Instrumentals - humming, whistling, ok?

[cherbear]

On instrumental listings - obviously, no sung or spoken words, but are humming, ooohs and whistling considered vocals or can they fall under the instrumental category as well?
Thanks!
Cher

[mazz]

The voice used as instrument seems to be generally accepted in instrumental music. Check out Esquivel: zuu zuu zuu zuu

[cherbear]

Thanks Mazz! I LOVE Esquivel - "Mucha Muchacha" is my fave, without a doubt. lol!!! Off to listen to zuuzuuzuuzuu - thanks!
Cher

[Eric Bolvin]

I'm gonna disagree with ya on this Mazz. Got rejected on a Flora Purim type vocal that was unison with a flute and muted trumpet. No lyrics. Voice as an instrument.
The comment was "Listing was for Instrumentals only".

Eb

[cherbear]

Thanks Eric!

Maybe Admin can shed some light on this. Admin? Which is correct in TAXI listing cases?

Thanks!

Cher

[hazineju]

Hi Cherbear - my experience has been that vocals without lyrics ARE accepted. In fact, I remember asking before a pitch panel at the rally once if I should submit that type of song in the instrumental box and the person I spoke with said yes.

But I did once get a note from a reviewer on one song using a vocal as an instrument saying that "It's so naked and exposed in the track that you tend to want to focus too much on the vocal. But this held up. " That was for a very slow and ambient piece. Maybe the answer is not black and white but how prominent, busy, and appropriate the vocal part is for the genre you're submitting in?

[Casey H]

Hi Cherbear - my experience has been that vocals without lyrics ARE accepted. In fact, I remember asking before a pitch panel at the rally once if I should submit that type of song in the instrumental box and the person I spoke with said yes.

But I did once get a note from a reviewer on one song using a vocal as an instrument saying that "It's so naked and exposed in the track that you tend to want to focus too much on the vocal. But this held up. " That was for a very slow and ambient piece. Maybe the answer is not black and white but how prominent, busy, and appropriate the vocal part is for the genre you're submitting in?

I think you hit the nail on the head, Juliet. There's no black and white answer. In some genres, a subtle voice as instrument may be OK while in others not. And as you said-- how busy, how prominent is it? Does it really blend in as if it was just another instrument? An instrumental for horror might have more leeway for subtle, scary vocal sounds than something else.

The safest thing to do is stay away from it unless you really think it's key to your piece and it works. There's never a guarantee that a screener won't take a hard line as far as "instrumentals". That could be the screener's opinion and/or their understanding of the listing.

Best,
Casey

[guitarhacker]

I'm thinking it could go either way, depending alot on several factors.

1. the screener

2. the appropriateness of a "non-vocal" vocal in the tune

3. how predominate it is, and is it needed to "make" the song.

As an example I submit much of the music in the Cirque Du Solei Shows. Often there are female or male "vocal parts" in the song but not using words. They play a musical part that no instrument could play. On most of these I consider the vox to be another instrument. go to 2 minutes into the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqF0tPFo ... re=related

On the other hand..... is Clair Torries performance on The Great Gig In The Sky a vocal performance or an instrument? I would say yes, this is a vocal performance, to this one. The song would not stand with out it. (Pinko Floyd's DSOTM) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAydj4OJnwQ

but.... i'm not a screener

[cherbear]

Thanks everyone for the responses - greatly appreciated!

Cher:)