Critique on my first submission came back

[DonaldM]

Well, got a return on the first thing I actually submitted since joining here last month. I kinda expected it, 'cause I knew it was a little bit of stretch with respect to the listing, but decided to take the shot anyway. However, I was very encouraged by the ratings received in the various categories...all 8's and 9's except lyrics (which I didn't write) and marketability (no apt to the listing) (both of those were 7's. Engineering, Production, musicianship, melody...all 9's. That felt good!!

Am I reading too much into that?

[bete]

Congratulations Donald, unless things have changed recently, 8 and 9 are good ratings. If your music and production scores are 9s, you must be on the right track. Check your PMs for a message from me.
Bette

[guitarhacker]

8's and 9's are good....

I've been submitting to a bunch of the dispatch YES/NO listings so I'm not seeing those numbers anymore.

Don't let that distract you thinking that "If I can only get straight 9's....they'll forward it" Sure, 9's are good but the song is what matters.

Does it fit the listing like a glove? If it's "stylistically off base" no matter how good it is, it will not be forwarded. I know! I had a song that nailed the requirements lyrically and musically was really close.......and the screener on a Y/N listing even commented on the song, which is rare, but the song was just a bit off stylistically..... it was rock, and according to the screener, more ballad rock than the alt-rock the producer had asked for.

It's almost an art form to be able to read the listing and understand what they are looking for. research the "a-la" artists and listen to their music & style. when they reference an artist in the listing chances are really good that they are looking for music that sounds like that artist...... just saying. So nail it down the center.

If they ask for a trio.... don't submit a quintet. If they ask for female vocals don't send an instrumental or a male vocal....If they reference "delta blues" don't send Chicago blues...... The details matter.

[mojobone]

If you're reading that your song and production are adequate (broadcast quality) and might be accepted for a better-fitting listing, then you read it right, imo.

[shanegrla]

If they ask for a trio.... don't submit a quintet. If they ask for female vocals don't send an instrumental or a male vocal....If they reference "delta blues" don't send Chicago blues...... The details matter.

I might just add that also when they ask for a range of a las (i.e., alt rock anywhere from Chili Peppers to the Foo Fighters), don't fall for the trap and believe that you can submit something somewhere in-between or within that spectrum (i.e., Weezer). I would shoot for one style or the other.

[Hookjaw Brown]

@Shane

Slap my head (hence the flat forehead) but I hadn't thought of that. Thanks!

[shanegrla]

I only know that from learning it the hard way. I've slapped my head a couple times from it too.

[mojobone]

I only know that I wouldn't consider Weezer to even be ON a spectrum spanning the Chili Peppers and Foo Fighters....?

[Kolstad]

If they ask for a trio.... don't submit a quintet. If they ask for female vocals don't send an instrumental or a male vocal....If they reference "delta blues" don't send Chicago blues...... The details matter.

I might just add that also when they ask for a range of a las (i.e., alt rock anywhere from Chili Peppers to the Foo Fighters), don't fall for the trap and believe that you can submit something somewhere in-between or within that spectrum (i.e., Weezer). I would shoot for one style or the other.

That's great advice, Shane. Thanks!