Instrumentals allowed or not

[teleblaster]

How do you know if a listing is interested in instrumentals or not if they don't specify? I'd like to submit 3 of my slide guitar instrumentals for this one, DARK, SWAMPY CAJUN-STYLE COUNTRY SONGS are being sought by a well-connected Music Consultant with many film/TV/commercial placements. Please make sure your songs are well-constructed and she is open to hearing all tempos that reflect the "dark, swampy" description referenced above. Songs must be free and clear - no samples that require clearance and no other publishers that would need to grant permission for usage. Please submit one to three songs online or per CD, include lyrics. All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS - NO CRITIQUES FROM TAXI - and must be received no later than Tuesday, April 28, 2009. TAXI #Y090428COThanks!Erich

[slideboardouts]

If the listing wants instrumentals it will say "Songs and Instrumentals" at the beginning or somewhere in the listing it might say something like "strong instrumentals will also be considered" etc. This listing is only asking for songs. For something to be a song it technically has to have lyrics and a singer singing those lyrics. Otherwise it is an instrumental of some sorts.HTH-Steve

[llama]

Hey Erich,Until very recently I would have agreed with Steve. To me a song is with words......But a few months back there were a couple of electronica listings that asked for "songs", I don't rememebr exact details...But anyways I asked Taxi the very same question and was told that instrumental "songs" were acceptable.........To my little brain that's an oxymoron ....But hey, live and learn. But anyways, I'd ask Taxi that question just to make sure....Derek

[hummingbird]

Apr 26, 2009, 5:48am, llama wrote:Hey Erich,Until very recently I would have agreed with Steve. To me a song is with words......But a few months back there were a couple of electronica listings that asked for "songs", I don't rememebr exact details...But anyways I asked Taxi the very same question and was told that instrumental "songs" were acceptable.........To my little brain that's an oxymoron ....But hey, live and learn. But anyways, I'd ask Taxi that question just to make sure....Derekelectronica might be different - where vocals without words are often used in a multilayered fashion.If someone is asking for Country Songs, IMO lyrics would be a requirement.

[llama]

Apr 26, 2009, 9:10am, hummingbird wrote:electronica might be different - where vocals without words are often used in a multilayered fashion.If someone is asking for Country Songs, IMO lyrics would be a requirement.In my electronica example the Taxi person never mentioned the need for a vox to be present, no matter how filtered/mangled/treated It seemed that they were quite happy for a voiceless instrumental to be submitted. Although hummingbird is probably right I'd still contact Taxi to make sure..Be interesting to see what they say...just my $0.02 FWIW.....Derek

[teleblaster]

I called TAXI and got the word from them on this. The gentleman that helped me said that instrumental listings will specifically say 'instrumental' in the listing; otherwise assume that they want songs with lyrics and vocals.Really cool that you wrangled a foward in your situation DL, but it sounds like it was the rare exception to the rule.Minor rant: since when is an instrumental not a song? Thanks all for chiming in! Erich

[christig]

Apr 28, 2009, 3:29pm, teleblaster wrote:Minor rant: since when is an instrumental not a song? A song Is something that you sing. An instrumental is something that you play. This distinction has been used throughout music history to clarify the two different musical forms. Another clue to the listing posted besides the use of 'songs' in the title, is it asks for lyrics to be included.