I attempted to make an arrangement of Belle Qui Tiens Ma Vie, an ancient piece credited to Thoinot Arbeau who published it in the 16th century. I was thinking of using it for my game because it has a very distinctively renaissance sound. I haven't decided if I'm actually going to though. For one, I've played an amateur game before at one point that had a midi of a piece from "a Well Tempered Clavier" and thought it was kind-of lame at the time. Secondly, I'm not sure I like how this turned out.
I created the arrangement by ear without referencing the sheet music. It's mostly sample-tank instruments played on keyboard, with a few bass parts. The drums have some manual corrections because I have no rhythm. It sort-of fits the style of the other tracks that I've done. Unfortunatly it's a bit sloppy and not entirely interesting. Maybe I'll keep working on it.
I should also mention that I wasn't going for a traditional or historical sound here, but rather to match the game's quirky style. I was even thinking of adding a "wah" guitar somewhere.
April 20th, 2009 - 9:26 AM
I dunno about you but I like how this turned out. My imagination took off on this one and I liked to low-key renissance elegance of it. Its understated but that almost adds a mood to it. This is my favorite piece of yours so far. And I agree with you when you said its very unmistakably distinctively renissance. I imagined the millenial fair from Chrono Trigger by the way. lmao.
April 22nd, 2009 - 9:46 PM
Interesting post, this is great. It reminds me of the monkey island games.
April 23rd, 2009 - 7:29 PM
Depending on the kind of game, I don't think you need to be worried about this piece coming across the same as a piece from the well-tempered clavier (which reminds me I need to listen to that some again). For one, it's nowhere near as intricate. All the pieces in the WTC constantly move forward and draw the listener's attention, which I would think isn't exactly what you want in a video game. And second, I don't think this piece is as well known, so, again, it wouldn't draw the ear as much. This sounds like town music in an RPG to me.