A Trick I Use to Hit the Bullseye in Music Licensing
June 29, 2021
Ever wonder how the same songwriters, artists, and producers keep hitting the bullseye in sync?
Many of them use a certain method to hone their music for what they are aiming for… just like I do.
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Hey! Give us a shout about anything really.
contact Sync Songwriter
Our goal is for you to start getting your music into TV & film.
Chris where can I listen to some of your original music ?
It’s not out yet, Mark. I’ll be sure to let the community know though if anyone is curious.
Hey Chris, great info. I’m an alternative folk artist, and I keep getting comments about my music like” I could really see that at the end of a movie or in a tv show. I’m currently studying songwriting with The Songwriting Academy out of England, and have the opportunity to vet my music there. I’m really considering taking your course next year, as I think sync is probably the way to go for me. Any thoughts about how I could best prepare for your course.
We pretty much cover everything from A-Z, Trace. We launch again in the fall, hope to see you there!
I got to play one of my new unreleased composition in a post-covid show where I had the chance to play it 80 times over 5 nights to a public one on one, I got some amazing feedback from that and it gave me new hints to where I should bring my new avant-garde electro music.
We’ll be curious to hear your new music Chris, keep us posted!
Brilliant! Talk about a perfect think-tank for your music. I will keep you posted. 🙂
Chi’s ,
Super cool…. Come jump in the pool with us and take a swim. Can’t wait to hear your music.
Can’t wait!
A decent idea, but I’m guessing for most folks pretty challenging to put together any large number of people that are non-friends and family to take the time to listen and provide feedback…at least to hit the 20-30 person group ideal you mention. Would be awesome feedback though for sure.
It’s not as hard as you think. I teach how to do it in The Art Of The Song Pitch… besides having the class as your first built in vetting group.
I’ve been thinking about getting my mailing list involved in choosing my next single which is something I’ve not done before. But from what you’re saying this is probably the way to go. Thanks for sharing.
Great to hear, Jaquie!
Chris, Good info. I have found it really effective to get persons involved persons I don t know. I have done that on N1M and also on my website at eltonhendrix.com and have gotten some good feedback and constructive criticism that have helped me refine my tunes. Thanks, Elton Hendrix
Excellent!
Chris,
This is second time I have seen you speak on topic. Truly appreciate your brevity and to the point approach. I am new to sync world and realize there may be a home for one or two of my tunes as they are outside the norm. I recently joined a songwriters group and find them to be somewhat helpful from a focus group perspective. I agree the right questions can make for meaningful feedback.
James Paul
Great! Sounds like you are on the right path.
Chris,
First, the brevity is refreshing. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stopped an advice video after several minutes of puffery. I do have a cadre of musicians I go to and, while I don’t feel good when criticized, when I calm down and take their advice it does wonders. I’d just advise going to musicians since they tend to hear music with x-ray hearing so different aspects of the piece will be noted. Non-musicians, while they are the bulk of those who buy music, tend to hear the homogenized song rather than the individual parts.
John O’Brien
John, I feel the same way you do too. I like things short and to the point unless it’s something I am really diving into. I hear you about the group, but you will be surprised what non-musicians can let you know about your music. They may verbalize it in a more basic way, but they are your market. I encourage you to include them.
This is a strategy that i’ve tried to use during Covid19 but not easy doing it in these times. I created a private group and share a dropbox folder with them where we can put some music during mix session. Each of them have do this on their side or some prefer share a link. Its definitely helpful.
You’re on the right path.
Thanks Chris this sounds like a great idea and I will give it a shot! I usually ask supporters to give my songs a one sentence review when I’ve finished a song. I like the idea of checking in on what they think throughout the process.
Cool!
For sharing all your strategies and knowledge. ,Thank you. It’s good affirmation as I once knew how to do but never got that far. you do you have any suggestions on how to start up with absolutely nothing from 0 in terms of community and peer connections and funds avail. Lol.
I have the Production capabilities, tools and am very creative without on the music end kinda like Mike Patton broke. But it’s been a long time since the touring days w the crew. I’m looking into every bit of info.
How would one go abouts from starving musician to on the right track.
Maybe relative situating of recurve back into the feel of it from out of the blue?
-J.P.
The first thing I would do is work on your chops because the cream always rises to the top eventually. You can do that with no money or very little if you have the time to dedicate to it.
Great tip. Thanks, Lou Lollio
Great to hear, Lou.
Yes this is very true. It’s obvious, makes sense and makes the statement that you are serious about releasing music that people want to hear.
Glad you got that, Kelly.
Sound a bit like song critique on musicxray though maybe more specific. Theirs Nothing quite like that feeling having people rate your masterpiece song at 10% probable success. Have to say was not too happy at that one. "10%? that songs awesome what they talking about?" then have another one of my songs rated at 99% only to be told "your songs 7 mins 10 secs long any chance you can get it down to like 3 mins?" I guess it depends on the target audience. Cheers for the input Chris.
Yeah, that is a problem if the process is opaque. Are they actually listening to your song? I am not saying they aren’t, but you are better off forming your own group so you know the information you are getting is accurate.
Hi Chris,
You’re so right. I have been blessed to have a team of A&R Reps who listen and review my music before it is pitched. I’m learning that without having someone who can be objective to listen to your songs before pitching them is highly important. Thank for the confirmation. Family members may give positive feedback to avoid hurting my feelings, but these guys will give it to me as they find it.
I’m learning that MSs want quality sounds and will overlook or disregard poorly mastered music. There may be changes ended that, if corrected, can make the difference in whether we land a sync or not.
Yes, I agree with everything you said except about the mastering. Mastering should be a big part of the sound quality. I am not sure if that’s what you meant.
Hi Chris
I’ve been listening to you for 2 years or more. There are many good things I have heard from you. Family members are not good critics. Need a little, professional critics who have made a living listening to music that will appeal to listeners. Tell you if you are on the right track or need to do things differently. There are plenty of people out there who want to help you get more fans, but that may not be at the top of your list. I’m looking for the right sound that works. I have been helping an artist who made it to the top of iTunes, he is from a different country than mine, we have a good collaboration.
Thanks for everything Chris, still learning.
Alli in Iceland
Hey thanks, Adalsteinn.
Very good idea. What questions should we be asking?
What does this song make you feel? Do you like the instruments? Do you like the melody?
What other questions should we ask.
Great stuff as always Chris.
Ralph from CT.
It’s not just about the questions, it’s about when you should ask them and some of this depends on the genre of music you do. Certain elements in styles of music matter to them more than others. The kick drum is important in pop but not as important as in hip hop if that makes sense.
This is great advise and makes a great point. Sometimes common sense is totally overlooked. Definitely will take this advise. Thank you….
Great to hear, Phil!
Love your message and how you delivered it Chris. Great enthusiasm! i,ve made a list of people recently-ish and just need to write send my email out for getting feedback on my current track. Easy to get stuck in without the right kind of friends. Best wishes
Thanks, Jane!
Great stuff, Chris! Thanks so much for sharing. The feedback makes us better!
Cool! Great to hear, Aaron.
Hi Chris – great advice! I found out years ago that friends and family
are my worst critics….now I use people in the music business – i.e
producers, publishers, A&R heads and professional music critics to
give me the heads up regarding lyrics and productions – it’s the best tonic and sharpens all I do!
Great to hear, Trisha.
That is a great suggestion! I wish I had more people with kind of a "professional ear" to show my music. I usually to that with a very small group of people but I will try to increase the number of people I show my music throughout the process from now on.
I’m glad you like it, Thiago.
I’ve always had a focus group for comments and suggestions
but it’s always been other musicians! Now I think I need to make up the group with more ‘normal'(? ;)) people!
Thanks for the idea!
You bet, John.
Chris – I’ve been looking at this and even made a list of potential musicians I’ve worked with. But then I realize how busy they all are. Kind of put up my own roadblock. Any suggestions?
They will help you out as long as you batch the work and don’t hit them up constantly if that makes sense.
thanks very much for this comment about a vetting group. I was thinking of a few people, 3 or 5 or so, and your suggestion of even 20 or 30 makes so much sense.
Much Appreciated!
Glad you see how it can give you a much bigger data set to really nail it.