We all know music is an important component of setting the right vibe for role-playing.
Here are some of the factors I consider when compiling a playlist:
1. Fit the story - no rock'n'roll music in a high fantasy setting, folk music is not ideal for ShadowRun, etc.
2. I prefer not to have lyrics, but if there are lyrics they should support the themes of your story. I have several songs I've added to playlist because they match a character's situation or mindset perfectly.
3. No sudden loud, jarring changes - avoid music with trumpet blasts, drum fanfares and heavy metal ballads where the lead singer screams incomprehensibly for 30 seconds
I recommend the following:
For traditional DnD / medieval settings - Lord of the Rings soundtracks, the Fountain soundtrack, the Road soundtrack, Pan's Labyrinth soundtrack, Enya, Loreena McKennitt
For adventurous settings - Gladiator soundtrack, Last Samuri soundtrack, Battlestar Galactic soundtracks, Children of Dune soundtrack, Last of the Mohicans soundtrack
For horror/creepy settings - Nox Arcana
Light/Fun settings - Chocolat soundtrack
Future/ShadowRun settings - Transformers: Rise of the Fallen soundtrack, NIN, Paul Oakenfold (DJ), Break of Reality, Kopas, The XX
Random settings - Putumayo has various world music that can fit a lot of different settings
What are your favorite soundtracks/playlists to game by?
Brave Heart soundtrack rocks and so does Inception's sound track :P
ReplyDeleteOh both very good. Inception's so dramatic!
DeleteI absolutely love the Transformers sound tracks. I listen to them when I write, which in a lot of ways is like roll playing. I also really like the Lord of the Rings soundtrack for it's drama.
ReplyDeleteIt's surprising to me how movies as...hmmm...shallow as Transformers can have such good music. Don't know why it should, but it does
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