Introduction

Compositing a music for a Jam is not the same as compositing music when you have more than 72 hours.

That's why they are some technics and tips to produce a music in a short time.

Who I am ?

I am phd student in computer science but I love composing music in my free times. I have already composed music to @pndaa before the LD-47 Jam. Stand On Dignity Good Fighter Lost Goblins

And I composed a music for the game Lost Woods. Take a look and don't forget to rate and comment :)

To conclude, I am not a professional musician and my blog is for intermediate music compositer.

Tools

You could use the tool you want. But train you before the Jam of course. It could be a bit complicated to use interface.

Some tools free or not :

• LMMS(free)
• FL Studio (prices)
• Reaper (free or prices)
• LogicPro (prices)
• Protools (prices), ...

Personally, I use Reaper for more complex piece of music.

I recommend to take time to choose virtual instrument (vst, aax,etc,...) and test it. A lot of them are free. free vst

For free orchestral instruments I recommend : vsco-community or virtual playing orchestra.

You can buy vst if you prefere of course...

To Start

You should take a paper and a pen and write the emotion of the music and context.

For our game, Lost Woods : Because the story of the game is a little boy lost in the forest stuck in a time loop. He must find a way to break the loop but the forest is little scary for a child.

• I want a music that sound like "smooth" or dreamy. Because, the hero is a child.
• I want a music that sound a little scary. Not to much.
• I want a time sound. For the time loop counter...

After that, you could choose the kind of instrument. Because it's fantasy I prefer to use orchestral instruments (classic but efficient).

A select of small set of instrument :

• Violin Solo : For the melody. It's cliché but efficient. You don't compose a masterpiece, for this, you need more time.
• Violons : To repeat the melody but with more "space".
• Piano : Piano is a good choice for smooth and dreamy music.
• Harp : For me harp is a great instrument and he is associate with forest.
• Sound of mechanic toy : It's to remind the child. But, because of scary movies, it's sound a little creepy. I used it like a percussion.
• Sounf of clock : Just for the time loop counter. It gives an other ambiance. I have used it like a percussion too.

Now with the feeling of the music and the list of instruments, you could start to produce music.

Writing Music

Usually we start producing music by writing melody and make harmonization. Personnaly I use this method now because I am more familiar with it.

But it's a quite technical if you don't know music theory very well. And it could slowdown the process...

That's why, I advice you a different process...

Pattern : it's a small part of your composition with only music notes. You can duplicate it on the global music.

1. You should compose the accompaniment. (create pattern and duplicate it to create the base)
2. Compose the melody
3. Use the melody on different instruments
4. Create variations when you duplicate a pattern
5. Compose the rythm.

So, this process is not the only one and it's not the best. But it's efficient in term of times and results. A beginner or intermediate can use this method easily. Good enough for a LD Jam.

Conclusion

Music composition is not easy. But you can follow this method and try. Experiences give you a better result. Don't be afraid to compose. :)

I hope this article will help you ! If you want more articles or videos on the subject (composing music for jam),talk to me in comments :)

My soundcloud playlist LDJam

Introduction

Compositing a music for a Jam is not the same as compositing music when you have more than 72 hours.

That's why they are some technics and tips to produce a music in a short time.

Who I am ?

I am phd student in computer science but I love composing music in my free times. I have already composed music to @pndaa before the LD-47 Jam. Stand On Dignity Good Fighter Lost Goblins

And I composed a music for the game Lost Woods. Take a look and don't forget to rate and comment :)

To conclude, I am not a professional musician and my blog is for intermediate music compositer.

Tools

You could use the tool you want. But train you before the Jam of course. It could be a bit complicated to use interface.

Some tools free or not :

• LMMS(free)
• FL Studio (prices)
• Reaper (free or prices)
• LogicPro (prices)
• Protools (prices), ...

Personally, I use Reaper for more complex piece of music.

I recommend to take time to choose virtual instrument (vst, aax,etc,...) and test it. A lot of them are free. free vst

For free orchestral instruments I recommend : vsco-community or virtual playing orchestra.

You can buy vst if you prefere of course...

To Start

You should take a paper and a pen and write the emotion of the music and context.

For our game, Lost Woods : Because the story of the game is a little boy lost in the forest stuck in a time loop. He must find a way to break the loop but the forest is little scary for a child.

• I want a music that sound like "smooth" or dreamy. Because, the hero is a child.
• I want a music that sound a little scary. Not to much.
• I want a time sound. For the time loop counter...

After that, you could choose the kind of instrument. Because it's fantasy I prefer to use orchestral instruments (classic but efficient).

A select of small set of instrument :

• Violin Solo : For the melody. It's cliché but efficient. You don't compose a masterpiece, for this, you need more time.
• Violons : To repeat the melody but with more "space".
• Piano : Piano is a good choice for smooth and dreamy music.
• Harp : For me harp is a great instrument and he is associate with forest.
• Sound of mechanic toy : It's to remind the child. But, because of scary movies, it's sound a little creepy. I used it like a percussion.
• Sounf of clock : Just for the time loop counter. It gives an other ambiance. I have used it like a percussion too.

Now with the feeling of the music and the list of instruments, you could start to produce music.

Writing Music

Usually we start producing music by writing melody and make harmonization. Personnaly I use this method now because I am more familiar with it.

But it's a quite technical if you don't know music theory very well. And it could slowdown the process...

That's why, I advice you a different process...

Pattern : it's a small part of your composition with only music notes. You can duplicate it on the global music.

1. You should compose the accompaniment. (create pattern and duplicate it to create the base)
2. Compose the melody
3. Use the melody on different instruments
4. Create variations when you duplicate a pattern
5. Compose the rythm.

So, this process is not the only one and it's not the best. But it's efficient in term of times and results. A beginner or intermediate can use this method easily. Good enough for a LD Jam.

Conclusion

Music composition is not easy. But you can follow this method and try. Experiences give you a better result. Don't be afraid to compose. :)

I hope this article will help you ! If you want more articles or videos on the subject (composing music for jam),talk to me in comments :)

My soundcloud playlist LDJam