FSTDT Forums
Community => Creative Outlets => Topic started by: Igor on July 05, 2013, 12:15:33 am
-
It might seem an odd request, but I was wondering if anybody had any recommendations for music to play in the background while I write. Over the past little while, I've suffered an extremely frustrating lack of inspiration, and I was hoping maybe this would help. I'm looking for songs with few to no lyrics, so most pop/rock/folk/whatever music is out, because the lyrics can be really distracting, I end up focusing on that instead of the writing. Having said that, vocalizations and singing in other languages, provided it's not distracting, is okay, so a song with Ominous Latin Chanting is fine.
I'm looking for things that can be subtle and, of course, not distracting, but that elicit definite moods and feelings. While I'm definitely not going to try to write anything interpreting the music (I'm nowhere near talented enough for that,) whatever I'm listening to will likely influence the tone of whatever I come up with. I may or may not end up sharing what I write, if anything. I've been in a bit of a pit lately when it comes to my opinion of my own writing ability, if that makes sense.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
-
Blind Guardian's 'The Bard's Song'
The Young Dubliner's 'The Foggy Dew'
Snow Patrol's 'In The End'
Pretty much anything by Thirty Seconds To Mars, particularly 'This Is War' and 'Kings and Queens'
-
Game soundtracks, perhaps?
-
ooh, good point, Proggy. Hotline Miami's good for that.
-
Always love game soundtracks! I actually find them to be the far too often ignored parts of games, because their composition is usually incredible, but they're rarely really noticed or properly appreciated. Again, any specific examples are greatly appreciated (and maybe youtube links, I have Rdio but it's very... lacking when it comes to soundtracks, and as far as classical or the like.. I don't know what to search for.)
-
Let's see... Final Fantasy games, Xenogears, Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross, Metroid/(Prime), Castlevania games, Zelda games... That should get you started. Places like Ocremix.org have some really awesome remixes and re-imaginings of game tunes as well.
-
regarding Castlevania... try this on for size: http://ocremix.org/remix/OCR02480/
-
I'm looking for songs with few to no lyrics, so most pop/rock/folk/whatever music is out, because the lyrics can be really distracting, I end up focusing on that instead of the writing. Having said that, vocalizations and singing in other languages, provided it's not distracting, is okay, so a song with Ominous Latin Chanting is fine.
In my experience, Yuki Kajiura's music is great to write to. Some of it has English lyrics, but most is in Japanese or purely instrumental. If you're interested, this youtube playlist (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTAmfkx7Gbc&list=PL82F81BA5A76039B7) is good place to get started.
-
Bohren & der club of gore is great for darker writing.
-
Bond is lovely. 'Duel' is quite nice and peppy for being done on fiddle, cello and violin.
-
I guess you'd prefer albums to individual tracks? There is plenty of instrumental music out there, even if you don't go for classical.
Looking through my CD collection for instrumental music, I'd suggest Tony Levin or Liquid Tension Experiment.
Alternatively, you could look into music where the lyrics are unintelligible or meaningless, such as Opeth or even Yes.
Another approach might be to try music that you know so well that it just washes over you, whether it has singing or not.
-
?
Yes' lyrics aren't unintelligible or meaningless... At least, not to me.
GO PROG.
-
I tend to listen to a lot of J-Pop whenever I'm writing and that seems to help I don't know if you know any J-Pop artist if you don't I could give you some suggestions and a few websites to download their songs.
-
I'd suggest the soundtracks for Halo 1, 2, 3, ODST and Reach. Marty O'Donnell is an amazing composer.
-
?
Yes' lyrics aren't unintelligible or meaningless... At least, not to me.
GO PROG.
Their early stuff is. Shining flying purple wolfhounds?
-
Well... It's not their fault we can't understand the awesomeness of their symbolism. :o
:P
Sometimes I wonder if they just base some of their songs around Roger Dean's paintings... Or vice versa.
-
I like to listen to Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Metallica when I work.
... don't look at me like that! >_>
-
I like to listen to Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Metallica when I work.
... don't look at me like that! >_>
That look is one of impressed amazement. Tis awesomness.
-
Oh, and if you're looking for something more rock/metal, check out John 5's solo work.
-
I have a few specific soundtrack artists that I have successfully listened to for inspiration, and I'd be happy to share my knowledge. I certainly hope this helps!
Two Steps From Hell. They create some truly epic orchestral pieces, almost always employing (non-distracting) choirs. Very good for fantasy, but this sort of music could fit anything. I specifically recommend Archangel, Call To Arms, Dark Ages, Am I Not Human, Freedom Fighters, Skyworld, Starvation and Protectors of the Earth.
X-Ray Dog. A slightly more techno sort of feel. Good songs are Dark Empire, Dethroned, Here Comes The King, Final Hour and Wicked Things.
Future World Music: Similar to Two Steps From Hell. Good for fantasy, though could be good for sci-fi. Try Welcome To My Fantasy, Gods and Demons, Dream Chasers, New Beginnings and Final Judgement.
Erik Ekholm. Not so heavy on the vocals, but still very awesome. Probably the best choice for sci-fi, but could very easily fit fantasy and other genres. I suggest Dark Energy (Epic Vocal Remix), Digital Warrior, Magnum Opus, You Will Never Break Me and Crusader of Glory.
Some similar and noteworthy artists include Clint Mansell, Hans Zimmer, Immediate Music, Audiomachine, Midnight Syndicate, E.S. Posthumous and Globus.
The band Pendulum is more mainstream and generally includes recognisable lyrics, but I find their music non-distracting or otherwise highly inspirational - especially for sci-fi or more surreal subject matters.
-
Some modern classical
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eWewdTkghM
Something a little calmer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkbf1-cVUuY
And something in the post rock scene
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co5gy_2uOEY
-
Dvorak is another composer to look into.
-
I've written my best work to Chameleon Circuit and Halestorm as well as Van Canto... Tastes may vary as much as the music I mentioned does.
Doctor Who fans will probably recognize the first band based on just the name.
-
I've written my best work to Chameleon Circuit and Halestorm as well as Van Canto... Tastes may vary as much as the music I mentioned does.
Doctor Who fans will probably recognize the first band based on just the name.
I wanted to call you a geek. But then I did recognize the name -_-
-
I'm unfathomably geeky anyhow. :P
I really love their songs, tho.
-
New advice: Vitamin String Quartet or String Tribute Players. String quartet covers of pop, rock, metal, country, pretty much anything and everything, ranging from Marilyn Manson to Lady Gaga to Queen to even horror movie themes (like Halloween) and just about anything else you can think of.
-
Here's one of my playlists (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL71047BAF94C76518). I use it to write action scenes to.
And then you have this guy (http://www.youtube.com/user/DragonstarDT?feature=playlist) who makes a bunch of compilations of mostly instrumental stuff. As you can see a few of his videos made it into my playlist. I just didn't see the point of copying his playlist and putting it in mine so I chose a few videos I especially enjoyed.
-
If you like violin music, check out Vanessa Mae. She really can burn up those strings and rock.
-
If you like violin music, check out Vanessa Mae. She really can burn up those strings and rock.
There's also Lindsey Stirling (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE2GCa-_nyU). Who is in a similar vein as Vanessa.