Mid-Tempo INSTRUMENTAL TRACK for 30 second TV spot

[CJW]

Sounds like it would do it to me... but don't they want vocal for the last 4 notes?

My understanding is If they like it they will supply the lyric for the vocal.

[CJW]

I wonder is it still considered "button ending" if the song's last chord rings out a few seconds?

I was wondering that too. I shaved two seconds off the front end so the last chord would fit.

[dynamicalan]

I have the same question about a hard stop ending and the 4 vocal notes a Capella.
I am not sure what us meant by no Kanye unless we're talking about Kanye West.

[dynamicalan]

I was wondering if the ring can last after the 30 second mark. Are we talking about contemporary Pop/Indie Rock? It doesn't say contemporary.

[mrbobolina]

My guess is that there's going to be quite a few (that's an understatement) submissions for this. The screener is an agency rep so we're all guessing as to the "exact" criteria they will be judging on. I submitted songs to the infamous SOUP commercial listing a couple of years ago and I spent way too much time on instrumentation, etc. I've created 3 songs for this, all at different tempos and different keys and different styles. I tried to keep it simple but I do have variations as far as the 4 note endings. Anyway, a link to my Taxi page is below if you have a minute to listen, I'd appreciate your thoughts. The 3 songs are: NY Ad#1,2 & 3. I really like your submission CJW. I hope others will post...

http://www.taximusic.com/hosting/home.php?userid=me

[dynamicalan]

So, do I understand it's not screened by a Taxi screener but by a agency rep? It's hard for me to hear Pop/Indie Rock being lite or medium. Also, I'm thinking "no ukulele tracks" may mean something besides the instrument. If it starts out acoustic but simple this be tricky.

[CHuckmott]

I don't know that necessarily they want the part sung....what would you sing? Just the notes.....?

[dynamicalan]

I thought they meant da's or la's.

[CHuckmott]

May want to write for clarification...chord ring out is probably fine, according to another thread ring out often preferable. Obviously can't sing "State Farm Is there" so.....if not I have one I could trim down for this.

[andygabrys]

a chord ringing out is only fine if its totally out and sounds natural to disappear by 0:30. remember this is a 0:30 commercial. they don't make 0:32 or 0:34 commercials. they get cut. so I would save yourself the heartache of making a slightly longer song and having to edit it later. do the editing now and learn to hear it as a 0:30 spot.

A button ending / ending hit with a fade is pretty much the same thing. But that differentiates it from a "fade" ending.

Kanye does refer to Kanye West. They want it to be hip (cause no agency person would like to be connected with a pitch that wasn't "hip") but they don't want it "hip-hop" or too edgy. which is why the middle of the road instrumentation.

by the same, yes its contemporary Pop Rock.

they have actually given you specifics on a number of different things to create your piece. Most commercials have something happening new every couple of bars. Something to help it build and my guess is this is that kind of spot. building to an almost Anthemic ending.

0:00 acoustic guitar and piano in Pop/rock style. add clean electrics as a layer. add drums and bass as a layer
0:14 heavier chords or distorted guitar - what ever you don't do at 0:14 can come as a layer later.
0:27 mnemonic with the 4th note sustained and emphasized (likely your last chord on the same note).
0:30 totally out here, and with a usable natural sounding fade on the sustain after the last hit.

I hope that makes sense. that is what I am going with.

I don't think there is any indication that you need to sing the mnemonic. Just give them the melody, and then if they like it, like it says in the brief, they will make you sign paper, and then give you the syllables, then you will need to get the right voice on there.