Play/Pause
0:00
0:00
 

No Song Loaded

Indaba Music is the online home for musicians worldwide.

Sign up now to join remix contests, collaborate with others, share your music, learn from masters, and manage your musical life. Get started now, it’s free!

Join Now! Already a Member?

Mix the Music Instinct Theme!

Mix the Music Instinct Theme!

The Music Instinct: Science and Song, premiering Wednesday, June 24 at 9:00pm (check local listings), is a ground-breaking program that offers viewers a new understanding of the power of music. Music is found all over the natural world and in everyday life experiences. The documentary follows visionary researchers and accomplished musicians, such as Bobby McFerrin, Yo-Yo Ma, Jarvis Cocker, Evelyn Glennie, and Daniel Barenboim, to the crossroads of science and culture in search of answers to music’s deep and abiding mysteries.

PBS, Thirteen, and the producers of The Music Instinct are giving Indaba members a second chance to interact with this exceptionally creative, yet-to-be-released program. We invite you to create a theme for the Music Instinct based around tracks provided by artists from different disciplines, ranging from rock to jazz to world music.

To help you explore this world of sound, PBS and Thirteen are providing you with tracks from artists of The Music Instinct Bobby McFerrin, Daniel Bernard Roumain, Christiane Karam, and Gino Sitson as well as additional contributors Ari Hest, Tiempo Libre, and Amanda Palmer.

To qualify for the contest, you must use a minimum of two of the sounds samples provided (although we encourage you to use more). While original recorded melodies or other material can be used in generating a composition for the contest, all compositions will be judged on the originality and expressiveness, musicality, and ability to converge the styles of these different artists.

Winners were announced on June 30, 2009 at 5:00 PM EDT

See the Contest Winners

This program is no longer accepting entries

Source Files (Preview Only, Enter to Download)

 Bobby McFerrin - Bass Line
 Gino Sitson - Bird
 Christiane Karam - Lamma Verse
 Ari Hest - Instrumental
 Tiempo Libre - Minuet in G Piano
 Amanda Palmer - Acappella
 Christiane Karam - Storm Improv

Prize

The Winner will be picked by the producers of the program from all of the entries and will receive an iPod loaded up with the all of the submissions from the contest. In addition, Berkleemusic.com, the online continuing education division of Berklee College of Music, is giving the Winner a free online music course, valued around $1,000!

The Top 5 Mixes, including the Winner's, will be featured on a Music Instinct album to be distributed on PBS.org and eMusic.com.

The Top Ten Popular Mixes, as determined by public voting, will receive a 1GB USB flash drive loaded up with Music Instinct goodies!

Good Luck!

Leader Board View More »
Do1 R. Instinct Trilogy 1

Daniel Ciurlizza Music and Science 2

Sujan E. Bin Wadud Instinct Tells Me 3

david minnick Small Enough 4

Andrew Rawbs AMA-PBS Theme 5
Random Submissions View More »
David Forlano Ambiguous Instinct

David P C Music Instinct Subplan mix

David Wilkins PBS Sound as Music

Ken Z. Music Instinct Theme

John G. John Griffin

teru _ Bird Instinct

Pierce F. Tribal House

Laurence H. SheetMeex3.0

- FELSITE - The Bells!

Royal Beatsmyth Music Instinct Theme
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many audio files do I have to use?
A: You have to use at least 2 of the stems provided.

Q: Can I SPAM the discussion board?!?!
A: No! It's meant for discussion. Posting about your entry is cool, but please be respectful of everyone who wants to talk about the contest and don't post the same thing repeatedly.

Q: Can I use samples in my submission?
A: No! Your submission must be made of the tracks provided and/or material for which you own the copyright.

Q: How many entries can I submit?
A: Just one! Make it count!

Q: How do I download the source files?
A: You must first enter the contest before you can download the files.

Q: What can I add to the source files?
A: You can add anything you want! You can re-record the audio, add your own melodies, only use the source files - the sky is the limit.

Q: I'm new to mixing/producing and need some help!
A: If you need help and are using our online session console, check out our help section and online tutorials.

Q: Can I sell my mix?
A: No! Submissions are licensed to you under a Creative Commons Attribution- Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 license. This means you can play your mix anywhere you like for non-commercial purposes. For more information on this license, go to http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/

Q: I don't see my question here!
A: Please post a description of the problem on the discussion board and we’ll help you as best we can!

Tom Toyama wrote on June 29, 2009:

Congrats Everyone!

Great contest entries! It's been very enjoyable listening to all your various renditions. Very creative!! And great mixing too!
If you get a chance listen to my entry. It's got the 7 stems with
live shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute) and jazz marimba.

http://www.indabamusic.com/submissions/show/7789

Thanks Tom


Reza A. wrote on June 29, 2009:

Hello everyone,

Thanks for your support, it meant alot.

For the last time/attempt here is my link : http://www.indabamusic.com/submissions/show/7740

Please, have a listen and vote if you like. As like always I seek comments more than votes, so please have your say.

P.S. Michael you might like what I've done with the mix.


Michael Campion wrote on June 28, 2009:

I wish I had the time and made the realization that I could have produced a "suite" - I had ideas for different takes on the stems / tracks but for really only went with one mix / idea. I could have done a few and then just blended / DJ'ed them together perhaps.

Enjoying these entries!


david minnick wrote on June 28, 2009:

You're right Daniel! 'Tis an amazing social experiment. Creativity because of AND in spite of technology. So much variety from VERY limited material...quite beautiful.
David M


Daniel Ciurlizza wrote on June 28, 2009:

I was talking to my friend the other day and we were discussing this whole contest and how many great submissions there are. We came up with the conclusion that it's so amazing that you can give 100 different people 7 of the exact same samples and they'll come out with 100 totally different songs.

Anyway, good job everybody!


Justin Nation (Jus Bus) ♪♫ wrote on June 28, 2009:

please vote for my submission thanks! - http://www.indabamusic.com/submissions/show/7746


Goodieboyz Entertainment wrote on June 28, 2009:

Well congrats to the top 5, really good stuff there. Also thanks to those who took the time to leave comments or email tips. Fun contest, hope the contests keep rolling in since its a great way to improve and get immediate feedback (advice, tips, etc) from your peers. Oh... and if you want to help me break the top 30 marker you can go listen and vote if you like.. haha

http://www.indabamusic.com/submissions/show/7645


Paweł W. wrote on June 28, 2009:

I would like to thank all for vote and comments, and indabamusic for good fun. very thx :)