Steve Probst

The blog series that highlights a selected song from my latest album, "III"   

 Episode 10 : SERENGETI STOMP

The setting where I started writing this track it is brightly etched in my mind.  

I found myself peering out a large window in Las Vegas over looking the golf course of the Suncoast Resort and Casino. It was another Hotel California road trip with 2 nights performing in the showroom. 

This was me creating my first "loop". Recording a short guitar passage, editing it, and then copying/cutting and pasting just like you would with a word or sentence in any computer document. It's only actually played once, but I can make copies of it and manually place anywhere I want in the song. I think there are two of these in "Serengeti..." all throughout the tune.

This is the second and the last of guitar instrumentals I've done. These days, I'm more interested in songs: melody w/lyrics. Any other instrumentals I've been working on are shorter and less "busy" in hopes of TV placement. 

Why titled "Serengeti" Stomp? Oh, I used an African drum loop or two in it that seemed to give it a tribal feel.  

I found a photo of said window from 2012!:

All instruments performed by me. Recorded and mixed with Logic Pro on a MacBook Pro.

Get the album "III" HERE

To see past song stories, CLICK HERE

..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.