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

THIS LISTING IS ONLY FOR TAXI MEMBERS WHO WILL BE AT THE 2019 ROAD RALLY AND WANT A CHANCE TO HAVE THEIR INSTRUMENTAL PLAYED DURING THE PANEL BELOW. GUESTS CANNOT SUBMIT FOR THIS PANEL, SORRY! 

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH, 2019 – GRAND BALLROOM 

9:15am – 10:30am: 
Instrumental Pitch and Feedback Panel – Panelists: Joy Basu (CEO, Lab Hits Music), Jonathan Weiss (Music Supervisor), Chuck Henry (CEO, 10 West Music), Pedro Costa (CEO, InStyle Music), and Elyse Schiller (Executive Producer, Masterphonic) will listen, give feedback, and possibly take some music home! Music played during this panel will be chosen randomly from a playlist generated from this TAXI Listing! Submissions not played during this panel will be screened on a yes/no basis after the Rally, and Forwards will be sent to all the panelists. 

• Instrumentals submitted will NOT be pre-screened, so every piece of music submitted has an EQUAL CHANCE of being randomly selected by a randomization algorithm to be played on the panel! 

• Instrumentals that do not get played on the panel will be screened by TAXI on a Yes/No Basis about 10 business days after the Rally has ended! 

• You get two chances at having the panelists hear your Instrumental 1) Randomly during the panel, or 2) By getting Forwarded by TAXI’s A&R people after the Rally! 

IMPORTANT NOTE: We will call out the name of each person whose music is randomly pulled. If you are not in the ballroom, we will move on to the next person’s music. No exceptions. 

The mandate for TAXI’s post-panel/Rally screeners will be, “Forward Instrumentals that you think are strong and appropriate enough that Music Licensing Companies would want to sign it or Music Supervisors could find it usable in a Film or TV project they are working on." 

You must own or control your Master and Copyright to submit for this opportunity. Please be sure the material you submit for this pitch is NOT already signed with any Music Libraries or Catalogs. If your music is already published by CDBaby, TuneCore, or any other services, you cannot submit it for this panel! 

Once again, all Instrumentals that do not get played on the panel will be screened on a Yes/No basis – Short Critiques only. Submissions must be received no later than 11:59 PM (PDT) on Sunday, October 27th, 2019.  TAXI #Y191027RO

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

LIGHT DRAMEDY TENSION INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a NON-Exclusive Music Licensing Company for the Music Supervisor of a new competition-based Reality TV Series! 

They’re on the hunt for Mid-to-Up-Tempo Instrumental Cues that are in the stylistic wheelhouse of the following example: 

“Tension in Paradise” by Steve Barden 

Please submit well-crafted Instrumental Cues that have a Dramedy arrangement but could work well in Tense scenes where a group of individuals is competing against each other to solve something. 

Structure your Cues around a central theme while adding and subtracting instrumentation as they progress to give them some dynamics and forward momentum and also to keep them from sounding repetitive. Your submissions should not be too serious, but not too cartoony either. Find a nice blend of Dramedy and Tension music! 

NOTE: They DO NOT want any woodwind instrumentation included in your Cues. They’re particularly looking for Dramedy Tension Cues with a strong pulse that deliver a sense of time lapsing. The clock is ticking down! 

Your submissions should be about 90 Seconds long, give or take. Non-faded, buttoned 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. 

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

Two! One brand new, and one...brand old. 

INVESTIGATIVE TENSION INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by an International Music Licensing Company with lots of great placements in Film and TV. 

They need a bunch of Cues in this style! Please listen to the following references to get an idea of what could potentially work for this pitch: 

Hostage | Detroit: Become Human OST 

Crime Scene Music - Police Investigation Underscore Music 

Crime Scene - CSI Suspense Music 

Please submit suspenseful Tension Instrumental Cues that could enhance the emotion and mood in a variety of investigative scenes and scenarios. Build your Cues around a central, tension-inducing melody that will sit easily behind a scene’s dialogue. Add new elements as they progress to create a sense of forward movement and development. 

TAXI Tip: Please be sure that any Virtual Instruments or Samples you use are considered modern and current-sounding. 

All submissions should be about 1:30 in length, give or take, with Non-Faded, Button/Stinger endings. Do NOT copy the references in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for tempo, tone, and overall vibe. Broadcast Quality is needed. 

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

Two! One brand new, and one...brand old. 

DRAMEDY INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a European Production Music Licensing Company that has an impressive list of placements in Film, TV, and Commercials! 

NOTE: They’ve JUST started running requests for music from TAXI's members, so chances are you don’t have any material in their catalog yet! This is a great opportunity to begin a new relationship! 

“KUWTK” (From 0:22 - 1:25) 

Funny Background Music 

Please send them well-crafted Instrumental Cues that fall within the range of the Dramedy spectrum. Your submissions can vary from quirky and silly, to happy and even mischievous. The quality of productions and compositions has to be particularly high to please this client, so send us your best Cues! 

Be sure to build your Cues around a central melodic theme or motif, and keep it dynamic and forward-moving by layering other instruments in and out as your pieces progress. Avoid submitting anything that's busy, as it could interfere with a scene’s dialogue. 

All submissions should be about 90 seconds long (give or take). Solid edit points and Non-Faded, Buttoned/Stinger endings are strongly encouraged. Please do not copy the referenced music in any way, shape, or form. Use it only as a general guide for tempo, texture, tone, and vibe. Broadcast Quality is needed.

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

Writing instrumental tracks is a blast, but getting a song w/lyrics forwarded has always been my primary and coveted goal. Hope this is the start of....a few more! 

I'm a member of the Jeffrey Steele Online Songwriting Bootcamp from Nashville and it just so happens a fellow member and now good friend, Mary Lyn Bates, lives a mere 40 miles or so from my house. So we got together and this song came from our very first co-write. More to come! 

All the tracks are done in my home studio.

CHART-WORTHY COUNTRY SONGS with Male Vocals are needed by a great Music Row Publisher for an Award-Winning Country Star. 

Please submit great Songs in All Tempos that could fit in the general stylistic ballpark of these references: 

“My Town” by Montgomery Gentry 

“Hell Right” by Blake Shelton ft. Trace Adkins 

“Brand New Man” by Brooks & Dunn, Luke Combs 

Please submit Songs with fresh and unique ideas, coupled with original Country melodies and super strong choruses that are ready for the charts! Your submissions should have lyrics full of visual imagery and should be able to compete with Nashville’s best writers! For this request, Songs should have a more organic, traditional sound and feel, especially the vocals! 

NOTE: This artist hasn’t put out records in a while, so they are going to be looking for "HITS that can bring the artist back to the top of the charts." In other words – the bar for this request will be high, and only the best of the best will be forwarded. 

Stripped-Down demos and full productions are both okay to submit as long as the Songs are great and your recordings are clean, clear, and well-balanced! 

NOTEWORTHY: If time permits, someone from the Publisher's staff (who has been trained as a TAXI screener) will review the submissions for this request. That means that people directly involved in this request could be the "ears" reviewing your submissions! 

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

I apologize in advance for any tension you may experience from listening to this track.... yuk yuk

TENSION INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a NON-Exclusive Music Licensing Company for the Music Supervisor of a new competition-based Reality TV Series! 

They need a bunch of Tension Cues in a variety of tempos and styles. Please listen to the examples below to get a general idea of what they need: 

Shark Tank (From 6:40 – 7:15) 

Last Chance Kitchen (From 5:04 – 5:57) 

Please submit dramatic, tension-inducing Instrumental Cues that could add a sense of anticipation to a scene. Your pieces can include Electronic or Orchestral Instrumentation, or a hybrid of both, as long as they’re tension-inducing! Craft your Instrumental Cues around a central melodic idea, while gradually adding and subtracting instruments to create building dynamics and forward momentum as your Cue progresses. If you can picture your Instrumental Cue adding some dramatic intensity and tension to a Reality TV show competition, send it in! 

Your submissions should be about 90 Seconds long, give or take. Non-faded, buttoned 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. 

This company offers a NON-EXCLUSIVE deal. You’ll keep 100% of the Master rights and the Library will get 100% of the Publisher’s share for any placements they generate. You must own or control your Master and Copyright to submit for this opportunity. Please submit as many Instrumental Cues as you’d like, online or per CD. All submissions must be received no later than 11:59 PM (PDT) on Sunday, October 20th, 2019.  TAXI Dispatch #D191020TN

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

Continuing with the sneaky stuff...

DRAMEDY INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a Top-Tier Music Library that gets tons of big Feature Film and TV placements! 

They’re looking for Dramedy Cues in a wide range of styles – from quirky and mischievous, to playful, sneaky, and/or quizzical. Please listen to the following references to give yourself an idea of what they’re looking for: 

“KUWTK” (From 0:39 - 1:04) 

Funny Background Music 

Please submit well-crafted Dramedy Instrumental Cues that are built around a central melodic theme or motif. Keep things dynamic and forward-moving by layering instruments in and out as your pieces progress. Avoid submitting anything that sounds busy as it could interfere with a scene’s dialogue. 

NOTE: This Music Library has plenty of ordinary Dramedy Cues in their catalog, so feel free to be original and send them material that’s a bit creative and different – but nothing too radical, of course! 

All submissions should be about 90 seconds long (give or take). Solid edit points and Non-Faded, Buttoned/Stinger endings are strongly encouraged. Please do not copy the referenced music in any way, shape, or form. Use it only as a general guide for tempo, texture, tone, and vibe. Broadcast quality is needed.

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

DARK, MINIMALIST SCI-FI INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by an awesome International Music Library – and they need lots of them! 

Check out these references to get in the general ballpark: 

Ambient Sci-fi Background Music 

Cliff Martinez – from The Knick 

Ambient Sci-Fi Music 

All Tempos will be considered, although we assume they’ll mostly want Mid-to-Up-Tempo material. 

Please submit moody, well-composed Instrumental Cues that could help support suspenseful scenes in Sci-Fi TV shows! Build your Cues around simple, tension-inducing melodic figures that will sit easily behind a scene’s dialogue, and add/subtract new elements as they progress to create a sense of forward movement with nice developmental arcs. Gentle pulses, clock-like ticks, arpeggiated leads, and droning synth pads are all potentially great elements to build these kinds of Cues around. Please make sure the instrumentation you use doesn't sound like it's stock or just plain cheesy. Send them the good stuff! 

If you can picture your Instrumental Cues being used in shows like Stranger Things, Black Mirror, and The Twilight Zone, send them in!  Your submissions should be around 90 seconds long, give or take. Non-faded, Buttoned/Stinger endings will work best. Please do NOT copy the referenced examples in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for tempo, texture, tone, and overall vibe. Broadcast quality is needed. 

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

This one was exceptionally fun to write! I could play guitar all day, but this kind of stuff kind of tickles my inner, I don't know, Hans Zimmer? :)

ORCHESTRAL TENSION INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a Music Library that has just started requesting music from TAXI's members. It’s a good time to get in on the ground floor and build a relationship with this library. 

They need a bunch of Orchestral-based Tension Cues in a variety of tempos and styles. Please listen to the references below to get a general idea of what they need: 

Reference 1 

Reference 2 

Please send in well-composed Cues that have a distinctly TENSE style and sound and are also stylistically "on point" with the references above. Your instrumentation can be solely Orchestral, or you can utilize a hybrid of other genres combined with Orchestral elements. Be sure to craft your Cues around simple, tension-inducing melodic content while adding new layers of instrumentation as they progress to add dynamics and some forward momentum that builds to a climax. Think of what you'd hear in sports TV Promos, and you'll likely be on the right track! 

Your submissions should be at least 2 minutes in length. Non-Faded, Buttoned/Stinger endings will work best for this request. Do NOT copy the references in any way, shape, or form. Broadcast Quality is needed.

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

I'm going to post two at once! They were forwarded within the a week or so of each other. I'm a little behind.

A Wide Range of Asian-influenced “Transitional” INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a hard-working, successful Music Licensing Company. 

They’re searching for Mid-to-Up-Tempo Instrumental Cues in the generalwheelhouse of the following references: 

Training Po - Hans Zimmer (Kung Fu Panda Soundtrack) 

Mists Of Pandaria Soundtrack - 2 - Why Do We Fight? 

Beautiful Chinese Music - Winds of Spring 

Quoting our client: "We want to hear Asian-influenced Instrumental Cues that can work for scene transitions in TV Shows and Documentaries." 

Your submissions can cover a range of moods and emotions, from Moody and Mysterious to Anxious and Suspenseful – and everything in between! Your arrangements can vary but should incorporate traditional Asian elements like (not limited to) bamboo flutes, gongs, and Taiko Drums, etc. Your Cues should also stay on one mood and melodic/rhythmic idea from start to finish while introducing subtle changes in texture, tone, and dynamics as it progresses. 

NOTE: They're also looking to hear Cues that have a tranquil quality, and that lean heavily on drones and sound design elements to convey the feeling of nature in the background, but please do NOT include any actual "nature" sound effects in your music, such as waterfalls, wind, animal noises, etc. 

Your submissions can range from 30 seconds to 2 minutes in length. Short intros (or no intro at all), good edit points, and buttoned/stinger endings will all probably work best. Do NOT copy 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.

~~~ AND ~~~

HAPPY, PIANO-Based INSTRUMENTAL CUES with an URBAN influence are needed by a very successful Music Library. They’re on the hunt for Mid-To-Up-Tempo Instrumental Cues in the general stylistic range of these references we got from them: 

“Broccoli [Official Instrumental]” by D.R.A.M ft. Lil Yachty 

“Playinwitme (Karaoke Version)” by KYLE ft. Kehlani 

Please send well-crafted, emotionally upbeat Piano Instrumental Cues with a feel-good sound. Submissions should be built around a rhythmic Urban/Hip-Hop beat.  Shape your Cues around a central melodic theme while adding and subtracting layers of instrumentation as they progress to create dynamics, interest, and forward movement. Please avoid anything that’s particularly busy as it could interfere with dialogue. 

Submissions should be about 90 seconds long (give or take) with Non-Faded, Buttoned/Stinger endings. Do NOT copy the referenced music in any way, shape, or form. Use it only as a guide for texture, tone, and vibe. Broadcast quality is needed.

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

DARK and DRONE-Y INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by an International Music Library that needs lots of new music to keep up with client requests! Please submit “drone-y” Instrumental Cues in the general stylistic ballpark of the following references: 

Sinister Dark Ambient 

Dark Ambient Background Music 

Please send them subtle Instrumental Cues with very little melodic movement. Your Cues should have a droning quality that delivers an unsettling, moody, sort of ominous feel. Be sure to stick to a singular vibe and sound throughout the entire Cue to keep your piece emotionally cohesive from beginning to end. In other words, don't try to score an imaginary scene. Instead, give them one "vibe" from beginning to end because they'll figure out how and where they want to use it. 

All submissions should be about 1:30 in length, give or take. Non-Faded Endings with a natural decay/ring out will likely work best. Do NOT copy the referenced artists or songs in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for tempo, tone, and overall vibe. Broadcast Quality is needed.

All submissions should be about Two Minutes long (give or take) with non-faded, buttoned/stinger endings. Do NOT copy the referenced examples in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for tempo, tone, and overall vibe. Broadcast Quality is needed.

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

This one is one of my favorites. I like the ebb and flow and the transitions between sections - much fun figuring out new ways to create moods for scenes! 

MINIMALISTIC INVESTIGATIVE TENSION INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a successful. International Music Licensing Company with worldwide distribution through BMG! 

NOTE: This company has just started requesting music from TAXI's members, so chances are you don’t have any material in their catalog yet! 

They’re looking for the kind of Tension inducing Instrumental Cues that could be heard in Crime Drama TV shows or Feature Films in the general range of the following references: 

Crime Scene Music - Police Investigation Underscore Music 

Detroit: Become Human - Investigation 

Your submissions can have some sound design elements like sparse percussion and atmospheric pads – but remember, less is more. This pitch is all about setting the mood.  Electronic and/or Orchestral Instrumentation can all work, but don’t add too many layers, just enough to give your Cue some forward momentum, and to keep it from sounding repetitive. 

Quoting the Music Library: “We are looking for tracks that are minimalist, sparse, and somewhat simplistic. That does NOT mean boring, repetitive, or without evolvement. We prefer to have at least two instruments in a cue. So if you have a solo piece, add another instrument or two and send the newer version.” 

All submissions should be about Two Minutes long (give or take) with non-faded, buttoned/stinger endings. Do NOT copy the referenced examples in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for tempo, tone, and overall vibe. Broadcast Quality is needed.

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

Well, 2 out of 3 forwards out to bad. The second has been forwarded before but hasn't been placed yet.

URBAN DRAMEDY INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a hot International Music Library that’s been signing a lot of TAXI members to keep up with their increasing demand. They love receiving music from TAXI members, and have requested even more! 

They’re on the hunt for Mid-To-Up-Tempo Instrumental Cues that are in the general stylistic ballpark of the examples below: 

Check Yourself: S9 E14 (From 1:27 - 2:01) 

Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta (From 1:23-1:55) 

Please give them well-crafted Dramedy Instrumental Cues with a noticeable Urban vibe, feel, and style. Your Cues should have contemporary instrumentation and solid production values from top to bottom. 

Be sure to build your Cue around a central melodic theme, while adding and subtracting layers of instrumentation as it progresses to create dynamics and movement. Please avoid anything that sounds overly busy, as it could distract from a scene’s dialogue. If you can picture your Instrumental Cue working well in a variety of comical scenes in Urban-centric Reality TV Shows, send it in! 

TAXI Tip: This library needs a bunch of fresh Instrumental Cues in this genre; so if you’ve got the goods, don’t be shy about submitting multiple pieces for consideration! 

All submissions should be at least 60 seconds in length (somewhere in the ballpark of 60 seconds to 2 minutes is probably your best bet.) Good edit points and Non-Faded, Buttoned/Stinger endings are strongly encouraged. Do NOT copy the examples in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for tempo, tone, texture and overall vibe. Broadcast Quality is needed.

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

The happy marimba suddenly becomes not-so-happy!

LIGHT MARIMBA-Based TENSION INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a very successful, NON-Exclusive Music Library that gets tons of placements in TV Shows, Films, and TV Commercials. 

NOTE: Due to the unique nature of this request, we purposely didn't include references as we felt they could potentially be more misleading or limiting than helpful. 

Please submit Down-To-Mid-Tempo, Light Tension Cues that are built around the Marimba. Cues that can support scenes with sad or reflective moods have been requested. Build your Cues around a central melodic theme, while adding and subtracting layers of instrumentation as they progress to create dynamics, interest, and forward movement. Please avoid submitting anything that’s busy enough to interfere with dialogue. 

NOTE: Your instrumentation can include electronic and/or organic elements, but the Marimba should be the focal point of the Cue. 

All submissions should be about 90 seconds long (give or take). If you go a little long, don’t sweat it! Non-faded, buttoned/stinger endings will work best. Broadcast quality is needed. 

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

Exhibit A: Steve investigates how to create an investigative mood. 

INVESTIGATIVE TENSION INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a U.K.-based Music Library that's using TAXI as its primary source of new music for a large-scale catalog expansion. They need a bunch of Cues in this style! 

Please listen to the following references to get an idea of what might work for this pitch: 

Crime Scene Music 

Stealth Music - Crime Scene 

Please submit suspenseful Tension Instrumental Cues that could enhance the emotion, mood, and atmosphere of Crime-based scenes in TV Shows and/or Documentaries. Your style and production value should sound current when compared to today’s standards. Your instrumentation can contain organic or electronic elements, or a hybrid of both. 

Be sure to craft your Cue around a suspenseful and tension-filled melodic idea. Keep it simple, while adding new layers of instrumentation as it progresses to create dynamics, interest, and forward momentum. Remember that this is all about setting the mood! 

All submissions should be about 1:30 in length, give or take, with Non-Faded, Button/Stinger endings. Do NOT copy the references in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for tempo, tone, and overall vibe. Broadcast Quality is needed.

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

It didn't fit for the pitch I originally wrote it for because of the "build" at the end. But it worked for this one!

DRONE-Y, ATMOSPHERIC TENSION INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed for a hard-working Music Licensing Company for placements in a popular Reality TV Show on MTV. 

They’re quickly searching for Down-to-Mid-Tempo Instrumental Cues in the general stylistic wheelhouse of the references below: 

Vice - “Zombie Drug” (Starting From 2:44 – 3:09) 

Vice - “The Deadliest Wildfire In California History” (Starting From 3:00 – 4:40) 

Please submit tension-inducing Instrumental Cues with very little to no melodic movement. They seek Cues that will add a sense of anticipation to a scene. Instrumentation like (but not limited to) Atmospheric synths, pulsing bass notes, softened drumbeats, and lush pads could all work for this request. Your submission should stick to a singular vibe and sound throughout the entire Cue to keep your piece cohesive from beginning to end. No need to go overboard for this request, simplicity, and mood are everything! 

Your submissions should be about 90 Seconds long, give or take. Non-faded 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. 

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

A RANGE OF INVESTIGATIVE INSTRUMENTAL CUES is needed by an expanding International Music Library that needs lots of new music!They’re searching for dramatic, suspenseful Instrumental Cues that could work in a variety of Crime-based scenes. Please listen to the following references to get an idea of what could work for this pitch: 

Fatal Attraction (1:10 - 2:10) 

Crime Watch (0:00 - 0:39) 

Please submit well-composed Instrumental Cues that could support a variety of investigative scenes and scenarios. Your pieces can include Electronic and/or Orchestral Instrumentation, or a hybrid of both. Build your Cues around a central, tension-inducing melody that will sit easily behind a scene’s dialogue, and add new elements as it progresses to create a sense of forward movement and development. You’d be smart to keep your Cue on the simple side, as this pitch is all about setting an Investigative mood! 

NOTE: Your Instrumental Cues can cover a wide range of Crime Show styles, from what you'd hear during a tense manhunt, to the type of cues that would support detectives searching for clues in the field, to scenes in the lab, etc.  Provide the aural backdrop for those Investigative, crime-show scenes where John Q. Law stops the bad guys! 

Your submissions should be about 90 seconds long (give or take). If you go a little long, don’t sweat it! Non-Faded, Button/Stinger endings will work best. Please do NOT copy the referenced examples in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for tempo, texture, tone, and overall vibe. Broadcast quality is needed.
 

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

"Pizzi" is short for "Pizzicato Strings" With a short, plucking style of playing, they can sound sneaky or kind of cute, depending on the track. 

*************

ORIGINAL, PIZZICATO-BASED INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by an A-List Music Publisher/Music Licensing Company with a long history of placements in Film, TV, and Commercials. They're eagerly looking for simple Pizzicato Instrumental Cues that would fall in the generalstylistic ballpark of these examples they provided to us: 

Dad’s Who Play Barbie (Starting at 0:16 - 1:16) 

Did You Know 

Please send simple, well-composed Pizzicato String Instrumental Cues that could work for many kinds of happy, optimistic, and lighthearted moods in commercials. Instrumentation that could work well for this pitch includes (but is not limited to) Pizzicato Strings, Timpani, Light Percussion, Piano, Oboe, Warm Sustained Strings, or Drums. 

Your Cues should be built around an optimistic central melodic theme while layering instruments in and out as your Cues progress to create a nice developmental arc. You’d be smart to avoid submitting anything that’s frenetic, overly quirky, or just plain silly. 

All Instrumentals must be 1:00 in length (including ring outs and reverb tails) with non-faded, buttoned/stinger endings. In this context, we think One-Minute really means 59.5 seconds. That makes it more usable for TV Commercials! Please do NOT copy the referenced music in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for instrumentation, texture, tone, and overall vibe. Broadcast quality is needed.

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

DRAMEDY-Style INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a hot European Music Library that’s expanding their reach and catalog size. They’re looking for Mid-to-Up-Tempo Instrumentals in the general stylistic wheelhouse of these examples: 

WARNING:  The subject matter in some of the reference videos might require Viewer Discretion. 

“KUWTK” (From 0:29 – 0:50) 

“RHOC” (From 0:00 – 0:26) 

“Little Women: Dallas” (From 2:21 – 2:35) 

Send them fun Dramedy Instrumental Cues that could work for silly, funny, or sneaky scenes in Reality TV Shows. Instrumentation that could work for this pitch can include Pizzicato Strings, Marimba, Xylophone, Clarinets, Whistles, etc. Structure your Cue around a central melodic idea, while layering instrumentation in and out as your Cue progresses to add dynamics, keep it moving forward, and to keep your Cue from sounding too repetitive. Simpler is better for this pitch! 

TAXI Tip: Tastefully adding an instrument that isn't often heard in this genre could help your music stand out. Stick to something that works well in context, and doesn't make end users say, "OMG!" when they hear it. Try things like a touch of bassoon or maybe a tiny little pinch of mouth hard here or there. Whatever you try, do it sparingly... don't overdo it! 

Your submissions should be around 90 seconds long, give or take. Non-Faded, Button/Stinger endings will work best for this pitch. Do NOT copy the referenced artists or songs in any way, shape, or form. Broadcast Quality is needed.

..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." 

Using some new sounds and trying to make it sound as real as possible, I'm always learning something new.
My daughter calls this my "Hallmark Channel" track. :)

INSPIRING, ELEGANT INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a boutique Music Library with tons of credits in big Feature Films, countless TV Shows, and TV Commercials. They’re searching for positive, Mid-to-Up-Tempo Instrumental Cues in the general stylistic wheelhouse of the following reference that we got from our client: Instrumental Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFyAzXSe9Oo&t=75s Please submit elegant-sounding Instrumental Cues that have a modern, inspiring feel and vibe. The client is looking for a crossover of modern and acoustic instrumentation that has an “advertising-friendly” sound and could also work well as background music in a variety of other media. Build your Cue around a central melodic theme and mood while adding and subtracting layers of instrumentation as your piece progresses to add emotion and dynamics. Also, please avoid anything that’s overly busy or frenetic, as it might distract from dialogue. Quoting The Music Library: “Your Cues don’t need a prominent melody – rather, nice musical motives that work well as background music, with some sense of forward movement.”
All submissions should be around Two-Minutes long (give or take) with non-faded, buttoned endings. Do NOT copy the referenced example 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." 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!

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!