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Hi.I just was forwarded for a listing that was looking for radio ID and Ad music beds.This listing also came with a critique. Now, I really do not want to seem picky here but, even though the critique was highly positive, although extremely brief, and I was forwarded, I did not receive all 10s on the checklist. Nor did I ever expect to. That being said, I want to know what I would need to do to go that extra mile.I realize that a forward is THE sign that, at least in Taxi's opinion, you are doing it right. Yet, there is always room for improvement, and I really would love to know, from the industry heavyweights, how to improve. The subtleties are important. Am I wrong?I thought about using the contact your screener thread, though it doesn't seem that they ever reply. Does anyone know if there is recourse to further feedback?Cheers.

Quote:This listing also came with a critique. Now, I really do not want to seem picky here but, even though the critique was highly positive, although extremely brief, and I was forwarded, I did not receive all 10s on the checklist. Nor did I ever expect to. That being said, I want to know what I would need to do to go that extra mile.Congrats on the forward. I don't pay too much attention to the 1-10 rating system. Personally, I've never received anything better than 7's and 8's, forwards and returns alike. Most of the comments, especially on my earlier submissions, dealt with suggestions to make the music more current sounding, closer to the listing, etc. For me, that was the bread and butter. I've always focused on the common elements in the comments taken as a whole. I think if I was getting 4's, 5's and 6's across the board I would have also had to work on production values. I still do work on production but it's in balance proportionately with my work on improving my songwriting.Dave

Thanks Dave.Here is the text content of my critique:Overall Comments: Hello P.J., I like the 'old school' funk approach in the first tune. Great sounds and live performances. All in all, very good variety and strong sound. Forwarding ! Stylegood variety and solid soundsStructurewell done hereSound qualityvery nice in this regard.The main reason you were or were not forwarded for this listing is: excellent variety of styles and sounds for this listing. Music, production, engineering and musicianship all received 9s. Marketability and arrangement, 8s.This is a flattering critique, however, I do not want flattery, I want constructive criticism. I pay attention to the 1-10 scale, because if a screener gives you any less then a 10, then that person feels you have room to improve. I really want to improve, and feel this type of criticism would help. I really think that Taxi critiques should be like personal training. They should help us achieve our musical fitness goals. They should teach us how to go that extra mile.

Trace,congrats on the forward.It's been my experience that when a screener can think of a suggestion that would improve a submission, they will make that suggestion, regardless of whether a song is forwarded or returned, or what number grades it receives.However, a lot of times when a submission is really strong, they can't really think of anything to suggest in the way of improvement. Doesn't mean the songs will strike them as the best thing since sliced bread and make them give you all 10s.matto

Quote:Thanks Dave.Here is the text content of my critique:Overall Comments: Hello P.J., I like the 'old school' funk approach in the first tune. Great sounds and live performances. All in all, very good variety and strong sound. Forwarding ! Stylegood variety and solid soundsStructurewell done hereSound qualityvery nice in this regard.The main reason you were or were not forwarded for this listing is: excellent variety of styles and sounds for this listing. Music, production, engineering and musicianship all received 9s. Marketability and arrangement, 8s.This is a flattering critique, however, I do not want flattery, I want constructive criticism. I pay attention to the 1-10 scale, because if a screener gives you any less then a 10, then that person feels you have room to improve. I really want to improve, and feel this type of criticism would help. I really think that Taxi critiques should be like personal training. They should help us achieve our musical fitness goals. They should teach us how to go that extra mile. We're not seeing this the same way, that's for sure. I agree that insincere flattery isn't worth anything but Taxi screeners won't give you that. What you got was a forward and a solid critique from an industry professional. My wife and I were talking about one of our sons the other day. He graduated in the top 10% of his high school class, graduated with honors with a degree in engineering and has a nice job with Boeing. How much better would his situation if he had been validictorian in high school rather than just top 10%? Probably there would be no difference.If you're getting 9's (top 10% of your class), I wouldn't be spending all my time trying to get 10's (validictorian). For music placement, all things being equal it's about the song being the right fit, what the client is looking for. A "7's" song that hits the mark will always win out over a "10" that misses the mark.The other side to music is the business of music. Regarding your business, business relationship, and marketing skills, what would you give yourself? I'm guessing it's less that what you get on your Taxi music critiques. If one set of skills is a 9 and the other set is less, I'd focus on the skills that need improving. My two-cents after a couple of cups of coffee. Dave

Thanks Matto and Dave.Matto, I am sure you are right. Dave, to your point. I certainly can, and actively seek to improve my business skills. That being said, I have made my sole living in music for over 10 years to date. It is just recently however, that I have switched my focus to primarily composing. Taxi is one outlet for this.I spend a lot of time reading pertinent material on the structure of the music business, copy right law, etc, and I am attempting to build up my networking skills.That being said, screener critiques are directed at the music. It is not that I want or feel I need a score of 10 on an arbitrary chart. When it all comes down a forward is a forward. It simply is that an industry heavyweight used that system to rate my performance and obviously saw room for growth, eg the 8 in marketability. I would love to know how to improve.Hey, I am very honored to get forwarded and don't want to gripe. This argument is really just a manifestation of my personal artistic drive. Thanks again guys for the dialog.Cheers.

I was also forwarded on this listing and like Dave, I mostly get 7s and 8s, which is fine with me if it's forwarded. I did receive some constructive criticism, and I agreed 100% with what I was told. I'm very, very selective on listings I submit to, and that seems to have given me a good forward to submission ratio. Unfortunately, only two submission so far have come with critiques...my first actually had better numbers, but was the only one so far not forwarded, mainly due to obscurity of the public domain tune I used.Congrats on the forward!