Classical Compositions

[callitsleep89]

When you are writing classically based piece of music, like a movie soundtrack or a games opening sequence, how do you go about making the song progress. What I mean is, how do you decide on the song structure, and how do you go about creating a tension, release, climax, etc? I seem to be a bit stuck on something I am working on.

[loansindi]

That's an incredibly vague question.

One really easy technique for inserting some tension is to switch to the relative minor of whichever key you happen to be in. (So from C, go to Am, D becomes Bm. Like that.) This'll lend a new mood to the song and doesn't require a whole lot of tonal changes to make it work.

[callitsleep89]

Let me see if I can be a bit more concise:

In general, video game music must be loopable, must create a certain ambiance, and must not get annoying. I understand this, and I enjoy trying to create music like this. Right now I am trying to branch out into stand alone compositions and am having some trouble.

The main problem, I feel, is the lack of a breakdown of sections or form, AABB etc. I can logically identify this, but I seem to be unable to make the sections build towards a climactic finish. I can write fantastic melodies all day long, but in the end the song ends up going no where.

How would I go about developing the song as a whole, to where it seems neither tedious nor disjointed? Are there any tricks you people out there have for moving the song along. What is goin on in your head as you develop your tune?

Any help would be much appreciated.

[loansindi]

Well. I'll never claim to be an amazing composer, but here's my thoughts.

Classical music doesn't fall readily into the AABB style of song structure that you see in modern popular music. When you listen to classical (or even modern classically-styled compositions) you don't tend to hear the typical verse chorus verse verse chorus kind of setup. You'll run into themes and such, but it's all much more fluid.

The kind of compositions that i personally find most helpful in developing a feel for the sort of motion that works in a classically styled piece are written for solo piano. My best advice is probably to seek out music in this style and listen to what seems, to you, to work well.

[Calamaistr]

hm, it pretty much makes itself as the pattern goes.

[TommyUlysesGrant]

Well. I don't design my music strictly for games. Most of my music is is pretty much every thing packed in one. sadness, sorrow, and then again. happiness, and glee. Truly I just go about making whatever comes to mind first. take my Light and Dark series for example. Some of the songs in the series are sad, some happy, and some a mix. what I'm trying to impose is just do whatever you little heart desires. think about what the movie will be about. and gradually build on that singular song.