Melodic Magic - A spooky yet mystical adventure!

[Layne Lee]

Hello everyone! Today I bring my project over the past couple days. A piece I have dubbed "Melodic Magic". I was trying to capture a mystic feeling, with a spooky edge for October. For this project I made it in FL Studio, using BBSCO Discover as well as Amadeus Symphonic Orchestra. This is the extended version, but I did make an abridged cut of the song that ends around the three minute mark. I know pieces like this can sometimes be too long at five, but I am hoping the changes and the journey come across to you, the listener.

I would also love to know what imagery comes to mind when you hear it. Something that always fascinates me is the way music can represent different stories in everyone's mind. To me, this encompasses a magical journey through a dark and mysterious forest. With some suspense, but also some mystic arts.

I hope you enjoy the listen and I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts! Wish I had scores to offer, but currently I do not have software to do so in FL Studio. (But if there are any suggestions they would be gladly appreciated!)

Crop Factor · Melodic Magic 10 - 15 - 23

[Rowy]

It sure is spooky, and it's magical, but there's no melodic line long enough to make me hum it. The short melodic lines are more like the repeat of a theme. Don't get me wrong; I think you did an excellent job. It's the title that threw me off.

[Layne Lee]

Thank you for your feedback! I suppose I chose the name more for the fun alliteration rather than actual content in the song without thinking of it being misleading, so my apologies. I am glad you enjoyed the song! Appreciate the listen.

[Ivor]

Hi, Layne,

To me, it came across as the bleakness after a war or earthquake, the landscape, the trekking back to a devastated land by a few survivors bearing a few possessions in sacks on their backs. Perhaps the male voices in the opening bars set this scene.
Also, the unvarying tonality kept this mood going. There were moments when I expected a change of key/tonality (1'11", 3'10" approx) but it didn't happen. Aside from a few points where the instrumentation faded out to almost nothing there was little variation in the dynamics at all - again emphasising the persistence of the mood.

I liked it but more as a devastated aftermath than mysterious or spooky!

As for music notation software...I hate it so I'm no ambassador! I truly don't know how anyone can compose with it - so slow and with its initially fixed barlines is more like a prison than a blank canvas. Bad enough editing a midi export....but there are many who'd disagree. I've heard acclaim about musescore4 which I understand is free and utility. I haven't tried it but let's see what others have to say....
.


1.11

[Layne Lee]

I am very (positively) intrigued by your interpretation! I never would have gotten that visual without your mention of it and it does fit well. When I listen to it and think of it as you have described it, I see that. This is a perfect example of why I like to ask for different interpretations of pieces! When I write music I always imagine scenes in my mind, approaching them more as scores to whatever story comes to me while making it. And thank you for the feedback, I appreciate the listen.

And also thank you for the tips on notation software! I don't know how to actually write music into scores/onto paper. Everything I do is in FL Studio. Translating what I've learned from being around music my whole life and then playing cello in elementary and middle school into the DAW. I will certainly continue looking into notation software and seeing if anyone else has some pointers. Might be better as its own thread!

[Raymond Jacob]

Danny Elfman came to mind right away. He’s the one who wrote the music for a lot of the Tim Burton movies (I.e. Nightmare Before Christmas), so I automatically associate that sound, and therefore, this piece, with spooky, otherworldly scenes. Nice job.

[Layne Lee]

Danny Elfman is one of my favorites! Love his quirky and dark style. It is an honor to know that he came to mind when you listened! Thank you so much and I appreciate the listen.