[Boydie]

Hi All

I would love some feedback on this 25 - 30 second signature theme tune

It is a pitch for a UK TV theme tune for a "comedy quiz show" - a la QI, Mock The Week etc.

Here is the brief:

The brief is to compose a piece of music which is catchy, instrumental, lighthearted, comic but not cheesy. Not too jeopardy heavy either. Big melodic hook. We’ve been given Terry and June TV theme (for the melodic hook / comedy) crossed with Countdown theme (for tension and tempo) as a strap line for the musical direction. The composition may lend itself more towards the male viewer. QI theme tune, Top Gear theme tune also referenced.

I would love to know if you could hear this as a TV theme tune as it is my first attempt at this type of writing...

https://soundcloud.com/boydiemusic/boydie-tv-theme/s-18qbk

[ShinyThang]

Bludee good first attempt! Yeah! Why not a T.V. theme? not sure it's got much in common with Terry and June and thank goodness for that! What an odd thing to mention in the brief except, of course, it probably highlights the 'lightheartedness' they're looking for which, I'm not sure you've got in your melody. You seem to have got the Countdown clicks in there though, was that deliberate?

[Boydie]

The "Countdown clicks" were a little nod but I wanted to keep it subtle

The "Terry & June" thing was a little odd and I could have gone down this route - however the other "references" seemed to be more "on the money" with regard to this particular TV channel (Dave) - ie the male orientated part so I thought guitars but tried to keep it from being "rocky" to take in to account the "Terry & June" reference

I felt it was a good exercise in writing to a brief, especially with such a wide brief!

[tone]

Hi Boydie

I think you've done an excellent job - very well done. It's definitely a TV theme tune to my ears, got just enough interest/ variation while keeping a strong theme, and the rhythmic changes add tension to the later part of the piece brilliantly. I think you're onto a winner there mate #welljel

[nooms]

simple, familiar and catchy..
makes you think about economy .. enlightening experience and serves well when writing generally..no deadwood etc..
think youve done well here boydie cos not as easy as imagined..tho the influence of the countdown theme at the end maybe the clincher or the opposite...   
big jim sullivan was a master at these
we had a go at college and did well but no cigar, good luck paul.

[Alan Starkie]

Nice one.

I'd lose the reverb though.

[shadowfax]

Not bad..seems to following a blues line and it's a little predictable but may be predictable is the new black!!
no reason why it couldn't be used though..

good work, Kevin

[Sing4me88]

Yep this seems to fit the brief bang on. It's catchy, has a nice comic kinda feel to it but builds as it progresses too. Has masterfully avoided becoming cheesy and has even worked in the conutdown clicks very subtly. I think the guitar on this is really strong and gives it that TV theme tune feel.

[benjo]

 HEY PAUL

 very clever light catchy and I still had it with me after it finished IMPORTANT
 I'd lose the count down thing though it needs to be original keep away from
 something so strong as count down for me mate great shot paul

[Viscount Cramer & His Orchestra]

Certainly very catchy and as Benjo said stays in the head afterwards which has got to be a good thing. I suppose it's a fairly familiar sounding theme - not any one song that I can name though - which helps to cement it in the brain.

First thing that popped into my head was a bunch of suited lads and mini-skirted girls jiving away on Ready Steady Go or something like that.....a bit Peter Gunn....

So....fits the 'theme tune' idea I think, and is definitely memorable, if not wildly original.

And very well presented too I might add. Sounds great!

[Neil C]

Boyie,
Love the title and great go at writing such a brief brief if you catch my drift.
Memorable and bares repeating, I liked whatever it was that was added at 15 secs and the bongoes/percussion.
Sounded like it should be on Dave, and by that I mean it fits the brief but it sounds somewhat dated. Maybe thats what Alan said with drop the reverb?
Energetic and toe tapping
Good luck
 
Neil   

[TheButcher]

Wow;

some references to this song.....ahhh, well. whatever; yes; i think it works perfectly for that quiz show thing.
really liked that - superb mix; sound quality is really pro man

good, good.


B

[Paulski]

probably will work for TV. For me, it sounded like an old game show from the 70's if that's what they're after you nailed it. I would think a more modern TV sound would be a dirtier and compressed guitar sound, funkier bass and drums that pop? Also seemed like there are some phasing effects going on which kind of give it a washy sound. Hope this helps - don't want to sound negative - the client's opinion is all that matters for a pitch!

Paul

[seriousfun]

Ive had a few listens to this and I think it might be a bit dated in sounds which tend to dull down the energy this sound clip has the potential to generate. I also have a question mark over the 24-26 sec mark which pulls back the build up IMHO before the big chord at the end. You could try and extend the build you started at the 21 sec mark to carry through to the 26 sec mark area.

Its pretty good as is, but the bar will be very high for this. Its a super little clip and if it doesn't fit the bill here, hang onto it for the next opportunity.

[hardtwistmusic]

Given the specification you were given to follow, I think it fits all the criteria except "comic."   I didn't hear anything comedic in it.   But then, I have no idea what "comic" would sound like in an instrumental.  I think of the theme from "Benny Hill." 

But, it's "comic" because of the context, not necessarily because there is "comedy" inherent in the song. When I think about it, that seems true for every "comic" piece of music I hear. 

"Wierd Al Yankovich" tends to make a lot of different songs "comic" because of the comical changes to lyrics.   

I know what cheerful, happy, and "happy go lucky" sound like.  But I haven't a clue what "comic" would sound like.   

So, I'd have to conclude that you have nailed it.