Simple Advice

[Casey H]

Although the idea to write this simple post came from the Rally, I wanted to put it on its own thread because it is, as the title says, just plain simple advice.Every screener we met with said the same thing. Two of the biggest reasons (maybe the top two) for songs not being forwarded are:1) Way off-target/off-genre. e.g. People submit a bluegrass track for a heavy metal rock listing or a track with a vocal for an instrumental listing... or the track doesn't at all resemble any of the "a la"s mentioned.2) No chorus or not a strong enough chorus.As they say, K.I.S.S. ... Keep it simple, stupid. Avoid the above two pitfalls and you will be more successful and save yourself a ton of $5 expenses. Casey

[gunter]

Great post Casey!Quote:...As they say, K.I.S.S. ... Keep it simple, stupid. Avoid the above two pitfalls and you will be more successful and save yourself a ton of $5 expenses....Possible alternative for "K.I.S.S.": Keep it Simple, Singable.

[Casey H]

Hi GunterActually that exact alternative using "Singable" was used by Pat and Pete Luboff in their presentations... It is very important! I just wanted to emphasize the absolute top reasons for TAXI returns. Casey

[gunter]

Quote:Hi GunterActually that exact alternative using "Singable" was used by Pat and Pete Luboff in their presentations... It is very important! I just wanted to emphasize the absolute top reasons for TAXI returns. CaseyOh... I see! That makes sense. I think I remember it form "6 Steps to Songwriting Success"... If I'm not all wrong.

[rcase]

Thank you Casey. Stuff most of us have probably heard at one time or another....still, it never hurts to have somebody pick up the 'ol ball-peen and give you another whack!Or does it??..

[trentoliphant]

Ouch!!

[tedsingingfox]

With so many new forum members around after the rally, it never hurts to be reminded of two of the surest, simplest steps we can follow to vastly increase our chances of getting forwarded.thanks, Casey.

[chrislabbe]

it does seem simple enough. it can be tough for me to self critique though. remember almost famous? honest and unmerciful. just hopefully not in rolling stone when we get there.

[hummingbird]

Following along on this topic, it seems to me that often people have a great deal of difficulty in picking genres for their music. It may seem obvious to an outside listener that that 'rock' song is actually 'country', but sometimes a writer gets too close to their work. This forum is a great place to post a link and the text of a listing and ask 'is this a fit?'. Also, if you are getting a custom critique, I *always* ask - what genre is this & who are the 'a la's'. I *love* screeners who provide that info on their critiques, too.H

[Casey H]

SHE'S BACK!!!! YAY!!!VIKKI'S BACK!!!! CaSeY