Need help on how to expand a piece of music! *New update - 16/5*

Bulbapuck · Wed 15/04/2009 11:24:29

A couple of months ago I wrote *this piece of music* as an idea. But no matter how hard I try I can't seem to move on with it...

So how I can expand it and what do you think of it?

It's sort of an experiment for me so I would really appretiate constructive criticism.

DrewCCU · Wed 15/04/2009 12:43:07

this is a nice piece of music that could easily be used in a video game. You have a nice piece here where the melody is gradually supported by more and more accompaniment as the piece progresses. But you're right - towards the end of this example you really want to start going a different direction so the listener doesnt get tired of hearing the same thing over and over again. There are a million ways you could go about doing something like this (and it really all depends on what this piece of music is for) but try playing around with this:

-Transition into a new chord progression (same key - different chord pattern/progression ... a key change can come later but this is probably not the best place to put it just yet)

-As for the accompaniment in this new section: You can have them doing the same patterns over the new chords if you want. I'd suggest altering them a little bit - but not too much ... it needs to sound like the same piece of music.

-I think this next section needs to build up into something bigger - you've got a good build-up up until this point so let it bloom here. Maybe try bringing in some underlying droan chords (no more arpeggios or anything with lots of texture - you have plenty of that already). Maybe some low brass and strings supporting the chord stuctures.

Many pieces of music have a simple ABA format - So this is what u want to achieve. (in can get more in depth but for now work with this). Right now you have the "A" section. What i've just described to you above will be the "B" section. Then you will want to revert back to the "A" section - maybe not the exact same arrangement but at least keep the melody noticable as it was in the A section.

Think of it as any song you'd hear on the radio ... just about all songs have an intro (which you kind of have. It's not much of an intro but for video game music there doestn really need to be an elaborate intro). anyway- songs have an intro - a verse - a choruse - a verse - an ending. (as i said there is usually more depth in that structure but again: work with this for now is my suggestion)

Hopefully these tips have helped you but if you have any more questions or any questions about anything i've said just let me know.

Good work - keep it up.

Bulbapuck · Wed 15/04/2009 13:02:36

Thanks a lot DrewCCU!

I got some ideas now and I'll start working on updating it, I'll upload a new version as soon as I can

Bulbapuck · Thu 16/04/2009 14:21:39

UPDATE:
I've been working on the song for a bit now and I think it's coming along nicely.
But the thought suddenly occured to me: maybe it's a bit too much?

The reason I'm asking you guys is that I've started to enjoy working on the piece, and when I enjoy something it often gets a bit out of hand, without me noticing

Anyway, You can get the new version *here* .

MoodyBlues · Thu 16/04/2009 16:15:34

I like this song a lot - especially the sliding woodwinds!

However, I do think there is just a little too much going in the second half. Maybe if you reduced the number of instruments; for instance, the part that the piano plays could go to another instrument instead.

And since this is a travelling song, you might consider giving the whole song some kind of subtle percussion, like a tambourine.

Bulbapuck · Thu 16/04/2009 17:36:33

Quote from: MoodyBlues on Thu 16/04/2009 16:15:34
However, I do think there is just a little too much going in the second half. Maybe if you reduced the number of instruments; for instance, the part that the piano plays could go to another instrument instead.

And since this is a travelling song, you might consider giving the whole song some kind of subtle percussion, like a tambourine.

Suspected as much

Thanks for the feedback! I am using you're tambourine idea and it's working well:

*minor updated version I'm way prouder of*

I think it builds up quite nicely now

MoodyBlues · Thu 16/04/2009 19:38:26

Ah, that sounds good.

It's much more balanced now. And it loops nicely, too.

I wonder, though, if it needs to be longer. If you're using it in a short cutscene, then it's perfect, but it might get a little repetitive if it's supposed to loop over and over when the character is in several screens. (I'm assuming you're using this in an adventure game or something.)

Bulbapuck · Thu 16/04/2009 22:45:00

Oh I'm not done yet

I'm actually surprised it loops well since I'm planning to add more to the mix.

Thank you MoodyBlues for your help and encouragement

Really means a lot!

Bulbapuck · Sat 16/05/2009 13:00:48

Update!!!

I think I'm finished now

. But I still need some c&c on it.

Download it *here*

What do you think?

ps. It loops once, so you really only need to litsen to half the file

NsMn · Sat 16/05/2009 13:29:11

Great work! Reminds me a lot of some old RPG-Games, It could for example be the title music of a Harvest Moon game

Anian · Sat 16/05/2009 13:43:42

Wow, very fantasy like. For what will this be used? It says travel tones, so I would guess some cinematics?

These are more comments than really crits, don't have any crits right now, I like the piece:
One thing I noticed, if I even heard right, when the drums start around 45sec (tambourine plus bass) just at the begining it goes BD - TB - TB - BD and then continues TB - BD...was that on purpuose? Just kinda alludes to the wrong riythm and then it takes a second to get adjusted...nothing wrong with that though, especially if you're going for that.
The other thing, and it's, again not wrong, the part around 1:10, that kind of solo of the piano (I think it's something like that) kinda also breaks of but then it goes into that suddend stop. At first I thought it was kinda too "abtusive" (seems like there's too many different rythms) but when I let the song loop, it actually sounds quite natural and doesn't break the flow that much.
Also at around 1:45, something strange with the drums, seems like a record skips.

So what I'm trying to say is that I like.

Sephiroth · Sat 16/05/2009 13:43:51

It sounds nice, loops well, not overloaded with too many instruments and nothing seemed out of place. I liked the piano solo (1:02).
It could set up a nice atmosphere, what I imagined when I listened to it was something happy, some kind of journey throught sunny colorful lands. Or a major city background music, like the native town of the hero in some rpg, because it has a good rpg feel. One word: Clean.

Bulbapuck · Sat 16/05/2009 15:12:53

wow, thanks a lot guys

Quote from: anian on Sat 16/05/2009 13:43:42
Wow, very fantasy like. For what will this be used? It says travel tones, so I would guess some cinematics?

These are more comments than really crits, don't have any crits right now, I like the piece:
One thing I noticed, if I even heard right, when the drums start around 45sec (tambourine plus bass) just at the begining it goes BD - TB - TB - BD and then continues TB - BD...was that on purpuose? Just kinda alludes to the wrong riythm and then it takes a second to get adjusted...nothing wrong with that though, especially if you're going for that.
The other thing, and it's, again not wrong, the part around 1:10, that kind of solo of the piano (I think it's something like that) kinda also breaks of but then it goes into that suddend stop. At first I thought it was kinda too "abtusive" (seems like there's too many different rythms) but when I let the song loop, it actually sounds quite natural and doesn't break the flow that much.
Also at around 1:45, something strange with the drums, seems like a record skips.

So what I'm trying to say is that I like.

I've often had trouble with drums so your probably right

I'll give it a look tonight, thanks for the comment!

Quote from: Sephiroth on Sat 16/05/2009 13:43:51
It sounds nice, loops well, not overloaded with too many instruments and nothing seemed out of place. I liked the piano solo (1:02).
It could set up a nice atmosphere, what I imagined when I listened to it was something happy, some kind of journey throught sunny colorful lands. Or a major city background music, like the native town of the hero in some rpg, because it has a good rpg feel. One word: Clean.

You're spot on! It's music for a nice colorful village. Thank you for your comment!

And also thanks to NsMn for the encouragement.

I thought I would have to change a lot, but maybe I'm done then

, that is after I take a look at those drums.