Appreciate some critique before accepted or returned!

[kjckjc]

Hello all.. I have been checking out these forum posts and see a that quite a few of you put your music here for some "mentoring" before submitting it for acceptance... I am fairly new to this - been submitting for a few months now - with 100% return rate so far!!... But I feel I am getting closer all the time - and very much taking the critiques to heart and trying to mold my music to those... The most consistent remark I receive is: "Could have a better developmental "arc"... almost every time... The last one I submitted (TAXI # S240220DB - Lots of Aggressive DUBSTEP INSTRUMENTALS are needed) ... and I really thought I nailed this one - but main comment was:
"A thought might be to shorten the intro and start the track closer to the 1 min mark. Adding the sub/808 to more of the track could also help the arrangement sound more impactful."... etc... Here is a link - and it is on my profile page if anyone cares to check it out...

https://www.taxi.com/my/artist/songs/7n ... ubbb-remix

Anyway - I feel it may also help me to get some Peer Reviews from those of you who care to - before I submit - although it seems I typically submit right before the deadline ends (too much editing I guess!)... So anyway - I have already submitted this one - below - (for Taxi S240225UN - PIANO-Based UNDERSCORE INSTRUMENTAL CUES) ... and thought perhaps some of you would be kind enough to critique BEFORE I get this one returned (altho you never know!)... and see if your critique will be in line with what the screener tells me!... Honestly - I feel it is a bit to "Heavy" for the listing, compared to the ref's, I couldn't seem to get the main piano arp any "Lighter"... Here is the link (Wide Open Fields):

https://www.taxi.com/my/artist/songs/mE ... pen-fields

I really appreciate any help and advice - and I will try and do this earlier from now on... FYI - My situation is - I am currently 100% in the box - since all of my gear is in storage until I can find a place to create my full blown studio - and I am much more comfy with real instruments - vs. all this computer based stuff! Thanx!!!

[AlanHall]

Ken's link in the sig line works, so we can navigate to his profile page and then listen...

my comment (and yes, the 'edit' button is already gone even though the listing doesn't officially close for 12 hours... grrr) is that the piano patch you're using as the lead instrument doesn't have the smooth, underscore-friendly tone that I hear in the ref tracks. Not sure if that's enough for a return; if it is not I think you have a chance for a forward. Good luck!

[kjckjc]

Thanks Guys! I just clicked on both links - and they take me right to the tunes... But Alan is correct - click on my profile link - and they are the top 2 tunes... The listing IS actually closed (Expired: Sunday, February 25th, 2024. TAXI # S240225UN)... Thanks again...

[AlanHall]

The listing IS actually closed (Expired: Sunday, February 25th, 2024. TAXI # S240225UN)... Thanks again...

Oh right! I was thinking S240228MN minimalist underscore, which closes tonight (and should be editable, but is not). I submitted to both listings, and in my fevered brain I am getting them confused!

[macomposer]

So... playing Taxi screener: (my first time playing this game... )

Nice Title... So your opening riff/motif is an arpeggiated chord progression, and (I have wondered this myself for my own pieces) will that work for this brief? I think there's a bit of a diff. between arpeggiated chords vs. pattern-based type deal.. but it works. I mean, the piece is great! It's a bit more "epic" sounding in my book and I'm not sure how they'll see that as it seemed they were after soft, intimate sounding stuff.

If you had started the motif an octave higher and more delicately, it would immediately hit closer to the references... It also doesn't have any strong edit points, which they might ding you for... but it does keep with the one motif idea that they asked for.

I think it's good work. It MAY not quite be what they're looking for with this one, but I hope I'm wrong.

All the best, - Mark

[kjckjc]

Thanks Mark - Appreciate the feedback! I agree - I thought it was too heavy as well - compared to the ref's as I said... These so called "simple" pieces have manifested themselves as way more difficult (for me) than first anticipated! Looking forward to the result - Still awaiting my first forward!!!...


** Also Alan - Yes I was going for that one too - 'S240228MN minimalist underscore' - but had a very difficult time starting! I think I have WAY too many sounds/samples/pads at my disposal, making it hard to even begin!! This type of thing SHOULD be in my wheelhouse - but has become way more difficult than I first anticipated (at least for me!)... Thanks again!