Is this Romantic?

[vicky]

Hey there,just wondering if anyone thinks these songs sound romantic?I've gotten quite a few "wrong for listing" returns......I thought I'd ask you all before I submit this time.... songs:Born ToTokyohttp://taxi.com/vickythebassplayerThanks so much,Vicky

[ibanez468]

Hey Vick,As I mentioned in a previous post, I'm no good at determining whether a song is "romantic" sounding or not. But from what I heard (and I did get to hear them this time) they may not be on target. I don't know. They sound jazzy. And they sound really good! I don't know if they're romantic though. But check this link out, and listen to some styles of "romantic" pieces. This may not be what you're looking to hear, but at least it'll give you an idea of what's "considered" romantic. Listening to some of these pieces, I have a little better understanding myself now. Hope this helps. Takes a little while to download, so be patient.http://music.booseytracks.com/search/ht ... cibanez468

[ibanez468]

Hey Vickytbp, After listening to about a dozen or so pieces from the link, I've come to the conclusion that your pieces may be a little too "upbeat". Everything I heard was of a real laid-back, down tempo nature. Slow, and soothing type stuff. However, there were a few different ranges of styles. Mostly I heard orchestral stuff. But there were a few jazz pieces, and I even ran across a pop-like instrumental. But there again, they were all slow, relaxed, ballad-type pieces. But in any event, good reference material. I made sure to bookmark that website. Hope this helps. Maybe others can chime in and give you their thoughts.ibanez468

[dcostello]

Vicki,Interesting sounds. I have a pretty diversified background and would consider both of those songs more quasi avant-garde jazz to me. Interesting textures (need a little better mix though).However, the first 30 seconds of Tokyo and first 40 seconds of Born to would be really cool grooves for TV commercials. As far as romantic - not really, sorry.Love your bass playing though!! Hope you are gigging somewhere....Dave Costellohttp://www.soundclick.com/davecostellohttp://4 ... /29546.htm

[matto]

Vicky,I always advise people to think about the application first. Because when a music library is looking for "romantic" instrumentals, they're looking for music that, to most people, would invoke romantic feelings or underscore a romantic setting. Now think about some typical romantic scenes you'd find in movies or TV shows...a couple sitting by the fireplace in a cozy cabin...lovers on the beach at sunset...a man and woman finally falling into each others' arms after months of separation...a dinner by candle light...Would you expect to hear "Born To" or "Tokyo" playing in the background of such a movie or tv scene? I certainly wouldn't.So what you have to give them for a listing like this is something that you WOULD expect to hear in such scenes. HTH,matto

[vicky]

Thanks for the input....and $10 savings.....ibanez468 ...that link is very cool to have,,,,,,Dave....I'm really clueless if this seems avante-guard....you wouldn't believe the sections I edited out....All I left were the actual written melodies...When I joined Taxi....I was more disillusioned than I am now.....thanks to you all....I thought I would be waiting for listings that fit my music, and most of my music would fit the listings....this isn't so true..after about 10 "wrong for listing"..last year I went 6 months without a listing that looked right...I guess I'm asking....are most of you writing for a listing....or writing and then waiting for a listing?.....I'm what I refer to as a 'life-er" meaning music is the only thing I know how to do, so no matter what, I'm here to stay.....I've spent at least 20 hours in the last 2 days on an electronica piece I'm writing specifically for a listing....Is it against the forum rules to tell people how much money they are making? (in most professions that's a no-no)I'm not ashamed to tell you that I'm in this partly for the money.....I play bass for a living and do fairly well; but I want to buy a house in the next 10 years.....if I get good at this composing can it happen? Am I totally dreaming.....how many of you out there are making good money.....all my research shows that if you stick with it..get really good....it's very possible....I'll say it again.....I'm learning so much so fast; this forum is most valuable thing I've seen so far....Thanks for the input...Vickyps I'm in no way shape or form complaining about Taxi....

[mazz]

Vicky,Last year I mostly wrote specifically for listings. I made the decision that in order to expand my catalog, I was going to use the listings to inspire and motivate me to write. Writing for listings also helped me practice my "writing on command" chops, which are chops you need to have in order to make a living as a library/Film/TV composer.Unless you already naturally write music that is considered library music, it's a skill that needs to be learned and honed. Part of that skill is what matto has been urging us all to do which is master the art of interpreting the listing. This is great practice for the world outside of TAXI which isn't usually as detailed in it's descriptions.As has been discussed at length in other posts (but bears repeating, IMO), sometimes it's really not about the music but about the application the music will be used for. The music may, when viewed strictly as music, not stand on it's own and may not even be particularly "good" music, but if it fits the application, then it's great music in the eyes of the client (who is also the one writing the checks!!)As a fellow lifer (with a day gig right now) who has studied every aspect of music intensely, it's sometimes discouraging not to be able to use all those chops in a piece of music, but part of the art of composing, IMO, is learning how to use those chops to serve the musical as well as dramatic/comedic/etc. purposes and when to hang back. It's an ongoing dance for me and a delicate balance.I'm not advocating lowering your standards, I'm just saying that this business of library/film/tv music is a different animal and if you keep at it, you'll tame the beast. You've got the chops already, it's just learning a new set of changes.Blessings,Mazz

[vicky]

great!!!!great info.....Michael....it seems that writing all the ways works....Mazz....There's nothing better than taming the beast!!!! also...There's a world beyond Taxi?? I haven't even started to think about that yet.... Matto.....very practical advice is very easy to apply.I am used to writing for a band, but that seems to be tough if you really want to crank out recordings.....it seems like being a Self-Contained-Recording-Machine is the norm here.....I'm definitely a dreamer personality type....I'll keep thinking how possible all this is....I even played the keyboard part on my latest (trying to quit the midi)...you guys are great.....it's noon...I have at least 12 hours to work on my electronica....Vicky

[hummingbird]

Quote:Thanks for the input....and $10 savings.....ibanez468 ...that link is very cool to have,,,,,,Dave....I'm really clueless if this seems avante-guard....you wouldn't believe the sections I edited out....All I left were the actual written melodies...When I joined Taxi....I was more disillusioned than I am now.....thanks to you all....I thought I would be waiting for listings that fit my music, and most of my music would fit the listings....this isn't so true..after about 10 "wrong for listing"..last year I went 6 months without a listing that looked right...I guess I'm asking....are most of you writing for a listing....or writing and then waiting for a listing?.....I'm what I refer to as a 'life-er" meaning music is the only thing I know how to do, so no matter what, I'm here to stay.....I've spent at least 20 hours in the last 2 days on an electronica piece I'm writing specifically for a listing....Is it against the forum rules to tell people how much money they are making? (in most professions that's a no-no)I'm not ashamed to tell you that I'm in this partly for the money.....I play bass for a living and do fairly well; but I want to buy a house in the next 10 years.....if I get good at this composing can it happen? Am I totally dreaming.....how many of you out there are making good money.....all my research shows that if you stick with it..get really good....it's very possible....I'll say it again.....I'm learning so much so fast; this forum is most valuable thing I've seen so far....Thanks for the input...Vickyps I'm in no way shape or form complaining about Taxi....Vicky, I began my Taxi journey with songs I wanted the listings to fit. It took me awhile (and a new computer) to be able to produce music for the listings. So what I do now is, I choose listings that I feel I can produce music for, and I work on that music. If I don't make the deadline, I know similar listings will come up but now I have something I can work on completing. If I make the deadline, but get a return, then with the help of the screener & forum members I try to rework the piece so it is acceptable. If I get a forward, then that piece goes in my 'forwardable catalogue' collection for future listings of that type. Working to the listings means, on any given day, there are several pieces of music I could be creating, crafting, or polishing off. Keeps me busy & out of mischief and I enjoy the challenge. In one way, you could think of the listings as being an 'assignment'. Several people here write 'music for hire' or have been commissioned to write music... and they have 'a la's and descriptions and deadlines to meet. So writing for the listings is good practice for the day someone calls up and says... 'can you write another one of your avant guarde jazz pieces for this indie film'?I listened to both pieces and they are very interesting musically & well-produced, but definitely IMO not romantic. cheersHummin'bird (ViKkI)

[ibanez468]

Quote:When I joined Taxi....I was more disillusioned than I am now........Same here Vicky. But I was quickly awakened from that state of mind after a few returns, and said to myself "whoa, what's goin' on here?" But I was determined, and still am, to try and get it "right". And when that first forward came, and I figured out why it may have gotten forwarded, then I had to re-think my strategy. I can definitely say after reading all of the posts, and all of the comments from the seasoned veterans, that I truly get it! How well I apply that information, well that's another story. But I get it! And that's the most important thing. My chances will be alot better just listening to them. No sense in arguing with folks that have been doin' this on a regular basis, and then I come along and decide to disagree. The fact of the matter is, they know more than me, and if I want any success, it'd be in my best interest to listen and not argue (and I'm not directing any of this at you, per se). I read in a book that I have that says: If you want the same type of success that successful people have, then do what successful people DO! Simple emulation. Such an easy concept, but oftentimes, difficult for some us to do, or accept. Sorry to carry on like this. I'm done!!