Writing Music for Television and Radio Commercials (and more): A Manual for Composers and Students

Composing Music for Radio Commercials!! 167

television commercials because of one less element—pictures. Write music
that will create visual images in the listener’s mind.
Determine the tempo(s) and meter(s) of each measure before writing.
Without this preparation, it is difficult to lay out the score inasmuch as the
dialogue will not match the measure numbers. When reading the script to
a metronome click, composers can determine if there will be any odd
meters within the piece. The score could possibly have a 4/4, 3/4, and a 2/
4 measure consecutively and continue with an array of beats per measure.
The goal is to write a piece of music that does not sound disruptive.

Radio Budgets

Radio music budgets are generally less than television budgets, which
affects number of musicians and vocalists that can be hired. Problems can

!!Arrangers can com-

bine synthesizers with live

musicians to help make the

track sound similar to the

television version. Although

this technique will certainly

help, nothing replaces the

sound of live performers.

Synthesizers cannot repli-

cate the individuality and

feel of live musicians.

result. Most radio commercials are
expanded versions of television commer-
cials, but the radio budgets might not
allow the music house to hire the same
number of singers and musicians used in
the television spots. Discuss this with the
creatives before submitting a budget. The
agency may request the same production
budget for the radio music so that the
music will sound the same. If the budget
is not approved, explain to the creatives
that the track will not sound the same and
what the differences will be. Do not ‘‘sur-
prise’’ them at the session. When collaborating with nonmusicians, it is
important to be transparent when explaining music. They might claim
they understand your intentions, but at the recording session the first
question that is frequently asked is, ‘‘Why doesn’t it sound the same as
the television music?’’

Analysis

The following is a radio commercial written by a copywriter and submit-
ted to a composer as a worksheet.

Council on Family Health’s ‘‘Read the Label’’ Campaign
60-Second ‘‘Corner’’

SFX: Mystery detective music

Announcer (echo as in an alleyway):Psst... listen over here. Gotta tell
you something... when it comes to taking medicine, what you don’t