JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Mentor Questions Forum Demo check comments

Hi,

In an effort to get some feedback about my tracks, I sent one to Demo Check and was told to "try to break free from Ableton". I am heartbroken: it has only been 3 months that I've been writing.

I guess my question is this: I have an interested party that likes my work, asked for more, I sent 25 tracks to him )a Music Library) ... how foolish is that? Am I wrong to think they may use them and there may be a small payment? (Ambient music).

I just don't want to taken advantage of - and I would love to hear anyones timeline during the process of writing/submitting and finally being placed in a library that involves a payment.

Thanks for your time - hope this makes sense.

Take care,

Cari

The tools you use have absolutely no relevance, if your music sounds great. Ableton is as professional as anything you can get on the market. And nobody cares if you have been writing a week or 40 years, or if you've spent 5 hours or 5000hrs on a piece. It's ALL about the end product, and if anybody needs it.

Keep on playing and do the music you feel is right, while educating yourself on what music business is about, and what kind of music the markets want/need. That's the best advice you can get. You'll get a million opinions on your journey, but the only one that really counts is the single person that will decide whether to use your music or not. You don't need good feedback from anyone else.

Music for film/tv is more about doing functional music, than virtuoso stuff, so the mantra is send them the right music, not the best music. The music should be right for specific scenes, shows, transisions etc. This often means it needs to work underneath dialogue without attracting too much attention to itself. 25 tracks is common, music libraries likes music in big numbers. Writing for film/tv is all about numbers, "write/submit/forget" should be the rule you repeat again and again along with "work smarter, not harder". It will take a lot of tracks and a lot of placements to generate money in that part of music business.

It's hard to comment on your music without hearing any of it, but in general it's good to find a coach for your stuff, that get's your goals and have insight in that specific area of music business you target, so you can trust the feedback you get in return. Don't use any random service that want to sell you an opinion. Opinions is not a scarce ressource in this world, you can get millions for free, and some just as good as the paid ones.

So, shop around and try a bunch - don't use a random service that want to sell you an opinion, or do excactly that, untill you find a trustworthy source that gives you constructive feedback that'll show you the next step to improve your work.

"Am I wrong to think they may use them and there may be a small payment? (Ambient music)"

Absolutely not. This may be a good opportunity, but research/ask questions about their placements (who? where? when? what?). Any good library should be able to send you this information without feeling bothered (prewritten information sheets are invented).

Just like coaches, there are good music libraries and there are bad. In the bad ones it's very easy to get tracks accepted, but your music just sits on their shelf, and noone ever cares, because they don't have any contacts and doesn't promote your music. In the good ones, the entry bar is much higher, but they are working your portfolio actively, and you'll get placements and real business.

A good ressource to study is http://musiclibraryreport.com/ . Don't neccesarily take the words and experiences from others there, make your own judgements that fits your situation, but as a listing ressource for music libraries it's great information.

Rock on!

HI Cari,

I know nothing about Demo Check but remember everyone who critiques your work is only giving their opinion and everybody has one.

The Ambient Music Garden (is that the one?) appears to be providing a reasonable deal. If they are in fact placing music, you will get a reasonable share. How long it will take to get a check is totally unpredictable. Maybe someone will love your music right away, maybe nobody will like it. Just put it out there and cross your fingers.

Thank you so much, Magne and Colin, for your comments - I feel better already! I spent all day yesterday trying to write music that wasn't mine - do you know what I mean? I know those composers who can write any type of music are out there and they are awesome, but I have to stay true to what I do best, what I enjoy and if anyone likes it, I will feel lucky.

Crossing my fingers ...

Cari