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In my last post I discussed using music last game to good effect. When I queried my players, to my surprise they were actually quite excited about it. My itunes playlist was loaded with generic fantasy music, put on party shuffle, and set at a volume high enough to hear and low enough to be background music.
This will definitely become a regular part of my games. The only problem I face now is — what other music can use? I’d like a library of different playlists for different scenes. This is where I ask for your help.
Give me a list of ten-twenty songs for D&D scenes set in the wilderness.
If you can, list things that I can purchase off of itunes for extra credit. Yes, I am Steve Job’s music-slave. Either post in comments or share with me in the comments and I’ll do an official round-up in a week or so.
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How about using soundtracks of computer games? I’m currently trying to use the Vagrant Story soundtrack in my games. I’m still struggling, however. Not everybody likes it.
Hey,
First time poster here with a little idea for you.
If you go to http://www.radiorivendell.com you can push a button in the top right hand corner that will play an infinite supply of fantasty music. Its great for gaming, and it will also show you who the musicians are, so you can find some other music for your ipod.
-Dave
Welcome Alex and Dave!
@alex –I’m definitely not opposed to using game music. where do you get yours from? Also, was your group opposed to Vagrant Story OST, or game music in general?
@dave –you just made my day. while my goal is to have targetted music for different scenes, I’m definitely going to look into radio rivendell’s many compilations and see what I can pull from there. Thanks!
I use a mixture of Clannad, Enya, and three Celtic variety CD’s set to randon play.
I’ve played with groups that use stuff by White Zombie or Rob zombie (these days) during battles…was much cooler than expected.
I use 3 different playlists, the aforementioned soothing woodland/outdoorsy stuff.
Tense movie scores looped for dialogue/exposition/dungeoneering.
And a heavy metal loop for BBEGs. I’ve found selecting a “theme” song for each unique NPC villain or DMNPC to be a real crowd pleaser as well.
One of the things I liked the most about neverwinter nights was the music and ambient noise of the settings.
From “A Celtic Romance” by Mychael and Jeff Danna, you can get a lot of soft, contemplative stuff. Most of it would work well for temples and cloisters of Good, while “Dia Dha Mo Chaim” is a forthright but gentle marching tune. “The Blood of Cu Chulainn” is heroic and hopeful.
From Anuna, “Winter, Fire, and Snow” is a great homecoming song. “Heia Viri” is men chanting as they pull on the oars of their ship.
Loreena McKennitt’s got a lot of good stuff if you like a more gentle sound in your games. From “The Book of Secrets” I’d especially recommend “Night Ride Across the Caucasus” for traveling music.
For something a bit more dramatic, check out E.S. Posthumous’ “Unearthed”. I’d especially recommend Tikal, Nara, and Pompeii.
If you can find it, “Dhol Foundation” is some great drum music with an Asian touch. I especially recommend “Drummers Reel” for sparring or friendlier combat scenes, “Seven Heaven” for gardens or enchanted forests, “Punjab De Rang” would make a good piece for sailing down a mysterious river, either above or under ground.
I like kodo style drums for chases and frenetic combat scenes. The “Teahouse” piece from the “Matrix: Reloaded” soundtrack is great for that.
Ok, how about some pieces that are more classical? Everyone knows the finale to Rossini’s “William Tell Overture”, but most don’t know the other three parts. Part 2, “Storm” is great, er, stormy weather music, while the following “Ranz des Vaches” is the classic peaceful morning music.
Need to set a more elegant, courtly scene? Pop in Handel’s “The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba”, and everyone will know that this is a garden party that requires everyone to be on their best behavior. If you want a more fey feel to your garden party, try “The Road to La Coruna” from Bill Whelan’s “The Seville Suite”, which also includes “The Storm”, a piece that is clearly written by a man who understands first hand what seasickness is like.
I’ll round this out to twenty with a pair from Windham Hill. The first is from their “Winter Solstice” album by Bill Oskay and Michaeal O Damhnaill called “Nollaig”. It’s a great, quiet, gentle tune that’s always made me think of walking through through a deep, rich wood. Finally, I’d recommend Schonherz & Scott’s “Wishing Well” as a great piece of pleasant traveling music. It’s excellent when the group is first setting out on fresh mounts or maybe even flying on a airship, with lots of optimism and high spirits.
Hope those help.
- Brian
That really does help. Sorry for the delay, but I’ve actually been out hunting for some of this stuff. This will give me a great jumpstart on what I’m looking into so far!
Thanks!