This one took the wind out of my sails...

[hummingbird]

Quote:Well unless they had someone submit something even more in line with that listing, i don't get it either. can't take the screener's opinions too personal. they sometimes seem to be too obsessive about it being exactly what the listing says. We've had more luck outside the taxi listings with things and i really think that taxi needs to hire more non-musicians and everyday music lovers as their screeners. just my opinion.I'm not sure if the listing parties would agree. They are the folks who place the listings, and they want the forwarded music to be exactly what they are looking for. If they don't get that from Taxi, they will go elsewhere, pure & simple. In other words, as a member of Taxi, we are not submitting our music to non-musicians or members of the public to ask if they like it. We are pitching our music to the professionals... music publishers, music libraries & A&R reps via an organization that is set up to give the music industry what they are looking for, and provide songwriters with opportunities to pitch the appropriate music to fulfull their needs.I guess I just don't get it. So one song got turned down for one listing. So what? Your life isn't over. Pitch it again. If it still gets turned down, either you're targetting it ineffectively or there is something within the structure or production of the song that isn't working. So, either fix it... or move on, and take that knowledge with you when working on the next one. I've probably had more returns than all of you combined, and guess what, I'm still living, and I'm still writing, and I'm still here, and guess what, I'm still a member of Taxi. And yeah, I cry on these boards when I get my returns and ask for help to figure out why, but I don't suggest that Taxi change its successful model to accommodate me. I figure there's something here for me to learn and I am determined I am going to learn it, even if the screeners get sick of seeing my name. HPS - this is NOT directed at Larry, but is a General Comment.

[clonsberry]

Quote:Quote:And no, after I spent 3000 hours of searching I'm not going to post the little list. I'll let you guys do the 3000 hours of searching and you'll better appreciate the results of your labor. Gee thanks Dad, I know it's for my own good...Yeah, cause the one thing we all don't get nearly enough of is surfing the net

[dogsincars]

Quote:Quote:First off, blacklisting and profiling is wrong. So any such naughty and/or nice lists should be revealed to the taxi customers immediately. Secondly... taking a persons money knowing that they haven't a chance in hell (as long as they're unfavorably and secretly listed) is somewhat illegal as well. Refund the naughties, forward the nice and keep your taxi clean.This is my first post under a new name... Yippie!!!!Randy,your new name notwithstanding, you should have read the entire thread and you would've seen that we are not talking about Taxi here. We are talking about music libraries you approach on your own, outside of Taxi, with unsolicited material.Those companies most certainly have a right to keep a list of crappy composers and people who annoy them and waste their time.Just like they have a right to keep a list of people they might want to work with in the future.mattoYep! jumped the gun. Glad to know taxi would never maintain such a list.

[Casey H]

Absolutely, when you repeatedly send music to someone that is poor sound quality or far off-target (e.g. they want something that sounds like The White Stripes and you send a Beatles knock-off), they start to remember you and your submissions get tossed. People are human and impressions remain with them. I wouldn't call it "blacklisting"... just busy people putting their energies where they get the most bang for their buck. Why does anyone think the music world is different than any other part of the business world?And the pestering thing... too many emails or phone calls and you ruin your chances of anything happening. Phone calls are usually very unwelcome unless they have established a relationship with you. Casey

[ljweber70]

Quote:[quote author=thedivys board=forwards thread=1191550533 post=1192665536]PS - this is NOT directed at Larry, but is a General Comment.Thanks, Vikki Larry

[horacejesse]

That critique is a cryptique. Is it from an astrologer or a screener? Sweeping phrases like "Take more chances" and "You need to go beyond your influences," make a better fortune cookie than they do a custom critique IMO.

[Casey H]

This is a long thread so I many have missed some things.My 2 cents: When it looks like a song is on that borderline... e.g. some industry folks will take interest while others not... or you can't get a really clear reason for rejection... the best thing to do is not rush to make any changes. Instead keep plugging it. If a pattern emerges whereby reputable folks keep telling you the same reason for rejection, then consider addressing the issue.I believe you said earlier in this thread that you were not going to write to TAXI about it. I can't say if you should or shouldn't, but this is one case whereby you are very unsure about the rejection, even some experienced people thought it was on or very close to target, and a subsequent custom critique didn't offer much help. So, if there was ever a situation that might merit dropping an email to them, this would be one.I say the above with caution to everyone reading. If everyone who doesn't like their rejection contacted TAXI about it, they would be overwhelmed and forced to re-think their operating policies. So, my strong suggestion to all is to first get some feedback from some experienced folks on this forum by posting the entire listing, the entire critique, and a link to the song. 98% of the time, the reason for return will be obvious and you should not bother taxi about it. And remember, there are reasons why some listings are YES/NO only. You don't want to put TAXI in a situation whereby it is costing them too much because their YES/NO listings are not just that anymore. Casey

[sgs4u]

Quote:That critique is a cryptique. Is it from an astrologer or a screener? Now THAT made me smile. Thanks Jesse.

[horacejesse]

Quote:Now THAT made me smile. Thanks Jesse.To be a good EOC though (equal opportunity critic) I have to say that screener got a bad draw on this assignment. This song has been one of the most discussed pieces on the forum in a while. People had to get out their microscopes to find anything they thought might be wrong with it.It seemed the screener was a shade stumped. Why not? Who wouldn't have been? The author also erred in telling the screener the song had been rejected for the surf listing. You want to kill spontaneity, that seems like a sure way to do it.

[gerrel]

I don't know Larry. I think the song is DEAD ON too as far as it goes. It sounds exactly like its suppose to sound. Maybe if you play around with effects on the vocals it may change there views. I thought it was perfect for a beach setting. But...thats my opinion. If you decide to go up on production I would say add some more percussion sounds and maybe thicken up the baseline and guitar sounds by adding either effects or doubling up on tracks to give that thickness sound. In other words. There is always so much you could do to a song so many roads. Just play around with it a bit more until you are satisfied and try again. I don't know what they are expecting as far as GREAT Vocals when it comes to a beach song. I can see if it was a rock song...or a blues song...or a r&b and pop song. But A beach song? The song you did sounds fun and at ease. Isn't that what the beach is about? One technique I do in producing is I put in every single thing I hear in my head...every sound or instrument riff I hear that could be added to the song. Then. I listen and begin taking out parts that wont fit. Eventually what you would have is numerous ways and arrangement ideas. And the production will sound full. That is if that is what your going for a Full sound. Going back to the its up to YOU thing.