General questions on music submitting

[davesmith]

I'm new to the forum and I have a couple of questions:

1. When uploading music, TAXI asks for the Genre and then asks, "tell us more about the genre". What do you put there? Do you describe where the music could fit?
2. For tags, should you list the main instruments and then the main themes/moods you think the music fits? Is there a better/more professional way to write and list these tags?
3. Should I upload WAV, AIFF or MP3 files? I would assume the smaller file the better and if it's successful/forwarded I would be asked for the full WAV file and perhaps Stems? (can you tell I'm a newbie yet?)
4. Is there a way of looking at other people's TAXI profiles and listening to their music? I can't seem to find a search.
5. Has anyone used the custom critique service, did you get a valuable response for your $20?

Thanks in advance,
Dave.

[JohnnyP]

I'm new to the forum and I have a couple of questions:

1. When uploading music, TAXI asks for the Genre and then asks, "tell us more about the genre". What do you put there? Do you describe where the music could fit?
2. For tags, should you list the main instruments and then the main themes/moods you think the music fits? Is there a better/more professional way to write and list these tags?
3. Should I upload WAV, AIFF or MP3 files? I would assume the smaller file the better and if it's successful/forwarded I would be asked for the full WAV file and perhaps Stems? (can you tell I'm a newbie yet?)
4. Is there a way of looking at other people's TAXI profiles and listening to their music? I can't seem to find a search.
5. Has anyone used the custom critique service, did you get a valuable response for your $20?

Thanks in advance,
Dave.

Hi Dave and welcome to TAXI! All good questions.

1) I write mostly vocal genres so if it's a Pop song sometimes I'll add "Indie Pop, Indie, Modern Singer-Songwriter". Just drill down a little on what you feel the possible /sub-genre(s) might be
2) Tags- Include the - Prominent instruments, vibe, moods, tempo (fast, slow, mid) , male or female vocal, add possible ways the song/cue could be used-ie- advertisement, commercial, SUV, Bank robbery, Corporate etc..
3) I always upload MP3 files. Just a habit. The libraries have always asked for the wav files when they've contacted me
4) Go to the "Forwards Blog" it's on the right side of the Taxi Homepage. You can click on the songs that have been forwarded and listen to them.
5) I've done maybe 5 custom critiques. 4 we're excellent! One not so much... 4 of the 5 songs have been signed to deals so I'm a big believer in the Custom Critiques. Just make sure you ask a LOT of "to the point" questions.

Best of luck w Taxi. This is my 5th year as a member and it's helped me a bunch. Take care, John

[davesmith]

thread before you mentioned it, much appreciated. I’ll give one of those custom critiques a try and I think you’re spot on with asking specific questions that could help the most.

Thanks for your time, and congratulations on your recent forwards!

Cheers,
Dave.

[davesmith]

John, my previous message had the start cut out for some reason....

I hadn’t seen that Forwards Blog thread before you mentioned it, enjoyed listening to what made the cut.

Thank you so much for replying. Much appreciated.

[JohnnyP]

thread before you mentioned it, much appreciated. I’ll give one of those custom critiques a try and I think you’re spot on with asking specific questions that could help the most.

Thanks for your time, and congratulations on your recent forwards!

Cheers,
Dave.

No problem and thank you Dave,
Also check out Taxi Tv every Monday night at 4pm Pacific time. It’s very helpful and sometimes you can submit songs to have them critiqued live.
Good luck on the journey! Best, John