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I would love any fresh ears/feedback on this attempt at String music.

Please let me know if anything sticks out to you in this piece. Here is the listing target:

LIGHT-HEARTED STRING QUARTET INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a NON-Exclusive Music Library that loves what they’ve been getting from TAXI Members. They’re really eager to find some emotionally upbeat Mid-Tempo Instrumental Cues that would fall in the general stylistic wheelhouse of the following references:

“XYZAL” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FE6L1XDdsrg
“The Little Couple” (:00 to :25) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSnuEbcaOY0
"Vytorin Ad" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBfWybm0218

Please submit light-hearted Cues that could work for warm, friendly, happy, or funny scenes in TV Commercials and/or Reality TV shows. Feel good Cues that sound like they’re being played by a real string quartet using real instruments should do the trick! Dated or poor samples (or Virtual Instruments) won’t impress this company, so break out the good stuff and give it some TLC to make it sound real. Adding another instrument (like a flute, for instance) is totally fine, as long as the quartet is the main attraction.

Giving your piece a nice arc (short, or no intro, build it up, break it down, build it back up… you know the drill) should make it appealing. If your Cues can be edited into 30-second pieces that could potentially stand alone in a TV commercial that would be awesome! But, think of that as icing on the cake. It’s not absolutely necessary to get your Cue forwarded. You’d be smart to stick to a simple, central motif from top to bottom, and avoid submitting anything that’s frenetic or overly busy for this pitch, as it could distract from a scenes dialogue.

Please submit Instrumental Cues that are at least 2 minutes in length. Short intros, or no intro at all, easy edit points and non-faded, buttoned/stinger endings are strongly recommended for this pitch.

Here's my track!

https://soundcloud.com/fullertime/her-majestys-tea-time

Thanks all!!!

Fuller

Not really an authentic string quartet but neither are the examples they provided. But your cue I think fits the examples very well and would be very close to what they want, especially with the pizzicato strings section. Just my 2 cents, honest.

Definitely lighthearted, Fuller.
I like your changeups, but not really sure about the timpani.
You might have a better chance submitting it as a straight quartet without the harp and percussion.
My other thought is the reference tracks have a much quicker tempo.
Your track seemed more stately, like something played at a ball.
Regardless, I'd go ahead and submit it.


Henry

Thanks Guys!

Henry, I am contemplating submitting one version with and one without the percussion... hmmmm... Never done that before ...

Blessings,

Fuller

Mix-wise, I think it's worth mentioning that your tympani appear to be in a way bigger space than your chamber strings.I'd keep them in though, cuz they're bringing the dramedy and the harp flourishes are a nice touch, imo. Something about the exposed bow attacks early in the piece bothered me though; maybe a lack of legato note transitions or maybe they're just a smidge too dry and close. The writing is terrific and absolutely nails the target vibe, imo. The tempo's slower yes, but the Vytorin ad definitely had percussion, though mostly in a really high register. I noticed all three a las had a lot less going on in the midrange, to leave room for voiceover/dialog.

Thanks for the detailed feedback Mojo!

I took your advice and put all the instrument sin the same room with VSL MIR... I meant to do that originally and totally forgot during mix down. I also smoothed out the opening spicatto parts a bit. Appreciate the advice!!!

Fuller

Sounds nice! I don't know if it's what they're looking for exactly, but it definitely fits your title.

I think composition wise, the cue is on target. The theme sounds good, and won't too intrusive on dialogue (not more than the references anyway).

The string performance in the beginning threw me a little. I think you need to use the staccato articulation for some of the notes, so it would be a mix of staccato and spiccato.
The percussion might also be a little too bombastic and wet, compared to the references. I think you might still want to tone it down a touch, so the overall impression of the cue will be lighter.

You're close.