Here's the context.
The call was
https://www.taxi.com/listings/S210720BR
Quick summary is:
LIGHT & BRIGHT PIZZICATO INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a very successful boutique Music Library that's distributed by Universal and has tons of credits in Big Films, Countless TV Shows, and Commercials!
Quoting the Library: "We do NOT want the 'usual' whimsical, curious mood & feel here – your Cues should be light, bright, positive... So, emotionally upbeat but without the usual emphasis on 'curiosity' that these types of Cues sometimes have. Pizzicato should be the focus, accompanied by other suitable, organic instruments like mallets, vibraphone, light percussion, etc. Consistency and being background-friendly is key, while also having a great, sophisticated motif."
Please submit polished Instrumental Cues that feature Pizzicato string instrumentation. Craft your Cues around a singular motif, and create a sense of dynamics and forward momentum by layering instrumentation in and out as they progress. Your production should be high-quality, and any virtual instruments or samples you use should sound like the real thing and not stiff, synthetic, or MIDI-driven.
(NOTE: Examples Frou Frou and Needle and Thread are still there for reference)
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I submitted : https://www.taxi.com/my/artist/songs/xN ... tive-pitzy
(note: Prior to submitting, I received several bits of great feedback in the peer2peer forum so I felt comfortable that at least a few sets of ears had heard it and gave it a general thumbs up. [see bright-pizzicato-instrumental-t147832.html]) I won't lie, I really felt that I had knocked this one out of the park... (don't we all always... ;P)
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The review came back:
I like this title, ...
... but don't feel it's accurately reflected in this cue. The 'light and bright' vibe is accomplished much better with primarily ascending lines rather than many descending lines.
--- client supplied references the overall arch and melodic figures are ascending, leading to a brighter, more positive overall vibe.
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The Question(s)
So, I went back and re-listened to the samples and to my submission to try and analyze and I just don't really hear the ascending vs. descending difference between the three.
I am perhaps not a music theory expert and am not doubting the review or trying to be difficult, I simply do not understand what it is saying musically. Do they mean ascending lines as in progressively going up in pitch to higher notes? In individual phrases? or are we talking about the base of the root chords?, the instrumentation itself (e.g. Needle and Thread works up the register over time by adding various instruments)?, the general note range of the phrase that's playing? Something else? After listening to the three side by side, I still can't hear it.
Generally, I read the review as saying that - because of these 'descending lines,' the submission was not sufficiently 'light or bright' or 'positive' enough for the client. Ironically, I think I would have understood the review better if they had said that mine was TOO positive... (especially compared to 'Needle and Thread!') Am I really that off mood-wise?
...They really ONLY liked the title...? (it was a good title though... and I stand by it! ;P)
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Anywho - Not overly worried about the return - just want to be able to do better next time! Can anyone interpret/help? (ps. Thanks in advance!)
