Describing music

[LightningTopaz]

When you have a musically inclined character (or characters) and want to describe the song they're playing (or singing), how do you go about it? (besides taking the easy way and pasting the YouTube link to a song that sounds similar to what the character is playing/singing.

I'm asking because I've noticed my description of music is looking a bit bland, and I want to make it better.

 

[brickwork]

I usually describe how it makes them feel. Happy, sad, excited, etc. I also usually describe the speed and pitch of the music too.

 

[AetherX]

As well as the above, I would describe a scene that the song makes the listener visualize.

 

[Kyuuketsuki]

The tempo, instrument, and feel of song (mournful tune; upbeat song... etc.). I was never in that situation, but that's how I would do it. If there are any lyrics, then I'll write them in, uninterrupted, then detail the reactions; maybe even put a "the last note lingered as an echo in the [place]".

 

[Drakon]

I usually describe the tempo, atmosphere and instruments of the music used.

 

[Aladar]

I usually describe how it makes them feel. Happy, sad, excited, etc. I also usually describe the speed and pitch of the music too.

I think that's the best way of doing it. We can't actually describe the music as we can describe, say, a painting so describing how the characters feel upon hearing it is IMO the next best thing.

 

[SuperTrainStationH]

I usually describe how it makes them feel. Happy, sad, excited, etc. I also usually describe the speed and pitch of the music too.

This.

Depending on the context, it may work well to actually mention the song in the narration, but most often I would consider that excessive.

 

[LightningTopaz]

If it helps, here's a bit from an upcoming tale from Yoso--Brock and Kissa are performing:

The two traded verses as they wove the tale of the deluded mage despreately trying to win a guard's contest. While there were six "official" verses in the song, Kissa particularly enjoyed making up boasts for the mage. In fact, on one occassion they had sang "The Deluded Mage", it was well past midnight by the time they ran out of boasts and botched spells to sing about. Then her master got a second wind and they had sang about five, maybe ten verses more before finally allowing the mage to win. It was almost funny in her mind--she usually was the one to sing the songs that went on forever.

"Very nice!" Senan smiled as he applauded the song's end some minutes later. "I remember the time you stretched that song to seventy verses."

"I had a lot of ideas that night--our record is over a hundred." Kissa replied before her master picked up the harp again.

"And now, an original tune to commemorate Marista's life and the happiness she brought to millions..." Brock mused before preparing to play. "I call this 'Marista's Dream'" With that, he began a soft and hypnotic melody that incorporated bits of songs that Marista often played, including her special song. Murmurs wafted through the room as familiar melodies wove through the dream-like tune--the sad, yet hopeful introduction to "Dreams on the Sea", the mysterious riff "The Black-Haired Maid" was known for, the glissando-filled verses of "Arran's Escape", the playful main theme of "The Schemer and the Dreamer", the rousing chorus of "The Flight of the Hunt"--even Kissa was spellbound by the medley, savoring fond memories as each song came and went in the cascades of notes.

The room roared with applause when the song ended. "A fitting tribute, lad!" a woman commented.

How did I do describing the music here?

 

[Drakon]

You did quite well actually. In fact, I am almost "playing" the music in my head as I read it.

 

[an illegible mess.]

Probably the beat and feel of the song, and the emotions it expresses. Pitch and what instrument the character is playing is also something i'd do.