Opening Theme

This is the Opening Theme for a FF-like game named "The Way to Valhalla". As the title may suggest, it is based on Nordic Mythology.

I tried to create a theme that is both strong and easy-to-remember.

It is not finished yet, but I think this version gives a rough idea of what it is supposed to sound like.

Audio File: http://pedro.digitalize.ws/opening.mp3

I'd appreciate comments and suggestions,

Pedro

Very nice!:) Lovely overall sound, although rather static, with no real development. (I hope you get what I'm saying here because I'm not so sure myself:P)

I think the melodies are quite nice but I agree with songjun about the first melody. It starts with a really nice build but it doesn't really build to anywhere, it just kind of slows down ad falls away.

But yeah, real nice theme:).

EDIT: Are you doing this for the actual game or just on its own?

Thanks songjun and bob for the comments! I'd like to know a bit more about your criticism:

Songjun: What did you mean by "Zanarkand like parts"?

bob: Try to further explain this lacking of development you noticed.

As to if this piece is for the game itself.... Yes, it's a project I've been just invited to take part in.

Regards,

Pedro

Heheh. I definetely hear echoes of "I vow to Thee My Country" (as in the slow part of Holst's 'Jupiter' from 'The Planets Suite')

I Vow to Thee, My Country

(this midi is too fast, but you get the idea)

Yeah, some melodic contours may match... Nevertheless, I couldn't notice any relevant similarities. Furthermore, the general mood is utterly different!

Anyway, thanks for your time!

Pedro

It's okay, as to the melody, I'll listen to it more and more, trying to understand and solve this "lacking of development" you are referring to...

Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed it a little more!:thumbsup:

Sounds very Nobuo Uematsu influenced, like the FF6 opening music mixed with To Zanarkand. I didn't like the melody here though, it would work well as a vg opening but it's still not any Uematsu melody. But it seems as if your on your way to having the ability to compose in a style such as a decent Japanese RPG composer would, which to me is a good thing.

When I heard the string ensemble come in, I really thought that it was a knock off of To Zanarkand at first, but then I heard the other part of the melody, and it wasn't appealing to me. The only good part of the melody was the Zanarkand like parts. I didn't find the melody to be too memorable. I don't remember it now.:thumbsup: It's kind of like one of those tracks on a VG music CD that I'd just skip. But remember, this is my opinion only...

I see what you mean about To Zanarkand. The 1st 5 notes of the melody sound identical to it but then it goes off on its own. I quite like the piece - very "Men of the Ocean". I think the slower pace is good as it makes it sound mroe "Viking" and less "Pirates of the Carribean".

If I have a criticism its that its a bit uninteresting in terms of listenability (OK maybe I'm making up words but you get the meaning lol), but I think its quite nice with the exception of that timp. roll at the end - I think the instruments should just fade off and that seems a bit tacked on, but all in all good one.

Yes, actually, I'm not sure about the timpani parts at all... I know that it must be there, but still I couldn't figure out exactly how...

When I first came up with the main theme, I was afraid it sounded a bit like "Pirates...". So I chose to go in a different way, emphasizing the "Nordic" side of it. Perhaps that's why bob and Songjun felt somewhat disappointed with the development of the melody. Yet, I'll take the time to revise it, considering the suggestions given here.

Don't take it wrong, the melody is not huge problem in my eyes (or ears). It is still great, just a little underdeveloped. But, as you say you don't want it to sound like Pirates... so that might be the way to go.

Yes, now I know what you mean... But perhaps it would sound better in the game background (or, at least, I hope so :musicwhistle: ).

Maybe if you make it "bigger" at times....

My image is a bunch of vikings on a longboat sailing onwards, in search of something (maybe Valhalla, maybe something else). I think if this is what you're going for you could do with a few big crescendos here and there, make it sound a bit more "heoric".

Sorry I know my vocabulary is crap - a downside of not being properly educated musically, but I hope you can sort of get the gist of what I'm saying.

I've already thought of it. Actually, I still have to change (and add) a lot of dynamics in the piece... Thanks for the suggestion!

Yeah, I agree. Also, adding more brass would maybe make it sound more heroic and "viking-like". Remember, orchestration can have a lot of difference on volume and dynamics aswell.

This reminds me a lot of the Elder Scrolls music. Very melodicaly based with orchastsal chords to back it up. Good job.

I'd like to work more comprehensively on the orchestration, but I am somewhat limited by the sound library. GPO has some sounds that I don't really like, so I tend to avoid them... Anyway, I will keep trying to take the best from it!

I like your orchestration and blending.

The theme made me instantly think of Pirates though...

What do i think is that the main melody is too predictive, the finishing is good, but the main theme is too ordinary, btw, a little alike with Morrowind, because of strings sounding I guess thouhg.. :) And there wasn't a nice solo-part, it can make melody to be super-unforgetteble :P

you know, when I begin a new computer game, first of all i listen to it's music, it makes half of the wonder. Espacially for such a genre you named. :P Compose resposibly! :)

just read, pianoman216 also sees some alikness with Elder Scrolls (wich is Morrowind)

Wow, more suggestions! :) Okay, green_minstrey, you think the main melody is not working. But how about the background (brass) melody? As to the "nice solo-part" I meant it to be the flute/oboe solo, accompanied by strings... What do you think I should change so? I'll try to get the music from Elder Scrolls to see what you and pianoman are talking about.

Thanks for your comments,

Pedro

A brand new version of the piece is available! Some of the changes are as follows:

1- percussion parts fixed

2- tempo slightly slowed down

3- fading at the end

http://pedro.digitalize.ws/opening.mp3

I hope you enjoy it and report me your impressions!

Wonderful peace, masterly filled with emotion, clings very nice. There is however one thing I really have to mention. A piece based on Nordic mythology... now you are totally on the wrong track, well not totally but not very close either. There are some sounds that are simply perfect and some progressions that just scream out, NOT NORDIC. You have; however, managed to give this piece a very filmy feeling. I can for example feel that the piece is leading me on some path over forests etc. So in that sense you have done great, catches the ear well.

I love it.

Even when I don't like something in a song, I don't really say anything because that's how the composer wanted it.

Very emotional.

Pedro - Brilliant. I disagree with Saiming, I really felt like I could be on a longboat. The improvements you made were all vry good BUT....where was the big impressive stuff? Where was that massive crescendo as the wave hits the boat but the vikings toil on anyway? That one crash with the percussion and brass ythat sends a chill down your spine?

Because your piece is really good at its just BEGGING for it! When it got to the 2.00-ish point there was a timp roll and I thought "Ah! Here we go!" but it didn't and I was humming the higher brass bit that should have been there just to take this piece up to an A+.

It's your piece so maybe you feel this wouldn't be approproate - but unless it WOULN'T be appropriate I recommend building that aspect up a bit because it is such a good piece that never becomes as impressive sounding as it wants to be!

Pedro - Brilliant. I disagree with Saiming, I really felt like I could be on a longboat.

I think Saiming meant that it wasn't fitting with Nordic musical heritage. What would make it more Nordic, Saiming? I'm interested.

Hey very nice work, very professional, reminds me of Elder Scrolls, what program are you using?

I think Saiming meant that it wasn't fitting with Nordic musical heritage. What would make it more Nordic, Saiming? I'm interested.

I'm not really into studying Nordic music, but since I live in sweden I'm highly influenced by it. My spontaneous reaction was the chord progression and harmony, at times it was just too Hollywoodesque. I'm looking into this matter.

So embarrassing, can't even find a nice 'nordic' piece :)