I agree with the critique but don't know where to go next

[mikeymike2000]

Hello,

I just got back a custom critique that was very informative on many levels. I agree with everything that was said and appreciate
someone telling me what I need to hear to improve as opposed to "you rock, friend".

The main line of the feedback that I totally understand but don't know how to proceed is....
Something to the effect of writing the music you like vs. writing the music clients need right now.

I get it, but I am not sure what clients need right now.

Mostly I write instrumentals and along a more classical style. Totally open to getting out of my comfort zone and exploring a new style.

My question: Can someone give me a few examples of music that "is needed" in the instrumentalist realm. A link to some things can be found at my site. Not sure if I can post a link here or not so I will be happy to send it to you (or put it up after someone says it is OK).

It would be really awesome if someone can listen to some of my stuff and then say, "OK for you, you should listen to these artists and see what you come up with."

Thanks for reading!

[davewalton]

Definitely post a link to some music so we can get an idea of what you're doing currently. I do identify with that critique and general situation in that I had that issue. What I was doing sounded fine in terms of overall quality but the style I was doing wasn't current. It took me a while to get "up-to-date" and that's something I'm still working on.

One thing about the forum here is that you'll see a flurry of posts of music that got forwarded shortly after results are released on any particular listing. That's a great way to be able to "interpret" a listing, reading what they said they wanted and then to listening to the music that got forwarded.

[mikeymike2000]

Thanks, Dave!

www originalmusicforfilmandtv .com

[mikeymike2000]

What, no takers?

[mazz]

Mike, I think you're on the right track. Your music sounds good overall. I think some of your samples could use more work in the exposed sections but we all struggle with that!

I have a lot of music on my website and my soundcloud and much of it has been signed by libraries and some of it has been placed in TV shows. Feel free to peruse the site for a listen.

You can also listen to a lot of the music that has been forwarded in the "Forwards" section of the forum and also in the "Success Stories" section people often post music that got placed. At the very least, the success story folks often have websites linked in their signature and you can go there to hear their music.

You can also google production music and production music libraries and listen to that music as well.

Of course, you can and should watch TV, particularly cable reality shows to hear what they use there. Lots of folks here have music on those shows pretty regularly. I know some folks don't like to watch that stuff but it's kind of like learning rock and roll from sheet music, you can do it but there's nothing like getting out there and playing it. Same with TV, you can listen to library music in isolation or you can suck it up and watch Toddlers and Tiaras, etc. and hear what kinds of music they use on those shows. It's research into your chosen field, sometimes you gotta get into the trenches!!

Good luck.