Happy Acoustic Instrumental Cue

[DouglasKnight]

Howdy all!

I'm working on this listing https://www.taxi.com/industry#listing-S230826CU and would welcome any feedback on this track: https://s.disco.ac/szymepbfiiqe

Thanks a lot!
Doug

[AlanHall]

Hi Doug, nice track! Fun, happy, and well-executed. I'd be surprised if you don't get a forward on this

I have comment and two specific suggestions, let's get to it:

I get a little confused as to where the 'one' is when you get into that first B section. I think it has to do with the phrasing and the use of the repeated motif that appears at both the beginning and the the end of the phrases in the A section. That's my comment. It may just be me...
The hard stop at 1:18 sounds a little unnatural on the small PC speakers I'm using here. Maybe there's a ring-out audible on larger speakers, but it sounds like the sound just cuts out in my current environment. Maybe have it be not quite so abrupt?
When the layers enter, let them be a little louder. They're too subtle as is. The piece up until the breakdown sounds almost like a solo guitar. Let it share the soundstage with the other instruments earlier. This may also help delineate where the phrases begin and end. Remember that on my PC speakers I'm not hearing every detail clearly. I assume that many TV and computer users will also be listening on a sub-optimal system.

That's all I've got. Good Luck!

[Casey H]

Nice track. My concern is that banjo is the wrong way to go here, it tilts it away from the target, becomes more folk/bluegrass.

with instrumentation in the general wheelhouse of the references (acoustic guitar, piano, acoustic bass, etc.).

I think for this listing, I'd stick with acoustic guitar and piano as mentioned. Or don't have a banjo be a lead instruments, just a little ear candy in the BG.

JMHO FWIW

Best,
Casey

[DouglasKnight]

Hi Doug, nice track! Fun, happy, and well-executed. I'd be surprised if you don't get a forward on this

I have comment and two specific suggestions, let's get to it:

I get a little confused as to where the 'one' is when you get into that first B section. I think it has to do with the phrasing and the use of the repeated motif that appears at both the beginning and the the end of the phrases in the A section. That's my comment. It may just be me...
The hard stop at 1:18 sounds a little unnatural on the small PC speakers I'm using here. Maybe there's a ring-out audible on larger speakers, but it sounds like the sound just cuts out in my current environment. Maybe have it be not quite so abrupt?
When the layers enter, let them be a little louder. They're too subtle as is. The piece up until the breakdown sounds almost like a solo guitar. Let it share the soundstage with the other instruments earlier. This may also help delineate where the phrases begin and end. Remember that on my PC speakers I'm not hearing every detail clearly. I assume that many TV and computer users will also be listening on a sub-optimal system.

That's all I've got. Good Luck!

Hi Alan! Thanks so much for listening and for the detailed feedback, I really appreciate it! I'm still tweaking this, so it's great to have some fresh ears to point out the opportunities, thanks a million!

[DouglasKnight]

Nice track. My concern is that banjo is the wrong way to go here, it tilts it away from the target, becomes more folk/bluegrass.

with instrumentation in the general wheelhouse of the references (acoustic guitar, piano, acoustic bass, etc.).

I think for this listing, I'd stick with acoustic guitar and piano as mentioned. Or don't have a banjo be a lead instruments, just a little ear candy in the BG.

JMHO FWIW

Best,
Casey

Hey Casey! I really appreciate you listening, and thank you for the suggestion about the banjo. It's featured in one of the refs, but you may be right -- I'll try substituting with piano during the breakdown section. Thanks again!

[Casey H]

Hey Casey! I really appreciate you listening, and thank you for the suggestion about the banjo. It's featured in one of the refs, but you may be right -- I'll try substituting with piano during the breakdown section. Thanks again!

Hey Doug
First I could be totally wrong about banjo.

What is the lead instrument when the track opens? Dobro? I may have referred to that as banjo. What I was trying to say is maybe go with less of a bluegrass/folk sound. You can't go wrong with straight acoustic guitar and piano. Don't give anyone a reason to reject it.

Of course, get some other opinions. As I said, I'm not 100% sure.

Casey

[funsongs]

Howdy all!
I'm working on this listing https://www.taxi.com/industry#listing-S230826CU and would welcome any feedback on this track: https://s.disco.ac/szymepbfiiqe
Thanks a lot!
Doug

After listening, skimming other comments, maybe try:
1) replace the banjo part with mandolin (a real one);
2) and get a real fiddle-player to replace what sounds very MIDI.
If you need help or referrals for either of those, PM me.

[DouglasKnight]

Howdy all!
I'm working on this listing https://www.taxi.com/industry#listing-S230826CU and would welcome any feedback on this track: https://s.disco.ac/szymepbfiiqe
Thanks a lot!
Doug

After listening, skimming other comments, maybe try:
1) replace the banjo part with mandolin (a real one);
2) and get a real fiddle-player to replace what sounds very MIDI.
If you need help or referrals for either of those, PM me.

Thanks for your suggestions and offer for help, I really appreciate it. I've added a mandolin https://s.disco.ac/szymepbfiiqe

[DouglasKnight]

Hey Casey! I really appreciate you listening, and thank you for the suggestion about the banjo. It's featured in one of the refs, but you may be right -- I'll try substituting with piano during the breakdown section. Thanks again!

Hey Doug
First I could be totally wrong about banjo.

What is the lead instrument when the track opens? Dobro? I may have referred to that as banjo. What I was trying to say is maybe go with less of a bluegrass/folk sound. You can't go wrong with straight acoustic guitar and piano. Don't give anyone a reason to reject it.

Of course, get some other opinions. As I said, I'm not 100% sure.

Casey

No, you were correct -- the opening instruments are banjo and ukulele. Yes, it's definitely leaning bluegrass/folky on this one, agreed! It may not work, we'll see....Appreciate your help as always, Casey

[funsongs]

Hey Casey! I really appreciate you listening, and thank you for the suggestion about the banjo. It's featured in one of the refs, but you may be right -- I'll try substituting with piano during the breakdown section. Thanks again!

Hey Doug
First I could be totally wrong about banjo.

What is the lead instrument when the track opens? Dobro? I may have referred to that as banjo. What I was trying to say is maybe go with less of a bluegrass/folk sound. You can't go wrong with straight acoustic guitar and piano. Don't give anyone a reason to reject it.

Of course, get some other opinions. As I said, I'm not 100% sure.

Casey

No, you were correct -- the opening instruments are banjo and ukulele. Yes, it's definitely leaning bluegrass/folky on this one, agreed! It may not work, we'll see....Appreciate your help as always, Casey

IMHO - it doesn't sound 'too much like Bluegrass', from a purest point of view: it definitely has a more commercial vibe to it, particularly with the percussion in there.
Good luck with the submit (forget, rePete) process.