Thanks for the sound advice, Jesse. I'm just starting out in my 50's and decided to make music my new hobby in early retirement. I have my home studio set up, everything ready to go but then I realised I didn't know what type of music I should make. Everything you said makes sense. Advertising is about an image, making people want something, making people move forward in some way. Slow tempo music that you'd fall asleep to isn't going to sell much!
Before I started out in the licensing biz, I produced rock music at home and made mostly covers of other songs I liked as a hobby. Then when I watched TV, let's say Pawn Stars, I once heard that rock music in the background and said "Hey, I could do that. And if I did, I'd make a ton of money". Watch TV shows and commercials. Check the music and the vibe they choose for their backgrounds and try starting out doing something similar.
Being a jazz bassist myself I can relate to this. Although I love jazz music, when ever I’m creating music for TV, I think of what the library’s clients are looking for. So far that’s been working good for me.
@@Lyy0n Music genres tend to be very loosely defined in this biz. You're looking mostly for attitude, not so much strict musical genre definitions. Costumers are not musicologists.
@@LesPaul2006 I get that and I don’t disagree with you, but I’m referring to how the op mentions “jazz” specifically. Sure you can get away with selling jazzy music, but not authentic “jazz”
Makes sense across anything to do with music. Know your audience and what is main stream at the time. Be willing to step out of your comfort zone. The unknown can boost your creative skills. Thanks for this video.
It's insane how little money you get from placements compared to what people think.I'm speaking from myself here,but to get a decent month's pay you have to have a LOT of tracks in catalogues.And it's good to be able to produce different types of music,but i believe the best is to try and be the best at the genre you love the best
it's true, the first library i started with the guy told me, the business is all about numbers. "gotta bump those numbers up!" haha just have to plant those seeds and watch them grow over time. I'm 5 albums in with 2 libraries and only started seeing money last year. but either way hope it doesn't discourage anyone because it is a pretty cool thing to be a part of
@@brenmacproductions Yeah it's insane man.People don't realise the absolute GRIND of making hundreds of tracks and be lucky enough for them to use them
What are your thoughts on Lofi music? And with all these genres you mentioned are they filled with vocals? Im very new to this industry and could use the insight
I've managed to get my music into a couple of TV shows and commercials without even investing that much effort. The reason why supervisors chose my music was very simple: it didn't sound like most music in the library; it was more experimental. And there's always a niche for experimental music lovers, even in Hollywood. My point is: My music got placed because I was one of the small amounts of artists who make this kind of music. My advice is: don't try to copy the oversaturated music libraries. Do your own thing.
This is a great video. I made an edm track for a client for a spec project which he loved. But it never got used. It fit the example given, except for one thing…it was too slow, which essentially took it out of the sub genre I was aiming for, without me realizing it.
Also, Have a conversation with the library your writing for if your already signed, if that's possible. Remember, its a team effort between you and the library. And a side thought of don't get confused with a TV show that has a composer and think, Well this show has this type of music, I can just write a bunch of that. Not true, Do your research and pay attention to the types of shows your referencing. Make sure they are using library music, which are in the credits. I have done it and it doesn't feel good.... Good luck!!!!!
Great info, many thanks. It would be great if you would play examples of music you are talking about. I have subscribed and am planning to make moves this year.
I agree! It's tricky to play copyrighted music these days on TH-cam, but we do offer many examples of licensable tracks in one of our Sync Academy tutorials.
@@SyncMyMusic You can play your own music, right? I am just watching one of your vieos where you are showing what you got paid, it would be great to hear the track that got you 500 bucks from the Kardashians, for example.
I',ve been working on a very uptempo rock project (Original music & vocals) for about 9 months now. I used to be in a thrash metal band back in the 90's, and just wanted to do something on my own again. Got some really good songs , but need some advice as I've been told I really need a band in order to perform. Can you give me some advice as I did everything using Garageband along with Novation's ampify music plugins. Launchpad and blocs wave.
Interesting! Thanks! I'm more into the Orchestral genre! Also, it's pretty vague and there are different ways to write Orchestral, not only for trailers! ;)
Hi. I write what you could call ambient. I try and create mood or feelings, so it could be solemn, foreboding, fear, tension,. uplifting, . .I watch a lot of documentaries and hear this type of music all the time in documentaries. I read the credits and write down any libraries or music supervisors that I find. I have only submitted to 3 libraries and heard nothing back. I found your video very thought provoking and agree with what you have said. My question is how do I find libraries specifically for documentaries. There is a fit there for the music I write. Thanks.
You'd need to make sure the Library's website shows lots of documentary projects they've completed (usually in their "works" or "projects" section). Hope you can find a suitable company to work with!
@@perosn5726 IMDB credits of documentaries and find the music supervisor to pitch directly to him. Sync is a numbers game, keep emailing with your specific style to see who would be a good match for you.
Hi Jesse, thanks for this useful video. I just wondered your view on the marketability of non percussive “atmosphere” type music - I’m thinking of the more hopeful, magical end of things vs dark tension?
@@SyncMyMusic thanks for the reply. I see quite a lot of music with sparse or little drums or percussion in drama. I”m not sure wether that kind of stuff is commissioned or if they’re using alt mixes or if there is a market for minimal type of thing?
Just curious, but what about Horror music, it's obviously used a lot with the large volume of horror, Sci Fi and even mystery and murder movies. Is there a sub genre for that in there somewhere?
Only for travel and food related shows. Not gonna work if you want the same tracks to be placed in multiple shows/commercials. Everyone's not going to dance in the scenes. But I love afro beats.
Hey Jesse, what's the general demand for instrumental rock music, and which styles tend to be more successful? I noticed that a few years back you produced an instrumental hard rock track that you said did was in heavy rotation on sports shows. Wondering if that's still a good angle to pursue?
Yep, aggressive & hard rock is still very licensable for sports outlets. I would just stay away from the super fast/complex metal genres that tend to turn off the "average TV watcher". Simple groove oriented rock tracks are much more licensable. Good luck!
Appreciate the quick response! I love super-heavy and proggy stuff, but I usually write stuff that's groovy and not too heavy. I've been checking out the rock tracks featured on licensing libraries and I'm getting a very similar vibe. Very groove-heavy and energetic.
Sounds like this guy would be better putting his music on Spotify as an artist where this is his bag and known for it and attracts punters that are into the same thing. Do something else for sync. One a creative 'need' and the other a job.
I can't believe any of this needs to be said. Why would anyone be thinking about personal expression in the realm of synch music? It's the fast food of the music business. It isn't "ART" and nobody cares about your feelings.
Well I think SOME personal expression is important in any kind of music you create (otherwise you'll hit burnout REALLY quick). So yes you're right that it's not about our feelings as much as it is about the client's needs, BUT sparking some original energy and emotion into Sync music is not only useful, it's necessary.
![Which Genre Should You Specialize In For Sync Licensing? [Sync Academy Tutorial]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/y_A1fMdLJ0U/mqdefault.jpg)
![ILLSLICK - WINTER IS COMING [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/dwTMeM1zIhQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I have gotten great success with solo piano music with classical background music and light jazz
Funny that this was literally the next recommended video after I asked you the question. The interaction is helping my own personal algorithms!
Haha that's great!
Thanks for the sound advice, Jesse. I'm just starting out in my 50's and decided to make music my new hobby in early retirement. I have my home studio set up, everything ready to go but then I realised I didn't know what type of music I should make. Everything you said makes sense. Advertising is about an image, making people want something, making people move forward in some way. Slow tempo music that you'd fall asleep to isn't going to sell much!
Before I started out in the licensing biz, I produced rock music at home and made mostly covers of other songs I liked as a hobby. Then when I watched TV, let's say Pawn Stars, I once heard that rock music in the background and said "Hey, I could do that. And if I did, I'd make a ton of money". Watch TV shows and commercials. Check the music and the vibe they choose for their backgrounds and try starting out doing something similar.
Being a jazz bassist myself I can relate to this. Although I love jazz music, when ever I’m creating music for TV, I think of what the library’s clients are looking for. So far that’s been working good for me.
I've seen plenty of commercials and TV shows with upbeat jazzy music, mostly double bass stuff.
@@LesPaul2006 "Jazzy" music and "Jazz" music don't fall in the same place together.
@@Lyy0n Music genres tend to be very loosely defined in this biz. You're looking mostly for attitude, not so much strict musical genre definitions. Costumers are not musicologists.
@@LesPaul2006 I get that and I don’t disagree with you, but I’m referring to how the op mentions “jazz” specifically. Sure you can get away with selling jazzy music, but not authentic “jazz”
Makes sense across anything to do with music. Know your audience and what is main stream at the time. Be willing to step out of your comfort zone. The unknown can boost your creative skills. Thanks for this video.
Great list. I've found Tension (in all its varieties) to be quite successful for me.
Yes. That's what I do. Tension in a few different sub-genres.
What other varieties of tension music are there?
It's insane how little money you get from placements compared to what people think.I'm speaking from myself here,but to get a decent month's pay you have to have a LOT of tracks in catalogues.And it's good to be able to produce different types of music,but i believe the best is to try and be the best at the genre you love the best
Yea need to start with at least 60 to 100 tracks.
it's true, the first library i started with the guy told me, the business is all about numbers. "gotta bump those numbers up!" haha just have to plant those seeds and watch them grow over time.
I'm 5 albums in with 2 libraries and only started seeing money last year. but either way hope it doesn't discourage anyone because it is a pretty cool thing to be a part of
@@brenmacproductions Yeah it's insane man.People don't realise the absolute GRIND of making hundreds of tracks and be lucky enough for them to use them
Great video, heartbreaking to hear such stories - luckily this happened at 150 track mark and not at 1500...
Very valuable!! Thanks Jesse!!
What are your thoughts on Lofi music? And with all these genres you mentioned are they filled with vocals? Im very new to this industry and could use the insight
Thanks Jesse, another great, informative video. Much appreciated.
I've managed to get my music into a couple of TV shows and commercials without even investing that much effort. The reason why supervisors chose my music was very simple: it didn't sound like most music in the library; it was more experimental. And there's always a niche for experimental music lovers, even in Hollywood. My point is: My music got placed because I was one of the small amounts of artists who make this kind of music. My advice is: don't try to copy the oversaturated music libraries. Do your own thing.
Splendid info as always 😊
Thanks a lot this was crucial as I’m putting my catalog together. Love your channel!
Glad it helped!
Nice one ! Thanks for the insight 🙌🏽✨🙌🏽
Great video and interesting thoughts. Appreciate the video!
Great advice! Appreciate these types of videos!
This is a great video. I made an edm track for a client for a spec project which he loved. But it never got used. It fit the example given, except for one thing…it was too slow, which essentially took it out of the sub genre I was aiming for, without me realizing it.
Also, Have a conversation with the library your writing for if your already signed, if that's possible. Remember, its a team effort between you and the library. And a side thought of don't get confused with a TV show that has a composer and think, Well this show has this type of music, I can just write a bunch of that. Not true, Do your research and pay attention to the types of shows your referencing. Make sure they are using library music, which are in the credits. I have done it and it doesn't feel good.... Good luck!!!!!
Great info, many thanks. It would be great if you would play examples of music you are talking about. I have subscribed and am planning to make moves this year.
I agree! It's tricky to play copyrighted music these days on TH-cam, but we do offer many examples of licensable tracks in one of our Sync Academy tutorials.
@@SyncMyMusic You can play your own music, right? I am just watching one of your vieos where you are showing what you got paid, it would be great to hear the track that got you 500 bucks from the Kardashians, for example.
@@charliemcgrain Yes I can play my own tracks. I'll consider making more videos showcasing my placed tracks in the future.
Great info! Thank you!!!
I',ve been working on a very uptempo rock project (Original music & vocals) for about 9 months now. I used to be in a thrash metal band back in the 90's, and just wanted to do something on my own again. Got some really good songs , but need some advice as I've been told I really need a band in order to perform. Can you give me some advice as I did everything using Garageband along with Novation's ampify music plugins. Launchpad and blocs wave.
Great advice! 👍
Interesting! Thanks! I'm more into the Orchestral genre! Also, it's pretty vague and there are different ways to write Orchestral, not only for trailers! ;)
hey mate, any success with Hybrid-Orchestral/trailer Music?
@@wojciechkomorowski3802 Not really tbh! :/
Great advice
When you use the word "tv", dors it include netflix and similar streaming services?
Hi. I write what you could call ambient. I try and create mood or feelings, so it could be solemn, foreboding, fear, tension,. uplifting, . .I watch a lot of documentaries and hear this type of music all the time in documentaries. I read the credits and write down any libraries or music supervisors that I find. I have only submitted to 3 libraries and heard nothing back. I found your video very thought provoking and agree with what you have said. My question is how do I find libraries specifically for documentaries. There is a fit there for the music I write. Thanks.
You'd need to make sure the Library's website shows lots of documentary projects they've completed (usually in their "works" or "projects" section). Hope you can find a suitable company to work with!
@@SyncMyMusic Thank you for your reply. I'll have a look and see what I can find.
@@perosn5726 IMDB credits of documentaries and find the music supervisor to pitch directly to him. Sync is a numbers game, keep emailing with your specific style to see who would be a good match for you.
@@Gabriel_Mercado Thank you for the advice
@@perosn5726 I really need to take advice my own and get to work
Hi Jesse, thanks for this useful video. I just wondered your view on the marketability of non percussive “atmosphere” type music - I’m thinking of the more hopeful, magical end of things vs dark tension?
Do you hear a lot of that on TV?
@@SyncMyMusic thanks for the reply. I see quite a lot of music with sparse or little drums or percussion in drama. I”m not sure wether that kind of stuff is commissioned or if they’re using alt mixes or if there is a market for minimal type of thing?
Is uptempo afrobeats trending in the sync industry?!
I notice you don’t mention orchestral music. Is that a tough category of instrumentation to get placed? Cheers
Sorry if I missed that one, but orchestral music is HUGE in the TV/Film industry.
Hi! I purchased the directory pdf but haven’t received it yet. I paid via PayPal.
Always email me for customer service at jesse@syncmymusic.com Thanks!
Just curious, but what about Horror music, it's obviously used a lot with the large volume of horror, Sci Fi and even mystery and murder movies. Is there a sub genre for that in there somewhere?
It's certainly licensable, but not a genre I would recommend anyone focus 100% of their time on.
Horror Trailers, yes. TV horror I believe is different.
how do u feel about afro beats, Is it cool for sync licensing?
Only for travel and food related shows. Not gonna work if you want the same tracks to be placed in multiple shows/commercials. Everyone's not going to dance in the scenes. But I love afro beats.
@@itsrelativ3967 i see, maybe for some reality shows too.thanks for the info
You guys think that Piano with accompanied strings work?
Yes, but even better if you add drums and make it a "complete" production.
Hey Jesse, what's the general demand for instrumental rock music, and which styles tend to be more successful?
I noticed that a few years back you produced an instrumental hard rock track that you said did was in heavy rotation on sports shows. Wondering if that's still a good angle to pursue?
Yep, aggressive & hard rock is still very licensable for sports outlets. I would just stay away from the super fast/complex metal genres that tend to turn off the "average TV watcher". Simple groove oriented rock tracks are much more licensable. Good luck!
Appreciate the quick response! I love super-heavy and proggy stuff, but I usually write stuff that's groovy and not too heavy. I've been checking out the rock tracks featured on licensing libraries and I'm getting a very similar vibe. Very groove-heavy and energetic.
Sounds like this guy would be better putting his music on Spotify as an artist where this is his bag and known for it and attracts punters that are into the same thing. Do something else for sync. One a creative 'need' and the other a job.
I can't believe any of this needs to be said. Why would anyone be thinking about personal expression in the realm of synch music? It's the fast food of the music business. It isn't "ART" and nobody cares about your feelings.
Well I think SOME personal expression is important in any kind of music you create (otherwise you'll hit burnout REALLY quick). So yes you're right that it's not about our feelings as much as it is about the client's needs, BUT sparking some original energy and emotion into Sync music is not only useful, it's necessary.
man are u sad?
Nope. Do I look like it?
lol
@@SyncMyMusic A little bit yes! Anyway have a great week! Weee!