Silly question about instrumental versions of songs

[DooWahDiddy]

Okay, so I have the instrumental versions of the songs I've recorded in the studio, which are nothing more than the "karaoke" versions (i.e. the exact same thing I'm submitting otherwise, but with the vocal track taken out). But, when a listing is specifically for an instrumental song (NOT for placement with another artist, just a plain old instrumental song), do you go back in and record another instrument playing the melody over the track? Or do you just leave it as it is, without a melody?

It seems weird to me to do that, with no melody, but at the same time it would be costly to go back into the studio just to layer another instrument over the track. Not to mention figuring out WHICH instrument to use for the melody; do you change it depending on what the listing is asking for? I suppose I could use Garageband at home and create several different melodies over the studio track, but I would think it wouldn't sound very good, mixing GB with a studio recording. What do you guys normally do?

[singer1]

It would depend upon the placement and usage of your 'instrumental'. As a stand alone, it should have some sort of melody to it unless it it used for more of an underscore usage. Hope this helps. D.B.M.


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www.davidbradleymau.com

[DooWahDiddy]

Well yeah, I definitely agree it should have some sort of melody. But I'd love to hear from people about how they make that happen; do you record everything at home, or go into a studio and make different instrumental versions? Do you wait until the listing comes out and tailor it specifically to that (i.e. if it's asking for a "muzak"-y sound you might use a flute or something), or do you have a bunch of files waiting to be used in case they need something in a hurry?

[melodymessiah]

i always record instrumental melody lines on the songs i intend to have vocal on, all the way to the adlibs and backings. just for my own record if nothing else. i usually use sax for male vocal songs and calliope or pan flute for female. music without melodies are to me like girls without tits

[PeterD]

I've learned the hard way that a song bed and instrumental are two different things.

90% of the time, Taxi listings asking for instros are gonna want a lead instrument playing the lead melody. Deciding on a instrument can be difficult. It should compliment the song without drawing too much attention to itself. Think: dialogue over the top.

Good luck!!