TAXI.com

Some listings ask for Acoustic Guitar/Voice and I was wondering if that is open to interpretation or to put it another way,bend the rules a bit. For example,could you add one or more harmonies to the vocal or maybe if you are strumming the guitar could you add an arpeggio,not to the point where it begins to sound like a band but just some tasteful embellishment or does it have to sound like somebody playing solo live?Michael.

Michael,This might be a better question for TAXI, but I think you'd typically see the word "solo" in a listing where they mean definitely one instrument. If it calls for voice, I doubt that'd exlude harmony vocals, unless it specifically called for "solo voice." If there was any uncertainty, I wouldn't hesitate to call TAXI and tell them what you had in mind for a specific listing.Vince

It might help if you post the exact listing that you're thinking about Michael so we can chime in...being able to decipher each and every listing as a seperate challenge is the key.In general terms though, try to follow the listing as closely as possible...alot of folks post a copy of the listing in the "listings" section of the forum when they're unsure (as I frequently am unsure myself!).If they say "sparse arrangement", then put some extra goodies in. If it says "solo", then "solo" it is. "Han's" down.(OK, that was really lame )

Dec 31, 2008, 9:07am, ideascapes wrote:Michael,This might be a better question for TAXI, but I think you'd typically see the word "solo" in a listing where they mean definitely one instrument. If it calls for voice, I doubt that'd exlude harmony vocals, unless it specifically called for "solo voice." If there was any uncertainty, I wouldn't hesitate to call TAXI and tell them what you had in mind for a specific listing.VinceThanks Vince!

Dec 31, 2008, 9:10am, devin wrote:It might help if you post the exact listing that you're thinking about Michael so we can chime in...being able to decipher each and every listing as a seperate challenge is the key.In general terms though, try to follow the listing as closely as possible...alot of folks post a copy of the listing in the "listings" section of the forum when they're unsure (as I frequently am unsure myself!).If they say "sparse arrangement", then put some extra goodies in. If it says "solo", then "solo" it is. "Han's" down.(OK, that was really lame )Thanks devin,it was more of a generic than specific question but I think I get the idea now.Michael.

I'd say this one is pretty clear. Typically when there is no latitude, they'll let you know.ACOUSTIC SINGER-SONGWRITER SONGS are needed by an established Music Publisher in L.A. who has secured TONS of Film/TV placements for many TAXI members. This Publisher is only looking for songs that are piano/voice or acoustic guitar/voice - NO additional instruments in the track, please! Songs should be original and along the lines of Jeff Buckley, Elliott Smith, Rufus Wainwright, Patrick Wolf, Fiona Apple, Rachael Yamagata, Aimee Mann, Tori Amos, etc. All tempos will be considered for this one, but please be sure that the arrangement is SOLO piano/voice or guitar/voice. Solid performances are necessary and recordings need to be Broadcast Quality (excellent home recordings should be just fine). Male or female vocals are just fine. They offer a non-exclusive, 50/50 split deal - you keep your original copyrights. Please submit one to three songs online or per CD. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI and must be received no later than January 14, 2009. TAXI #S090114SS

well, i cheated--my tune has a very background one note at a time piano, a very out front lead vocal, and an off and on rythm guitar that is way back there too, but i think the style fits perfectly,,,,but alas, so does everything else...the best, good luck to all,warren

Someone should re-post that solo Jimmy Webb version of Wichita Lineman; a classic (and classy) demonstration of a complete arrangement (right down to the "telegraph" lick in the intro) for solo instrument and voice. Yes, arpeggios, a signature riff, anything else you can do on a single instrument to flesh out the song without losing the momentum should be fine, but complex vocal harmonies would probably be a no-no; maybe a single line of harmony, if it's integral to the song. If they're asking for a singer-songwriter demo they just want the bare bones. Most likely the intent would be making a new recording and leaving the (eventual) producer some creative room. (though possibly not for this particular listing-I'm talking in general, here)I prefer this kind of demo myself; I know from years of busking that a song you can put over with just a voice and a guitar will only be that much stronger with a great and creative arrangement/performance. I can't think of any truly great songs that don't stand on their own in this fashion;I suspect that's exactly what they're after.

I'd be very careful with the word "NO additional instruments in the track, please!" I put my head in the screener space, they read this listing breakdown and thats all they got. Now they've got 1000 songs to dwindle down to five, which ones am I pulling first? The ones that have more the ONE SOLO INSTRUMENT and VOCALS. If I've figured one thing out about the screening process its that they can't forward 1000 almost perect songs, they're taking the top few perfect ones and calling it a job well done... If you've got more than one instrument and/or vocals save yourself 5 bucks... '-) wta

heck willie, why save my $5 NOW?????LOL...xoxowarren