Page 1 of 2

Instrumentals ? # S221226AC

Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2022 8:51 pm
by AndrewScott
I have a nice piece to submit to this listing:

FEEL-GOOD ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTALS are needed by a great Music Library with lots of success in Film and TV placements for a variety of TV, Film, Promotional, and Advertising opportunities.

This Library is searching for Mid-to-Up-Tempo Instrumentals in the general ballpark of the following examples:

Queer Eye (from 1:00 - 1:26) https://youtu.be/bKE66HT5gAk?t=60

Chewy Commercial https://youtu.be/smqZxolbWYw

Queer Eye NERDS Makeover (from 2:28 - 3:06) https://youtu.be/7BiK0rNpFxg?t=148

"Catalonia" by Vance Joy https://youtu.be/fhtzBjwfak0

Although one of the references has vocals, please submit Instrumentals only for this request.

Please submit well-composed Acoustic Instrumentals with an overall feel-good, emotionally upbeat, and easy-going vibe and sound. Your submissions should have engaging motifs, inviting grooves, and solid arrangements in the general wheelhouse of the references. Acoustic-based instrumentation like acoustic guitar, ukulele, and organic drums/percussion will work best for this request. Your production should be polished and any virtual sounds or samples you use should be high-quality and not dated-sounding. Craft your pieces around a central motif and layer instrumentation in and out as they progress to create a sense of forward motion, dynamics, and interest.

All submissions should be about 2 to 4 minutes long (give or take) with 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, texture, and overall vibe. Do NOT submit any material with unauthorized samples of any other artists’ music, sounds, or any other form of media. Broadcast Quality is needed.



OK, I think I understand the genre.
However, none of the samples referenced have a discernible melody (except the one we're advised to ignore).
So, I'm thinking the publisher should be asking for an Instrumental CUE.

I'm inclined to think that an INSTRUMENTAL track is a version of a song with the vocal line replaced by another instrument.
Or am I over-generalizing?

Either way, I'm going to omit my melody line, also my dazzling, busy flute solo, and substitute some simple, plain, harmonious long notes.

Re: Instrumentals ? # S221226AC

Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2022 8:41 pm
by Paulie
Correct. They do not want a song. However, the screeners expect some sort of theme or motif... but nothing too busy as far as this listing goes. Feel free to post a link to your track for better feedback/context.

Re: Instrumentals ? # S221226AC

Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2022 9:18 pm
by jdstamper
When Taxi writes the listings they're not always consistent in saying whether they want a cue form vs an instrumental form, so we can't count on them to specify it every time.

To make sure, you might want to call or email Taxi on this one ... because cues are normally more short form like 1:30 - 2:00 ... but this listing is asking for 2:00 - 4:00 length which is more typical of an instrumental listing that could have multiple sections & themes :?:

Re: Instrumentals ? # S221226AC

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2022 1:19 am
by AndrewScott
Without seeking clarification from Taxi about this listing, I've prepared this, which I hope is what they are looking for:

https://www.taxi.com/members/WZhrZCZcT1 ... hing---cue

Re: Instrumentals ? # S221226AC

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2022 2:59 am
by AndrewScott
Hmmm,
it works for me.

Let's try again after reading Paul's instructions.

https://www.taxi.com/members/WZhrZCZcT1 ... hing---cue

or this one:

https://on.soundcloud.com/sj4HS

Re: Instrumentals ? # S221226AC

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2022 11:06 am
by Paulie
Here is how to post public-facing links from your profile page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJH_skdyZPg

Re: Instrumentals ? # S221226AC

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2022 1:46 pm
by AndrewScott
thanks for your review, Telefunkin.
You highlighted all the issues I suspected but was too lazy to address.
I'll review and repost.

Re: Instrumentals ? # S221226AC

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2022 6:23 pm
by AndrewScott
I've addressed all Telefunkin's points, except the one about the central motif.

The reason I have not crafted my piece around a central motif is because none of the reference tracks have, except the one with the vocal line.
Here's the updated track with the new title:


https://on.soundcloud.com/gYZaT

Despite following Paul's instructions to the letter, the link to the file on Taxi still gives a 404.
https://www.taxi.com/members/WZhrZCZcT1 ... ood-frolic

Re: Instrumentals ? # S221226AC

Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2022 7:41 am
by jdstamper
One thing I've learned (the hard way) about Taxi listings is ... We have to target both the references and the text in the listing. So if the text says something about motifs then that will almost certainly be part of the screening criteria.

Re: Instrumentals ? # S221226AC

Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2022 4:29 pm
by AndrewScott
Telefunkin wrote:
Fri Dec 09, 2022 3:58 am
Hi Andrew, sorry if it sounds like I'm on your case but I'm just trying to help by saying that some of the issues I mentioned earlier are still evident.
You're right Telefunkin.
I don't mind you being on my case.
Failure is the negative feedback I need in order to change my direction.
Anyway, there's not much more I can do.
I recorded this piece 20 years ago, so I was hoping to extract some use from it, however minor.
As for the flute - sigh - I only have a small, echoey room.
Thanks for listening.