Category: Music Production

Various types of chords form the building blocks of music and create the foundation for songs. Once you understand a chord, it opens up endless musical possibilities.

Our guide breaks down chord types in a clear and easy-to-understand manner. Even if you’re starting to learn music theory, learning different kinds of chords doesn’t have to be complicated.

Read on to learn how each chord type works and how to use it in your own music.

What Is A Chord?

A chord is a group of notes played together to create a specific sound or feeling. The most basic chords contain at least three notes played simultaneously.

Different combinations of notes create unique chords with distinct emotional qualities. Some chords sound happy and bright, while others feel sad or tense.

Simpler forms, such as power chords, may use just two notes. When these notes blend, they create a harmony that becomes the foundation for melodies.

If you want to learn how to make music sound better, use chord progression to convey feelings that words alone cannot express.

How Are Chords Constructed?

Chords are constructed by building upon a single note (the root note) and adding other notes at specific intervals.

The most common way to build chords is by stacking thirds. This process involves taking your root note, adding the note that’s a third above it, and then adding a note that’s a third above it.

This pattern of stacking thirds creates triads, which are the simplest complete chords. For example, to build a C major triad, start with C as your root note, add E (a third above C), and then add your third note, G (a third above E).

Why Learning Different Chord Types Matters

Learning different chord types expands your musical vocabulary significantly. Understanding how to play basic chords helps you to write songs with depth and emotional range and become a better improviser. Knowing how chords function and relate to one another means you can make more intentional choices about your music.

Understanding chords also helps when learning to play by ear, as you’ll recognize chords in popular songs. They help simplify playing a song, so you learn the chord progressions rather than playing all the notes.

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10 Types Of Chords You Need To Know

Here we examine the 10 types of chords every musician should know. From basic major and minor chords to the more complex chords.

10. Major Chords

The major and minor scales are the foundations of song structure. Major chords consist of three notes: the root, a major third (4 half steps up), and a perfect fifth (7 half steps above the root). Together, these three notes create a major triad.

For example, the C major chord contains the notes C, E, and G. Playing these notes together produces a happy and cheerful sound perfect for upbeat songs.

Major chords usually sound complete or resolved and are typically found at the end of songs, providing a sense of closure.

9. Minor Chords

Minor chords are often described as sounding sad, pensive, or mysterious. They consist of three notes: the root note, a minor third, and a perfect fifth.

This combination creates a minor triad. For instance, a C minor chord consists of the notes C, E♭, and G.

Notice that the only difference between a C major scale chord and the C minor scale chord is that the middle note (the third) is lowered by one-half step. Minor chords are essential for expressing complex emotions, creating tension, depth, and melancholy.

8. Diminished Chords

Once you understand major and minor chords, you can move on to diminished chords. Diminished chords create tension and dissonance, making them perfect for building suspense.

A diminished triad consists of the root note, a minor third, and a diminished fifth.

For example, a C diminished chord contains the notes C (root), E♭ (minor third), and G♭ (diminished fifth). This combination creates an ‘unstable’ sound that requires resolution.

What makes diminished chords unique is that the third and fifth are lowered compared to a major chord. This adjustment creates a characteristic, tense, unsettled quality that composers use to build anticipation or express anxiety.

7. Augmented Chords

Augmented chords create a mysterious and dreamlike sound and consist of the root note, a major third, and an augmented fifth.

This combination creates a chord that sounds like it’s reaching upward or stretching. For instance, a C augmented chord contains the notes C, E, and G#.

The raised fifth gives augmented chords their characteristic sound. They’re less commonly used than major or minor chords and are perfect for creating moments of wonder, tension, or transition in music.

You’ll hear augmented chords in jazz music, psychedelic rock, and film scores, especially during mysterious or fantastical scenes.

6. Dominant 7th Chords

Dominant 7th chords are dynamic, tension-building chords that create a sense of momentum and drive. A dominant seventh chord consists of four notes: the root note, a major third, a perfect fifth, and a minor seventh (10 half steps above the root).

This combination creates a chord that practically begs to be resolved to another chord. For example, a C dominant seventh chord (written as C7) contains the notes C, E, G, and B♭.

Adding the minor seventh note creates that distinctive bluesy, unresolved quality.

5. Major 7th Chords

Major 7th chords have a sophisticated sound that adds richness and complexity to music. A major seventh chord consists of four notes: the root note, a major third, a perfect fifth, and a major seventh (11 half steps above the root).

For instance, a C major seventh chord (written as Cmaj7) contains the notes C, E, G, and B.

The major seventh note gives these chords their characteristic dreamy quality. Major 7th chords are in jazz, bossa nova, and some of the most popular music genres.

4. Minor 7th Chords

Minor 7th chords bring an emotional and rich quality to music. A minor seventh chord consists of four notes: the root note, a minor third, a perfect fifth, and a minor seventh (10 half steps above the root).

This combination creates a chord that’s both sad and soulful. For example, a C minor seventh chord (written as Cm7) contains the notes C, E♭, G, and B♭.

Minor 7th chords have a warm, slightly jazzy feel that works in R&B, soul, and indie rock. They express more sadness than minor chords, making them particularly effective for creating moody, atmospheric song sections.

3. Suspended Chords (Sus2 and Sus4)

All types of chords form the basis of music theory. Suspended chords have a floaty quality that creates anticipation in music. Unlike most chords, these don’t contain a third (neither major nor minor).

Instead, a sus4 chord replaces the third with a perfect fourth (5 half steps above the root), while a sus2 chord replaces it with a major second (2 half steps above the root).

For example:

• A Csus4 chord contains the notes C (root), F (perfect fourth), and G (perfect fifth)
• A Csus2 chord contains C (root), D (major second), and G (perfect fifth).

Because suspended chords lack a third, they have neither a major nor a minor quality.

2. Sixth Chords (Major and Minor)

Sixth chords add a bright, jazzy flavor to the music. A major sixth chord consists of a major triad plus a major sixth note (9 half steps above the root), while a minor sixth chord contains a minor triad plus a major sixth.

For example:

• A major sixth chord (written as A6) contains the notes A (root), C (major third), E (perfect fifth), and G (major sixth).
• A C minor sixth chord (Cm6) would contain C, E♭, G, and A.

The added sixth note gives them their characteristic vintage and jazzy quality. Sixth chords are found in jazz, pop, and R&B music, offering an alternative to standard major and minor chords.

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1. Power Chords

Power chords are high-energy guitar chords that drive rock and punk music. Power chords contain two unique notes: the root and the perfect fifth.

Because they lack a third, power chords are neither major nor minor. For instance, a C power chord (written as C5) contains just C (root) and G (perfect fifth).

Power chords’ simplicity makes them perfect for playing with distortion on an electric guitar. They avoid the muddiness that comes with playing major and minor triads with heavy distortion.

These chords are the foundation of countless rock, punk, and metal songs. They’re also incredibly easy to play on guitar, making them perfect for beginners.

What Is A Chord Progression?

A chord progression is a series of chords played in sequence. It is like a song’s roadmap, determining where the music goes and how it feels.

Simple progressions use just three or four chords repeated throughout the entire song, while complex pieces use dozens of chords arranged in intricate patterns.

Chord progressions create a sense of movement and emotional development in music. They can build tension, release it, or develop a feeling of departure and return.

Understanding familiar chord progressions provides you with ready-made templates to use or adapt for your compositions. Thoughtful chord progressions create music that resonates with listeners.

Most Common Chord Progressions

Some of the most successful artists use the same chord progressions, which is why they appear so frequently in popular music. The most famous is the C-F-G progression (in the key of C), which forms the backbone of blues, rock, and country songs.

This simple yet powerful three-chord sequence perfectly balances stability and movement. Another widespread progression is the C-G-Am-F sequence, which appears in hundreds of pop hits, from “Don’t Stop Believin'” to “Let It Be.”

Other popular progressions include:

• Am-F-C-G: This progression begins with the relative minor chord, creating a wistful, emotional journey often heard in modern pop ballads.
• C-Am-F-G: The classic 1950s doo-wop progression lends songs a nostalgic, upbeat feel, making them perfect for love songs.
• Dm-G-C: A fundamental progression in jazz that creates a smooth, sophisticated resolution. In jazz contexts, these are often played as Dm7-G7-Cmaj7 to add richness.

These progressions are used frequently because they create satisfying harmonic movement that supports melodies. Learning common patterns gives you immediate access to sounds that listeners already find familiar and pleasing.

You can twist these progressions by changing the rhythm, adding passing chords, or substituting similar chords to create something fresh.

How To Write Chords

You’ll need to understand notation and how to represent chord structures on paper when writing chords. The most common method is to use chord symbols.

• Major chord: Write the root note (like “C” for C major).
• Minor chord: Add “m” or “min” after the root (like “Cm” or “Cmin”).

More complex chords add additional symbols to indicate their quality.

• Seventh chords: Add “7” (for dominant seventh), “maj7” (for major seventh), or “m7” (for minor seventh).
• Suspended chords: Indicate with “sus4” or “sus2.” Augmented and diminished chords use “aug” or “+” and “dim” or “°”.

When writing chord progressions, you list the chords in order and separate them with dashes, for example, “C—E—G—B.” If you’re learning how to read sheet music, you can still create great music with this simple system.

The Importance Of Chord Quality

Chord quality refers to the character or ‘flavor’ of a chord. Chord quality determines the emotional impact of your music.

Major chords generally sound happy and resolved, while minor chords feel sad or introspective. Diminished chords create tension, and augmented chords add mystery.

Choosing the right chord quality for a particular moment in your song can deeply move your audience. Compelling songwriters use chord quality intentionally to guide listeners through an emotional journey.

Tips For Learning Different Types Of Chords

Start with the basic triads in standard keys before moving on to more complex chords. Practice transitioning between different chord types to develop muscle memory and fluidity.

Studying songs you love can help you learn chords in context. This review makes learning more engaging and demonstrates how chords are used in real music.

Countless apps and websites provide chord diagrams and interactive lessons. Consider working with a teacher or collaborating with other musicians to give feedback and encourage one another.

Consistent, focused practice is more effective than sporadic marathon sessions. Set small, achievable goals for yourself and celebrate your progress.

Summary

Chords give music emotional power and harmonic structure. Each chord type brings its unique character to your music.

Understanding how chords are constructed and function in progressions means you can create the sound and feeling you want in your music. Mastering chords may take time and practice, but it’s incredibly rewarding.

Believe it or not, many record labels are looking for artists; you just need to know where to find them. Record labels remain powerful despite streaming platforms, social media, and digital distribution changing how artists connect with audiences.

A good label can offer resources, connections, and expertise that can accelerate your music career. Securing a record deal still represents a significant milestone on a musician’s path to success.

Our guide highlights 10 record labels looking for new artists to sign. We focus on labels demonstrating a commitment to artist development, fair and transparent deals, and innovative marketing approaches.

Top 10 Record Labels Looking For Artists In 2025

The most artist-friendly labels offer so much more than traditional distribution and promotion. Think of creative communities, technical resources, and specialized expertise to help boost your music career.

Whether you create experimental music, heavy metal, authentic indie rock, or hip-hop, it’s essential to understand which labels are actively signing artists.

So without further ado, here’s our list of the 10 best record labels looking for artists in 2025:

10. Chinese Man Records

In 2004, Chinese Man Records established itself as a creative hub for artists who defy easy categorization. Based in Marseille, France, this collective-turned-label specializes in genre-bending music that combines hip-hop foundations with global influences from trip-hop, dub, and reggae.

The label takes its name from its founding group, Chinese Man, which built its music business through innovative sampling techniques and immersive live performances. They’re interested in signing artists who incorporate diverse cultural elements into their production style and demonstrate strong visual aesthetics to complement their sound.

9. Paper Garden Records

Paper Garden Records has grown from a small indie outfit into a creative force in London and Brooklyn. The label was founded with an emphasis on community-building through music.

Their approach combines traditional record label services with event production in memorable settings. Paper Garden has recently invested in its production studio and content creation facilities.

For artists looking to join their roster, they value fresh talent, a clear vision, and a willingness to participate in their collaborative community.

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8. Freshly Squeezed Music

Freshly Squeezed Music has carved out a niche in the electronic music landscape by popularizing vintage-influenced dance sounds. Founded in the UK, the label promotes the electro-swing movement, which blends samples of 1920s-40s jazz and swing with contemporary electronic production.

Freshly Squeezed has built a loyal international following through its distinctive visual branding and themed events that transport you to different eras. The record label offers robust promotional support for artists, as demonstrated by Freshly Squeezed’s influential playlists, compilation albums, and festival appearances.

If you know how to make music that fits their aesthetic direction, this may be a label for you. Artists signed to Freshly Squeezed benefit from joining a recognizable musical movement with a dedicated fan base.

7. One Shoe Records

One Shoe Records has emerged as a significant player in the UK independent scene. It is known for its artist-friendly contracts and transparent business practices.

Founded by former musicians who had experienced unfair record label deals, their business model prioritizes equitable profit sharing and creative control for its artists. The label’s name references its humble beginnings, starting with just “one shoe” in the music industry’s door.

One Shoe gained respect for its patient approach to artist development. It often works with musicians for long periods before releasing projects. Its in-house production team creates recordings that capture the emotional intensity of live performances while adding thoughtful studio enhancements.

6. Revolver

Revolver has established itself as one of the most genre-diverse independent record labels. The company’s headquarters are located in Los Angeles and Berlin, encompassing a diverse musical spectrum.

Their digital distribution network has become particularly sophisticated, featuring targeted promotion channels for various segments worldwide. The label seeks artists who demonstrate exceptional quality within their chosen style rather than trying to fit current trends.

5. Disconnect Disconnect Records

Disconnect Disconnect Records has built a fiercely loyal following in the punk, hardcore, and alternative rock communities. Based in Manchester, UK, the label embodies the DIY ethos of punk culture while providing its many artists with professional support services that help them reach broader audiences.

The company operates on principles of community support and musical authenticity, rather than commercial trends. Disconnect Disconnect has expanded its international presence while maintaining close connections to grassroots music scenes.

What makes Disconnect Disconnect distinctive is its commitment to the values of the post-punk community. The label has a strong merchandising operation, helping artists create products that generate income.

4. Captured Tracks

Captured Tracks has evolved from a boutique Brooklyn record label into a global force in independent music. Founded by Mike Sniper in 2008, the label initially focused on lo-fi and dream pop sounds.

They combine artist development and careful curation with innovative digital strategies and global distribution networks. Their in-house team handles everything from music production to marketing.

Captured Tracks provides a prestigious platform with a strong identity and creative freedom. The label actively seeks musicians with unique perspectives and sounds that complement its existing roster.

3. Mute

Mute Records is one of the most respected independent record labels in music history. Its legacy dates back to 1978 when Daniel Miller founded it to release his own single.

Mute has become a powerhouse of avant-garde and electronic music, representing some of the most successful independent artists, including Depeche Mode, Nick Cave, and Goldfrapp, while continually signing innovative artists.

What distinguishes Mute from many competitors is its commitment to artistic vision. Mute is particularly interested in artists working at the intersection of electronic production and other genres.

2. Red Bull Records

Red Bull Records primarily focuses on alternative rock, hip-hop, and electronic music. It leverages its parent brand’s global reach to help artists promote their music while maintaining its creative direction.

Founded in 2007, the label has established itself as a serious player in the music industry. One significant benefit for artists signed to the label is free access to Red Bull’s network of studios, media outlets, and event spaces.

Their marketing capabilities are undoubtedly powerful, and artists can integrate with Red Bull’s sports and cultural programming.

Their artist-friendly deals enable musicians to retain ownership of their master recordings. Red Bull has shown particular success with artists who blend genres and appeal to culturally diverse people.

1. Sub Pop

Few top record labels can claim the cultural impact of Sub Pop, which helped launch the music careers of Nirvana and Soundgarden. While forever associated with the Seattle grunge explosion of the early 1990s, Sub Pop has continued to evolve, signing diverse acts across popular music genres including indie rock, folk, electronic, and hip-hop.

Sub Pop is attractive to artists because it has a track record of developing long-term music careers rather than chasing quick hits. It provides substantial creative freedom while offering the resources and expertise to help bands reach their potential audience.

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What Can A Record Label Do For You?

Many independent artists may question whether they need a record label, given that self-releasing music is more viable than ever. Regardless, labels still provide crucial resources and expert support that can significantly accelerate a career.

First and foremost, reputable labels provide financial investment in your career. Typically, this includes funding for recording, video production, touring support, and marketing campaigns that would be difficult to self-finance.

Labels offer expert playlist placement, can submit music to radio stations, and provide support for press coverage. These industry relationships and specialized knowledge can help your music reach audiences around the world.

Perhaps the most valuable thing a label provides is a team of experienced music industry professionals focused on your career development. From A&R guidance to help improve your artistic output, to marketing strategists who effectively position your music.

What To Look For When Choosing A Label

Finding the right record label partner is about much more than who offers the most significant advance. The ideal label relationship should align with your vision, career goals, and personal values.

Before pursuing or accepting a deal, research the label’s track record with similar artists. Have they successfully developed careers in your genre? Do their artists receive consistent support beyond their debut releases?

Contract terms should be scrutinized, ideally with the assistance of an entertainment attorney. Key considerations include ownership of master demos, royalty rates, creative control provisions, and term length.

Please be careful with label deals that require excessive rights (such as merchandise or publishing) without specific plans to develop those areas. The most artist-friendly labels maintain transparency about their financial models and marketing strategies, willingly explaining how they’ll recoup their investment and grow their audience.

Meet with team members who will work directly on your projects to evaluate their enthusiasm and understanding of your music. Research how current artists on the roster feel about their experiences, particularly those at similar career stages.

Remember that signing with a label means entrusting an essential part of your artistic life to these partners. Choosing the right match is as much about personal connection as it is about business terms.

How To Stand Out To A Record Label In 2025

Record labels are looking for artists who demonstrate potential for long-term success. Before approaching top record labels, develop a brand that encompasses your sound, visual aesthetic, messaging, and values. This setup gives A&R representatives a clear understanding of your unique market position.

Building an engaged audience increases your attractiveness to labels, even those of modest size. This demonstrates proof of concept, which reduces the label’s risk. Focus on metrics that show genuine engagement rather than just follower counts.

Strong streaming retention rates, active social media engagement, and dedicated attendance at live performances indicate genuine connections with listeners. Document your growth with professional press photos and organized analytics that tell the story of your developing career.

Personal connections remain invaluable in the music industry; therefore, attend industry events and actively participate in your local music community. Rather than cold-contacting, you can request introductions to label representatives through trusted intermediaries.

When you do have the opportunity to present your music, be prepared and authentic. Top record labels value professionalism but want to work with genuine people who are passionate about their art.

What Are Record Labels Looking For?

If you want to know how to get signed by a record label, understanding what they are looking for will help you position yourself more effectively. While criteria can vary from label to label, certain qualities consistently attract attention.

Most major labels are looking for artists who offer something fresh while remaining accessible to their target audience. This need doesn’t necessarily mean radical experimentation, but bringing a unique perspective or approach to your chosen style.

Beyond the music, labels seek evidence of work ethic, reliability, and the ability to collaborate effectively with teams. Your existing audience engagement provides valuable insights into how you connect with your listeners.

Strong performance skills remain as important as ever, as live shows drive significant revenue and build lasting fan relationships. Most importantly, labels evaluate whether they can add meaningful value to what you already have.

Record labels looking for artists will consider how your music aligns with their existing roster, distribution channels, and industry connections. They assess whether their marketing expertise would effectively amplify your story and whether your career timeline aligns with their business model.

How To Submit Your Music To Record Labels In 2025

Approaching labels requires thorough research and careful preparation. Before submitting anything, thoroughly review each label’s submission guidelines.

Please don’t skip this, as many specifications include specific formats, required information, and whether they accept unsolicited material. Failing to meet these requirements virtually guarantees that your submission will go unheard.

Most labels prefer digital submissions through specified channels rather than physical packages or unsolicited emails. Your submission package should include your top 3-5 demos and a concise biography highlighting your key achievements and influences.

Remember to include professional photos, links to your social media and streaming profiles, and relevant press coverage. Keep all materials professional, well-organized, and consistent with your artist branding. After submitting, be patient and keep working.

Label review processes take months, as many receive hundreds of submissions weekly. While waiting, continue to build your audience, create content, and refine your craft.

Remember that even rejection can provide valuable information. If a label declines but offers specific feedback, consider it for future development.

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Summary

Record labels looking for artists today offer opportunities across mainstream, eclectic, and niche genres. Many continue to evolve their services and business models to stay relevant.

Finding the right label partner will involve careful research, strategic positioning, and a thorough understanding of each label’s offerings and values. While securing a record deal requires persistence and preparation, the benefits make the effort worthwhile. The right partnership can accelerate your musical journey by providing financial support, access to expertise, industry relationships, and collaborative communities.

Learning how to read sheet music opens up a magical world where strange symbols transform into beautiful sounds. Sheet music is like a map that guides you through a song, showing what notes to play, when, and how they should sound.

Just like learning to read books gives you access to countless stories, mastering sheet music gives you access to centuries of musical compositions.

Follow our guide and you’ll soon pick up any piece of music and bring it to life through your voice or instrument.

What Is Sheet Music?

Sheet music is the universal language for writing down musical ideas using symbols on paper instead of words. This music notation system has evolved over centuries to become a standardized way for musicians to communicate their compositions.

When you look at sheet music, you see a visual representation of sounds arranged in time. Those little dots, bar lines, and symbols tell you precisely what to play.

Sheet music involves you reading notes, how long to hold them, how loud or soft they should be, and much more. Unlike learning a language, where you memorize thousands of words, musical notation uses a handful of basic symbols.

Once you understand these fundamental elements, you’ll have the key to unlocking virtually any piece of written music.

Why Learn To Read Music?

Learning how to read sheet music gives you independence as a musician, allowing you to teach yourself your favorite songs without relying on someone showing you. You can explore centuries of musical compositions on your terms and at your own pace.

The ability to read sheet music means instantly communicating with other musicians worldwide through this universal notation language. A pianist in Tokyo can play the same Mozart sonata as someone in New York because they both understand the same written language of music.

Reading music also enhances cognitive abilities, improving memory, pattern recognition, and multitasking skills. Musicians who read sheet music often develop stronger connections between their brains’ visual, auditory, and motor centers.

If you want to learn how to write a song, you’ll find that the ability to read sheet music comes into its own. If you’re already familiar with chord charts, it’s time to learn how to read sheet music.

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Key Elements Of Sheet Music

Sheet music contains various elements that tell exactly how a piece should sound. Understanding these components is like learning the alphabet before reading words.

The staff, clefs, notes, and other markings create a comprehensive system that communicates pitch, rhythm, dynamics, and expression. Each symbol serves a specific purpose in guiding your performance.

Music theory becomes much clearer when you see it written down, helping you understand the patterns and structures that make music work. This knowledge enables you to become a better performer, songwriter, or composer who can express their musical ideas on paper for others to play.

Here we break down these essential elements so you can start decoding this beautiful musical language. The more familiar you become with these building blocks, the more fluent you’ll become in reading and interpreting music.

The Staff

The staff is the foundation of sheet music. It consists of five bar lines and four spaces that create a framework where notes are placed. Each line and space represents a different note in the musical alphabet, from A to G.

The position of a note on the staff also determines its pitch. Just like a ladder, sheet music notes placed higher on the staff represent higher pitches, while notes placed lower represent lower pitches.

For notes extending beyond the five-line staff, use small ledger lines to expand the staff upward or downward temporarily. These short horizontal lines allow songwriters to write very high or very low notes that wouldn’t fit on the standard staff.

The Clefs

Clefs are special musical symbols placed at the beginning of the staff that tell you which sheet music notes correspond to which lines and spaces. The two most common clefs are the treble clef (also called the G clef) and the bass clef (also called the F clef).

The treble clef curls around the G line (the second line from the bottom), indicating that this line represents the note G. This clef is typically used for higher-pitched musical instruments and the right hand in piano music.

The bass clef has two dots surrounding the F line (the second line from the top), representing the note F. This clef is used for lower-pitched instruments and the left hand in piano playing.

The Grand Staff

The grand staff combines the treble and bass clefs, connected by a vertical line on the left side. It is primarily used for piano music and vocal scores, allowing composers to write music that spans a wide range of pitches.

The grand staff creates a complete picture of the keyboard, with middle C appearing on a middle line between the two staves. This arrangement makes it easier to play musical pieces simultaneously with both hands on the piano.

When reading piano sheet music on a grand staff, the right hand plays the notes in the treble clef (top staff), while the left hand plays the notes in the bass clef (bottom staff). This layout mirrors how you play the piano—higher notes with your right hand, lower notes with your left, making the music easier to follow.

Note Placement

The placement of notes on the staff determines their pitch, whether they sound high or low. Notes can sit either on a line or in a space between bar lines, with each position representing a specific note name (A through G).

You can use memory devices (called mnemonics) to identify note names.

Treble clef:

• Spaces from bottom to top spell the word “FACE,” (F, A, C, E)
• Lines from bottom to top can be remembered with the phrase “Every Good Boy Does Fine” (E, G, B, D, F).

Bass clef:

• Spaces from bottom to top spell “All Cows Eat Grass” (A, C, E, G)
• Lines can be remembered with “Good Boys Do Fine Always” (G, B, D, F, A).

Note Values

Note values tell you how long to hold each note, which is essential for creating rhythm in music. The shape of a note head, along with its stem and flags, indicates its duration relative to other notes.

• A whole note (an empty oval with no stem) receives four beats in common time, making it the longest standard note value.
• A half note (empty oval with a stem) gets two beats.
• A quarter note (filled-in oval with a stem) receives one beat.

Add flags to the stems for shorter durations, creating eighth notes (one flag, half a beat) and sixteenth notes (two flags, quarter of a beat). Understanding how many beats each note receives is crucial for maintaining the correct timing when learning to make music.

You can further modify note values with dots and ties. A dot after a note increases its duration by half its original value, while a tie (a curved line connecting two notes of the same pitch) combines their durations into one sustained sound.

Read more: See how music production software can help shape your sound.

Rests

Rests indicate periods of silence in music, and they’re just as important as the notes themselves. Like notes, rests have different values that tell you how long the silence should last.

• A whole rest (looks like a top hat hanging from the fourth line) indicates four beats of silence.
• A half rest (looks like a top hat on the third line) signifies two beats of silence.

These visual differences help musicians quickly distinguish between different rest values.

Quarter, eighth, and sixteenth rests have distinct symbols corresponding to their note value counterparts. Properly observing rests creates the breathing spaces in music essential for phrasing and expression.

If you want to know how to make music, build anticipation, and allow listeners to absorb what they’ve just heard, you need to use rests. Great musicians understand that rests aren’t just empty spaces; they’re active, intentional moments that shape the emotional impact of a piece.

How To Read Sheet Music: Step-By-Step

Learning to read sheet music is like learning any new language—it’s best approached step-by-step, gradually building your knowledge. This methodical approach helps prevent overwhelm and builds confidence as you master each component.

The process involves understanding the fundamental elements we’ve discussed and learning to apply them when reading actual music. It takes practice, but what initially seems complex will eventually become second nature.

Reading sheet music is one key to understanding song structure. Let’s break down this learning process into seven manageable steps.

Step 1: Learn The Basic Music Notes

Start by memorizing the note names on the treble and bass clefs using the memory devices mentioned earlier. Practice identifying note names by drawing an empty staff and labeling each line and space with its corresponding note name.

This visual association helps reinforce the relationship between staff positions and note names. Once you’re comfortable with the introductory music notes, expand to notes on ledger lines above and below the staff.

Pay special attention to middle C. This crucial note acts as the bridge between the two clefs and sits on the first ledger line below the treble clef or the first ledger line above the bass clef.

Flashcards with notes written on them can help you test your recognition speed. You can also try online music theory games to make learning notes fun and interactive.

Step 2: Understand Rhythmic Notation

Learn to recognize note values and their corresponding rests. This skill is essential for popular music genres, from pop and rock to jazz and hip hop, where rhythm drives a song’s energy.

Start with whole, half, and quarter notes, which form the foundation of rhythmic understanding. Practice counting beats by tapping a steady pulse and saying the counts out loud as you point to different notes on a simple piece of music.

For example:

• Count “1-2-3-4” for a whole note
• Count “1-2” for a half note
• Count “1” for a quarter note

Gradually introduce eighth and sixteenth notes as you become comfortable with basic rhythms. Practice clapping or tapping complex rhythmic patterns to develop a physical sense of how these values relate.

Try converting simple songs or rhythms you already know by ear into written notation. This exercise helps bridge the gap between what you hear and see, strengthening your understanding of how rhythm is visually represented.

Step 3: Learn How To Read Time And Key Signatures

Learn how to read time signature; the two numbers at the beginning of a piece that look like a fraction. The top number tells you how many beats are in each measure, while the bottom number tells you what type of note gets one beat.

Start with common time signatures, such as 4/4 (four-quarter notes per measure) and 3/4 (three-quarter notes per measure).

Here are some examples:

In 4/4 time:

• There are 4 beats per bar
• Each beat is a quarter note long
• It’s often called “common time”

In 3/4 time:

• There are 3 beats per bar
• Each beat is a quarter note
• Think waltzes—1-2-3, 1-2-3

A written key signature tells you two things about a piece of music:

1. The key determines the piece’s tonal centre (or home note), such as C major or E minor.
2. Identifies which notes are sharp or flat. For example, if the key signature has one sharp (F♯), it tells you that every F in the piece should be played as F♯ unless otherwise indicated.

A circle of fifths diagram can help you visualize the relationships between different key signatures.

Learn how to use Promo Hype to distribute your music.

Step 4: Start Reading Simple Pieces

Begin with simple pieces that stay within a limited range of notes and use basic rhythms. Children’s songs, folk tunes, and beginner method books offer excellent starting material for developing reading skills.

Practice reading and playing short musical phrases, focusing on getting the notes right and then adding the correct rhythm. Resist the urge to memorize the music; the goal is to develop the ability to read and play simultaneously.

Gradually increase the complexity of the pieces you attempt as your confidence grows. Consider using a metronome set at a slow tempo to help maintain steady timing while you read, gradually increasing the speed as you become more proficient.

Recording yourself playing or singing can provide valuable feedback on your progress. Listen critically to identify rhythmic inconsistencies or hear errors you might not notice while performing.

Step 5: Understand Dynamic Markings

Beyond notes and rhythms, sheet music contains various markings that indicate how to play with expression. These include dynamic markings (how loud or soft), articulation symbols, and tempo indications.

Familiarize yourself with standard Italian terms used in music, such as “forte” (loud), “piano” (soft), “allegro” (fast), and “adagio” (slow). Those little dots, curves, and symbols scattered throughout the music aren’t just decoration. They’re the composer telling you to give specific notes personality.

A staccato dot says, “Keep me short and bouncy,” while a curved slur states, “Play us smoothly.”

Pay attention to performance directions that describe the emotional quality of the music, like “con brio” (with vigor) or “dolce” (sweetly). These subjective markings invite your interpretation while guiding you toward the composer’s intended emotional landscape.

Step 6: Practice Sight Reading Regularly

Dedicate time to sight reading, playing music you’ve never seen before, regularly. This skill develops your ability to process musical notation quickly and accurately.

You can start with material slightly below your current playing level so you can focus on reading fluently rather than struggling with technical challenges. Gradually increase the difficulty as your reading improves.

Consider joining a community band, orchestra, or choir where regular sight-reading is part of the experience. The supportive pressure of playing with others can accelerate your skills while making the learning process more enjoyable.

Step 7: Connect Theory With Practice

As your skills improve, dabble in music theory—scales, intervals, and chord building. It’s the grammar behind the musical language.

Soon, you’ll spot patterns everywhere, like recognizing familiar phrases in conversation. Your brain will group notes into musical “chunks” instead of reading one note at a time.

When you spot these patterns, you’ll read entire musical phrases at a glance instead of plodding through note by note. Try dissecting your practice pieces, hunting for key changes, and, if playing guitar, studying chord progressions and different types of chords.

Summary

Learning how to read sheet music transforms those mysterious symbols into a tool for musical expression and understanding. With consistent practice and patience, you’ll gradually develop the ability to translate written notation into beautiful music.

Remember that becoming fluent in reading music is a journey, not a destination. Even professional musicians continue to refine their sheet music skills throughout their careers.

As you continue developing your reading skills, you’ll discover how this universal language connects you to countless musicians and a rich legacy of musical creation that spans centuries and cultures.

With over two billion users, TikTok videos can reach huge audiences, making it excellent for attracting new fans.

Learning how to go viral on TikTok requires understanding the platform’s algorithms and creating content that engages users.

This guide explores how to capitalize on your TikTok content, increase your video’s visibility, and reach your target audience.

Key Takeaways

• Learning how to go viral on TikTok requires understanding how the platform’s algorithms identify and boost content.
• Regular, high-quality content is more likely to go viral when it incorporates trending and relevant hashtags and trending sounds.
• Partnering with other creators and responding to feedback keeps your audience engaged through challenges and other features.
• Viral videos on TikTok can lead to many monetization opportunities, from branding and sponsorships to selling merchandise.
• You can increase your chances of going viral on TikTok by analyzing performance data and refining your own videos.

What Does Creating Viral Content on TikTok Mean?

Creating viral content on TikTok is when videos experience rapid growth in views, shares, and engagement through comments.

It occurs when video content resonates with a large audience, boosting visibility, particularly when shared by large channels.

No specific number of views qualifies TikTok videos as viral, but achieving 500,000 or more shortly after posting is a reliable benchmark.

Viral videos typically have broad appeal, rather than covering niche interests, and appeal to diverse viewers.

An example of a viral TikTok video is the song “Ordinary” by Alex Warren, which exploded after Lana Del Rey praised it.

That said, niche content still has viral potential, so artists should remain faithful to their style whenever possible.

While there’s no guaranteed formula for virality, artists with quality songwriting abilities have a higher chance of success.

A strong presence across other social media platforms also improves your chances of creating viral content on TikTok.

Increase your chances of virality with Promo Hype’s promotion service.

How Does TikTok’s Algorithm Work?

Gaining online exposure depends on how algorithms work, whether ranking on Google search results or creating viral videos.

While the algorithms for social media platforms may seem opaque at best, there are rules of thumb you can use to help.

TikTok is one of the key drivers of music discovery, with a high rate of sharing between users that drives the platform’s algorithms.

This engagement is what TikTok draws on when updating the algorithm, analyzing user signals such as comments, follows, and likes.

The analysis also includes additional information, including video titles, descriptions, hashtags, and captions.

Other factors that influence virality on TikTok include repeated views from individuals and the overall watch time.

When uploading video content to TikTok, these factors are used to assess the level of engagement your content has.

If your TikTok videos receive favorable responses from the community, the platform will promote them to a broader audience.

This can significantly improve your odds of gaining the attention of record labels looking for artists and other industry professionals.

Viral TikTok Videos: Key Factors To Consider

Before you begin creating videos for your TikTok account, consider these key factors to help you produce high-quality content.

Here’s a breakdown of these considerations in more detail:

• Offer something of unique value: TikTok is swamped with thousands of new daily uploads, making capturing the audience’s attention challenging. Creating videos with unique value, such as tutorials and other informative content, will increase your chances of gaining views and followers.
• Begin your video with a hook: Many viewers on TikTok and elsewhere fail to watch videos until the end before turning them off. This means opening with a catchy hook is essential for video retention, piquing viewer interest in the first few seconds.
• Strive for authentic storytelling: TikTok’s grassroots-style content creation makes it optimal for authentic and meaningful content. Independent artists can use song structure to tell a captivating story that resonates with their target audience.
• Publish posts at the optimal time: Another way to increase your chances of going viral on TikTok is to publish your posts at the optimal time of day. Early afternoons on weekdays often lead to higher engagement, while evenings get better results over the weekend.
• Implement TikTok SEO optimization: As with other social media platforms, search engine optimization is critical for reaching a broader audience. This includes using relevant hashtags and keywords in descriptions, optimizing content titles, captions, and on-screen text.

These strategies will improve your content’s visibility on the platform by satisfying the algorithm’s expectations.

How To Go Viral On TikTok In 2025: Step-By-Step

Independent artists who make music frequently release TikTok videos to share their creative works and build an audience.

Here’s a complete breakdown exploring how to go viral on TikTok, from using trending hashtags to monitoring your TikTok analytics.

Step 1: Decide On Your Niche

Whether you’re new to TikTok or refining your channel, identifying your core niche is the first step toward virality.

A niche allows you to identify your core audience and community to create content that resonates with fans.

It can be around any subject you’re passionate about, from posting funny videos as a comedian to sharing original songs.

This topic can then be used to research your target audience preferences and craft engaging videos that speak to their interests.

If you’re sharing songs, this content can be supplemented with insightful videos about the music production software you use.

You can also identify niche hashtags and post videos that align with these trends through captivating original content.

Step 2: Follow The Latest Trends

While most social media platforms are built around trending content, TikTok trends are especially effective for virality.

Following trends in your chosen niche will help you to capitalize on hot topics and increase audience engagement.

Many successful independent artists use trends to push their channel and gain a spot in the For You section.

It’s important to note that following the latest trends doesn’t mean jumping on every popular bandwagon.

Many content creators chase clout, which might function as clickbait but doesn’t indicate genuine authenticity.

If your audience thinks your content is a cynical attempt to farm their views and reactions, they’ll soon turn elsewhere.

Ultimately, TikTok trends function as a litmus test that helps you gauge what’s popular and produce content accordingly.

Whenever a particular trend resonates, seize the initiative and create videos that capitalize on the trend.

Step 3: Incorporate Popular Audio Clips In Videos

Another method TikTok content creators use is trending sounds, available in the platform’s sound library.

Located in the app’s Sounds tab, these include song snippets and sound effects, movie clips, and other audio content.

Including these can improve video performance and make the TikTok algorithm view your content more favorably.

Since these trending sounds are constantly updated, it’s worthwhile checking in regularly to ensure you don’t miss out.

You can also create and submit trending sounds to TikTok, for example, to align them with an upcoming song release.

Step 4: Share High-Quality Content With Relevant Hashtags

Posting regularly is essential for getting noticed by the TikTok algorithm, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of quality.

TikTok videos must be well-produced to retain audience attention, with a catchy hook, polished editing, and professional editing.

You don’t have to be a graduate from a music production school, but if you’re sharing songs, they should be mixed and mastered.

Avoid long, drawn-out monologues, and introduce effects and other visual elements to make them pop off the screen.

Once they’re ready to upload, add relevant hashtags through TikTok’s creative center to ensure maximum exposure.

Step 5: Participate In TikTok Challenges

Another core aspect of TikTok that sets it apart from other platforms is the challenges, typically related to trending content.

Participating in TikTok challenges instantly aligns content with hot and trending topics relevant to your niche.

This can include videos featuring new songs from popular music genres or funny clips with a unique approach to the challenge.

Challenges are also community-oriented, making them an excellent tool for building networks with other creators in your niche.

Step 6: Collaborate With Other Creators

Collaborations are an essential strategy for increasing your visibility on social media channels and evolving as a creator.

It can involve anything from working on new video projects and hosting joint livestreams to sharing one another’s channels.

Joint challenges, cross-channel sponsorships, and guest channel appearances are common ways to work with other creators.

You can also participate in TikTok’s new Collaborations feature, which allows multiple channel creators to appear on the same video.

This content can bring in traffic from all contributors, significantly enhancing the video’s visibility across TikTok.

If you’re struggling to find creatives with whom to collaborate, there are plenty of ways to build networks and launch projects.

For instance, you can sign up for a digital distribution and promotion platform and engage with the artist community.

These services also provide access to promotional tools and analytics for refining your marketing strategy across multiple platforms.

Lastly, collaboration with fans is another common way to keep the audience engaged and actively involved with your content.

This can be running contests for fan art, setting challenges for them to attempt, or running giveaways and competitions.

Step 7: Engage With Your Followers

Engagement is a critical factor that works both ways when it comes to successful online content with viral potential.

This means content creators must engage with their followers to increase the feedback they receive in return.

Politely and respectfully responding to comments and constructive criticism from viewers is an easy way to engage.

Liking and sharing comments and posts from followers you find interesting also helps to strengthen a sense of community.

If your followers use TikTok features like Duet or Stitch, publicly thank them for their contributions and support.

These approaches to personal engagement are why TikTok’s most prominent musicians outshine A-list celebrities like Taylor Swift.

It’s a platform where grassroots talent and charisma can go viral and rise above corporate-backed artists.

The more you engage with your followers in good faith, the higher your chances of building an audience of dedicated fans.

Learn more: Find out how to get signed to a record label.

Step 8: Promote On Other Platforms

Any creative seeking additional exposure understands the importance of cross-promotion on social media.

Whether promoting your music or lifestyle advice, TikTok users can be found on Facebook, Instagram, X, and elsewhere.

Your views and engagement will significantly increase when you link to TikTok content across all platforms.

If you have a website, you can also use it to drive loyal followers to new content who are highly likely to engage.

For musicians, understanding how algorithms work on platforms like Spotify is also critical to maximizing your reach.

It can help you focus your marketing budget where it counts the most and increase revenue across platforms.

Step 9: Post Consistently

Whatever content you create, sticking to a consistent posting schedule is essential for going viral on TikTok.

Uploading one video per week won’t get long-term value and will unlikely keep viewers returning for more.

The more quality content you upload consistently, the higher your chances are of getting the engagement that leads to virality.

Consistent posting helps to drive the TikTok algorithm to your channel, recognizing your value and increasing visibility.

By posting regularly, your account is assessed as a reliable source of views and increases your odds of appearing on the “For You Page.”

If you have time and resources, you can create content in bulk and schedule it for posting over the coming weeks.

TikTok For Business provides a scheduling tool for setting the date and time, among other parameters.

Be aware that this feature is only available through the desktop version and cannot be accessed via the TikTok app.

Using social media tools like Hootsuite, you can also align the posting schedule with Facebook, X, and Instagram.

Step 10: Analyze Your Performance Metrics

Going viral on TikTok is a learning curve that becomes more likely when you understand how your content is performing.

Many tools, such as TikTok’s Creator Analytics dashboard, can be used to measure ad campaign performance.

The platform’s metrics include follower count, likes, comments, and shares, as well as weekly and monthly growth.

Information on average and total play times and video view demographics is also available to refine your content creation.

TikTok’s analytics tools are accessible on desktop and mobile, with the Business Suite feature providing more comprehensive tools.

Analytics are also available for TikTok LIVE to help you understand how your streams are performing and who your audience is.

Drawing on this information allows content creators to fine-tune their posting schedule and experiment with new content.

You should also take the time to analyze the performance of other creators and assess the impact their content has.

Platforms like Social Blade present a wealth of data around content creators and their channel growth, views, and subscribers.

Further reading: Learn how to submit your music to radio stations.

Monetizing Viral Videos On TikTok

Going viral on TikTok will significantly enhance your TikTok presence, providing an excellent opportunity for monetization.

TikTok’s internal monetization tools are available for generating revenue from views, but other methods are also available.

Here’s an overview of some of the ways content creators maximize their income from viral videos on TikTok:

TikTok LIVE

Livestreaming on TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch is a hugely popular source of revenue for all types of content creators.

TikTok LIVE offers a range of monetization features, multi-guest hosting services, and moderation tools.

Content creators can monetize livestreams through TikTok LIVE gifts, which can be sent during a broadcast.

Once received, these gifts can be exchanged for other virtual items or converted into real currency.

The gift also appears on screen during the live stream, allowing the sender and recipient to interact in real-time.

Creator Rewards Program

If your channel has many TikTok users following it, you may be eligible to join the platform’s Creator Rewards Program.

To qualify, you’ll need a minimum of 10,000 followers and 100,000 or more video views in the previous month.

Video monetization offers rates ranging from $0.02 to $0.04 per 1,000 views, which are comparable to YouTube’s rates.

All content, such as how-to videos, needs to be original, and past channel performance is also considered.

Uploads must also adhere to TikTok’s Community Guidelines, passing a review process before monetization is granted.

Brand Collaborations

Once your TikTok channel reaches a decent size with plenty of engaged followers, you can generate revenue through brand collaborations.

Collaborations allow you to leverage your audience to promote products related to your content and earn money.

Brands search for TikTok influencers through the TikTok Creator Marketplace, but you can also contact brands directly.

You can also use platforms like Collabstr and AspireIQ to negotiate the rates and other terms of brand collaborations.

If your channel is small, there’s no harm in reaching out to brands if you feel they align with your style.

Selling Merchandise

Independent artists have been selling merchandise from stalls for as long as live bands have performed at gigs.

Today, there are many options for selling online and offering a range of products, from T-shirts to posters and mugs.

TikTok videos are excellent ways to build a brand and link to online stores where fans can support you with purchases.

Some independent artists sell limited edition releases of singles and albums on vinyl records and CD formats.

These editions are often highly sought after by fans and can be advertised through other social media channels.

By monitoring TikTok trends and sales, you can refine your merchandise to offer fans what they most want.

Offering Memberships & Subscriptions

Another popular way to monetize TikTok videos is through channel memberships and other subscription offers.

This method allows channel owners to create subscription tiers that unlock various features for members.

As the price point increases, additional perks, such as early access to content and exclusive videos, become available.

Subscribers willing to pay the maximum are often granted access to exclusive channels to chat directly with the artist.

It’s also an excellent way to build a TikTok community and understand your fans’ other musical interests.

Go Viral With Promo Hype

Going viral on TikTok can lead to exceptional growth, but independent artists should adopt a broader strategy for success.

Becoming a Promo Hype member provides many opportunities to reach a global audience and maximize music streams.

By partnering with Promo Hype, you can access the following powerful features:

• Global distribution on all major streaming platforms: Maximizing your reach online means distributing music on all streaming platforms. Promo Hype members can schedule and release across Spotify, TIDAL, Amazon Music, and elsewhere.
• Powerful marketing tools with the Promotional Toolkit: Driving attention to new releases and tours requires a robust marketing strategy. With the Promotional Toolkit, artists have complete control over their marketing budget.
• Complete control over your royalties: Many independent artists struggle to retain royalties on platforms and maximize profits. Through Promo Hype, members keep 100% of royalties earned across platforms.
• Comprehensive data analytics to drive growth: Understanding audience behaviors is essential for growing as an independent artist. Promo Hype members can drive growth through the Dashboard’s metrics and data analytics tools.
• A lively community of independent artists: Connecting with like-minded creatives is excellent for learning new skills and finding collaborative partners. Promo Hype offers a thriving Community for members to engage on various topics.

With complete control via the artist Dashboard, Promo Hype covers everything independent artists need to enhance their careers.

Learn more about how Promo Hype works. 

Summary

A critical moment for all artists is going viral online and significantly enhancing their visibility and engagement.

If you’re learning how to go viral on TikTok, this guide will streamline your processes and maximize your success.

Providing opportunities for collaborations, sponsorships, and tours, viral TikTok videos can be a career game-changer.

Independent artists looking to develop their music careers can reach out to radio stations to get their songs heard by a larger audience.

Learning how to submit music to radio stations is simple, with tried-and-tested methods for attracting their attention and playing your music.

This step-by-step guide covers preparing and submitting your music while discovering the best radio stations that suit your musical style.

How To Submit Music To Radio Stations In 2025

Whether approaching legacy stations or contacting internet radio stations, the submission process is essentially the same.

Here are the steps you should take when submitting your music to radio stations to maximize your chances of a response:

Step 1: Research Relevant Radio Stations

With thousands of radio stations to choose from, knowing where to begin submitting your music can be daunting.

You can streamline the process by researching relevant radio stations that play your music style and adding these to a spreadsheet.

This spreadsheet can include their contact information, submission guidelines, and a field to indicate any responses.

While getting airplay on a major station is challenging, there are plenty of smaller local stations you can approach at first.

There are also many cool internet radio stations where you can get your music heard by like-minded fans of your chosen genre.

Research these platforms to populate your spreadsheet, referencing forum discussions and chatting with other musicians.

You can also check out the Independent Online Distribution Alliance to find where you can submit your music.

Submitting to music podcasts can also increase your chances of exposure, so create a separate spreadsheet for this category.

Join the Promo Hype Community.

Step 2: Verify The Music Submissions Process

Navigating the online space can be a minefield, from Spotify’s changing algorithms to the required processes for submitting to radio.

To get this right, you need to check with each radio station individually to review the guidelines you need to follow.

These typically include where to send the submission and whether or not they accept physical CDs through the mail.

Most will likely prefer a digital audio file, and many also request additional information, such as your artist profile.

If you can’t find this information on their website, send a polite email asking for confirmation of the submission process.

Step 3: Prepare A Radio-Friendly Track

Sending in a twenty-minute progressive rock song might impress the listeners, but it has little to no chance of getting aired.

To increase your odds of receiving a broadcast, you need to prepare a radio-friendly version suitable for airplay.

Here are some processes you need to follow to create a track that is friendly for radio stations:

• Adjust the length: If you listen to the radio often, you’ll notice that most tracks they play sit within the three to four-minute range. Should your submission exceed this length, edit it to a shorter version by removing verses and choruses.
• Emphasize choruses and catchy hooks: Since radio broadcasts shorter and snappier edits, maximizing the time and focusing on the hook makes sense. These elements are what the listeners will recall the most, so strive to place them front and center.
• Remove inappropriate content and language: While pop songs are rarely written with vulgar language, other genres often use such lyrics. To avoid violating broadcasting regulations, edit this content before submitting it.

If you’ve already written a song with these limitations and recommendations in mind, you’re ready to continue to the next step.

Step 4: Create An Electronic Press Kit

Some artists complement their music submissions with a dedicated electronic press kit, similar to a radio package.

An electronic press kit, sometimes called a music press kit, showcases the artists or band members and is excellent for public relations.

It includes links to biographies, collections of photographs and videos of live performances, and links to social media pages.

This kit gives radio stations a clear insight into the tone and genre of the artists, whether playing rock, pop, country, or jazz.

An EPK also opens up new opportunities for additional feedback from the radio station about how you present your brand.

Step 5: Upload New Music To Streaming Platforms

Before you submit music to radio stations, you should upload your songs to streaming platforms to expand your online presence.

These outlets include Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube, which can significantly boost your reach to new listeners.

These services host the most popular music genres and are the go-to platforms for most people looking for new releases.

A strong presence across the major music streaming platforms will also give music directors a great impression of your brand.

Ensure your accounts on these platforms are current and feature your artist’s logo and other branding elements.

If you’re struggling with uploading to streaming platforms, you can use digital music distribution and promotion services.

Such services streamline the process, providing tools for scheduling and marketing that drive traffic where it counts.

You can include links to your artist profiles for each platform when sending your music submissions to radio stations.

Step 6: Be Active On Social Media

An active presence on social media platforms is another effective way to increase your chances of success when submitting to a radio station.

Social media provides opportunities for engaging with your audience and sharing new releases and live event dates.

While Facebook is widely used for its powerful events listing tools, TikTok, Instagram, and X all provide powerful tools for musicians.

Going viral on TikTok is a surefire way to garner the attention of a radio station and guarantee your music will be seriously considered.

Likewise, social media is also an effective tool for communicating with radio station hosts you’re hoping to reach out to.

By commenting on their posts and starting conversations, you can lay the groundwork before you submit your music to their station.

Your social media channels can also host your artist’s Bio and provide information and contact details to your followers.

Most of all, social media lets you showcase your style and personality, putting a face to your music when building relationships.

Recommended reading: Find out how to make music like a pro.

Step 7: Work With A Record Label Or Publisher

If you’re a musician or producer with representation through a publisher or label, they can help reach out to stations.

Record labels looking for artists also have strong ties to radio DJs and know which shows best fit your music.

Send your manager a list of the stations you’re interested in and arrange a discussion to see how you can move things forward.

Some record labels have an arrangement with stations whereby they pay a fee to guarantee airplay and other promotional services.

Promo representatives usually conduct this process due to long-standing relationships with the station’s music directors.

Labels then monitor and analyze weekly reports from the stations to see how effectively these campaigns are performing.

If you don’t have a label, getting airplay will significantly increase your chances of getting noticed by the right people.

Step 8: Partner With An Online Music Distribution Platform

While many independent artists aren’t signed to a record label, other services can improve their online presence.

Online music distribution platforms help artists reach all streaming platforms, schedule releases, and promote to their fans.

They also assist with crafting specific marketing strategies for members that can be easily modified for submitting music to radio stations.

This setup increases their overall visibility and engagement, making radio stations far more likely to consider your music.

It also demonstrates a professional attitude and goal-oriented approach to music, leaving a strong impression on the radio station.

Step 9: Submit Your Music

With your song completed and all your assets prepared, it’s time to submit your music to your selected radio stations.

Before hitting the “Send” button, triple-check everything is in order and refer to the station’s specific submission guidelines.

Creating a checklist for each radio station takes little time and will ensure that your submission meets the highest possible standard.

Once your music submissions are sent, continue improving your musical skills while waiting for a response.

Not all radio stations will respond, and if you haven’t heard back for a few weeks, consider sending a follow-up email.

That said, avoid being pushy and sending repeated emails enquiring about your submission’s status, as this will be off-putting.

Reach a global audience with Promo Hype’s distribution services.

Step 10: Learn From Feedback

Whether your submissions are accepted or rejected, the radio station will likely give you feedback on your music.

This could be constructive feedback about your song’s structure or advice on editing your music to make it friendlier for radio.

It can also cover technical aspects, such as mixing and mastering, allowing you to refine your use of music production software.

Whatever feedback you receive, try to incorporate it into your composition and production methods on future tracks.

If your songs are on social media, gather your fans’ feedback before submitting your music to a radio station.

While all feedback surrounding music is inherently subjective, it can often improve your recordings and address blind spots.

Tips For Submitting Music Directly To Radio Stations

If you’re an independent artist without management or backed by a label, you can still submit music to radio stations directly.

Here are some tips for those considering this approach to help increase the chance of success:

• Adopt a personalized approach: While sending boilerplate messages and group emails might save time, they lack care and consideration. When approaching radio stations, make each submission unique and tailor the text to each station’s style.
• Network with radio station DJs: If you can engage with any DJs who host shows at a given radio station, try to start conversations. This step can be as simple as posting comments on their social media pages to show your support and appreciation for their content.
• Use a professional mastering service: A great song means little if the overall production values are amateurish, and will likely lead to instant rejection. Professional mastering services can prevent this issue from arising, and don’t have to cost thousands of dollars.
• Create an electronic press kit: Another great way to present your work professionally is by creating an electronic press kit to supplement your submission. You can find EPK templates online to ensure they are structured correctly and include all relevant information.

If you know other artists who have successfully submitted music to radio stations, ask about their experiences and take their advice on board.

Distribute Your Music Globally With Promo Hype

Capturing the attention of a radio station is easier when artists have a strong presence across the major streaming platforms.

By partnering with Promo Hype, you can promote your music and access the following services:

• Global distribution across all streaming platforms: Promo Hype members can instantly distribute across all streaming platforms, including Spotify, TIDAL, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. Promo Hype also assists with scheduling and promotion, tying new releases to upcoming tours and one-off gigs.
• In-depth analysis through powerful analytics: Understanding how your music is performing is essential for making decisions about your artistic direction. Promo Hype’s in-depth analytics show which songs perform the best on which platforms and where the most engagement is coming from.
• Valuable feedback from Promo Hype’s community of independent artists: If you’re struggling with production or looking for artists to collaborate with, Promo Hype’s got you covered. The lively Community feature allows you to engage with artists and build long-lasting relationships.

With in-depth industry experience and the latest distribution and promotion tools, Promo Hype is the go-to platform for independent artists.

Summary

Submitting your music to radio stations and getting airplay can be a game-changer for independent artists who want to showcase their talent and build a fan base.

Adopting the strategic approach outlined in this guide will streamline the submission process and ensure the right people hear your music.

Once your submissions have been accepted, you can capitalize on the recognition and use the airwaves to build your audience.