What is Muzak style

[jakito]

Any views on what is meant by "instrumentals must have a Muzak style" in the listing below published today? I assume they should be light on dramatic elements, heavy drum hits, heavy metal chops etc. but what about genre preferences/limitations? - I have been to muzak sites and I saw more genres represented there than I expected ... What about production? - should it be more quiet and with less dynamics or will the muzak providers post-produce/master the songs themselves for consistency and fit? Any do's and don'ts?
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MUZAK INSTRUMENTALS needed by a Music Publisher who has signed and placed tons of TAXI songs in various Film/TV projects. Original compositions only and instrumentals must have a Muzak style. Performances must be top-notch!

[mazz]

My guess would be the classic "elevator music" sound of 50s, 60s and 70s style Muzak. Think of the first time you heard a Beatles tune when you were shopping at Macy's, how the melody was played by strings or an organ and it was all happy and peppy sounding, and not very hip!

But that's just my interpretation, a call to TAXI to clarify is always an option, and a good one!

Mazz

[CharlieErnst]

I agree with Mazz. I once had a song that was played on Muzak only after I got rid of a lot of the syncopations in the melody...all that re-recording and I think I almost made a dollar in that deal! That was in the 80's though.

[Casey H]

When I think of Muzak I think of popular songs played as soft intstrumentals like a Beatles song played by strings. Years ago I remember just about every pop or rock song had a Muzak version and we used to joke about whether songs like "Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zep would be done as Muzak. You hear Muzak in malls, restaurants, elevators (hence the term "elevator music"), dentist's offices, on the phone when on hold, etc.

This sums it up well...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elevator_music

Casey

[mazz]

I sent a request to TAXI for clarification on this listing.

My gut feeling is they mean "Elevator Music", but let's get it straight from the source!

Mazz

[mazz]

Just got the confirmation from TAXI that what they are indeed looking for is the "elevator music" flavor of Muzak!

Woo Hoo, I love doing that stuff! (and I admit it! )

Mazz

[Casey H]

I think you're supposed to leave out the part with "3rd floor... Men's Clothing, Small Appliances, Home Furnishings"...

[kclements]

Hi - What do you all think about the length of the instrumentals? I am thinking between 2 to 3 minutes, would you all agree?

Thanks

[mazz]

Yes, I would agree. Close to 2 minutes is a good length, IMO.

[bobadohshe]

I'm glad you investigated that MAZZ.

I just had some smooth jazz picked up by the Company MUZAK, and it's a far cry from the 'elevator music' sound, so I'm glad I didn't go down that road.

Mellow background music, here we come!