Video Game Music Meditation

Creating music is like speaking a foreign language. You don't always know what you're doing, and it takes some trial and error to learn the rules. As with all languages there is a learning curve, but with a strong work ethic and a little help from experts, you'll be well on your way to becoming fluent.

I would say I'm far from fluent in the language of music, however you don't necessarily have to be fluent to be a good musician. The rules of music aren't as strict as the rules of learning a new language. There are rules of course, but sometimes you can choose not to follow them so strictly. Some music comes naturally, and other times it's a struggle. I personally try to create music that sounds good to me and it doesn't always follow all of the music theory and rules of composing that other musicians adhere to. As with any art form, musicians are allowed to take creative liberties that say:

"Here I am. I acknowledge the rules and regulations that I should adhere to, but ultimately it's my choice to determine if I want to follow them."

I find that creating music and trying to always adhere to the rules of theory makes it more of a task rather than a creative endeavor. Trying to follow such strict guidelines can destroy your creative spirit, and I believe that the music I have made under strict assignment guidelines ultimately isn't as good as the music I've created with free artistic reign.

Perhaps composing a four-part violin concerti is different from composing video game music, but you'll find that the latter is generally more relaxed, and motivated by emotion rather than ticking off a checklist of rules.

That is not to say that all video game music is cheery and happy-go-lucky. In fact, the video game music that I worked on was rather sorrowful yet hopeful. Still, throughout the entire creative process, my goal and ultimate instructions were to create a soundscape that helps the player understand the emotion of the game. As our particular characters could not speak, part of the musical process was to communicate their emotions to the player controlling them.

To do this I had to understand all of the characters' back stories and what motivated them to save their world. Their world was dying so the music needed to be sorrowful yet hopeful, as they were trying to save it and restore it's life force. Once I understood that, it was time to compose.

The composition process is really what is comparable to meditation. I had to create music and then listen to it over and over to find out what needed to be added, what needed to be improved upon, and what needed to be cut out. Some might have found this process extremely repetitive and boring, but I loved the process. Creating music and then listening back to your creation is one of the best feelings a musician can have. You really start to form a bond with the music and start to understand it on its deepest level. The music is a vessel for your creativity and your own emotions, a way to communicate things that you cannot simply say with words. Finishing a piece of music and listening to the final product is like having an out of body experience. You just can't believe that you could create something so beautiful, so emotional, so unlike anything you could ever say.

I'll be honest, writing music is not easy. You have to spend hours even just creating the melody. Then you have to add harmony and more instruments, and before you even know it weeks have passed and you still have an unfinished song! But it's all worth it in the end. Because once that song is finished, you have something that you can really be proud of. You have something that you can listen to, and love. You have something that you can turn to when you're having a bad day, or even when you're having a good day, or when you just want to listen to something and be proud of your own hard work.

I'll admit, I haven't composed much music since the start of the pandemic. My internship was over and then the coronavirus happened and suddenly it felt like the world was ending. But I did have one thing to help me get through it: my music. Any time I felt overwhelmed, or questioned my artistic ability, or just needed to listen to something to brighten my day, I had my music to turn to.

I listen to the songs on repeat and appreciate all the intricacies and nuances. I put my headphones on and close my eyes. The music transports me back to a place before the pandemic, when I was happiest and surrounded by the best of people. It reminds me that I am strong, and that I often underestimate myself. It soothes and comforts me when everything seems like too much.

Meditating to video game music might be a little unconventional, but it works for me, and I urge everyone to try it with their favorite video game soundtrack for some inner peace.

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Thank you so much for reading this story! If you'd like to listen to some of the original soundtrack for SEED, click on the YouTube video at the start of the story. You can find the complete soundtrack playlist by going to the Digital Future Lab YouTube page. If you enjoyed this story please consider leaving a heart, and if you really liked it then tips are so appreciated! Bye!

- Jordan