Any suggestions on good background music for a making of doc

[Jolard]

I am putting together a family reunion DVD, and I am building a "making of" documentary spoof to include on the DVD as a special feature.

It follows standard making of conventions, includes voice over and interviews. I am trying to find some good music for the background. I don't really want anything with lyrics, since it would distract from the dialog. Any suggestions? Everything I have found so far has been way off as far as mood or style. Appreciate any suggestions from anyone.

Thanks!

[frankb]

Hi,

I'd suggest (for instrumental music) anything by John Williams. I would go for something that is not that well-known (musically). Some of the stuff he did for the movie "Hook" has all sorts of moods in it: happy, sad, heroic, fear, the lot.

In general I suggest you check out orginal soundtracks of movies.

Frank

[Jolard]

Great suggestion Frank, thanks, I will check into it.

Any others?

[housepig]

Everything I have found so far has been way off as far as mood or style.

what style or mood are you looking for? what have you found so far?

there is a universe of instrumental music out there, in a near-infinite number of styles and moods - can you be a bit more specific?

[frankb]

Jolard,

I came up with "Hook" because I used that myself as music for my daughter's horse dressage.

Look for the following composers when you're listening to soundtracks (in my order of favourites - and, yes, this IS my personal taste, I don't think there is something as "universally liked music":
1. John Williams (stay away from the more familiar ones such as Jurassic Park and Star Trek)
2. Randy Edelman
3. James Horner

Another thing you could do is to look for MIDI files on the Internet (again looking for these composers' names) and have a listen. Although (deoending on the quality of MIDI in your sound card) the actual musical quality is often nowehere near to what the original CD is, it can give you an idea of what the original will sound like.

Music (especially instrumental music) is a great mood-setter. You can learn a lot by watching movies/DVDs and specifically look for the parts where music is used. Check what it does. Then play the same fragment with the sound turned down. Notice the difference.

Frank

[Jolard]

Housepig:

It is a "making of" documentary, so the mood should be fairly subdued and "non-emotional". In my search I have found romantic music, dramatic music, music that evokes all sorts of emotions, but since it is simply a "making of" documentary, I don't want it to be causing my viewers to be feeling "apprehension" or "joy" when watching a clip of my son editing. I hope that makes sense.

Frank,

Thanks for the additional suggestions, I am off to search for some good music!