TAXI.com

I hope I'm not asking a question already covered somewhere else - I searched and couldn't find it...

Warning: this first one might be a stupid question ...

So this will be my 2nd Rally - last year I didn't have a mentor, so this year will be my first - and I'm curious what their set-up is - do you always give them a CD for a critique? Do they all have CD players available for use? Would/has anyone just used their iPod? I mean, I know how CD audio is superior to mp3s, but if they're critiquing a song, and screeners normally listen to mp3s, does it matter (that much)? Is is blasphemous to even mention using an mp3? Do they use over ears headphones?

Also, I'm interested in what anyone who has gone might have to say about the Mentor's lunches. Feel free to PM me if you like!

Thank you!

Juliet

Hi Juliet

It sounds like you may be combining two different things here. This will be my 3rd Road Rally. The last 2 I attended had 2 mentor lunches and there was also one on one mentoring. The mentors do not listen to music at the lunches however most of them will take CD's or business cards. The one on one mentoring is where the mentor will listen to your music. I did this my fist year but not last year as all the mentors that I was interested in meeting with were already all booked. The one on one mentors listen to your music on CD with over the ear head phones as I recall. At least they did 2 years ago. I hate to say this, and I hope that I am in the minority, but I did not get anything out of my one on one mentoring. My mentor has a very impressive list of credits in writing music for TV. He said my music was good but he offered me nothing in the way of advice or criticism. Other than to say that the track I had second on my CD should have been first.

His only other advice to me about having a career as a composer was to say the following, "yeah, its difficult. You maybe could intern". I'm really not trying to be harsh but I really felt like, "What?!? That's your big advice for me??". I am not distorting this either. There was nothing else he offered. Nothing even generic like, "Work hard. Keep doing what your doing. Write a lot of music" nothing.

Anyway, I hope that sorta answers your question. I am planing on going to the mentor lunches again but the one on one mentoring will depend on who is available when I get there.

- Robbie

Hi Juliet
Just to add. One of the reasons to get on the registration line as early as possible (if practical with your travel schedule) is to get the best possible mentor choice. The popular ones go quickly. Yes, the one-on-one mentor has a CD player and will play your CD and give you feedback. Don't worry if the line is VERY long and it's hours before registration opens. Hanging on the line can be a lot of fun & a great way to make friends. Sometimes people even take out guitars and jam while on line.

If this is your first rally, I'd recommend going to one of the mentor lunches. The price is reasonable, you have to eat anyway (the food's good), and you'll meet a whole bunch of mentors. It's enjoyable and informative. Some of the mentors are taxi screeners, BTW. At the lunch, there is one mentor per table and every 10-15 minutes the mentors play musical chairs and switch tables so every mentor spends time at every table.

See ya there!
Casey

Thanks Robbie and Casey!

Robbie: I'm sorry to hear about your experience with your "mentor" - I did talk with some people last year that were very happy with their mentors and their advice, so I hope there is someone left you would like as your mentor and you have a much better experience - that goes for all of us! Oh, and thanks, - I see I wasn't that clear - I do know they are two difference things, I corrected the title of my thread to clarify...

Casey: Thanks for the info - I was in line last year at around 2:30 and there were still several mentors available then; I'll be in a little bit earlier this year, so hopefully there will be someone appropriate left for me this time. (I had a great time hanging in line last year!)

Looking forward to see you!

Juliet

Juliet
Wear open-toed shoes so I'll recognize you from your FB profile pic!

Casey

Casey H wrote:Juliet
Wear open-toed shoes so I'll recognize you from your FB profile pic!

Casey

!!!

Juliet

Hello,

Sorry if this is a bit off topic for this thread, but is there a list of mentors available in advance? I believe I have seen references to a list like that, but I have not seen one and might be wrong

-Silje

Silje wrote:Hello,

Sorry if this is a bit off topic for this thread, but is there a list of mentors available in advance? I believe I have seen references to a list like that, but I have not seen one and might be wrong

-Silje

Yes, Taxi will send out a final packet of rally info including a list of mentors with their bios. Usually this goes out during the week before the rally. Don't worry if you don't see the mentor bios till the last minute. Taxi has to finalize it and there are naturally last minute additions and changes as you might expect when dealing with a large list of busy people.

If you're flying to the rally, suggested reading material for the plane ride. If I can find a list from a recent year, I'll share it as a reference. Many of the same folks return each year.

Casey

Thank you Casey, that would be great!

Last year I was supposed to go but couldn't in the end, but also back then you answered my and all the other newbie's questions so patiently Thank you for taking the time!!

-Silje

Taxi often can't publish the final mentor list until the last minute for obvious reasons.

Here is last year's list (2011) as a sample. A great many of the mentors return every year. Don't count on this as the exact list since there obviously will be some changes since last year....

http://www.caseysongs.com/publicfiles/T ... s_2011.pdf

HTH
Casey