The 10 Commandments of Production Music

So much of this gig is wildly, frustratingly inconsistent, but I’ve found there are some overarching guidelines which can help govern a lot of our choices. So today, I thought I’d share my 10 commandments of production music!Plus in my Year of Taxi update, we’re going to check in on any returns or forwards and take a listen to this week’s submission which is an ambient minimal tension cue, and then I give my thoughts on an energetic, nostalgic Broadway cue written by 52 Cues Community Member, Mojo X (https://soundcloud.com/mojox)!Watch this episode on YouTube!https://youtu.be/vkgtId8N1JI00:00 - Intro & Welcome02:26 - Year of Taxi Check-In15:02 - The 10 Commandments of Production Music15:50 - 1. Thou shalt read the brief and keep it holy!17:04 - 2. Thou shalt not steal, but referencing…?23:03 - 3. Thou shalt stick to one mood!26:15 - 4. Thou shalt use complete phrasing!29:38 - 5. Thou shalt use predictable layering!32:29 - 6. Thou shalt include edit points!36:17 - 7.  Thou shalt have no other key signature but one!38:41 - 8. Thou shalt include a button (stinger) ending!40:58 - 9. Thou shalt not covet odd meters!45:06 - 10. Thou shalt do whatever the library says!49:42 - Join the 52 Cues Community!50:56 - "Opening Night" by Mojo XSupport for the 52 Cues Podcast comes from ReelCrafter, the professional way to pitch your production music and know exactly when your cues are heard.Start your free trial at ReelCrafter.com/52Cues!Join the 52 Cues Community! – https://my.52cues.comIt's free to post your cues for feedback from the community, network with other composers, and ask questions about the industry!Plus, member subscribers get extra perks like workshops, livestreams,  cue breakdowns, live feedback sessions, hundreds of hours of video archives, and opportunities to submit to real music libraries.One-on-one coaching sessions and video critiques also available at http://52cues.com/coaching!Note: Links may be affiliate links which generate a small commission but at no extra cost to you!