Before posting or reviewing you MUST READ THIS!

[fallan]

Apr 14, 2008, 9:44am, herringbone wrote:Ok, I've only been a member for 3 months, and I'm a first time poster here. But I have a few questions for you long timers out there. If I'm submitting a song as a demo for another artist, and the listing submission description requests that, why do I get a critique on my voice? Why do I get a critique on the recording (good enough for this listing) when the description says even home recordings are ok? These are demos. Maybe I do not understand the concept of demos but I always thought that meant you left somethings open for the artist and the producer to add, craft, or arrange. Am I wrong about that? Also, I think the songs can be sold if all the other points are there structure, lyrics, style, etc. The next question is why did my song which was forwarded, basically get forwarded to a company with a website much like TAXI's which accepts songs for a to be reviewed for $5 per pop? It seems it went from Taxi to another Taxi-type organization, then it was refused. What is that all about?My last question is if the listing says that the President of the company will be the one who listens and decides on the song, and then it gets forwarded, is it not right to assume he wanted it? Yet a few weeks later I got a basic return even though it was picked by the president of the company. What is that all about? Also, I'm not mad, I'm just trying to better understand the process. If it doesn't kill you it will only make you stronger!Thanks for any advice you can give!Herringbone "The next question is why did my song which was forwarded, basically get forwarded to a company with a website much like TAXI's which accepts songs for a to be reviewed for $5 per pop? It seems it went from Taxi to another Taxi-type organization, then it was refused. What is that all about?"I hope this was a mistake by someone at Taxi and not something that happens on a regular basis because if it does then I will be looking for e refund

[ab]

woww... i actually understand why the wind has to blow juss right before you can fly the kite... i completely get the point.. im up for challenge in a versitle world of music so be looking out for me folks... im new here.. i hav a powerhouse of excellent, well focused co-writers who extract undiscribable energy to the Audio Technica 40-40 mic.... so i feel extremely comfortable in wher i stand, exclude'ing tha 600,ooo requisite/proposal that would also be nice for a lil boost.. i also want to commend everyone here at Taxi for all the help, i jus cant stop telling people about the GREAT news... Keep in touch (EVERYONE PLEASE) i've created songs you wouldnt believe in almost every genre.. its just.. well.. i gotta get a JOB ok.. then im full force with taxi all the way.. im preparing myself my fellow members!! imean... wERE preparing are selves(YEAH I LIKE DA WAY WE SOUNDS ALOT) been that way my whole LIFE so.. jus get to kno me as i will do on the contrary lets utilize patience.. cuz this is gonna be FUN.. cant WAIT.. COMING SOOON!! thanks again Fellow members

[mistydawn]

That's awesome, its nice to know what the sheet might look like If I were looking at that? I would be crazy hard on myself and resort to drinking! (joking) The cliche part is funny, reminds me of ENG And yeah, you are seriously gorgeous I've noticed a lot of guys on here....interesting

[christophersclaybo]

Go to www.taxi.com/wildmanchris2000I have two songs I'd like critiqued...Reach out and Grab It - The Next Step (Still not there)And an instrumental: Reach Out and Grab It -- MASTERHere's the TWIST... Not only would I hang my head down low if I DID muster the GALL to walk ONE OF these songs into an A & R person's office, because I think it S U C K S!!! (The other one sounds good to my ears--not telling you which one.) I want to see what wavelength I / we're on.)I have gotten one custom critique from Taxi and IT DID NOT GLOW at all!!!I'm asking for somebody / anybody / EVERYBODY to critique both songs and tell me then which one YOU think is whacked and which one rocks; hell, maybe they BOTH suck, if so then tell me PLEASE!Just SOMEBODY please critique the damn songs PLEASE!!! I AM STARVING for feedback... PLEASE BE SPECIFIC AND NOT VAGUE!!!!

[songmkr6]

I have been in this business for too many years. But what gets me most is that no one thinks out of the box. Don't go with your gut, do what everyone else is doing. It's no wonder there's so much crap out there, everyone is afraid. It didn't used to be this way and it doesn't have to be now. It breaks my heart to hear so much great music that will go nowhere because it's not what everyone else is doing. A great song will always be great but scared anr people will come and go. I know it's tuff, but if you don't take a chance once and a while you'll never allow great music or artists be heard. Baah Baah! I still love you all but sometimes it's hard to respect you. If I hadn't done the job myself I would never have said a word. We all know the trueth of it, we just never accept it because we don't want to wrong or afraid to make a stand.

[jonathanm]

Hi, songmkr6, and welcome. your post actually belongs on their own thread and, probably in the "General Discussion" area. You might re-post there.Jonathan

[christophersclaybo]

Dec 15, 2008, 7:53pm, christophersclaybo wrote:Go to www.taxi.com/wildmanchris2000I have two songs I'd like critiqued...Reach out and Grab It - The Next Step (Still not there)And an instrumental: Reach Out and Grab It -- MASTERHere's the TWIST... Not only would I hang my head down low if I DID muster the GALL to walk ONE OF these songs into an A & R person's office, because I think it S U C K S!!! (The other one sounds good to my ears--not telling you which one.) I want to see what wavelength I / we're on.)I have gotten one custom critique from Taxi and IT DID NOT GLOW at all!!!I'm asking for somebody / anybody / EVERYBODY to critique both songs and tell me then which one YOU think is whacked and which one rocks; hell, maybe they BOTH suck, if so then tell me PLEASE!Just SOMEBODY please critique the damn songs PLEASE!!! I AM STARVING for feedback... PLEASE BE SPECIFIC AND NOT VAGUE!!!! Dammit, I'm still waiting for SOMEONE who has the guts to critique my damn song! Like the previous post said everybody's too scared, too chickens--- to DO anything their DAMN SELVES!Yes, I've posted in "PEER TO PEER" and hain't heard S--- there neither!

[Casey H]

Dec 15, 2008, 7:53pm, christophersclaybo wrote:Go to www.taxi.com/wildmanchris2000I have two songs I'd like critiqued...Reach out and Grab It - The Next Step (Still not there)And an instrumental: Reach Out and Grab It -- MASTERHere's the TWIST... Not only would I hang my head down low if I DID muster the GALL to walk ONE OF these songs into an A & R person's office, because I think it S U C K S!!! (The other one sounds good to my ears--not telling you which one.) I want to see what wavelength I / we're on.)I have gotten one custom critique from Taxi and IT DID NOT GLOW at all!!!I'm asking for somebody / anybody / EVERYBODY to critique both songs and tell me then which one YOU think is whacked and which one rocks; hell, maybe they BOTH suck, if so then tell me PLEASE!Just SOMEBODY please critique the damn songs PLEASE!!! I AM STARVING for feedback... PLEASE BE SPECIFIC AND NOT VAGUE!!!!Hi ChrisIt's hard for me to critique rap music because it's so far from my area of knowledge. BTW, sometimes the reason no one critiques a song posted is it's out of their genre or expertise so they really wouldn't know what to say.I didn't think the sound quality was great but I have been having some problems with my PC's sound system when I use headphones so I'll have to come back and re-listen later. Again from my limited perspective... My overall reaction is this just is not-so-great attempt at rap music. The beats don't sound rap and the vocal style doesn't cut it... not sure about the words.If you are trying to be cross-genre here (some blend of rap and other), it's tough because, like it or not, when tracks are harder to categorize, they are harder to pitch. When people here this, they hear rap and unfortunately, not very good rap.I wish I could give you specific guidance as to how to improve it. I know you mentioned having some problems with collaborators but all I can think of is working together with other rap artists.Hope you are having a nice Christmas! Casey

[t4mh]

New member here! I have some questions for the TAXI admin and anyone else who has an opinion for that matter. I don't believe that I have "cornered the market" on good ideas and so I am open to comment. Some things come to mind as I read this thread about the critique sheet. First, I agree that the critique sheet is a good idea for "SONGS". However, I don't sing, I can't carry much of a tune, I have little or no access to any singers and so I don't write songs. My area of music is instrumental. I believe that the critique sheet for instrumentals HAS to be different than what is posted here. Current sounding? On target? What is that? Besides having a grungy sounding guitar that sounds like everyone else's, this is largely done to my way of thinking. Target, you know when they have a listing for like a game instrumental it would really help if they would tell you what kind of game it is. Not knowing if you are even thinking about the right "sounds" is way difficult. Surely, they don't want music that really, really sounds like some of the examples they give. The whole discussion about too long of an intro is completely different with respect to instrumental music.A lot of the film score instrumental listings call for "real sounding" orchestral parts. There is some good software out there but the only true way to get a "real sounding orchestra" is to have a "real orchestra". The big name film score people get to sit in a recording studio with a real orchestra. I just don't have that resource. Doesn't this speak to TAXI's "How good does my recording have to be" FAQs maybe being a little misleading? I don't know. I can write anything and in most cases I can play all of the instruments. You would think they would be more interested in finding someone who can create than in finding a specific creation. I may be completely wrong about this.Actually, there is a lot more to comment about here. My question for the admin is if they could also post a critique sheet that pertains more to instrumental music. I, like everyone else needs some direction and I would appreciate knowing how the screeners approach instrumental music.Thank you!

[davewalton]

Jan 1, 2009, 11:16am, t4mh wrote:New member here! I have some questions for the TAXI admin and anyone else who has an opinion for that matter. I don't believe that I have "cornered the market" on good ideas and so I am open to comment. Some things come to mind as I read this thread about the critique sheet. First, I agree that the critique sheet is a good idea for "SONGS". However, I don't sing, I can't carry much of a tune, I have little or no access to any singers and so I don't write songs. My area of music is instrumental. I believe that the critique sheet for instrumentals HAS to be different than what is posted here. Current sounding? On target? What is that? "Current sounding" of course depends on the listing but if your instrumentals sound like they came from the 80's or 90's... that's not current. Doesn't matter if it's rock, hip hop, electronica or what... today's sounds are much different than they were 10 or 20 years ago. Even with orchestral, there's a difference between a current "Hans Zimmer" style piece vs something that Lalo Schifrin did in the 70's or 80's. "On target"... that even applies to selling copiers. Somebody asks for a color copier that does duplexing and you give them a black and while copier with no duplexing... no sale. Same with music. If they want "soaring orchestral"... better make sure your orchestral REALLY soars. Quote:A lot of the film score instrumental listings call for "real sounding" orchestral parts. There is some good software out there but the only true way to get a "real sounding orchestra" is to have a "real orchestra". None of us "virtual composers" are going to beat out James Newton Howard and the London Philharmonic for the next Hollywood blockbuster film but for most television and non-studio films... virtual orchestras are used all the time (including a lot of music from the virtual composer crowd here on the forum).Quote:The big name film score people get to sit in a recording studio with a real orchestra. I just don't have that resource. Doesn't this speak to TAXI's "How good does my recording have to be" FAQs maybe being a little misleading? Not at all... we're not competing (for the most part) against John Williams, we're competing against other virtual composers (many of which are very good). Besides... a live orchestra in a recording studio is VERY expensive. A $2500 licensing fee wouldn't even begin to cover the cost of a single recording session for a 60-piece orchestra. But... a $2500 licensing fee for me is pretty much pure profit. In a sense you have to reverse the thinking... they can't compete with us. Quote: I don't know. I can write anything and in most cases I can play all of the instruments. You would think they would be more interested in finding someone who can create than in finding a specific creation. I may be completely wrong about this.Most places want the "creation", a single track or series of tracks, all completely ready to go for TV or film... drop them in, adjust for volume and that's it. The places that do want the "creators", they want the creator to be able to work quickly and efficiently in creating those 100% ready-to-go tracks.This is a good topic to start off the new year with. If you're in doubt about your own sounds (and I've gone through that), listen to the various instrumental tracks that get posted here and if you find that your composing skills has exceeded the quality of your sounds (a VERY common problem), then it's probably time to do a little shopping. HTH,Dave