I have forgotten most of the music theory I learned as a child, but I’ve never forgotten the meaning of 3-4 time because that is waltz time, and waltzes have made me want to dance for decades. Oddly enough, 3-4 time is also synonymous with lullabies, where the music is as soothing as a heart-beat.
But what does any of this have to do with novels and soundtracks?
Back in November of last year [2012], I wrote a post about using Jo Blankenburg’s music as the inspiration for my Nanowrimo novel writing. The story I began writing is tentatively called Innerscape, and is the closest I have ever come to writing something romantic. The climax [excuse the pun] to the early section was a scene at a ball where my two star crossed lovers-to-be are seduced by a waltz.
Now why did I pick the music of a waltz to symbolize sensuality?
It’s true that I love waltzes, but there are other sensual images/feelings I could have used – such as water. The feel of water sliding over the skin has always been a very sensual feeling for me, yet I did not use a beach scene, or a scene in a swimming pool, or a bath, or a shower. Instead my mind automatically reached for a waltz. Why?
The answer did not hit me until I went looking for my Nanowrimo writing music again last night. I started playing Jo Blankenburg’s album Elysium, and suddenly I was swaying from side to side. Not bopping up and down, or tapping my foot, or jiggling in my seat – swaying.
I was not yet into the story, so without meaning to, I allowed myself to be distracted, and began counting the beats. One-two-three, one-two-three, one-two-three… Oh my god, it’s a waltz!
Once my conscious brain recognized that distinctive beat, I began recognizing it in song after song. And somewhere between ‘Arion’…
… and ‘Theogony’ …
… I realized the music was the reason I’d written a waltz into my story!
I swear, until that moment I had no idea the music had had such a powerful affect on me. Now though, it’s obvious, and may explain why I have to have Elysium playing [on repeat] as I start work on Innerscape again. The music is the soul of the story.
As all this stream of consciousness stuff was going through my head, I suddenly had this idea – wouldn’t it be amazing if books could have soundtracks? By that I mean, having the music as an integral part of the reading experience in the same way that music is a vital part of movies.
Just as an aside, as soon as I saw the cinematic trailer that accompanied Theogony I knew it had to be for a game, and I kind of suspected it was for Assassins Creed, but I wasn’t sure so I did some searching and yes, I was right – Assassins Creed III is the game. I’m tempted to buy it just for that promotional trailer! -cough- moving on -cough-
As an Indie I know I could never afford to pay Jo Blankenburg for his music, but if I could, and if e-readers were capable of integrating the music that inspires me, I would do it in a heartbeat!
The only thing I’m not sure of is whether readers would appreciate hearing that music as they read. Would you? Or would it be too distracting? Or would it depend on whether you liked the music or not?
I know this kind of tech may never happen, but I’d love to know what you think.
cheers
Meeks
p.s. Thanks for all your comments and extraordinary suggestions on the ‘evil corporation’ post. I’ll be writing an update shortly. 🙂
August 16th, 2013 at 11:18 am
I multitask, but I do not listen to music while doing anything but listening to music, except driving and (rarely) housework.
I think it’s a great idea for those who like to listen and read at the same time, but I would want it to be something that could be turned off, too.
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August 17th, 2013 at 9:28 am
To be honest I don’t think I’ve listened to music and read at the same time since I was a teenager. I have a vague memory of reading the Fu Manchu books while listening to Rachmaninov’s 3rd piano concerto. No idea why I felt the two would go together but there you are. And yes, you would definitely have the option of turning it off!
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August 18th, 2013 at 2:56 pm
It would certainly be an interesting twist in the experience. For me…I just have so much noise in my life. Writing and reading are the only truly quiet times for me. Now, when things get quiet, I itch to write whether that’s what I was going to do or not. Makes sleeping more difficult.
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August 18th, 2013 at 3:20 pm
I can handle background noise while I write, but I hate being /spoken/ to, especially when it’s just some silly, throw away nothing. Grrrr…
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August 21st, 2013 at 2:28 pm
Yeah, I’m still trying to teach the people in my life that if they come into my work area and I don’t notice them, they’re probably better off just going away again–unless it’s really that important. But they just don’t get it. 😦
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August 21st, 2013 at 5:02 pm
-sigh- Ain’t that the truth.
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August 10th, 2013 at 5:06 pm
I think our lives have soundtracks, so it makes sense that stories, books do. Think of how many times you hear a song and it takes you to where and when. Waltz music takes me to a country school assembly hall…
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August 11th, 2013 at 9:23 am
You’re right. Music is an emotional portal that seems to bypass much of the conscious mind. Or at least it does for me.
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August 9th, 2013 at 4:28 am
I was that kid in school who made mixed tapes to go with everything I could possibly think of. Movies have soundtracks, so why not novels too? I wonder what makes some of us create soundtracks or playlists in our minds to accompany what we’re doing or about to do? I guess it just boils down to how much we love music, and I’ve always loved music, though I’m not much of a musician.
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August 9th, 2013 at 11:04 am
Music is a huge part of my life as well. I’m not much of a musician either, but even when I was a kid, music was a very emotional experience for me. I remember dancing like a maniac when I was about five. Can’t remember what the music was but it would have been something classical. The thing is, I felt it in my bones.
I can’t imagine anything better than hearing the actual music that inspired the writer. Well, unless it was Country and Western maybe. 😉 But then I imagine you’d have the option of turning the soundtrack off. 🙂
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August 8th, 2013 at 8:03 pm
You could put in a couple of lines of the sheet music, maybe even a whole page 😀
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August 8th, 2013 at 8:57 pm
lol – well that would be… different. 😉
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August 8th, 2013 at 3:57 pm
Hang it all. Out comes the Tubular Bells next time I blog to see if it helps me, at least until Viv Stanshall ( Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band ) starts to talk when of course I’ll be distracted and trying to talk along with him..
For me music is a wonderful setter of mood so I might have to play it before I wrote and if there’s such a thing as a Motown beat all my work would echo that. Such classics as ‘Just Walk away Ernie’ or ‘If I were a Tarp Mender’ would be in my latest short story volume.
I love the videos thank you, esp the one from Assassassin’s Creed III where I’m surprised they trained the eagle to fly in time to the music like that.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
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August 8th, 2013 at 9:01 pm
‘Just walk away Ernie’??? That sounds like something out of Sesame Street. Clearly I know nothing about Motown. 😦 I am really pleased you liked that video clip. Should I burst the bubble and tell you at least some of the eagle is CG [computer graphics]. No, I won’t spoil the dream. 😀
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August 8th, 2013 at 2:07 pm
Great idea! It would be especially good for books that are about musical pieces — I am thinking of “An equal music”. Hearing it being played while reading the book would be great.
I think I remember that Tim Winton listens to quite specific music when he writes. Was there a CD put out for the music he was listening to while writing Dirt Music, or did I make that up? Either is possible!
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August 8th, 2013 at 9:04 pm
Sorry Anne, no idea but I’d love to know too. Anyone out there know?
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August 8th, 2013 at 12:39 pm
I game mostly on my xbox now (Don’t give me that look) so I saw this promo a while ago. The music is such an amazing fit for this. Music is a huge part of my writing time. There is quite a bit of music that would fit in as the soundtrack to my stories.
Heck exploring the finer points of Steampunk has been where I have gotten into much of the music that comes from the genre. Whoda thunk that a story genre would unleash its own musical score.
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August 8th, 2013 at 1:07 pm
Hah! lol Some of my favourite music actually comes from games! The music from FF VII and Advent Children, the soundtrack to Vagrant Story, MMO music [FFXI] to name a few off the top of my head. And yes, Theogony and the trailer seem to go together like a hand into a glove. It’s almost eerie. Maybe the game devs actually edited the cinematics to flow with the music. That bit with the eagle just blew me away.
As for the genre unleashing its own score… a few years ago I would not have believed it. Now I’m a convert. 🙂
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August 8th, 2013 at 11:56 am
ONE, two, three…ONE, two, three…
There is rhythm in the words we choose, too.
You’ve inspired me. I’m going to see what happens when I listen to one of my favorite waltzes while I write. Will the words fly by in the familiar Viennese tempo?
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August 8th, 2013 at 1:16 pm
lol – no! Try your favourite tango instead. 😀 What more could you ask for passion and fire? [I’m thinking of the original Spanish/Latin American tango melodies rather than just a song morphed with a tango ‘beat’ .
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August 8th, 2013 at 1:30 pm
LOL… My favorite waltz IS a Tango Waltz! The Argentine Tango has a waltz variant. It combines many of the steps, instruments and sensibilities of the Argentine Tango with a Viennese 3/4 time. At any dance, some of the sets are always Tango Waltzes. They are lovely! And, from a historical POV, they are an insight into Argentina — a new world country with a mix of peoples.
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August 8th, 2013 at 1:33 pm
Oh!?! I had no idea. Any chance you could post a link to a tango waltz? A nice one? Btw I did mention the Roxanne Tango [from Moulin Rouge] earlier in that scene coz I love the tango as well. 🙂
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August 8th, 2013 at 9:25 pm
Here’s a link to two of my favorite dancers doing a Tango Waltz. This is a video of them performing a social tango, as opposed to a theatrical choreography. It’s as spontaneous as my social dancing — only better.
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August 8th, 2013 at 10:57 pm
Oh… -drool- I wanted to be there. Hell, I want to be able to do that. So effortless, and soooo sexy. 🙂 Thanks Candy. You may have started something.
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August 9th, 2013 at 1:26 am
They are truly amazing dancers. I met Pablo when he was a kid — I was studying with his parents. Now, he’s a grown man with a wife and child… (I feel old). Noel is truly his match. They are incredible together on and off the dance floor. I’m sure there’s social Argentine Tango in Australia. It’s all over the world!
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August 9th, 2013 at 11:11 am
Some years ago, my sister-in-law and I did sign up for some ballroom dancing lessons. I think I managed about 3 before wimping out. I’ve always loved dancing but for some reason I just felt horribly flat footed, and self-conscious. I think finding the right teacher is the key.
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August 9th, 2013 at 11:35 am
The right teacher and the right dance for you!
(And neither are easy to find.)
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August 9th, 2013 at 12:04 pm
lol – tell me about it! I know I’d love to learn one of the Latin American dances but that’s about all I know.
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August 8th, 2013 at 10:58 am
Powerful pieces, both. I have a sort of permanent soundtrack going on in my head. I do listen to music when I write, but think a soundtrack while reading a novel might be distracting. Although, sometimes a wonderfully written description brings certain music to mind. It might be nice to have the option. Pitch it to Jeff Bezos, he might get a team over at Amazon right on a feasibility study.
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August 8th, 2013 at 1:18 pm
lmao!
Dear Mr Bezos,
I appreciate you are busy with the Washington Post just now, but when you have a moment, could you look into upgrading the Kindle so ebooks can have their own soundtrack?
Yours sincerely,
A Friend
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August 8th, 2013 at 1:30 pm
LMAO 2!!
Nicely done. I wonder how long it would take to get a response. Probably an email.
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August 8th, 2013 at 1:35 pm
lol – by a lowly minion I’ll bet! Or maybe just one of those automated things that get your hopes up and then dash them the very next moment.
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August 8th, 2013 at 1:37 pm
they love to do that, don’t they? bots have all the job security!
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August 8th, 2013 at 1:45 pm
And they get free medical as well!
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