Honest Question

[ShaR4]

Hi y'all!!

New member here Really excited to join this amazing musical family!

I'm wondering if the chances of getting placements are slim because there are so many amazing TAXI musicians submitting to the same listings? (Yes, I've been reading through the forums/listening to tracks!)

Wondering if no matter how much of an amazing musician/producer you are, the chances are still slim because of the amount being submitted each time?

Your hopeful new friend,

Shara "ShaR4" Dee
https://www.shar4music.com
https://soundcloud.com/shar4
https://www.instagram.com/shar4music

p.s. I'm actually quite tech savvy and can't get this avatar to save

[tresero]

Depends on your genre. That's the real answer. Some listings get very few submissions, others hundreds (so I've heard.)

[ResonantTone]

Hey Shara,

I wondered the same question when I joined about a year ago. (tbh, I actually emailed a few people before I even joined to see if they thought I had a chance...)

The short answer is, yes, you have a chance. There are tons and tons of opportunities out there, and new ones are opening up all the time. There are a few things to be considered though:

1) Are you willing to work long and hard for quite some time in order to build up your catalog with licensable and good quality music? (This isn't just the production value, it's literally how usable it is based on things like arrangement, mix, etc) The chances of making any sort of money from a single track or even a single album is very slim. But if you're willing to create consistently good music day in and day out, you've got a shot.

2) Can you deal with rejection? There are a lot more no's starting out than yes's. And I don't think the no's ever stop coming really... you just have to trust that for every no you get about your music, it's one step close to a yes. (and to be fair, this only works if you take the rejection as a stepping stone to improve instead of getting offended or indignant)

2) Are you willing to learn as much as you can as quick as you can about the business side in order to be ready the moment someone contacts you with an opportunity? (learning all about the terms and jargon, licensing agreements, PROs, etc) No one has time to work with someone that doesn't have all their ducks in a row... it's just not efficient. Best to get as much info and start preparing right away so you know what to expect the moment someone contacts you. (Taxi TV is a great place to start)

I took a quick listen to the track you have attached, and the quality of your stuff sounds fine. When you really get down to it though, it's about who is willing to stick with it for the long haul and keep improving along the way.

Best of luck to you, and I hope you continue to stay plugged in to this community on the forums. Most everyone around here is super helpful and are all in this thing together. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and be sure to give back any help you receive as you learn and grow.

Andrew

[cassmcentee]

Hi ShaR4!
Listened to your piece, very cool, you have the production chops to do this!
Now write/record to a specific listing. I bet you will learn fast if you set your mind to it.
Cheers,
Cass

[ShaR4]

Hey Shara,

I wondered the same question when I joined about a year ago. (tbh, I actually emailed a few people before I even joined to see if they thought I had a chance...)

The short answer is, yes, you have a chance. There are tons and tons of opportunities out there, and new ones are opening up all the time. There are a few things to be considered though:

1) Are you willing to work long and hard for quite some time in order to build up your catalog with licensable and good quality music? (This isn't just the production value, it's literally how usable it is based on things like arrangement, mix, etc) The chances of making any sort of money from a single track or even a single album is very slim. But if you're willing to create consistently good music day in and day out, you've got a shot.

2) Can you deal with rejection? There are a lot more no's starting out than yes's. And I don't think the no's ever stop coming really... you just have to trust that for every no you get about your music, it's one step close to a yes. (and to be fair, this only works if you take the rejection as a stepping stone to improve instead of getting offended or indignant)

2) Are you willing to learn as much as you can as quick as you can about the business side in order to be ready the moment someone contacts you with an opportunity? (learning all about the terms and jargon, licensing agreements, PROs, etc) No one has time to work with someone that doesn't have all their ducks in a row... it's just not efficient. Best to get as much info and start preparing right away so you know what to expect the moment someone contacts you. (Taxi TV is a great place to start)

I took a quick listen to the track you have attached, and the quality of your stuff sounds fine. When you really get down to it though, it's about who is willing to stick with it for the long haul and keep improving along the way.

Best of luck to you, and I hope you continue to stay plugged in to this community on the forums. Most everyone around here is super helpful and are all in this thing together. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and be sure to give back any help you receive as you learn and grow.

Andrew

Thank you Andrew! I really appreciate this feedback. Yes I am willing to work long and hard for this! Rejection sucks but I'll have to just suck it up and keep pushing forward.

Thanks for listening to my track! I've been producing since 2007 and am looking to be more successful with my music finally since getting tracks signed with small EDM labels hasn't really done much at all for me and my music career.

Everyone has been so nice here!! So excited. Nice to digitally meet you all!

[ShaR4]

Hi ShaR4!
Listened to your piece, very cool, you have the production chops to do this!
Now write/record to a specific listing. I bet you will learn fast if you set your mind to it.
Cheers,
Cass

Thank you Cass!!

[ShaR4]

Depends on your genre. That's the real answer. Some listings get very few submissions, others hundreds (so I've heard.)

Good to know! I wonder which genres get the least submissions. I wonder if some companies accept more than one submission when they get a bunch of music forwarded to them? That would make me more hopeful too!

[tresero]

Depends on your genre. That's the real answer. Some listings get very few submissions, others hundreds (so I've heard.)

Good to know! I wonder which genres get the least submissions. I wonder if some companies accept more than one submission when they get a bunch of music forwarded to them? That would make me more hopeful too!

I don't think it's a secret, and maybe someone will know, but I'm guessing things like orchestral and ethnic get few. I know in my main genre (traditional latin), there are certainly not a ton. The latin pop would likely have many more.

Yes, some companies take more than one. Keep in mind, just getting a track signed doesn't usually mean money. If there is an up front sync, then yes, but you may be in a catalog and never make a cent. I try to get a 5 year revision on any tracks they can't move. I'm sure some publishers won't do that, but I've had good luck with that. It makes them want to work a little harder.

[ShaR4]

Depends on your genre. That's the real answer. Some listings get very few submissions, others hundreds (so I've heard.)

Good to know! I wonder which genres get the least submissions. I wonder if some companies accept more than one submission when they get a bunch of music forwarded to them? That would make me more hopeful too!

I don't think it's a secret, and maybe someone will know, but I'm guessing things like orchestral and ethnic get few. I know in my main genre (traditional latin), there are certainly not a ton. The latin pop would likely have many more.

Yes, some companies take more than one. Keep in mind, just getting a track signed doesn't usually mean money. If there is an up front sync, then yes, but you may be in a catalog and never make a cent. I try to get a 5 year revision on any tracks they can't move. I'm sure some publishers won't do that, but I've had good luck with that. It makes them want to work a little harder.

Awesome, thank you for the advice!

[cosmicdolphin]

Wondering if no matter how much of an amazing musician/producer you are, the chances are still slim because of the amount being submitted each time?

It's not about being the most amazing. Be good but be consistent and stick at it ...you will outlast the 'amazing' people who can't stick with it long term.

Your track sounds well produced but there's not enough development, try to add new elements every 4 bars ..build it up..break it down...do it again...and have a definitive sting ending , never fade otherwise the music editor won't be able to get out of your cue and into the next scene.

Mark