SONG FINISHING CHECKLIST

When is a track finished? It’s the age old question.

This checklist will help you systematically work through your project and take
it to completion. It will help you identify flaws in your arrangement, mix, and
composition. It will reveal what’s wrong with your project, and what you need
to do to fix it.

Core Idea
☐ The hook is simple and catchy (if that’s what you’re aiming for)
☐ It’s easy to whistle/hum
☐ It appears often throughout the track
☐ The track is rhythmically cohesive
☐ There’s a defined rhythm
☐ Not too many different rhythms going on (causes confusion)
☐ The instruments fit their piece of music well

Arrangement
☐ It’s obvious what the listener should focus on at each point in the track
☐ The track never feels empty
☐ The track never feels busy
☐ Everything melodically relates (bass fits with chords and melody, etc.)
 ☐ The entire track feels complete
☐ The transitions feel and sound natural
☐ The track never gets boring (you don’t feel the need to skip through it)

Mixing
☐ The mix is clean
☐ There are no clashing elements
☐ The track is pleasant to listen to
☐ The mix is balanced
☐ The mix is clear
☐ The drums sit well in the mix
☐ The bass sits well in the mix
☐ The chords sit well in the mix
☐ The leads sit well in the mix
☐ The vocals sit well in the mix
☐ The effects sit well in the mix
☐ The mix is focused
☐ The mix helps highlight the most important element in each section
☐ Every element in the track serves a purpose
☐ The rhythm in each section is clearly defined

Practical tools to write better music

and finish every track you start

Launching May 3, 2017