inexplicable

[jonathansorensen]

Sometimes comments are inexplicable. I've noted before that, though I'm a barely passable vocalist I've gotten a 7 on my vocals. Then I submitted a song with a real pro. I won't name names but he's been lauded at the taxi conference before. His chops are impeccable. The screener rated the vocals a 7. There's no way any of my vocal performances could be in the same universe as this vocalist. I also had a professionally produced track get low ratings on production. What I take away from that kind of stuff is: In the end, people like a song or they don't. When they don't like the song, they tend to think about the elements critically. So when I get feedback that rejects a song based on an element that has gotten 9s or 10s from other screeners, I take it as, that particular screener doesn't like that particular song. In that case, I look for more listings. If I get a second screener who has the same problem then I have to take it seriously and say, maybe I need to up my overall standards.

I've dealt with this recently. I submitted the best writing and production I've ever had. I thought the singer was not only professional but perfect for the song. The song was returned for singing and production. That scared me a lot because, production and performance-wise, I couldn't see how it could have been better. I don't know what could have made it better. Ok, back to the drawing board. Time to listen to more hits, more hit production and see exactly what the difference is. I'm sure I'll find significant differences.

Anyway, it can be discouraging but I just remind myself, overall, if my product is some of the best, I'll get placement and generate income, regardless of any one critique. If I'm not getting any placement or income, obviously, I have a lot of work to do.

Best,
JS

[Casey H]

I think you have the right attitude. We all get ratings and comments at times that make us scratch our head. I've thrown a few things against the wall when reading about a return, especially when everything in it contradicts what other screeners or folks outside Taxi have said.

Screeners are humans. To assume they are perfect robots who all see things the same way would be silly.

Matto said it best a while back. When I'm upset about a return or review I remember his words [paraphrasing], "If ANY ONE submission means that much to you, you are not doing enough"... Like Dave Walton and others often say, "Write, Submit, Forget, Repeat"... aka "Lather, Rinse, Repeat"...

Best,
Casey

[mazz]

I was contacted just last week by a colleague to write some pieces of a certain style for submissions directly to a music supervisor. I wrote a couple of pieces that I thought approached the pitch target. Since the colleague is going to be pitching the pieces, it's up to him to determine what he is comfortable pitching to the client. Turns out I hit a hook and a slice on the first two tries. Were they bad pieces? Not at all, in fact I'm going to tweak them slightly and submit them to another library because they will be more suited to what they are looking for than what my colleague is looking for.

It's possible that the compositions and production for this particular pitch would have received 7s or 8s but for the second library, they might be 9 and 10, or 4 and 5 depending on what they are looking for.

Basically the moral of my probably too long example is that, as you certainly realize, in the end it's somewhat about taste and somewhat about being right for the pitch. In just one more example from this recent go round, the other composer mentioned he didn't care for a certain effect I put on the electric piano sound. Was that his taste? Most likely it was. And with that in the back of his mind, could he enthusiastically pitch that piece? Probably not. Both he and I want to have pieces that he can submit without hesitation, and if a phaser sound stands in the way of that, it's out. Or another piece is written.

You are doing the right thing by making your music and your productions as good as possible. That and the listings you choose to pitch to are the only things in your control. After that it's really just put your head down and write produce and pitch more music until something starts to stick. After all, what else would you want to be doing?

Keep pushing forward even when it feels like things are going sideways!

Mazz

PS: In my experience, the more music I produce, the less attached I become to it, and as a result, the better I get at it because I hear it from a bit more distance both emotionally and critically. It's a journey, and as Vinnie likes to remind us, we're only human and that's part of the package!!

[Edgy DC]

In my experience, the more music I produce, the less attached I become to it, and as a result, the better I get at it because I hear it from a bit more distance both emotionally and critically.

I agree with this. But what I remain attached to is getting value from my Taxi membership. So we think when returns are accompanied by comments or ratings that make little sense, they should be noted here.

If they are going to hold us to a high standard, we need to hold them to one as well.

[mazz]

The forum is a more informal place to air your concerns and is monitored semi regularly by Taxi, but the best way to give Taxi feedback on their feedback is to call or e-mail them directly. They have a very responsive customer service department and really do care that the customer is satisfied. Discussing the critiques here may not have the same effect as contacting Taxi directly. Contacting Taxi is not the same as contacting some big bank or corporation, you won't get a phone tree, etc. Some folks prefer to just rant, hopefully you will take a different tack and pick up the phone. It works.

Cheers!

Mazz

[onelight24]

+1

we're only human and that's part of the package!!

If I may add, try to enjoy the journey however it comes, after-all, what's the alternative?

Cheers,
Vincent!

[jonathansorensen]

My comment was originally in response to someone else's post. I don't know how it ended up posting as my own thread. No worries, more great comments anyway.

Best,
Jon