..Which means: “Hey cool track, I'm going to pass this on. It may be usable to the TV/Film person that will hear it next." 

Okay, so one of these days I'm going to get a call back from someone that's actually going to use one of these little creations! But until then, I'll just keep writing, learning, submitting! "Quirky" = Fun

QUIRKY DRAMEDY-Style INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by an International Production Music Library with an awesome, 20-year history of great TV and Film placements. They’re very eager to find some fresh Dramedy Cues that can range from quirky and mischievous, to playful and silly.

Please listen to the following references to get in the general stylistic wheelhouse of what they’re looking for: Will Dives In | The Little People” (0:00-0:55) Project Runway (:23 - :47) Leah Remini: It’s All Relative (0:29 – 1:09)

Please send them well-crafted Instrumental Cues that reflect the fun and quirky range of styles in the references above. Build your Cue around a central melodic theme while adding and subtracting layers of instrumentation as it progresses to add dynamics, interest, and some forward momentum. You’d be smart to avoid submitting anything that’s too frenetic or overly busy for this pitch, as it could distract from a scene’s dialog.

TAXI Tip: Many music libraries already have a lot of Dramedy-style Cues, so this company is looking for material that sounds fresh, with that little something extra that will make TV editors gravitate to it. Your submissions should be about 1:30 in length, give or take. Non-faded, buttoned/stinger endings will work best. Do NOT copy the referenced material in any way, shape, or form. Use it only as a general guide for tempo, tone, and overall vibe. Broadcast Quality is needed (great sounding home recordings are fine).

..Which means: “Hey cool track, I'm going to pass this on. It may be usable to the TV/Film person that will hear it next." 

And just like that, another forward to follow the previous "Urban Dramedy" track. This one has been around for a while. You may have heard it. After it was written for a previous pitch, I never heard back, so I released it as a Christmas single. There's even a video!

PUBLIC DOMAIN CHRISTMAS SONGS (In Various Genres) with Male or Female Vocals are needed by a growing Music Library that’s actively pitching to a number of high-end Films and TV shows. Send them great, Mid-to-Up-Tempo Songs that you’d expect to hear on playlists with artist/songs like (but not limited to): “Jingle Bells” by Tiffany Alvord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDMmJ6u0R3w “Silent Night” Justin Bieber: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WZI4g7qKrg “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” by Hannah Kerr: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_TdWsWPD6E Jingle Bells (Rock Version): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTuXPUP06H0 Do you have a Rockin’ version of Jingle Bells? How about a stripped-down acoustic Singer/Songwriter-style version of Silent Night, or a Jazz version of Joy To the World? If so, this Music Library wants to hear it! Please submit well-crafted Public Domain Covers that capture the true essence of the holiday season, with a great overall performance that sounds really fresh and current. Please stick to the original melody and lyric of the song(s) you choose to cover and submit. You’d be wise not to send something that’s too whacky or outside-of-the-box for this pitch.

..Which means: “Hey cool track, I'm going to pass this on. It may be usable to the TV/Film person that will hear it next." 

URBAN-INFUENCED DRAMEDY INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a successful NON-Exclusive Music Library for placements in an extremely popular Reality TV Show. They’re looking for a bunch of Mid-to-Up-Tempo Trap Instrumental Cues that would fit well on a playlist with the following references: “Basketball Wives Miami (1:43 – 1:58) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znWz812xuaA LA Hair (0:02 – 0:20) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx6tF8k_j0g “Basketball Wives LA” (:00 - :22) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg8QoWxHioc Please give them well-crafted Dramedy Instrumental Cues with a noticeable Urban vibe, feel, and style. Be sure your production is solid, with contemporary sounding instrumentation. In other words, no dated or obvious pre-stocked synth sounds or drums. Build your Cues around a central melodic theme while adding and subtracting layers of instrumentation as they progress to add dynamics, interest, and forward movement.

...Which means: “Hey cool track, I'm going to pass this on. It may be usable to the TV/Film person that will hear it next."

Oh, this was a fun one! I chose "TONGUE FROZEN TO ICE CREAM CART" to create my own musical mischief. Thanks Taxi Music! 

QUIRKY, COMICAL INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by International Production Music Library with a long, long list of great TV and Film placements. They’re searching for Instrumental Cues that would work in shows and scenes like the references below: Just for Laughs (4:02 – 5:20) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPHcrgWkrI4 ....Best Cat Pranks (3:45 – 5:15) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgcVye8o7hg ....“Tongue Frozen to Ice Cream Cart” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMs3A6_AmkY

Please submit well-crafted Instrumental Cues that can add a silly and funny vibe to any scene they’re placed in. Your arrangement can use everything from Pizzicato strings and Marimbas to Tympani and Glockenspiel, as long as it sounds quirky and silly. Layer the Instrumentation as your Cue progresses to create builds, drops, dynamics, and some forward momentum. You’d be smart to avoid submitting anything that’s frenetic or overly busy for this pitch, as that could distract from dialogue. Your submissions should be about 1:30 in length, give or take. Non-faded, buttoned/stinger endings will work best.

....Which means: “Hey cool track, I'm going to pass this on. It may be usable to the TV/Film person that will hear it next." Thanks Taxi Music! 

Not gonna win any Grammies with this, but here ya go!

TENSION-Based INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed for a Style/Beauty Reality Show by a very active Non-Exclusive Music Library with lots of placements. They need Tension-filled Instrumental Cues in a range of styles and tempos. Please listen to these references to get an idea of the broad range of styles that could work for this pitch: America's Next Top Model (Starting at 7:50 – 8:12) ....Project Runway (Starting at 2:06 – 2:47) .... The Challenge: Invasion (Starting at 0:28 – 1:00)  Please submit subtle, tension-filled Instrumental Underscore Cues that use fresh, current sounding samples and production techniques. Build your Cue around a simple, central melodic theme that can easily sit behind the show’s dialog or voiceover. Add and subtract layers of instruments as your Cue progresses to keep it from sounding too repetitive or linear. All submissions should be One-to-Two Minutes long (give or take) with non-faded endings.

....Which means: “Hey cool track, I'm going to pass this on. It may be usable to the TV/Film person that will hear it next." Thanks Taxi Music!

I'm guitar player, really, so these little guys took some editing. I played them both, then went back and edited the location and/or volume of any note (I mean any) that sounded "un-piano-player- like".
"Remember That Time", I played it slowly and then increased the tempo for the desired "upbeat" feel. I know, cheating! Ha ha

SHORT, UPBEAT SOLO PIANO RIFF CUES are needed by a really large media company for placements in several projects, including hit cable TV shows and online media. This rapidly growing industry giant is building its own In-House Music Library and will pay an initial buyout fee of $250 for 100% of the Composition and Master rights. On top of the per track fee, you will also keep 100% of the Writer’s share of the publishing and make applicable performance income. Please submit original, lively, Solo Piano Instrumental Cue Riffs that can be used for transitions between scenes in TV shows and web-based, digital content. Your submission should convey a fun and cheerful vibe, that’s super melodic. Your Instrumental Cue can be relatively simple and stripped-down as long as the overall mood is happy and emotionally upbeat. If you’re using a Virtual Piano, please make sure your patches sound like an authentic Piano! Anything that sounds synthetic, stiff, or MIDI-based won’t work for this pitch. All submissions should be about 30 seconds in length, with Non-Faded endings.....

....Which means: “Hey cool track, I'm going to pass this on. It may be usable to the TV/Film person that will hear it next." Thanks Taxi Music!

Well, this musical attempt was something completely different! I updated my recording gear (iMac and software) and look what happened! Lol Only 60 seconds? Oh, I got this!

FUN POP INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed for $500 placements in an Anime Cartoon. They’re looking for Bouncy, Youthful, Mid-to-Up-Tempo Instrumental Cues that could work well for animated shows on Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, or Cartoon Network. Please listen to the following examples to get in the broad stylistic range of what they need: Glitter Force Songs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ltb7N0FaZK0 “Higher” By LoliRock: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqcRNp5KL9s “Bubble Pop” By HyunA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j52NKxiqizw Although the references above have vocals, this pitch is for Instrumentals only. Please submit catchy, original Instrumental Cues that deliver a fun, youthful vibe with simple, straightforward melodies and a driving Pop beat. Emotionally upbeat, optimistic submissions will probably do best for this pitch. Stick with one mood and motif from beginning to end, while adding and subtracting layers of instrumentation as your Cue progresses will add dynamics and interest. Your Instrumentation can vary, but should generally be in the range/ballpark of the references above. Sprinkling in some playful sounding ear candy such as chimes, twinkles, and harps could help add some youthful character to your Cues. Speaking of youthful; you’ll probably do best if your music works for kids who have grown out of the My Little Pony age range, but are still in elementary school. All submissions should be at least 60 seconds long with easy edit points and natural, non-faded, buttoned endings. Do NOT copy or rip off the referenced music in any way, shape, or form. Use it only as a general guide for tempo, texture, tone, and overall vibe. Broadcast Quality is needed (Great sounding home recordings are fine).

....Which means: “Hey cool track, I'm going to pass this on. It may be usable to the TV/Film person that will hear it next." Thanks Taxi Music!

For this one, "Dylan & Doc", after listening to the studio version of "Tamborine Man", I looked up the song on YouTube to see how Bob played it live. Seems he used a capo and drop D tuning? So I recorded the rhythm guitar part similarly on my older Washburn acoustic (older strings, too) and the rest on a Taylor.

TRADITIONAL FOLK INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a Music Licensing Company with a really remarkable list of placements in TV, Film, and Commercials. They’re looking for Traditional Folk Instrumental Cues in All Tempos that you’d hear on a playlist with artists like (but not limited to), Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Doc & Merle Watson, etc., etc., etc. Please listen to the following references to get in stylistic ballpark of what they need: “Mr. Tambourine Man” by Bob Dylan. “Scarborough Fair” by Simon & Garfunkel, “House Of The Rising Sun Rhidalgo” by Doc & Merle Watson. Please submit well-performed, original (no covers!) Acoustic-based Instrumental Cues. Your submission should feature authentic sounding, organic instrumentation. It can be simple and stripped down, but should still be emotionally moving, and highly engaging. Believability is key for this pitch, so anything that sounds stiff, artificial, or obviously MIDI-Driven won’t work well for this pitch. Submissions should be approximately two-minutes long (give or take), with non-faded endings that have a natural decay/ring out. Do NOT copy or rip off the referenced music in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a guide for texture, tone, and vibe. Broadcast Quality is needed (Great sounding home recordings are fine).

....Which means: “Hey cool track, I'm going to pass this on. It may be usable to the TV/Film person that will hear it next." Thanks Taxi Music!

I wrote two tracks for this pitch and both were forwarded. Yeehaw!

BLUES-Inspired ROCK INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a large TV Production Company's Non-Exclusive, In-House Music Library for a bunch of placements in several really popular Reality TV Shows. They're looking for Mid-to-Up-Tempo Blues-y Rock Cues that sound like they come from an artist or band that would be on a playlist with artists/acts like Gary Clark Jr., Dan Auerbach, Patrick Sweany, etc., etc., etc. ...Please submit well-crafted, Blues-Inspired Rock Cues that have a soulful, gritty, and edgy vibe. A typical rock band rhythm section like guitar, bass, and drums will work best for this pitch. Build your Cue around a central melodic motif that has a simple, hooky, and engaging quality to it. Add and subtract layers of Instrumentation as your Cue progresses to add dynamics and keep if from sounding too repetitive or linear. Avoid anything overly bombastic, or guitar solos in the higher registers, as they could distract from the dialog in a scene. Imagine the music you'd hear while walking into a gritty, dimly-lit dive bar. That's what they need!
 

....Which means: “Hey cool track, I'm going to pass this on. It may be usable to the TV/Film person that will hear it next." Thanks Taxi Music!

ORIGINAL, CHRISTMAS INSTRUMENTAL CUES in ALL genres, tempos, moods, and ensemble size are needed by a European Music Library with a very long and impressive list of great placements in Film and TV. They're on the hunt for Cues in All-Tempos that you'd expect to hear in festive, holiday-oriented TV Commercials....Quoting the source: "Instrumentals only and at least 2 minutes long. Music must evoke the feelings of Christmas."

Click on the orange play button below to see if it makes you feel festive.

 

....Which means: “Hey cool track, I'm going to pass this on. It may be usable to the TV/Film person that will hear it next."

"Breezy Afternoon" was was formerly featured in a ThrowBackThursday post back in January 2016.

Make your day easy with something cheesy. :)

ORIGINAL, MUZAK Style ELEVATOR INSTRUMENTALS are needed for a $300, Non-Exclusive, Direct-to-Music-Supervisor placement in an Indie Film. They're looking for Down-to-Mid-Tempo Instrumentals that could fit in the RANGE of this playlist: Elevator Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdJWZxPW45c Give them original, well-performed Instrumentals that sound just cheesy enough that anybody who hears them thinks they belong in a department store elevator. MIDI sounds are fine for this pitch, but not so much that it feels too stiff. Please avoid submitting Instrumentals that are too busy or frenetic, so you don't distract from any dialog in the scene. Do NOT copy or rip off the referenced music in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for feel, texture, tone, and vibe. Broadcast Quality (in the context of cheesy Muzak) is needed....

Thanks to Taxi Music.

....Which means: “Hey cool track, I'm going to pass this on. It may be usable to the TV/Film person that will hear it next."

CHILLOUT LOUNGE INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a NON-Exclusive Production Music Library with a great list of placements in Film, TV, and Commercials. They're on the hunt for relaxing Down-to-Mid-Tempo Cues that could be found on the same playlist with acts like (but not limited to): Thievery Corporation, Zero 7,  Morcheeba. Although some of the references have vocals, they're only looking for Instrumentals for this pitch. Please submit laid back, cosmopolitan sounding Cues that sound like a believable Chillout artist/act, with in-the-pocket grooves and relaxing melodies. Give them Cues with a simple, yet focused melodic motif, while keeping your Cues interesting, dynamic, and forward moving by adding and subtracting various sounds and instruments as your Cue progresses. Please avoid overly busy or frenetic sounds that might sound out of place in Chillout or distract from dialog.

....Which means: “Hey cool track, I'm going to pass this on. It may be usable to the TV/Film person that will hear it next."

70s?

Bingo, that's the music I grew up on. I don't necessarily write in this style nowadays, but maybe it'll find a home in a film or something.

CLICK HERE to hear "And We're Dancing"
 
1970’s Style LOVE-THEMED POP SONGS with Male or Female Vocals are needed for (up to) $500, Direct-to-Supervisor NON-Exclusive Placements in an Independent Film. They’re looking for classic-sounding, well-structured, Down-to-Mid-Tempo Songs that could be found on the same playlist as artists/bands like (but not limited to) Brian Hyland, Bread, Carpenters, Todd Rundgren, etc., etc., etc. Take a listen to the following songs to get in the stylistic wheelhouse of what they need: “Gypsy Woman” by Brian Hyland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StC5lwA2snM “Make It With You” by Bread: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0KXV0gB0dw “(They Long To Be) Close To You” by Carpenters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFx-5PGLgb4 “Hello It’s Me” by Todd Rundgren: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u3VEoxQLPE Please submit emotionally touching Songs that capture the easy listening vibe of the references above, with a timeless approach in terms of melody, lyrics, vocals, and overall sound. Lyric themes should revolve around the positive aspects of love and relationships. Universal lyrics will work best, so please avoid references to specific names, dates, times, brands, and profanity. 

"1960's to 1970's-Style CLASSIC ROCK INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a NON-Exclusive Music Library that has lots of great TV placements, especially in Reality TV. They're looking for timeless-sounding, Mid-to-Up-Tempo Classic Rock Instrumental Cues in the general stylistic wheelhouse of legendary bands like: Led Zepplin--Rolling Stones-Deep Purple. Give them well-crafted Instrumental Cues that capture the spirit of the Classic Rock era, with typical Rock instrumentation...."

Let's rock!:

I found out this week that I had a piece of music appear on broadcast domestic television way back in July! On the show "Access Hollywood".  

Another musical experiment for a specific pitch. And another little milestone for yours truly.