Piano and Strings - Feedback

[RMarshall]

Hi all

A new attempt.

I would really appreciate some feedback on another attempt at this sad piano and strings brief. The melody I hope is not complicated, but clearer than previous attempts, the strings sat lower to let the mix breathe and the length is shorter, at 2:07.

Is the mix a bit muddy? My thoughts so far but not sure how to fix.
Is the beginning of the piece too syncopated in the violin? or does this not matter as much in this context?

https://soundcloud.com/rachel-marshall- ... 8/tomorrow



SAD PIANO & STRINGS INSTRUMENTALS are needed by a Music Licensing Company that's secured tons of great placements with Major Network TV Shows, Films, Commercials, and Video Games. This Company has signed many TAXI members over many years and has garnered lots of placements for them!

They're on the hunt for melancholy Instrumentals in the general stylistic ballpark of the following references:

"Musica Universalis" by Daniel Hope
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6d0FVW ... e=youtu.be

"Immortal, Universal" by Alex Baranowski
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMGkgya ... e=youtu.be

"irreplaceable (orchestral)" by Chad Lawson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tut4DBy ... e=youtu.be

Send them emotionally moving Instrumental Cues that utilize Piano and Strings as their only instrumentation and conjure up feelings of sadness and sorrow. Your submissions should have wistful melodies, top-notch instrumentation, and engaging arrangements with plenty of dynamics, forward motion, and interest. Please be sure your production is polished and any virtual piano or string instruments you may choose to use are realistic sounding and state-of-the-art.

TAXI Tip: We suggest trying to keep your submissions on the simpler side, melodically. Your job is more about establishing a melancholy mood rather than winning "Composer of the Year"!

Submissions should be about 2 minutes long, give or take, and have non-faded, buttoned/stinger endings. Do NOT copy the references in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for tempo, tone, and overall vibe. Broadcast Quality is needed.

This company offers an EXCLUSIVE deal. You’ll split all upfront sync fees 50/50. They’ll get 100% of the Publisher’s share, and you’ll keep 100% of the Writer’s share. You must own or control your Master and Copyright. Since this is an EXCLUSIVE deal, please be sure the material you submit for this pitch is NOT already signed with other Libraries or Catalogs. Please send as many Instrumentals as you’d like, online or per CD. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI. All Submissions must be received no later than 11:59 PM (PST) on Wednesday, January 25th, 2023. TAXI # S230125NO

[Telefunkin]

Hi, just some more opinions to take or leave as you see fit....

I think your composition is rather beautiful. It feels a little as if there's some impatience to get all the players in place in the early part though. For example, you might delay the violin entry until 18s, and then introduce the supporting strings more gently at 34s so they creep in rather than jumping in abruptly, and the whole thing builds more sedately. Also, I think it would nice to soften the ending slightly so its just a little less abrupt and really maximises the emotion. Other than that I think its very good indeed. Some might agree with you that there's a slight tubby-ness to the mix but I like it as it is. I hope you get some other comments to help you make the best choices though.

Best of luck with the submission .

[RMarshall]

Hi Graham

Thanks so much again for listening and taking the time to reply. Really appreciate it.


I thought so too, listening back this morning. I’ll delay the entry of the violin, and also fade in the lower strings. I was going for a button ending at the… ending(!)

If I make this more subtle will this still be suitable?

[Telefunkin]

A buttoned ending is a definite composed ending, as opposed to a fade out whilst the music keeps playing (because a TV editor could do that themselves). You already have that and its fine. However, I just think that a little more subtle musical and natural conclusion might help the emotion in this case, like you might hear accompanying the end of a sad scene or emotional event on TV. It would still be suitable if you did that, but the choice is yours.

[StevenE]

Hi I listened to your beautiful piece and the references and I think it fits as a good submission to the listing.
I also read telefunkin's reply. I agree with that reply.
I am new to forum and have not posted much.
since you are submitting "for Sentimental Piano" perhaps you could comment on my submission for the "sentimental guitar" listing below.

My recording is just a first sketch not a finished recording.

https://soundcloud.com/user-168761198/t ... al_sharing

My question is, does my composition work for the listing?
Thanks for any reply.

StevenE




SENTIMENTAL GUITAR INSTRUMENTALS and/or INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by an International Music Library with lots of great placements in Film and TV.

This Library is on the lookout for several Instrumentals (or Cues) in the general stylistic wheelhouse of the following references:

Undercover Boss (from 2:02 - 2:25)

Undercover Boss (from 0:56 - 1:46)

Undercover Boss (from 2:56 - 3:35)

Undercover Boss (from 1:50 - 2:26)

Please send them well-composed Guitar-based Instrumentals (or Cues) that could help add emotional impact to a sentimental scene in Reality TV shows like Undercover Boss. Your submissions should have soothing motifs, solid arrangements, and plenty of dynamics, forward motion, and interest. Acoustic or electric guitar-based instrumentation in the general wheelhouse of the references will work best for this request. Incorporating some additional instrumentation like strings or pads could work as well, just be sure the additional production is used minimally and the guitar is the focal element. Your production should be polished and any virtual sounds or samples you use need to be high-quality and fresh.

Your submissions should be roughly 90 Seconds long for Cues, and about 2 to 4 minutes long for Instrumentals, give or take. Non-faded, buttoned/stinger endings will work best. Do NOT copy the referenced music in any way, shape, or form. Use it only as a general guide for tempo, texture, tone, and overall vibe. Do not submit any material with unauthorized samples of other artists’ Songs, sounds, or any other form of media. Broadcast Quality is needed.

TAXI Tip: This Library is looking for a LOT of material in this genre, so if this style is your forte, go ahead and submit multiple pieces to this listing!

This company offers an EXCLUSIVE deal, so please be sure the Instrumentals or Cues you pitch for this opportunity are NOT already signed with any other Companies or Catalogs. Any sync fees will be split 50/50 with the Company. You'll get 100% of the Writer's share, and the Publisher will get 100% of the Publisher's share. You must own or control your Master and Copyright to submit. Please submit as many Instrumentals or Cues as you'd like, online or per CD. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI. Submissions must be received no later than 11:59 PM (PST) on Wednesday, February 8th, 2023. TAXI # S230208AR