Huh...kinda surprised at this return...thoughts?

[coxnvox]

Even the brief critique doesn't really have the language of a return. It has more the language of a "forward but could be a little better" in my experience. Would love your feedback. Thanks!

https://soundcloud.com/kerry-cox-9/shootin-the-stick

PERCUSSION-BASED INSTRUMENTAL TRACKS for TV COMMERCIALS and TRAILERS CUES are needed by a successful, globally distributed Music Library that has a great track record of cool placements in Films, TV shows, and TV Commercials. They’re looking for Percussion-based Cues that can range from quirky and mischievous, to playful, sneaky, or quizzical sounding. Please listen to the following references to get in the stylistic wheelhouse of what they’re looking for: Activia Percussion Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3ufOOkbR_8 Boulevard Brewing TV Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNlfYcn-BS4 Quicksilver TV Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70y-TIubx7o Please submit rhythmically engaging pieces that are primarily driven by percussive elements, including (but not limited to) Stomps, Kicks, Claps, Slaps, Snaps, Taps, and Bangs. You can send them World/Ethnic percussion pieces, Marching/Drumline pieces, Mechanical/Industrial-sounding pieces, pieces that are created using pots, pans, forks, and knives, or organic, woodsy-sounding pieces with drums, gourds, hollowed out logs, etc. Use your imagination and send them Percussive Instrumentals that really punch through and feel like they’d have a lot of impact in a TV commercial (or possibly in a Film Trailer.) Be careful to stick to just one emotion and pattern throughout your piece. Don’t compose different “scenes.” Possible emotions, feelings, and vibes: Uplifting, energetic, action-oriented, tension-based, foreboding, etc. Different types of Tracks for different applications! Note: You can include minimal instrumentation or you can send Tracks that ONLY have percussion. If you add instruments, please remember that more is less! Resist the urge to throw in the kitchen sink!! TAXI Tip: If you’re thinking of using Virtual Instruments or samples, we’d suggest adding some real, organic sounds (drums, percussion, etc.) for requests like this. That can often be the thing that makes your music stand out from the rest!

"The intro works. The percussive elements here work in many areas, though I feel more "handmade" and real percussion performances could be added and less of an emphasis could be made by the harmonic/melodic instruments to keep the focus on the drums/percussion and the dynamics."

[andygabrys]

To me:

"The intro works.

Good start with the right "tone".

The percussive elements here work in many areas

Meaning the sounds are a good choice.

I feel more "handmade" and real percussion performances could be added

Things started good but good old fast as it didn't build much on the initial motifs - and could have really either got denser with other cross rhythms or could have been doubled with lots of interesting sounds

less of an emphasis could be made by the harmonic/melodic instruments to keep the focus on the drums/percussion and the dynamics."

Meaning although the third ref had a low string / synth note or pad that just underpinned the piece, the emphasis was on the drums / percussion on top. And if you listen to the first two refs, the emphasis was on the percussion and drums - which to me is a sign of what they really wanted. Percussion and drums.

Yours had the melodic content come in as a layer and it was higher in register so it sounded like a melody instead of a pedal tone underneath. It started as short notes around 0:30 and could have been another drum doing those accents instead of going to instruments there.

[coxnvox]

Thanks, Andy...I think you nailed it exactly. Extremely helpful!