Irish Coast Original Score by @playitforward

Process

This was actually written as a mockup first in a sequencer as practice to see if I can do some dabbling in ethnomusicology. I wanted to experiment by practicing writing Irish music for a documentary sample. Here's how the mockup turned out. I decided that a solo fiddle, upright bass, flute, and bodhrán (frame) drum were perfect instruments to do this with.

The chugging of the train comes in and out with the strings. I have the fiddle playing little embellishments to feel more bouncy and Irish in nature.

How to take a mockup that doesn't sound that great and make it better? Higher players. I had a fiddle player, a bass player, and a flute player come in to record parts. The bass was the only one not recorded at a high quality studio but in my apartment at the time. The fiddle player had lots of experience with irish jigs, so they were a great fit for the project.

Scoring Sample Video

A film score isn't complete alone. It is meant to accompany a piece like this one in between camera shots and narration. Watch as the music adapts and moves with the picture.