down but *not* out

[hummingbird]

Well, I keep getting knocked down but they can't get me to quit!! The one thing I do notice in my critiques is that I am getting closer to the bar. Yesterday's return said the submission was on target and was well-recorded, and had no comments about sounds being midi-like or not sounding real!! The reason it was returned was it had no button ending, and the screener felt that there should be more of a melody line ("there can be a bit more in the way of a repeating melodic "hook" or tag here as a "payoff melody"").That means to me that this would be a perfect "soundbed / no prominent melody" submission. Should I work on the button ending thing? It's just a cymbal that quickly fades.And one other question, up to now I've been creating instrumentals at what ever length they end up being... I'm starting to wonder if I should aim for :29 or :59 ... 2:59 - or does that matter? This one, for example, is 1:10Hummin'birdPS - The return washttp://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_id=66319&stream=true

[matto]

Quote:The reason it was returned was it had no button ending, and the screener felt that there should be more of a melody line ("there can be a bit more in the way of a repeating melodic "hook" or tag here as a "payoff melody"").That means to me that this would be a perfect "soundbed / no prominent melody" submission.I agree with the screener, an interesting melody would give this track a lot more appeal. It's not really a real "bed" track either due to the prominent trumpet figure. That little motif *is* a melodic figure, but just not enough to hold the listeners interest. Btw, what listing did you submit this to?Quote:Should I work on the button ending thing? It's just a cymbal that quickly fades.The problem is the cymbal hits after the horns, which gives the impression of an "undefined" ending. I would have a little more of a build towards the end and have everything hit at the same time on one final note/chord. The reason for the build is, in a good button ending you usually prepare the ear for the ending...you employ musical devices that lead the listener to "expect" the ending. Yours comes unexpected and along with the late hitting cymbal gives the effect of the song "fizzling out".Quote:And one other question, up to now I've been creating instrumentals at what ever length they end up being... I'm starting to wonder if I should aim for :29 or :59 ... 2:59 - or does that matter? This one, for example, is 1:10The VAST majority of stuff I do has arbitray lengths, preferrably between about 1:30 to 2:30. If "promo edits" (:10, :15, :30, :60) are required, more often than not the library will do them. If you know ahead of time that they are required, you may want to think about accomodating that as you write. But for all regular submissions or compositions, I never think about that. And of course 2:59 would make no sense whatsoever, since there is no 180s promo edit. That would be one heck of a long commercial...

[hummingbird]

Thank you very much for that critique Matt. In particular, your explanation of how to end this more appropriately. I see what you mean about the melody as well. The listing was...The Owner of a new Music Library needs a wide range of high-energy DRAMA INSTRUMENTALS (no vocals) for ACTION/CHASE SCENES for use in film/TV/commercials, etc. This production music veteran signed dozens of TAXI writers to his previous company, and wants to repeat that same type of success with this new venture. He needs tracks with button ending - no fade-outs. I'm glad the screener felt the submission was on target, because I wasn't sure.