Battle Theme (Orchestrated)

I am new to writing VG Music, but it seems to be a lot of fun. This is a quick piece that loops easy (without the ending I have in it now) and I think it fits a battle scene.

Edit (Mar 17,2009): I have updated this piece using the suggestions in this thread. It was composed thru Sib 4 so it doesn't have high quality samples.

Here is the updated version with a different drumline and at the speed I like.

http://www.box.net/shared/qghyqxlog4

Here is the mp3 Piano only at the speed I first had it. (jun15piano)

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I wrote this Piece after listening to Prokofiev's Toccata in D minor Opus 11, as a piano piece only, but sort of morphed it into the orchestrated version.

Here is the link to the Prokofiev music that inspired this.

YouTube - Prokofiev Toccata in D minor Op.11

Comments arre welcome

Ron

jun15piano.mid

BATTLE_THEME.mid

BATTLE_THEME.sib

I can hear some brass/string accents in there. You definitely managed to make it big enough with just the piano to fill the "battle theme" role, but of course some extra color would just augment what's already there! It does not seem playable by a single pianist, though as a video game number it would of course be most likely sampled anyway. I tried listening to the Sibelius file, but the instruments aren't piano at all, they're mallet percussion of some sort, so I quit. Might want to fix that for those of us limited to Scorch.

It does seem long enough, if looped of course.

I was thinknig of adding some brass, so that's easy. I don't understand the sib file part. I have that problem from time to time myself and have contacted sibelius about it and all they can say is give us more info. The list they sent of the info desired would take me two weeks to find it all( I swear they asked for the date of purchase of my midi keyboard and whether or not it was plugged into the wall correctly). Often times when I download sib files I get percussion as well. I have asked here in other threads and no one seems to know why.

I have uploaded a midi now and tried again on the sib file. Please let me know if the sib file works now.

As to playability, any good 15 fingered pianist should have no problems playing this.:)

But since I am limited to 10 fingers, it is beyond my ability.

Actually pretty good, you definetly did capture the essence of a battle, though it seems a bit too dramatic to be used as a normal battle theme. I think adding a few more instruments would have been good for this piece but I can always appreciate going the minimalistic approach. Maybe you could rearrange this song for a full orchestra or something, I'm sure if it was it'd be awesome.

Thanks for listening and commenting, it means a lot to me. I am presently adding some accompaniment right now and will post it when finished. I am working on adding strings and brass and a drum line. Who knows from there. If I had a decent electric guitar sound I would love to add that.

Just got finished listening to the orchestrated version. I have to say, it definetly is alot better (at least in my opinion). The original did captre the essence of battle, but this one not only captures that essence but seems to bring the battle to life and seems to draw you in (if that even makes sense). My only complaint is sometimes the drums seem a bit too hectic, and sometimes the pace seems to be a bit too quick for it's own good. But still, a good song and a definite improvement.

Thank you for listening. Normally I do not use a lot of percussion, so I usually over do it(this is why I stay away from it). I see palces that need to be changed in it, nut it is getting late, so it will likely wait for a different day.

thanks again for taking the time to comment.

It sounds good... but it needs to slow down. Its like you are fast forwarding the actual playback or something.

Hey rolifer,

I thought the whole feeling of a 'battle' was there, but the piano and percussion was too complicated for me. For this to be vgm it would have to be a little simpler. I'm thinking that you're too classically trained for vgm. It was a good attempt though, nice work.

Thank you for the input, for this is how I learn. I have no training at all; I compose by the seat of my pants.

It sounds good... but it needs to slow down. Its like you are fast forwarding the actual playback or something.

Thank you for your reply. I will look into slowing this down.

I slowed it down by 10% and I think I agree with you guys. I will leave it in the post at the speed I wrote it and see of others agree.

As an avid RPG gamer, this would definitely would suit battles, however, because of the intensity I would say this would probably be more suited for boss battles. One of the reasons I got into playing RPG's was because of the variety of music, and quite frankly, the boss battle music was what I liked, and in a game, this would keep coming back for more. Very good job.

Thank you sir. It seems to be the general consensus that this is intense.

Here is the link to the Prokofiev music that inspired this.

YouTube - Prokofiev Toccata in D minor Op.11

Like was stated before, there's a lot going on and it's nicely put together. The only thing is that it's just extremely busy, but as someone brought up, this would be pretty cool in a really intense part of the game. I will say, the drum part makes my head spin! :) Nicely done though!

Yes I agree with others. You can place few instruments more. In my opinion there are too many drums and maybe you overdosed with piano (sorry everyone, I'm just learning English... :happy: )

Hey Ron!

Your instinct works very well!

But I am bothered a bit by the randomness of the track. :-/

I would say that it would fit perfectly a VG, but not in commercial value, more like retro, or indie. Also, since you are using midi, there is little reason to make them into mp3...

The track is surely exciting, and I would surely play a game with such music in the final boss or something... Still it's not what commercial companies are looking for.

Keep in mind that you should probably make it loopable for it to work in a game (without such a strong ending so that the track can restart. You can tell what the player will do...)

Very nice work though :D Very well crafted!

Nikolas

Nikolas,

First Thanks for looking at it. If you delete the last 2 bars, it loops. I just put an ending on it for fun.

The MP3 is from Sibelius, but I usually post a midi for those who don't have sib.

So your saying stay as a math teacher and give up my long time dream of becoming a VGM composer?

Just kidding of course. It was fun to write and I enjoy listening to it from time to time.

At least you didn't squash my dream of becoming the next Prokofiev or Beethoven. That can wait for a later day. hehe

Thank your kids for allowing me to steal their daddy's time.

Actually, I would propose to study a bit music (without closing you mind, as it works great) and then try at music, as well as maths. :D

As I said (3rd time now) your instinct and your ears work! You do lack knowledge but this is why YC forum is here for ;)

Unfortunately studying music has to be put on hold until I get my degree in Math. I have learned a lot about music just by writing it and once I get my degree I intend to take classes in theory and composition. 30 years of listening to classical music has helped also. I used to drive trucks and had a library of over 500 albums of classical which I would listen to for up to 10 hours daily. Math also explains a lot of how music works. So my degree will help in that regard. Some music teachers I have spoken to have said that the hardest part they had in getting their degree in music was the math. I have never had any difficulty in learning anything that used math, so I will be prepared when the time comes.

I am concerned about being told "this is the proper way to do it, so do it". Music is too broad to be narrowed down to the proper way. Just the rebel in me talking.

Thanks again

I am concerned about being told "this is the proper way to do it, so do it". Music is too broad to be narrowed down to the proper way. Just the rebel in me talking.

There shoudn't be a "proper way" to do things. A better way, maybe but not a proper one.

There are hard facts that you will need to take in no matter what: The flute sounds louder towards up and softer towards down. A piano player cannot play (alone) a chord of 15 notes. and so on. Physical facts.

The rest are matters of aesthetics. If you go and write something "classical", like Beethoven, for example, you will have to abide by the rules which he (back then) wrote. In which case there is a proper way to do it. If you just compose what you compose, there is no proper way really...

hope it helps to see the reasoning behind things

The uses and limitations of instruments is my major concern at this point. I know I have written unplayable stuff, and the computer programs do not always follow what happens in the real world. I play games with articulations because of the computer that a musician looking at the score would laugh at. Oh well, 1 and 1/2 years from now and I begin to learn the rules of the road.

Awesomeness

I definantly felt the battle theme in there.

cool. Thank you sir for your comment

No flappin calling me sir

WOW! It sure is a boss battle theme.

It could also be used as an intro of a symphonic heavy metal song :dry:

Did you actually work on the drumset with your midi program (Sibelius)?

Thank you for your reply.

For the drums I entered beat by beat the same as adding notes to the score. This is one of the reasons why some do not like the percussion. Also, I think it is because the drum kit that comes with sib 4 is not very good.