Quit the Bitchin' and Keep On Pitchin' ;-)

[deankripp]

My new slogan for 2016 is:

"Quit the Bitchin and Keep On Pitchin' "


.... Oh yeah, I'll still follow the "write, submit, forget, repeat" process, but I wanted something with a little more zing to it in 2016. Maybe I'll use it as the sequel title to my "Demystifying The Cue" book.



In all seriousness, it is good to be reminded again and again that if we will just "do the work" good things will happen. What is the work? Writing, learning, recording, networking, pitching, repeating.... and giving back what we have learned to others... It's really that simple.

When I started with Taxi over a decade ago, I had zero placements. Now I have thousands of TV plays on my PRO statement - EVERY YEAR!!! Why? Cuz I did the work. Most of you are much more talented than I am. But talent is only a small part of achieving our dreams. I'm check-cashing proof of that.

I won't babble on any more. But please; write, submit, forget, repeat... or if you like..., Quit the Bitchin' and Keep on Pitchin'


This has been a public service announcement from your fellow Taxi member.





dean krippaehne

[crs7string]

Dean,

I have heard that "Building a Catalog is a Marathon, Not a Sprint"

Any thoughts?

Chuck

[deankripp]

Did you steal that from me Chuck?




d

[HenriettaAtkin]

Dean,

Thank you for the reminder.

I figure I am pretty darn lucky to get even one forward (German accordion cue) in the first 2 months.

Right now, what's working for me is doing very small ensemble -- three instruments at most -- works. Solo piano. Accordion. Jazz trio.

I got my Spitfire Albion, and felt sure I could whip up a chamber orchestra ensemble. Ha! Spent an hour listening to the easiest Vivaldi concertos and figured out there is NO WAY I am going to get the string articulations down in two weeks -- even though I used to be a cellist.

No, it's going to take a few months to learn about one violin and all its articulations. And that is just the way it must be.

It is so easy for me to get excited and I want to do what all the other guys are doing and do the kind of cues they are doing!

But I have to stick to my strategy and gradually expand.

So thank you for the reminder. Slow and steady. And --- for me -- quality over quantity!

[HenriettaAtkin]

Oh, I do have your book "Demystifying the Cue". I really enjoyed it the first time.

Time for a second read, I think!

[hummingbird]

+1 Dean and Chuck

One thing that has come to me recently is that, I can only get better if I keep learning and writing, and there's no point in throwing up my hands and bitching when my tracks don't get over the first hurtle, it means I have something more to learn, either in composition, or in production - or the thing that seems to elude me the most - being on target for the listing.

I have Dean's book, read it cover to cover... worth the read and good idea Henrietta, time for a re-read!

[sansharbour]

Hi Dean

It's always good to be reminded about determination in regards to pitching music
There is no escaping doing the work.
I love breaking out of my acoustic strumming box and trying different things.
Tension, relaxation, Cuban ,Trip Hop, Hick Hop etc.

Lots of distractions to lure one away from the work.
So after researching and learning new things (your book for example) which is essential then it's time to apply this new found info
That's where we have to Focus to complete


Like my Italian friends grandfather once said "No Worka No Money"

[deankripp]

Thanks Henrietta. That's the way it worked for me - starting with a genre I was already pretty good at and that everyone was kind of digging.... then growing from there.


That's so right Vikki.... I still get stuff turned down - off and on - for various reasons. Sometimes because it's "not quite there" and other times because the publisher already has enough of whatever I'm producing and pitching. But, as you stated, not making it over the first hurdle is no reason to stop producing.... if anything, it's a reason to dig in and discover more about our songs - what works and what doesn't... and I think any kind of feedback - positive or negative - can often help us better define our targets.

Don, I also like "stepping outside" of my box. I was just doing that a couple weeks ago - and having lots of fun experimenting - when an assignment for a new TV show came in (for a genre I have already had a lot of success in). Back to working parameters - back to focusing on nailing the "mood" for the client. I actually enjoy both types writing and recording - the adventurous, experimental meanderings AND being creative within a strict set of parameters.


deano k

[ComposerLDG]

Excellent post, Dean! Taxi has taught me so much.

And so has your book, by the way!

Thanks for the motivator and for all you do to help your fellow composers!

-Loren

[Russell Landwehr]

Yup, when you complain, that means you have some idea in your mind the way things should be, but you're not willing to do what it takes to make it happen.

But that's not the focus, eh?

Keep on Pitchin'



Russell