😅 How Do You Know If Your Music Is Any Good?

One of the hardest questions a composer can ask themselves is...

“How do I know if the music I’m writing is actually any good?”

I hear this all the time from my bootcamp students.

They submit their music for feedback, but they’re not sure if it’s any good at all.

Then they hear it played next to other submissions, and that’s when the self-doubt comes in.

The thing is, defining “good” music isn’t easy…because it’s not universal.

It’s so subjective and what resonates with one person might not with another!

But honestly, the goal isn’t to get rid of that doubt. That’s A LOT of energy towards trying to get rid of something that never really goes away. I’ve had to accept that doubt is just a part of the process.

The key is learning how to manage it, grow from it, and keep moving forward!

So then how do you manage that doubt and figure out if your music is working? Here are 5 steps to help!

1. 💯 Define Success on Your Own Terms

“Good music” isn’t one-size-fits-all.

What works perfectly in one context might fall flat in another. So before you start judging your work, take a moment to ask yourself:

• What am I trying to do with this piece? What’s the context?

• Is it for a client? A personal project? A portfolio? A strict 4-part harmony student exercise?

When you’re clear about the purpose and function of your music, you’ll have a much better sense of what “success” actually looks like.

2. 📋 Use a Checklist for Quality Control

What frameworks do you have in place to help you stay on track, even if you’re doubting your music? Try asking yourself these questions:

• Does it evoke the emotion or tell the story I intended?

• Are the melody, harmony, and rhythm balanced and clear?

• Are you using reference tracks to help guide your mix?

These kind of questions help you focus on what matters and keep you moving forward with intention.

If we’re our own harshest critics, then let’s get strategic about how we critique ourselves!

3. 💬 Get Feedback, but Filter It

Feedback can be incredibly valuable—if you know how to use it.

Not all opinions are equally useful, so it’s important to be intentional about who you ask:

• Fellow composers usually can offer more technical insights about the music itself!

• Non-musicians who don’t know a single thing about music can still help you get a sense of the emotional impact.

• Collaborators and clients who know the context of the project can also share more relevant, story-driven suggestions.

When you ask for feedback, be specific. Questions like, “Does this section feel too repetitive?” are way more actionable than a general, “Is this good?”

Try filtering feedback this way so that you can focus on the most relevant improvements!

4. ⏮️ Learn From Your Past Work

Every piece of music you write, whether you think it’s “good” or not, is a step forward—as long as you take the time to reflect on how you’d like to improve.

Revisit some older music!

It can be a great reminder of how far you’ve come and it might even spark new ideas for your current projects.

Real growth comes from consistent refinement over time!

5. 🤨 Reframe Self-Doubt

Self-doubt is really frustrating to deal with BUT it’s a sign that you genuinely care about your music.

Instead of letting it paralyze you, how can you use it as a tool to improve? Ask yourself: What can I refine? Where can I grow?

That’s where having a system in place comes in! Something that’s reliable and helps you stay on track, even when doubt makes you second-guess your music.

I personally use my Notion template I created as my system to help keep me accountable in my music creation process!

Your music doesn’t have to be perfect to be “good.”

Just remember that it all depends on the context of the music, be open to learning and adapting to relevant feedback, and give yourself some grace!

You’ll be surprised by how much you’ll grow after consistent practice!