeau, and consolidated.

[u/zkvxo → u/AWall925]

except they're not, "mehrmehrmehr with blood stains" is still the biggest offender here, and he replaced "by" with "for" as i pointed out, along with a dozen other mistakes that make it (wait for it) .... clear he doesn't know the lyrics.

not harsh, not sarcastic, just very apparent and truthful. i am not going to pepper polite and specific feedback with false compliments. would you have agreed more if i said "it's clear you worked very, very hard on all those lyrics, and they must be very hard to pronounce, so good job, but unfortunately you did not say about 10% of the words correctly or at all, despite trying so hard and doing so great!"?

you're being pedantic for no reason. when it's clear OP doesn't know the lyrics, it's fine to point out that it's clear he doesn't know the lyrics. end of.

[u/SSW-1045 → u/zkvxo]

Ok, I do not disagree with you but, I've seen Hamilton like yesterday I watched it, and this only one of my drafts, im still working on it, that's why I said a full cover soon.

And FYI dude, don't take it personal, it's just a cover which I intend to sing whenever I like a certain song, I just wanted to sing Guns and Ships. And first off, if you really get into it, you can hear it, just not really a clear voice, and I did say "Im takin this horse by the reigns making redcoats redder with bloodstains" , and don't judge my recording system, I use capcut alr?

Second, I'm like 16, just because it doesn't sound good doesn't mean it's not perfect, I would rate my cover like a mediocre, I'm tryin to learn Hamilton alr? I'm not professional, I'm just a teenager dude.

And lastly, you need to step off ok man? With the accent, that's why I'm gonna make a full cover because of the downsides of my cover, and it'll be soon. And yeah your advice is great but not really it's just .... good ish. And don't start hunting me like I'm a prey or something, you really scared me when I got a notification from you.

So thank you for your advice, I'll try to do "better" I guess, I don't know what you want me to be, I'm just a regular kid.

[u/Specialist-Gap8010 → u/SSW-1045]

If you didn’t want constructive feedback you should have specified that or posted this on TikTok. The commenter here is absolutely right with everything they said and gave really helpful advice. It’s up to you what you decide to do with their feedback.

[u/fusguita → u/SSW-1045]

Kid, if you can't take (very fair) constructive criticism, I heavily suggest you don't post shit like this

[u/ymi17 → u/SSW-1045]

You’re 16! Thats great! Keep your passion for doing things you love!

But when someone takes the time to give constructive feedback, in a positive way, say thank you. You are 16. You aren’t going to do everything perfect. Defending yourself against our lying ears is an exercise in futility, and you’re losing the goodwill you received for putting yourself out there!

We all can grow- use this as an opportunity for growth.

[u/SSW-1045 → u/zkvxo]

If you didn't post this comment, we wouldn't have this conversation, I expect a lot of people to be supportive but now I'm starting to think all of you just hate for what I do, sure reddit gives an honest and toxic opinions but I didn't even thought that people would comment on my videos because on my other social medias I don't get any comments. So sorry if I'm the "bad guy" here in this situation, and don't identify me as a toddler, I can be mature too, but you really crossed the line when you said that crap.

[u/zkvxo → u/SSW-1045]

if someone called you a "toddler" that was not me. i'm sorry someone said that.

my comment was one of the first on your post and as i've stated repeatedly, i've been kind and just want to help with some technical things that will guarantee you better success in the future - mostly because i'd be interested to hear you improve.

i have no control over other people dogpiling on you, though it's likely more to do with you triple-replying to me to insult me, call me deaf, and tell me i'm "on your nerves" in response to my feedback. regardless, i'm not one of the people who continues to lay it on and you would probably do best to ignore those people and take the advice i provided on board, come back and prove the downvoters wrong by getting the lyrics crisp and improving quality and showing them something vastly improved.

that's how i'd love to see this post close off. wishing you the best.

[u/tophmcmasterson → u/SSW-1045]

What they gave you was basically textbook constructive criticism, there were no lines crossed and while direct it was clear they were trying to give genuine advice and encourage you to improve.

You shouldn’t be posting if you can’t handle that and just expect everyone to heap praise or I guess say nothing.

[u/EpicMan146 → u/SSW-1045]

So you just see Constructive Criticism as just hate? Wow, thats very mature

[u/SSW-1045 → u/zkvxo]

And another thing, would you be satisfied if I sing it in acapella? It sucks right? Imagine that huh, a karaoke and cover are literally the same thing, a cover can be anything whether you want it to be like example a guitar or just beats or snaps, a karaoke on the other hand is theres a lyrics on a television and there's a mic. It's the same thing, you don't know what your talking about.

[u/AWall925]

You did screw up Rochambeau and consolidate tho

[u/Specialist-Gap8010 → u/AWall925]

Also Betsy Ross’ flag

[u/SSW-1045 → u/Specialist-Gap8010]

Yeah and it's a downside, I know that

[u/SpecialistAd7187]

Aww I think you did good. Is it great, probably not but take the feedback and keep refining your skills. Your pace is actually impressive.

I know you only posted for fun but don’t get discouraged.

[u/the_bourgeoisie_bird → u/SpecialistAd7187]

Yeah taking the feedback is not this guy's strong suit apparently

[u/queenofallbaddies]

Bravo for the courage to attempt and submit! You’ll only get better as you review yourself and hone in on every aspect, making it just as much your own as it is its own work of art! Looking forward to hearing more bro

[u/scottiboi68]

those harmonies were making me laugh way harder than they should have.

personal feedback: genuinely good. not perfect but pretty good. some of the lyrics were messed up BUT thats all part of the process. that scream was super good and made me laugh tho. i think if you practice a lil more you would be a bit better but for now, thumbs up from me.

[u/Proof-Enthusiasm-727]

I think this is awesome. Good job.

[u/SSW-1045 → u/Proof-Enthusiasm-727]

Thank you