Choosing Library Music

There are a myriad of online music libraries available, with instant access for auditioning and downloading music. Each has their own licensing and fee structure, which widely vary.  It is important to do your due diligence in understanding what rights you have with the music you are licensing. That said, here are some of the more “artistic” considerations when choosing library music.

• The role(s) the music will play in supporting the story or message
• Audience demographics
• The musical style, instrumentation and tone that best supports your program
• How you want the music to effect the audience’s experience
• How the the pacing and fullness of the musical arrangements works with the visuals and/or spoken voice

Once you have narrowed down your choices, there are still other considerations: Is the piece long enough? If not, is it interesting enough to survive lengthening it by looping?  What kind of changes happen throughout the piece? If there is a section that all of a sudden doesn’t seem to work, can you work around it?  How does the piece start and end?
If you need assistance searching for, editing and/or licensing production music, feel free to contact me – I’d be happy to help!