TAXI.com

Hi

Anyone has some advice on how the structure of an instrumental should be for a library?
should it be like a song, ABACA etc. or should it stay on the same motive and just develop, give different variations on the main theme?
I am talking mainly about rock and orchestral.

Thanks a lot!

Simple is best, variations on a theme or at most an added B section.

eo

Very short, or no intro at all.

Same motif throughout, adding and sometimes subtracting layers of new instruments as it develops.

Builds and drops that lend themselves to easy edit points are always a good idea.

Buttoned endings, usually on the root.

Simple, and not too busy. They're not looking for virtuoso composers so much as music that often lays under dialog or voice over well.

Unless otherwise specified, 2 minutes is a good average length.

Sound natural/organic, and avoid sounding like a one man band that's stiff and obviously MIDI driven (unless the genre is something like Techno).

Orchestral and Rock cues might be different in the items on this list that apply, so go to the Forward section of the Forum to listen to what your fellow members have had forwards with.

Knowing how to do stems (submixes) is important for some/many libraries

Hope this helps,
Michael

thanks!

Thank you Hector/Catherine,

I just would like to get more focused on the library needs, I have a feeling that I am being too complex with my music...
but on the other hand, if you just loop it and make some variations, it could get boring and will not pass the first screening...
I had a response on a surf rock I did, "Sunblock Dance" on my taxi page, that it repeats too much and sounds like an improvisation, as opposed to "Hasidic Waves" and "Tanning Delusions" which were forwarded.. so I think there is also a consideration to make about the first impression and that it will not be too boring and static.
in all of those there's a B section.

anyway, more advice on this subject will be much appreciated!

In addition to all the great advice already given...

Read listings very carefully because what different libraries prefer does vary some. The same goes for custom requests from libraries as you build relationships.

But when you are working to fill up your catalog with instrumentals, the general guidelines are right on the money.

I've done some pure instrumental tracks in ABA format and they've placed on TV.

Good luck!
Casey