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What makes a track 'commercial'

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QBical
Registered User

Joined: 04 May 2003
Location: Utrecht , The Netherlands

Posted: Thu May 15 2003 18:21 What makes a track 'commercial'
eyz, Listen I was looking at the 'the most crap music you ever heard' topic and I thought it might be a good one to discuss with you this: How do I make a track commercial? And this to today's pop standards, I mean I've been working with my ( rock ) band on getting discoverd and it's quite difficult, so is there a formula or something? I guess, that it has something to do with a track being easy for the listeners, but not to easy otherwise it won't last long because it gets anoying to soon. So, any idea's? ( and please don't reply with commercial music sux, I just want to find out if we madtracker producers can think of what is neccisery for a commercial tune ) Grtz
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Inge
Man-At-Arms

Joined: 04 May 2003
Location: Nieuw Lekkerland @ Holland

Posted: Thu May 15 2003 18:29
From what I like in commercial music, it sometimes turns out to be a combination of standards and a refreshing component. Example: Shy FX - Shake It: groovy destiny child vocals with fluent drum 'n bass beats and salsa-components. For other things, a really catchy lead melody makes the main difference. It should surprise people, but still give the feeling of being totally new, such as Foo Fighters Learn to Fly. But in the end, I guess no theory can help you with this one. You just need to run into that one special melody, influence or sound that will kick your song skyhigh above the gray masses. A good learning school might be found in scandinavian countries: they are known for their excellence with commercial music. I forgot their names, but there are two men that make most music for Britney, 'n Sync, Backstreet Boys etc (and Jamai and Jim! ). Another good source of perpetual catchy sounds are the Neptunes, but I really like these guys (even when they co-op with Justin). Inge
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TNK / ATK project
Registered User

Joined: 13 May 2003
Location: Village-Neuf, France (Dont's search on the map, it's tiny...)

Posted: Thu May 15 2003 21:05
Hello ! >How do I make a track commercial? Do you mean commercial in the sense "So that I can make lotsa money of it" or in the sense "So that (almost) everyone will like it" ? The answer depends on what aspect you want to developp (As strange as it might seem, It's by far not enough to make a track everyone will like to make lotsa $$$ out of it). >And this to today's pop standards, I mean I've been working with my ( rock ) band on getting discoverd and it's quite difficult, so is there a formula or something? I think there are only formulas to write...crappy things. Everyone has to come up with his own formula, but there are a few things that I think will always work (unless the big radio guys decide otherwise) : - A melody that gets immediately to your head and sticks there for hours (altough this already led me to a contract cancellation...). - Something that seems both new and well known (that's the hard part of it...being original is easy : any randomly composed song is ! But being both original and give the feeling of being "on common grounds", that's difficult!) >I guess, that it has something to do with a track being easy for the listeners Definitely. It must be that track that everyone will remember in a party, for any reason. It just must give the feeling this has something more than the other tracks have. >but not to easy otherwise it won't last long because it gets anoying to soon. Not sure. Many of the easiest to remember melodies made timeless hits. Exemple : "Born to be alive", written in 1973, published in 1979 (this guy spent 6 years hunting a record deal with such a big hit!), and still played in almost every party I know ! I personally noticed that the riffs that worked the best were the ones that took me as much time to compose than to listen to. It must be something both evident and fresh at the same time. Not easy to do, I know. Ah, and there's another trick : If it doesn't come immediately, shut the tracker down and wait until it comes. A struggle to write a hit will never become a hit. Regards,
Switzerland : #1 earthquake provider! (Bootyshakin' Willhelm Tell ?!?)

Vile
User

Joined: 06 Jun 2003
Location: The Netherworld

Posted: Fri Jun 06 2003 01:59
Comercial track is a track that "must" beat all the charts, sell good and make people love this band. I see that these chartbreakers sound the same - there is some "Formula", right? Though, my music totally sucks(That thrash-industrial really sucks), but I write it ONLY to listen! I'm not sellin' my music al all! If I would sell it, I would write something more usual and Pop-related(remember metallica). Traditioal music give the most money. If original music gave such money, we would hear some original, but crappy material.
------------------------------------- LaRD iN CHoCoLaTE iS THe SouRCe

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