16 réponses à ce sujet

[tklivory]

I hope this is okay to post in this forum, but I think this is where I put in this type of request.

I've got the composing itch again, but I've never been that accomplished of a lyricist.  I'm looking for someone to assist me in writing lyrics to songs.  My initial plan was a song about Alistair, but I also want to branch out - a song about the Grey Wardens, of Lothering, of Duncan, of Leiliana, etc.  Eventually, I wouldn't mind an album of songs.

I won't do one of DA2, though.  That's been covered, and quite well, I might add.   Plus I haven't played it.

Would there be anyone out there at all interested in such a project?  Should this be under the Projects?  I don't know!

Again, my apologies if this is in the wrong place.

[Corker]

Hullo there! What are you doing right up my alley?

Depending on how many you mean by "album" and what your timeframe is, I am totally interested. As for a CV: There's a link to "Songs of Thedas" in my sig, which are my assorted DAO (and a little DA2) poems and songs: some to folk tunes, some to original tunes (some with podcasts of dubious quality, some just in my head), and some to no tune at all. I hit a variety of styles, from Broadway show tune to power ballad to C&W to vaudeville/folk sort of stuff. I'm not sure what style(s) you have in mind, so let me know if any of that fits. (I'm not really checked out on on R&B, hard rock, or jazz, for instance.)

Modifié par Corker, 29 octobre 2011 - 06:03 .

[tklivory]

Hey, Corker! *waves*
I'll check out the link in your sig!  (*sigh* more time sucked up in reading your work... )

By album I was thinking about doing a collection of character songs first (the companions and whoever else I felt had a big enough role to warrant one, like, say Duncan, the Archdemon, Howe, maaaaybe Cailan, etc).  Depending on how that goes, I may go on to more thematic works or do a 'lore' album (a song about Arlathan, the first Blight, the Battle of Ayesleigh, etc).  Depends on how ambitious I feel in the future.

I'm not sure what style I would pick for each, but I would try to match a style for each character.  For Alistair (even though I love his character and usually don't hurt him), for instance, I wanted to do a tragic ballad based on either the WC or US ending (yes, I like tragedy), but for Leliana I wanted to go more for a classical/Renaissance style piece with string accompaniment. Loghain would get a more militaristic theme, etc.  I have nebulous ideas on the rest, but I'm still in the development stage obviously.

I don't have a specific timeframe in mind, as my progress would depend on time available in RL, sadly, so I will likely do most work on the weekends, but I'm not looking at an immediate output.  It generally takes me about 1-2 weeks to write a melody/chords, then another 1-2 weeks to record it to my liking, so we're not talking speedy time frame, though overlapping can happen.

So you want to maybe suggest one of your poems/songs I could put to music as an example or something?

Oh, I'm so excited!  I love your writing already, this is just awesome that you're interesed in this side, too!  I just was a little sad that music was underrepresented compared to art and writing here in the forums...

For example, here was the chorus I'd developed for the Alistair song (warning, WIP ahead mateys!):

There was a man… who was nobody’s son.
No hearth, no home… and no hope of one.

Yet he had a dream… hidden deep in his soul
A life with love... that would make him whole.

As I said, I'm no lyricist, which is why I'm looking for help.  I have the music for the chorus worked out, but need words to help frame the verses and bridge.

Modifié par tklivory, 30 octobre 2011 - 01:58 .

[Corker]

I have almost nothing in mind, tunewise, for "Come and Dance with Me (Under the Moon)", and not much for "Who Am I?" (mostly a re-mi-do pattern in a minor key for those three words, then maybe when she echoes it again at the end of the chorus, re-do-so, for that Man of La Mancha reaching up and out sort of feeling).

If you can toss me the syllable and rhyme patterns you want for the verses, and a plan for the development of the theme (if any), I can work from that.

I'd call your refrain 10 10 10 10 (four lines with ten-ish syllables; I'm good with "close enough for folk music") and I'd guess that's 4 bars of 4/4 music per line; and an AABB rhyme scheme.

If you're thinking the normal sort of 3-4 verses, a sort of basic narration of Alistair's arc would be:

Verse 1: Orphaned, sent to Chantry, sets up for...
First Chorus

Verse 2: Finds Grey Wardens but they all die. Very sad.
Second Chorus

(Verse Optional: Finds Goldanna but isn't happy, even in dreams
Optional Chorus)

Verse 3: The Warden! (Specify romantic or platonic love)
Third Chorus

Verse 4: Can't let the beloved die, nuh-uh. Takes the AD header.
Final Chorus
Chorus repeat with changes (e.g., 'And he lived that dream hidden deep in his soul, A life with love, a life short but whole' or somesuch)

Buuuut it could be done backwards, with the song explaining his sacrifice; it could be stretched out over more verses (to include the Rose Moment or whatever else seems significant); it could be slanted more toward a comrade-in-arms Warden, or one who he admired even though s/he was with another LI; it could take up the "he dumped me after the Landsmeet and then he killed himself" arc in particular.

Or, you could just tell me to write a song about Alistair. I do agree that wanting desperately to be loved is one of the main points of his character, so I could just run amok from there.

[tklivory]

I'm working on music for "Come and Dance with Me". Not sure how '80s power ballad-y it is going to be, but I have the melody and chord structure down. I'll have more tomorrow. How would I show/whatever a progress of the song? I have a notational program - do you read music, or would you prefer a recording (which wouldn't be highest quality at first, just a warning!)

For the Alistair song, I have absolute confidence that you could run amok with it much better than I could. I always start with the chorus when I (try to) write lyrics because that is, to me, the part that the whole theme of the song is written about. If you want, I could also write/record the little bit I had in mind for the chorus and somehow... get it to you.

Corker wrote...

Or, you could just tell me to write a song about Alistair. I do agree that wanting desperately to be loved is one of the main points of his character, so I could just run amok from there.

Sounds like a good concept of what I was trying to communicate with the chorus.  I had the concept of the F!Warden/Alistair relationship, so I'm not sure which is the more tragic in that scenario, the Warden Commander ending or the Ultimate Sacrifice ending, but obviously someone takes an AD header (heh heh) and the DR is rejected in this scenario. Thoughts?

Modifié par tklivory, 30 octobre 2011 - 06:01 .

[Corker]

I do read music; I've got my own copy of Finale, but I understand Noteworthy's got a free reader I could download (or there's PDFs, if you can write those). I've found Google Docs to be decent as a file sharing service; upload the file, change the share settings and send your collaborators a link.

WC is, IMO, tragic in an uplifting way, if you spin it as one of the first decisions he makes on his own. Not so much if you spin it as him trying to avoid kingship. US is tragic and very bitter, especially if he's left as solo unhardened king - 'forever alone' and trapped by duty in a role he hates.

Edit: Oooor I think those 'Projects' here on BSN have file upload capability, yes?

Modifié par Corker, 30 octobre 2011 - 01:27 .

[tklivory]

All right, I've created a group called 'Minstrels of Thedas'.  I was able to upload the music as a JPG photo under the photo tab, so you should be able to view it.  I have set the group to allow new members to join without approval, so you can join as you will.

The WIP is the first verse and chorus, as that is the majority of melody and chords that would be represented in the song.

I like your thinking for the WC ending.  I was leaning towards that myself, since I do believe that it is a realization of both his need to express his love as well as his view of the dedication Grey Wardens (the whole 'What Would Duncan Do?' phenomenon of his character.)

Modifié par tklivory, 30 octobre 2011 - 04:26 .

[tklivory]

All right, Project Page has now been created - "Minstrels of Thedas".  I transposed the song and uploaded as a PNG.  You should be able to download it and view it now.

Modifié par tklivory, 30 octobre 2011 - 05:08 .

[tklivory]

I've updated the Project Page. There are WIP lead sheets for "Come and Dance with Me" (first verse/chorus) and "Who Am I?" (first two stanzas, no chorus yet), as well as a rough vocal recording for each. When you get a chance, let me know what you think!

I love the lyrics for both songs.  Leliana's is particularly bittersweet, I love it!

[Corker]

Sweet! I will try to get a look tonight. (I have wretched timing - I'm starting a week of 8-hour training at work, and with the times I have to commute in and all... but I should be able to pull 30 min here or there to noodle around with your tunes!)

[Glorfindel709]

Oooh this looks like fun

"In the merry month of Haring, from me home I started
left the girls of Lothering ,nearly broken hearted
Salute me father dear, kiss me darlin mother and drank a pint of beer
me grief and tears to smother then off to reap the corn,
leave where I was born, cut a stout Blackthorn
to banish ghost and darkspawn
with a brand new pair of broges, rattlin o're the bogs
frightenin all the dogs
On the rocky road to Denerin, one two three four five

Hunt the hare and turn her down, the rocky road and all the way to Denerim
whack-fol-la-de-da"

Modifié par Glorfindel709, 07 novembre 2011 - 06:09 .

[tklivory]

Hey, Glor! Come and join the group Minstrels of Thedas if you like!  Then you can have access to the Minstrels of Thedas project, see how it's progressing, and contribute lyrics, music, or (eventually) video editing as you have time for  It's a casual little project (no real timeline), but I think Corker and I have really managed to have fun and make some awesome stuff.

[Glorfindel709]

I did

I'm thinking mostly lyrical contributions - I have no composing or editing skills to speak of :/

[tklivory]

Woot!

[Corker]

Tune of 'Rocky Road to Dublin,' aye?

[Glorfindel709]

Aye, I was thinking something along the tune of "Foggy Dew" for a Ferelden Rebel song

"Right proudly high over Gwaren town, they hung out the flag of war.
Twas better to die 'neath a Ferelden sky, than at Jader or Val Royeaux!
And from the plains of Rainesfere, strong men came hurryin through,
While the Orlesian fiends, with Chevalier mounted steeds
sailed out o're the foggy dew"

Loghain has "Follow me up to Carlow"

Lift, King Brandel, your face
still brooding o're the old disgrace
those black Orlesians stole your place
and drove you to the Bannorn
Severan said victory was sure,
soon the firebrand he'd secure
until he met at Gwaren
with Loghain Mac Tir

Curse and swear, Arl Guerrin
Mac Tir will do what Mac Tir will dare!
Now King Mehgren have a care,
fallen has your star low!
Up with halberd, out with sword
On we go, for by the Lord
Loghain Mac Tir has given the word
Follow me up to Gwaren!

Modifié par Glorfindel709, 08 novembre 2011 - 07:06 .

[tklivory]

Oooh, so many awesome lyrics so little time... *grumble*

I'm lovin' it, Glor!