Learning How To Make Music For My Indie Game

Pontypants
15 Oct 202219:57
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this video, the creator shares their journey of composing music for their first game, developed over two years. With no prior experience, they teach themselves using a MIDI keyboard and FL Studio, inspired by Nintendo 64's era. They experiment with various instruments and melodies, creating a diverse soundtrack, including a main theme dedicated to their dog. Despite initial struggles, they find enjoyment and progress in music production, learning through practice and instinct.

Takeaways
  • 🎮 The creator is close to finishing their first game after two years of development and is excited about the upcoming completion.
  • 🎵 The game is in need of music, and the creator has no prior experience but is determined to learn and compose the music themselves.
  • 🎹 The creator's wife gifted a MIDI keyboard, which will be used for both practicing and computer-based music production.
  • 💻 A digital audio workstation (DAW) is necessary for music creation, and the creator is considering FL Studio, which was used by Toby Fox for 'Undertale'.
  • 🕹 The game's inspiration comes from Nintendo 64, with simple and clean graphics, and the creator plans to reflect this in the music as well.
  • 📚 Additional instruments from other video games, like 'Mario 64', can be downloaded to enhance the music's nostalgic feel.
  • 🎼 The creator is on a budget but received a free license from Image-Line to use FL Studio, for which they express gratitude.
  • 📈 The creator has been practicing piano daily and taking online courses to understand music theory, despite initial struggles.
  • 🎼 Experimentation with playing favorite songs on the piano has been more satisfying for the creator than practicing scales and chords.
  • 🎶 The creator started composing music with a simple tune they often sing to their dog, intending to use it for the game's main theme.
  • 🎧 The creator finds the process of starting a new song challenging but uses tools like a riff maker to help initiate the composition process.
Q & A

  • What is the main purpose of the video?

    -The video is about the creator's journey of learning to make music for their own game, which they have been developing for over two years.

  • Why does the creator decide to learn music themselves instead of hiring someone?

    -The creator wants to have the ability to make music for all their future games, which gives them a sense of achievement and control over their projects.

  • What instrument does the creator's wife surprise them with?

    -The creator's wife surprises them with a MIDI keyboard, which can be used for practice and connected to a computer for music production.

  • What is a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) and why is it needed?

    -A Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is a program used for making music. It is needed because it provides the tools and instruments to compose and produce music digitally.

  • Which DAW does the creator consider using and why?

    -The creator considers using FL Studio, as it has many built-in instruments and synthesizers, and was used by Toby Fox for creating music for 'Undertale'.

  • What is the inspiration behind the game's music and graphics?

    -The game's music and graphics are inspired by the Nintendo 64 era, with simple and clean graphics and music that reflects the style of that time.

  • How does the creator approach learning music theory and piano playing?

    -The creator uses a course on Skillshare and practices piano for at least an hour every evening, focusing on understanding music theory and playing techniques.

  • What is the first song the creator attempts to make and why did they choose it?

    -The first song the creator attempts is the main theme of the game. They chose it because it plays when the game is launched, despite it being a challenging song to start with.

  • How does the creator develop the melody for the main theme?

    -The creator develops the melody for the main theme based on a tune they often sing to their dog, which they then transpose into FL Studio.

  • What is the creator's process for making music for the game?

    -The creator's process involves experimenting with different instruments and synthesizers in FL Studio, adding bass lines, drums, and other elements to create a cohesive piece of music.

  • What challenges does the creator face while making music for the game?

    -The creator faces challenges such as getting started with a new song, dealing with the pressure of an empty project, and finding the right instruments and rhythms to fit the game's theme.

  • How does the creator plan to finish the game and release it?

    -The creator plans to finish the game by completing all the songs, testing them in the game, and then releasing the full soundtrack on YouTube. They also encourage viewers to subscribe for updates and to follow the game's development on Steam.

Outlines
00:00
🎮 Game Development and Music Creation Journey

The speaker is on the verge of completing their first video game after two years of development. They are seeking to create music for the game and embark on a self-taught journey to learn music production. They receive a MIDI keyboard from their wife and consider using FL Studio, inspired by Toby Fox's work on Undertale. The game's design is influenced by Nintendo 64, and the speaker plans to incorporate music from that era, including a Mario 64 instrument. They also discuss the importance of starting the music creation process despite being on a budget, and express gratitude to Image-Line for providing a free license for their project.

05:02
🎹 Learning Music Theory and Experimentation

The speaker discusses their efforts to learn music theory through Skillshare, practicing piano daily, and struggling with understanding chords, scales, and arpeggios. Despite the initial challenges, they gain confidence after a month of practice and start experimenting with playing favorite songs. The speaker also begins creating music for their game, starting with the main theme, inspired by a tune they sing to their dog. They explore different instruments in FL Studio and work on adding a bass line and drums to their compositions.

10:03
🎼 Developing Game Music and Overcoming Challenges

The speaker continues to develop music for their game, focusing on creating a menu song that is simple and repetitive. They experiment with different instruments and rhythms to achieve a loopable menu background track. The speaker also works on in-game music, using a riff maker tool to generate bass lines and incorporating pan flutes and chiptunes for a nostalgic feel. They create a laid-back track and a more intense song for different game segments, reflecting on the process of starting new compositions and the satisfaction of finishing them.

15:08
🏆 Crafting Victory Music and Finalizing Game Soundtrack

The speaker works on creating a cinematic victory segment for the game and experiments with fanfare and piano music for the victory theme. They settle on a piano piece that conveys a victorious yet slightly sad mood. The speaker also composes music for various game levels, including a darker tune for a Viking level and an 8-bit inspired track for the final opponent. They create simple and repetitive tunes for the tutorial and character creation menus. The speaker plans to extend the length of the songs and upload the full soundtrack to YouTube once the game is complete. They share their learning experience and the courses they took to learn piano and game development, inviting viewers to follow their journey.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡MIDI Keyboard
A MIDI keyboard is a device that sends MIDI signals to a computer, synthesizer, or other equipment, allowing the user to play and create music. In the video, the presenter is gifted a MIDI keyboard by his wife, which he uses to practice playing music and connect to his computer for music production, illustrating its role as a fundamental tool in his music-making journey.
💡Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
A Digital Audio Workstation is a software application used for recording, editing, and producing audio files. The video's creator is considering using a DAW, specifically FL Studio, to make music for his game, highlighting the importance of DAWs in modern music production and their ability to provide a wide range of instruments and synthesizers.
💡Fruity Loops
Fruity Loops, officially known as FL Studio, is a popular DAW used for music production. The video mentions it as the chosen software for creating music, emphasizing its reputation for having a comprehensive set of built-in instruments and synthesizers, which is crucial for the creator's goal of composing music for his game.
💡Nintendo 64
Nintendo 64 is a video game console known for its distinctive games and music. The video's creator is inspired by the era's music and graphics, aiming to incorporate a similar style into his game. This keyword is used to describe the aesthetic and musical direction the creator is pursuing for his game's soundtrack.
💡Music Theory
Music theory is the study of the practices and possibilities of music, including the elements of melody, harmony, rhythm, and form. The script mentions the creator taking piano lessons and learning about music theory, which is essential for understanding how to compose and produce music, even though he initially struggles with it.
💡Piano Lessons
Piano lessons are educational sessions focused on teaching individuals how to play the piano. The video's creator is taking piano lessons to improve his musical skills, which helps him in composing music for his game, despite his initial doubts about the effectiveness of these lessons.
💡Main Theme
A main theme is the central melody or musical idea in a piece of music, often associated with the opening or title sequence. In the video, the creator is working on the main theme for his game, which plays when the game is launched, indicating its importance as a defining musical piece for the game's identity.
💡Bass Line
A bass line is the lowest-pitched part of a musical composition, often providing rhythmic and harmonic support. The video describes the creation of a bass line using a Mario 64 instrument to complement the main melody, showing the role of bass in establishing the foundation of a song.
💡Chiptune
Chiptune is a style of synthesized electronic music that emulates the sound of 8-bit and 16-bit video game consoles. The script mentions incorporating chiptunes into the game's soundtrack to capture the nostalgic feel of old video games, reflecting the creator's intention to blend modern and retro elements in his music.
💡Riff Maker
A riff maker is a tool or software that helps in creating and experimenting with musical riffs or short repeated patterns. The video's creator uses a riff maker to generate interesting sounds for his game's music, demonstrating its utility in sparking creativity during the composition process.
💡Cinematic Victory Segment
A cinematic victory segment refers to a visually and musically impactful sequence that celebrates a player's victory in a game. The video discusses creating special music for such a segment in the game, aiming to enhance the player's sense of achievement with a fitting musical score.
Highlights

I am only weeks away from finishing my first ever game that I've been working on for over two years now.

My game still needs music, and I have no idea how to make it, so I'm going to teach myself how to make music and hopefully create a few songs for my game.

My wife surprised me with a MIDI keyboard, which will be fantastic for practicing and making music on my computer.

I will need a digital audio workstation (DAW) for making music and I'm considering using FL Studio.

The game I'm making is partially inspired by games on the Nintendo 64, with simple and clean graphics, so I want to take some inspiration from the music of that era as well.

I found that you can download additional instruments used in other video games, which seems perfect for my project.

Christopher Larkin used Logic Pro to create the music for Hollow Knight, and Eric Barron used Reason to create all the music for Stardew Valley.

Imageline sent over a free license for FL Studio to support the project, which I greatly appreciate.

I've been practicing the piano for at least an hour every evening, learning about major chords, minor chords, scales, and arpeggios.

After about a month of practicing, I'm feeling a little more confident and have started experimenting with playing some of my favorite songs.

I decided to start with the main theme of the game, dedicating it to my dog who turned 14 years old this year.

I transposed a little melody into FL Studio and experimented with different instruments, eventually choosing a clarinet for a playful and whimsical sound.

I created a menu song for the game's menus, making it simple and repetitive, suitable for looping forever.

I found that piano lessons might not be directly useful for making music but are satisfying and fun.

I created a victory song with a sense of triumph and slight sadness, using a piano-based approach.

I composed different songs for various parts of the game, including a darker tune for the Viking level and an intense track for a final opponent.

I took a simpler approach for the tutorial music, aiming for something uplifting and building expectations.

The main theme of the game has improved after ongoing work and is now much better.

Once I finish all the songs, I'll upload the full soundtrack on YouTube.

I shared links to piano and game-making courses I followed in the video description for those interested in starting their own journey.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
Game DevelopmentMusic CreationPiano LessonsDAW SoftwareFL StudioNintendo 64Video Game MusicMIDI KeyboardMusic TheoryDIY Soundtrack