Sad Piano and Strings

[karafinman]

This my second version of my song "Sad but True". https://soundcloud.com/user-913241419/s ... 32d91b06f7

Please comment on it for listing

SAD STRINGS & PIANO INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a Music Licensing Company with a large list of placements in Films, TV Commercials, and A-List TV Shows.

NOTE: This Company has signed lots of TAXI members over many years and nailed down lots of placements for them!

This Company is looking for Instrumental Cues that could be found on a playlist with the following references:

"Reflections" by Toshifumi Hinata

"Je te laisserai des mots" by Patrick Watson

"Experience" by Ludovico Einaudi & Daniel Hope

Although one of the references has vocals, please submit Instrumental Cues only for this pitch.

Please submit modern Piano and String Instrumental Cues that could pull at the listeners' heartstrings. Craft your Cues around a singular motif, and create a sense of forward momentum and dynamics by layering instrumentation in and out as they progress. If you plan on using virtual piano or string instruments, they should sound like the real thing and not dated, stiff, or obviously MIDI-driven. Please be sure that your production is high-quality and current-sounding, as well.

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.

[johndalenow]

Your writing is wonderful. The sound of the piano is "spot-on." To improve the overall presentation I would add considerably more modulations and expression to the strings, especially when first heard by the bass and cello, but careful not to push the limits to the "schmaltzy." All that said, it's a brilliant piece and certainly conveys the sadness requested. Best of luck! John

[johndalenow]

Earlier, I forgot to mention backing-off the volume of the basses during the ending of the piece. That kinda jumped-out at me. Best!

[karafinman]

Thanks so much, John. I'm a little rusty on some things after laying off the DAW for a while. I have a StudioLogic controller. Do I have to go in and tell the "stick" (it's a a stick rather than a wheel), what to adjust? It defaults to modulation. Or I guess I can write in the modulation but that's harder to get accurately.

[karafinman]

Attempt with expression. Any good?

https://soundcloud.com/user-913241419/s ... d268bf64f9

[johndalenow]

Attempt with expression. Any good?

https://soundcloud.com/user-913241419/s ... d268bf64f9

Now the strings are much too "distant." Maybe go back to the original and "play" with writing-in the modulation and expression on the longer held notes. I know that can be tedious but your overall work deserves the extra attention and effort. It's THAT good. All the best! John

[johndalenow]

Your creative use of suspensions is most impressive. Consider making an adjustment to the last ending chord, when the basses re-enter. It just seems unnecessary and a bit out of character for the rest of the piece. I wish you the best with this. It's very good. John