Sea Shanty, Arr Matey!

This song isn't technically a sea shanty. But I wanted to make a song that had the feel of pirates or other seafaring folk getting together and playing a song. Perhaps in a video game, as a song for a pirates lair... perhaps not.

I started with trying to make the song have a tad odd time signature. It has 3 bars of 3/4 then a bar of 4/4. And this repeats for the main part. The middle section has 3 bars of 7/4, then 2 bars of 4/4.

I started with some inverted chords, to make a slightly off backing sound to the Melody. I messed around with the rhythm of most of the parts to make it slightly off, it's supposed to sound like a bunch of drunk pirates are playing.

This was the most interesting song to make with midi, because there was a specific type of sound I was looking for. Not just to have an interesting melody. It was fun working with the odd time too. To make it sound like it should be in the song, and not just to have odd time to have odd time. (though that's sort of what I did, )

MP3 of the song.

Your uploader asks for registeration before I can retrieve files. Can you find a non-registry uploader?

Oh, I didn't know you had to register on that site.

I uploaded it at putfile.com then, I don't think you have to sign in for this site.

MP3 of the song.

Harr, harr, harr! Belay there me hearties.

'Oist up the yard-arm! Where be oi parrot?

(Oops, unsure if humour is appreciated on these boards, oi'd best tone it down, b'ain't good t'offend the landlubbers 'ere, they may jus' be customs officials.)

I reckon you acheived your aim.
It's so easy going and has that feel of a tavern but more as incidental music than a song - that's what you meant it to be, yes? It would work in games of the Pirates of the Caribbean genre all right. (I had that on the xbox but the pesky thing kept jamming at a particular point...I might as well have pirated it for the good it did me and my pocket! But I can inwardly hear your piece in those tavern/village scenes).

A little tidy up here and there would put the finishing touches.

Fare thee well!

Bring me 'nother cup o ale, lass!

This song actually doesn't remind me of a sea chantey much, actually. Perhaps it's just because my knowledge of the field is limited to "What Do You Do With a Drunken Sailor?"

Shave his Belly with a Rusty Razor!

lol that piece was alright! I think you could've used a more sea going instrument like a piccolo to play to melody. that would've been cool.