MeFi Music Challenge Meister August 28, 2010 2:25 PM Subscribe
This is the thread in which you can volunteer for, nominate someone or generally discuss the MeFi Music Challenge Meister position.
This is being discussed about here, but I figured I'd bring it to MeTa so more people can participate.
Many thanks to flapjax at midnight for doing such a great job for such a long time and thanks also to cortex for supporting it.
This is being discussed about here, but I figured I'd bring it to MeTa so more people can participate.
Many thanks to flapjax at midnight for doing such a great job for such a long time and thanks also to cortex for supporting it.
So...what do the responsibilities actually entail? If someone volunteered for this position, what will they actually have to do?
posted by Kirk Grim at 3:17 PM on August 28, 2010
posted by Kirk Grim at 3:17 PM on August 28, 2010
You must defeat the members of the Metafilter Distributed Orchestra and Jazz combo.
posted by The Whelk at 4:09 PM on August 28, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 4:09 PM on August 28, 2010 [3 favorites]
Is there a uniform? I'll do it if there's a uniform. With a hat and epaulettes. A fancy hat though, like a bearskin or a tricorne.
posted by Kirk Grim at 4:27 PM on August 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Kirk Grim at 4:27 PM on August 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
I don't know enough about music to be a Challenge Meister, but I volunteer to head up the Music Advanced Research Projects Agency as a scientific administrator (this means I get a jetpack, right?).
posted by DU at 4:32 PM on August 28, 2010
posted by DU at 4:32 PM on August 28, 2010
I'll do it. For the price of .... 1 MILLION BANJOS.
posted by mannequito at 5:00 PM on August 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by mannequito at 5:00 PM on August 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
This is me nominating snsranch. And it should be "MeFi Music Challenge Maestro (tm)".
posted by pwally at 5:23 PM on August 28, 2010
posted by pwally at 5:23 PM on August 28, 2010
I'll do it. For the price of .... 1 MILLION BANJOS.
Would those be 4-string or 5-string models? Fretted or fretless? Tension-lug head or tack-head? Or maybe cookie tin? Banjoleles? Come on, man, you're dealing with professionals here. Don't waste our valuable time making us ask you these basic questions...
So...what do the responsibilities actually entail? If someone volunteered for this position, what will they actually have to do?
The way I ran it during my tenure was to put out an open call for submission of ideas. I announced it in a MeTa thread, IIRC, and after that from time to time in comments here and there, whenever appropriate, I'd remind folks to send me ideas. I also had an explanation of it on my profile page, and it was indicated on the Challenge Page that suggestions should be sent to me. People sent me their ideas for the Challenge via MefiMail. Over the two years that I ran it, I received lots of suggestions, from musicians and non-musicians alike. I'd draw from these suggestions, and choose one per month. I'd then send the upcoming month's Challenge to jessamyn, who'd post it to the Challenge page at Music. Later jessamyn handed that responsibility over to cortex.
There were 2 or 3 occasions when I suggested a Challenge idea myself, at times when there were no particularly good suggestions left in the pool, or when I had an idea which was simply too stunningly brilliant to not put to immediate use.
Two Challenge ideas seem to have become annual standards, which eases the yearly workload a bit: October (submit a scary song!) and Christmas/Hannukah/whatever (submit a Christmas/Hannukah/whatever song). Cover song Challenges have been popular: fresh and interesting ideas in that area will always be welcome, I think.
In an earlier thread at Music Talk ("we have a Music Talk?" 10,000 Mefiers ask themselves with mild bemusement...) it was suggested that the position of MeFiMu Challengemeister be held by a rotating Meistership, which might be a good idea. I'd say if folks would take it on as a six-month pledge, that'd maybe work. At the end of a 6-month tenure, the old Challengemeister could hand over any and all suggestions that had been submitted but not used during his/her tenure. Or, ideally, someone who really cares about this thing and its continuation would just take it on, for at least a year or however long he/she could keep it going.
Hopefully something will get worked out, in any event. And, um, seems like it needs to start falling together again pretty soon, it being the end of the month and all.
Here's a link to the monthly Music Challenges Page, a convenient list of what's been done, which folks can check in order to see what's already been put into effect and what hasn't. You'll note that early on we had three Challenges per month (in different categories) but that really couldn't sustain itself. I'd say, based on my experience, that the pattern of one-per-month that we settled into is probably the way to go.
I'd also like to mention that my username and link is still on that Challenge page, indicating that Challenge ideas should be sent to me, so dear mods, please remove!
FWIW, I'd like to take this opportunity to suggest MajorDundee as the next MefiMusicer to take on the Challengemeister position. Dundee has, since signing on at MeFiMu, become a very engaged member of the community, posting lots of music and commenting on lots of other folk's musical contributions. He's a funny and affable guy, and I think he'd be great at the helm. And Dundee, wasn't it you who (perhaps among others?) suggested the Rotating Meistership idea? Whaddaya say, maybe you'd like to take this on for a 6-month trial run? Hmm?
And on preview, I see snsranch has been suggested, a nomination that I would also heartily endorse. It would be impossible, I think, to find anyone who has shown as much consistent interest in and enthusiasm for MeFiMu, over the long haul, than snsranch, and he also happens to be a hella nice guy.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:54 PM on August 28, 2010 [4 favorites]
Would those be 4-string or 5-string models? Fretted or fretless? Tension-lug head or tack-head? Or maybe cookie tin? Banjoleles? Come on, man, you're dealing with professionals here. Don't waste our valuable time making us ask you these basic questions...
So...what do the responsibilities actually entail? If someone volunteered for this position, what will they actually have to do?
The way I ran it during my tenure was to put out an open call for submission of ideas. I announced it in a MeTa thread, IIRC, and after that from time to time in comments here and there, whenever appropriate, I'd remind folks to send me ideas. I also had an explanation of it on my profile page, and it was indicated on the Challenge Page that suggestions should be sent to me. People sent me their ideas for the Challenge via MefiMail. Over the two years that I ran it, I received lots of suggestions, from musicians and non-musicians alike. I'd draw from these suggestions, and choose one per month. I'd then send the upcoming month's Challenge to jessamyn, who'd post it to the Challenge page at Music. Later jessamyn handed that responsibility over to cortex.
There were 2 or 3 occasions when I suggested a Challenge idea myself, at times when there were no particularly good suggestions left in the pool, or when I had an idea which was simply too stunningly brilliant to not put to immediate use.
Two Challenge ideas seem to have become annual standards, which eases the yearly workload a bit: October (submit a scary song!) and Christmas/Hannukah/whatever (submit a Christmas/Hannukah/whatever song). Cover song Challenges have been popular: fresh and interesting ideas in that area will always be welcome, I think.
In an earlier thread at Music Talk ("we have a Music Talk?" 10,000 Mefiers ask themselves with mild bemusement...) it was suggested that the position of MeFiMu Challengemeister be held by a rotating Meistership, which might be a good idea. I'd say if folks would take it on as a six-month pledge, that'd maybe work. At the end of a 6-month tenure, the old Challengemeister could hand over any and all suggestions that had been submitted but not used during his/her tenure. Or, ideally, someone who really cares about this thing and its continuation would just take it on, for at least a year or however long he/she could keep it going.
Hopefully something will get worked out, in any event. And, um, seems like it needs to start falling together again pretty soon, it being the end of the month and all.
Here's a link to the monthly Music Challenges Page, a convenient list of what's been done, which folks can check in order to see what's already been put into effect and what hasn't. You'll note that early on we had three Challenges per month (in different categories) but that really couldn't sustain itself. I'd say, based on my experience, that the pattern of one-per-month that we settled into is probably the way to go.
I'd also like to mention that my username and link is still on that Challenge page, indicating that Challenge ideas should be sent to me, so dear mods, please remove!
FWIW, I'd like to take this opportunity to suggest MajorDundee as the next MefiMusicer to take on the Challengemeister position. Dundee has, since signing on at MeFiMu, become a very engaged member of the community, posting lots of music and commenting on lots of other folk's musical contributions. He's a funny and affable guy, and I think he'd be great at the helm. And Dundee, wasn't it you who (perhaps among others?) suggested the Rotating Meistership idea? Whaddaya say, maybe you'd like to take this on for a 6-month trial run? Hmm?
And on preview, I see snsranch has been suggested, a nomination that I would also heartily endorse. It would be impossible, I think, to find anyone who has shown as much consistent interest in and enthusiasm for MeFiMu, over the long haul, than snsranch, and he also happens to be a hella nice guy.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:54 PM on August 28, 2010 [4 favorites]
flapjax -- Dundee demurs for the nonce here.
I third snsranch.
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 6:00 PM on August 28, 2010
I third snsranch.
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 6:00 PM on August 28, 2010
Aha, thanks Karlos, I'd missed that comment from the Major. Fourthing sns nomination.
yeah, so I voted for the guy twice, what of it?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:08 PM on August 28, 2010
yeah, so I voted for the guy twice, what of it?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:08 PM on August 28, 2010
I was thinking about volunteering for this but if snsranch is up for it then I would totally be his willing deputy to share the load whenever it was needed.
posted by unSane at 8:15 PM on August 28, 2010
posted by unSane at 8:15 PM on August 28, 2010
1. Flapjax - thank you, sir. Words fail.
2. This is a helluvanopportunity for some young POP genius to step in and fuck shit up and/or reinvent the known universe.
posted by philip-random at 10:38 PM on August 28, 2010
2. This is a helluvanopportunity for some young POP genius to step in and fuck shit up and/or reinvent the known universe.
posted by philip-random at 10:38 PM on August 28, 2010
You must defeat the members of the Metafilter Distributed Orchestra and Jazz combo.
I thought you had to defeat the seven evil Cortexes.
posted by secret about box at 11:28 PM on August 28, 2010
I thought you had to defeat the seven evil Cortexes.
posted by secret about box at 11:28 PM on August 28, 2010
flapjax -- Dundee demurs for the nonce here.
"Nonce" means something different in the UK.
(So, when you get into a stand-up fight with the Major, at least you'll know what you're fighting about.)
posted by Grangousier at 2:59 AM on August 29, 2010
"Nonce" means something different in the UK.
(So, when you get into a stand-up fight with the Major, at least you'll know what you're fighting about.)
posted by Grangousier at 2:59 AM on August 29, 2010
So, when you get into a stand-up fight with the Major, at least you'll know what you're fighting about
Yeah that sooo right.......any of youse mothers calling me a nonce gets a real heavee beating. And then gets fucked up the ass. But not necessarily in that order. Depends how purty you is. Uglies gets beat up first, purties gets it after. That's my system. Any which way, you winds up ugly and with an asshole like a clown's pocket.
posted by MajorDundee at 6:52 AM on August 29, 2010
Yeah that sooo right.......any of youse mothers calling me a nonce gets a real heavee beating. And then gets fucked up the ass. But not necessarily in that order. Depends how purty you is. Uglies gets beat up first, purties gets it after. That's my system. Any which way, you winds up ugly and with an asshole like a clown's pocket.
posted by MajorDundee at 6:52 AM on August 29, 2010
Dundee's in rare form today.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:00 AM on August 29, 2010
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:00 AM on August 29, 2010
Is there a uniform? I'll do it if there's a uniform. With a hat and epaulettes. A fancy hat though, like a bearskin or a tricorne.
Ok, let's see... A uniform. Hhhhhmmm. Fuck the hat. That's just...silly. But epaulettes.....yeah, we'll go with "epaulettes". Soooooo....we therefore have this uniform. Simple, functional and pretty fucking cool in my humble. And just perfect for a person taking up this high-profile position. Post your CV and a link to photographic evidence, and the MeFiMu regulars will peruse, confer and decide.
posted by MajorDundee at 7:15 AM on August 29, 2010
Ok, let's see... A uniform. Hhhhhmmm. Fuck the hat. That's just...silly. But epaulettes.....yeah, we'll go with "epaulettes". Soooooo....we therefore have this uniform. Simple, functional and pretty fucking cool in my humble. And just perfect for a person taking up this high-profile position. Post your CV and a link to photographic evidence, and the MeFiMu regulars will peruse, confer and decide.
posted by MajorDundee at 7:15 AM on August 29, 2010
Rare form indeed.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:32 AM on August 29, 2010
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:32 AM on August 29, 2010
I'd also like to mention that my username and link is still on that Challenge page, indicating that Challenge ideas should be sent to me, so dear mods, please remove!
Oh hey, I suppose we should at that. I think I need to bug pb to do that; we'll probably just do that when the new meister is settled, so if you get any late-breaking suggestions in the interim just forward them on to whomever.
posted by cortex (staff) at 9:44 AM on August 29, 2010
Oh hey, I suppose we should at that. I think I need to bug pb to do that; we'll probably just do that when the new meister is settled, so if you get any late-breaking suggestions in the interim just forward them on to whomever.
posted by cortex (staff) at 9:44 AM on August 29, 2010
Hey thanks for the noms guys, and what the heck, count me in!
posted by snsranch at 3:11 PM on August 29, 2010
posted by snsranch at 3:11 PM on August 29, 2010
I think snsranch would do a fine job. :)
posted by frecklefaerie at 4:14 PM on August 29, 2010
posted by frecklefaerie at 4:14 PM on August 29, 2010
S! N! S! ... S! N! S! ... S! N! S! ...
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:35 PM on August 29, 2010
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:35 PM on August 29, 2010
Save! Nonce! Ships! ... Save! Nonce! Ships! ... Save! Nonce! Ships! ...
posted by davejay at 11:30 PM on August 29, 2010
posted by davejay at 11:30 PM on August 29, 2010
S! N! S! ... S! N! S! ... S! N! S! ...
He! Will! Do! His! Very! Best!
S! N! S! ... S! N! S! ... S! N! S! ...
Even! In! An! Old! String! Vest!
When do we get the pix Flapjax? You have the chant off perfectly (with my helpful additions, natch)! But don't think we won't spot it if you think you can get away with falsies for epaulettes....
posted by MajorDundee at 2:25 AM on August 30, 2010
He! Will! Do! His! Very! Best!
S! N! S! ... S! N! S! ... S! N! S! ...
Even! In! An! Old! String! Vest!
When do we get the pix Flapjax? You have the chant off perfectly (with my helpful additions, natch)! But don't think we won't spot it if you think you can get away with falsies for epaulettes....
posted by MajorDundee at 2:25 AM on August 30, 2010
S! N! S! ... S! N! S!
He! Will! Do! His! Very! Best!
S! N! S! ... S! N! S!
Even! In! An! Old! String! Vest!
An improvement, scansion-wise..
posted by MajorDundee at 2:27 AM on August 30, 2010
He! Will! Do! His! Very! Best!
S! N! S! ... S! N! S!
Even! In! An! Old! String! Vest!
An improvement, scansion-wise..
posted by MajorDundee at 2:27 AM on August 30, 2010
snsranch is perfect for this, just perfect. And flapjax did a very fine job, I might add.
posted by Corduroy at 3:19 AM on August 30, 2010
posted by Corduroy at 3:19 AM on August 30, 2010
Ha, you guys are cracking me up. I can't to put on my epaulettes!
posted by snsranch at 7:32 AM on August 30, 2010
posted by snsranch at 7:32 AM on August 30, 2010
dear mods, please remove!
Once there's some sort of consensus, drop pb a note about whose name and what contact info should be there and he can fix it up. But not today, it's his birthday.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 1:07 PM on August 30, 2010
Once there's some sort of consensus, drop pb a note about whose name and what contact info should be there and he can fix it up. But not today, it's his birthday.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 1:07 PM on August 30, 2010
Is it too late to nominate Will Shorts? He makes a great puzzlemeister.
posted by eyeballkid at 4:08 PM on August 30, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by eyeballkid at 4:08 PM on August 30, 2010 [1 favorite]
Oh yes, happy day, pb!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 1:12 AM on August 31, 2010
posted by flapjax at midnite at 1:12 AM on August 31, 2010
Just realizing that there have been 35 months of challenges! No wonder flapjax needs a break. Awesome job, man!
It looks like I'm officially doing this now, so even while this thread seems to be kinda old, I'll still ask for challenge ideas. Please just send via MeMail.
One thing that was mentioned by Karlos the Jackal was to make challenges "low barrier". (Link to his comment.) I really like that idea.
posted by snsranch at 3:36 PM on August 31, 2010
It looks like I'm officially doing this now, so even while this thread seems to be kinda old, I'll still ask for challenge ideas. Please just send via MeMail.
One thing that was mentioned by Karlos the Jackal was to make challenges "low barrier". (Link to his comment.) I really like that idea.
posted by snsranch at 3:36 PM on August 31, 2010
Low barrier ideas:
Thirty Second Songs
One chord songs
First take improvisations
One song to the tune of another (an old favorite from BBC Radio 4's 'I'm sorry I haven't a clue'), which would generally make ridiculous pairings, such as Van Halen's 'Jump' to the tune of 'Wayfaring Stranger'.
The first song you ever wrote
and so on
posted by unSane at 5:52 PM on August 31, 2010
Thirty Second Songs
One chord songs
First take improvisations
One song to the tune of another (an old favorite from BBC Radio 4's 'I'm sorry I haven't a clue'), which would generally make ridiculous pairings, such as Van Halen's 'Jump' to the tune of 'Wayfaring Stranger'.
The first song you ever wrote
and so on
posted by unSane at 5:52 PM on August 31, 2010
A couple on your list there have already been done as Challenges, unSane.
(not to say that a Challenge couldn't be repeated...)
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:13 PM on August 31, 2010
(not to say that a Challenge couldn't be repeated...)
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:13 PM on August 31, 2010
Is there a list of challenges somewhere?
Well, basically, this page is the list of what's been done.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:22 PM on August 31, 2010
Well, basically, this page is the list of what's been done.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:22 PM on August 31, 2010
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
although i kind of love looking for a job, mainly because of my interest in lying.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 3:15 PM on August 28, 2010 [4 favorites]