Help with instrumentation/orchestration

[Musicologo]

I know where do I wanna go, but I don't know how to get there! Can you help me please?

This is what I want to get:


A jolly, retro-quick, fresh pop sound for a very happy song!


This is what I have:

A song composed. All done in sheet music.

This is what I've tried:

Ok, I have a melody line that should be sung. That's not a problem, except for finding the right voice.
The other solo line that is answering the melody I'm using a synth pad, in the area of horns. Would that be correct?

The counter-melodies are being done by a glockenspiel, full of glissandi.
I have also timpani to reinforce the ends of phrasing, sometimes with tremolo.

Then, the harmonies are being done by pizzicatto strings. fast, incisive, rhythmic chords.

The bass line I'm using an acoustic bass.

Both these instruments are being doubled by a wurlitzer...

The outcome: I like it, but it sounds me more like children song than this POP I've showed in the beggining!!

Where am I going wrong?
What instruments should I use in what positions?

Ah, ocasionally I want to have SFX: blasts, whistles, etc...

[KLS]

It would be good if you could post an audio file of your piece somewhere. That way we could hear what is going on and be able to give you some help.

The song in the video uses a regular pop ensemble - you know, guitar, bass, drums and keyboards. This is not what you have described for your piece. I think I heard some horns, but I bet it's a keyboard patch.

- Ken

[handofgod]

That song is 50 percent vocals, 45 percent drums, 5 percent keys. Use a crisp pop drum kit, some bright piano chords - 8 triads to the bar - and diatonic chords in a major key. Add some sawtooth brass synth and you're close.