Medieval RPG - Track Tear Down
- Clement Chan
- Mar 13, 2019
- 7 min read
Updated: Mar 26, 2019
Track tear down of Medieval Market - Derek & Brandon Fietcher
(Fietcher & Fietcher, 2016)
Medieval Market from the Wandering Bard by Derek & Brandon Fietcher, after listening to their works on youtube it was evident that they focused on making bgm tracks for games.
Background
After the project pitch in Week 1, the green light was given to create a single game OST for a fantasy town that would have existed in the 1200-1500 AD from Eastern Europe.
This track tear down shows the methods of analysis that went into the deconstruction of the pieces from that time period as well as looking into the instruments that made certain sounds of the time to try to be historically accurate. This track tear down also will take into account of modern games and to look at what modern media is doing to portray the same genre of sounds within the game.
In creating the final track for submission for AUD210 Project 1. This blog aims to describe the process in which was taken to select, disassemble and analyse a single track to find out why it fits the fantasy game genre.
What meaning or feel we are after
The premise is that you are a character walking into this town and therefore a town theme will accompany you as walk through the town.
(Midrock_Market.jpg, 2016)
The image shown shows the type of town that we envisioned that the game would put the character into where there where there will be many people in the city to mingle with and an area that is considered a safe zone for the character.
Why was the song chosen
After listening to over 5 hours of music from Youtube and researching music from the 1200-1500 AD period we deduced that there was a certain melodic themes that were prevalent in representing music of this era. One big influence in our choice for finding a reference track came from the game soundtrack from The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion.
(Soule, 2007)
This game was set in the fantasy world of Tamriel, Cyrodiil and featured many markets and towns in which the player could walk around.
Since the world was on the edge of impending doom throughout the game the music was mainly too somber to reference to since we intended to use the picture seen in the Fantasy Town image above to reference our inspirations.
Artists
Derek and Brandon Fietcher are two brothers who work from Bluffton Indiana, you can follow the link above in their names to check our their Bandcamp profiles.
Both have a strong musical background that is focused on creating music and soundscapes for games, films and other media that are fantasy focused and medieval in nature.
Key features used in our reference track
Musical analysis
After placing the song into a DAW we can see the track has a strong loud beginning and then transitions to a softer middle section, a slow build up just after the middle of the song and then dips and swings into a loud finish towards the end fade-out seen in the diagram below.
After breaking the track down further we see that the track consists of the following sections;
Track breakdown of sections;
A - A’ - B - B’ - C - C’ - D - D’ - A’ - B’ - Outro - Outro fade out
Listening critically we find that the reference track has 12 sections in total with each section consisting of 8 bars in 4/4 time, the tempo of the track is found to be 113bpm.
Instruments identified in track production
Recorder
Trumpet
Clarinet
Leather hide hand drum,
Male Voice Choir
Dulcimer
Tambourine
Cymbals
The recorder in the track was used to carry the melodic theme through each section of the song.
The instruments used in the track reflected the available instruments that were used in the 12-15 century era. The choir is reminiscent of the Gregorian chant or Plainchant that was used for religious songs in the Churches of the time. ("Middle Ages :: Musical Instruments", 2011)
Tempo
The track is found to be 113 bpm and this would have been called Andante Moderato or Moderato which translates to a good walking speed. The chosen speed suits the overall theme since a character can be envisioned to be walking through the middle of the town at this pace.
Key signature
The Key signature of the reference track is in B major and does not alter at all throughout the track. Different melodic phrases are used in each section to add interest and give the the song a new dimension through out the track.
Production
After listening to the song several times the sonic information was extracted and analysed using a methodology taken from William Moylan's bock " understanding and Crafting the Mix: The Art of Recording" Moylan, W. D. (2015). Understanding and crafting the mix: The art of recording (3rd ed.). Burlington: Focal Press.
Each predominant instrument heard in the track was listened to and analysed individually for its frequency content, loudness and the panning. An in depth, short interpretation is then conducted as to why the instrument was chosen, its denotative and connotative meanings will be explored.
Hand Drum
The drum sounded like it was placed in large hall reverb and it gave it a larger spaced feeling. The constant beat of the hand drum of constant medium loudness keeps all instruments in time and provides for a steady walking paced atmosphere at 113bpm.
Tambourine
A Space reverb places gives the width and works well by adding spice to the track. The tambourine is made to be intentionally quieter to sit in the background. The tambourine is usually associated with the dancing and excitement which is what this track does in portraying a live busy market space full of excitement and laughter.
Cymbals
Cymbals with space reverb, placed further back from the listener. They appear at the beginning of each section transition e.g A>A'>B>B' etc. Each beginning of the 8 bar phrase is signified by a cymbal crash. This is deliberate I believe to add a dramatic feel to each section that is introduced. A greater sense of satisfaction and closure is achieved whenever you hear the cymbal.
Dulcimer
The call and response method in song writing is used extensively in section D,D' where the dulcimer leads by being louder and more prominent after which the recorder comes in to respond. It adds character to the song and resembles in the listeners mind like the bartering done in a market place.
Recorder
A hall reverb is placed on the instrument and creates a wide stereo image as it plays each leading melodic 8 bar phrase. The call and response musical method is used predominately in section C, C' where the recorder leads the melodic phrase then it is responded to by the clarinet. Later in section D,D' the recorder responds to the Dulcimer. One could interpret the recorder as the lead character walking through the market place and bartering with shop owners who are represented as the clarinet and dulcimer.
Clarinet
A hall reverb is also placed on the Clarinet to give a wide stereo image and responds to the recorder in each of the sections that it appears. The harmonic response to the recorders call is explained above.
Trumpet
The trumpet comes in to a response to the recorder in the second part of A' and as most trumpets do, signify a grand entrance and hence why it is positioned in the front of the stereo image. This is used in games regularly as an audible signpost that a new item or a new twist in the plot or scene. The trumpet appears in the A' and one could interpret that since the recorder is the main character walking into the market the trumpets sound their welcoming note. Nearing the end the recorder is walking out of the markets and the trumpets yet again play to signify an exit.
Vox Male Choir
A Large Hall Reverb is placed on the Choir which adds a whole dimension to the song in track in general. The Choir comes in and backs up the recorder and gives the whole a piece an air of power. In western music the choir is usually associated with the Gregorian chant and plain chant of the Church. This then adds an air of authority and thickness to the whole piece. The 8 bar silent section appearing in the beginning of verse C gives the piece some breathing room and adds a powerful dynamic to the whole song when it returns again. The space created in the song creates a space in which the listener is focused on the lead recorder. One could imagine that this could interpreted to be the the player in the market has stopped and is looking at a piece of market ware before returning on their browsing of the market signified by the return of the choir.
Overall analysis
From the above graph we can see that the multiple layers and frequencies comprised in this reference track is well balanced and has a strong lead and interesting slow rise in the middle section then dips and finished strongly with a climatic phrase. The frequency analysis supports the observation and gives an overall picture to the breath of bandwidth of the multiple instruments.
Musically the track uses the call and response method liberally throughout the track and is easily interpreted as the communication between buyers and sellers at the market place. The highly spirited playing of the recorder reflects the happy and optimistic shopper as he/she walks through the throng of market stalls. Overall the combination of medieval instruments, gentle walking pace and musical methods used paints a vivid picture of a medieval market which is the name of the reference track.
The take away learning?
In making a musical piece for the next project we can use the same structure and tempo since these progressions are not beholding to anyone. The instruments can be reused so long as the melodic phrasing and chordal progressions are not composed too closely to the original.
References
Fietcher, B., & Fietcher, D. (2016). 1 Hour of Medieval RPG Music & Game Music. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYA8XGxSHSM&t=3138s
Midrock_Market.jpg. (2016). [Image]. Retrieved from https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/lorald/images/c/c6/Midrock_Market.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20170605234741
Soule, J. (2007). The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Soundtrack (Full). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhOEn7Xl8as&t=2045s
Middle Ages :: Musical Instruments. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.themiddleages.net/life/music.html
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