Musical Catagories for RPGs

[Andramelech]

I'm wondering what genres or catagories you guys use with role playing music. Example: suspense, action, comedy, .... see, I can't think of many. An experienced GMDJ might have just a couple catagories that cover everything nicely.

I could just use a bunch of catagories: Suspense action drama inspirational comedy sadness victory morbid confusion chase ToughGuy LittleDude badmood celebration drunk stupid happy ugly holy, but if I did it this way I'd have 20 or more catagories, and I want it to be quick. My catagories might be redundant, Example: Suspense, action, chase, and drama might be better as just one catagorie, like action. But an experienced GMDJ might know that you need separate catagories for action, and suspense, for example.

I know there's someone out there who has the perfect musical catagories to use for role-playing. Not to many, but they'd cover what was needed in a game.

 

[Andramelech]

bump

 

[Stormonu]

I tend to use Exploration (soft, slow background music), Suspense (slow-building eerie music) and Action (fast-paced music). I also have a few special Themed bits (tavern music, howling wind/thunderstorm, NPC speeches or other special bits) that have a special, one-time purpose.

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

Metal

 

[Andramelech]

Metal

That's what I currently use. A battle will start, so I'll throw on War Ensemble or something, then forget about it. And I realize halfway through the Halfling peacefull village encounter that Slayer is still playing.

 

[Andramelech]

I tend to use Exploration (soft, slow background music), Suspense (slow-building eerie music) and Action (fast-paced music). I also have a few special Themed bits (tavern music, howling wind/thunderstorm, NPC speeches or other special bits) that have a special, one-time purpose.

I like it. Only 3 catagories. I'm trying to think of some good exploring music, from movie soundtracks and such (not everyone likes metal). You know that music they always play when someones building something cool? That's what I picture. Do you use your Exploration music as a kind of middle ground between slow suspense and fast action (Even if they're not actually exploring)?

 

[Diamond Cross]

I tend not to use music during a game, it's pretty distracting.

 

[Stormonu]

I like it. Only 3 catagories. I'm trying to think of some good exploring music, from movie soundtracks and such (not everyone likes metal). You know that music they always play when someones building something cool? That's what I picture. Do you use your Exploration music as a kind of middle ground between slow suspense and fast action (Even if they're not actually exploring)?

I use the "exploring" music for the quiet times - in towns, traveling in the wilderness and a good majority of the game; generally whenever the characters would likely have their guard down. I generally use Suspense when the characters are in an unknown, but dangerous area when there's not actively a fight going on (say, rooting around in a dungeon). Action, is of course for dramatic scenes - often fights, chases or climatic confrontations with a BBEG.

As far as actual music goes, I generally prefer music without lyrics - the soundtrack to Diablo II, Neverwinter Nights, Age of Empires (game soundtracks have a lot of usable music and more modern games often have mp3 files you can extract and use) or movie soundtracks (Star Wars, 300, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, etc.).

If you don't have a big music collection but have access to a computer or web-enabled media player, I find Pandora Radio and Radio Rivendell can provide nice backdrop music. Pandora and it's kin have the advantage you could create different "stations" based on your music categories - perhaps in your case an "Action station" based on songs similar to Slayer.

 

[Werebat]

I have used music in my games for years. In fact, most of my iPod is dedicated to RPG music. I've spent a lot of time categorizing it as well. So much time that I am very, very careful about backing it all up! At this point it would require a nuclear war level event for me to lose more than say 80% of my library.

The three main categories I use are "Background", "Combat", and "Quips". Subcategories of "Background" include "Dungeon", "Spooky/Undead", "Creepy/Alien", "City", "Tension/Suspense", "Terrain", and "Travel". Subcategories of "Combat" include "Movies", "Television", "Video Games", and "Other". Subcategories of "Quips" include "Cartoons", "Gauntlet", "Ghostbusters", "Hobbit/LotR", "Labyrinth", "Monty Python", "Mighty Boosh", "MST3K", "Video Games"... There are a LOT of categories in "Quips".

(I use "Quips" primarily for humor, such as playing the sound effect for Pac Man dying when a PC dies. It gets laughs.)



- Ron ^*^

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

That's what I currently use. A battle will start, so I'll throw on War Ensemble or something, then forget about it. And I realize halfway through the Halfling peacefull village encounter that Slayer is still playing.

Try some "atmospheric sludge" or post-metal (or even progressive sludge). Typically long songs that build over time, often minimal lyrics, et cetera.

• ISIS
• Pelican (no vocals in the band)
• Cult of Luna
• Neurosis
• Baroness