I just watched the video tour of Tony Bowen’s Rock Island layout, and instead of sound dubbing, MR used classical music. I realize for a video like that sound dubbing would be a bit funky at times, but it just sounds right to my senses to use classical music with trains running. I’ve done a railfanning video with no sound and one with sound dubbing and seen some with sound dubbing and with other forms of older music, but it seems to me classical music and the like is the best form for a video like this. What are your thoughts? Sound dubbing, or classical music, or some other kind of music?
Sawyer:
As a classical musician, I can recommend two works that would do very well as background music for a MR video–the first is the Second Movement of Aaron Copland’s Third Symphony (sounds like a big locomotive hauling a train up a mountain to me, LOL!) and Arthur Honneger’s “Pacific 231”, which is his orchestral version of a trip on an actual French steam locomotive.
But yes, the right piece of classical music can certainly enhance a video–I’ve watched several videos on RFD’s TRAINS AND LOCOMOTIVES that use classical music very effectively.
Tom
PS: Good luck with Cross Country next year–that’s one GRUELING sport!
Carefully selected classical scores would enhance many train videos but you would have to be careful in your selection or the music could be a distraction. Some movie soundtrack music (not Star Wars) could also be a nice addition.
Joe
Tom:
I’m going to have to listen to Copeland’s third symphony with new ears. I never imaged the locomotive in prior listening.
Joe
Ah… yes!
What Tom White said! Absolutely!
I might add Villa-Lobos, O trenzinho do caipira
73
How about no annoying music?
I don’t think anyone has ever written a better piece of music for subways than Duke Ellington.
I chose “Take the A Train” because it’s simply unequaled. OK, maybe Bach would have done a great job if he’d had the chance, but things didn’t work out that way.
I remember that video; in fact, it popped into my head while writing the post, I just couldn’t remember the title of the video
Tom, I can’t find the first piece online, but I foudn the second piece (Pacific 231) on youtube
I’ve already picked my music. Now all that I have to do is make a video (lol)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AlEvy0fJto
Happy railroading
Bob
I’ve already picked my music. Now all that I have to do is make a video (lol)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AlEvy0fJto
Happy railroading
Bob
Bob:
Now you’ve got to find a train WORTHY of the music, LOL! Something BIG of course!
Tom
Joe:
It’s the Second Movement about eight measures in when the theme starts going. Swear to God there’s a ‘chuffing’ sound in the orchestra, LOL! I played it while running one of my Articulateds and by golly, it works, LOL!
Tom
Ray:
Isn’t “The Little Train of the Caipira” a little gem, though? I really like Villa-Lobos, and that piece is delightfully humorous and descriptive. Sounds like it’s got ‘leaks’ all over the place, LOL!
Tom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0eGnCIkJW0&feature=related This is the East Bay Model Railroad museum with their music, me being a steel guitar player I’m pretty satisfied with their music ,Jim.
Mr. Beasely:
Perfection! [bow][bow]
Tom
I’ve seen a bunch of Youtube videos that use sound dubbing. Some are very well done but most of them seem pretty cheesy. Other model railroad videos I’ve seen use classical music and I like them much better.
I used a Vince Guaraldi jazz piece called Motocross for my Youtube video. The sing is from the Peanuts Special “You’re a Good Sport Charlie Brown.”
Hope you don’t mind my chiming in…
IMHO, when putting music to prototype or model train related videos it’s good to keep in mind the type of “mood” you’re trying to convey. Dramatic…Heroic…Sad Lament of the past…Happy Memories…Fast Paced Rush…Peaceful Enjoyable Moment in time… this list goes on and on.
For me and a few folks I know, modern jazz (1975-today) offers a wide variety of mood setting music. But our choice of music, of course, is based on our listening tastes.
Here’s a Tube clip featuring the prototype Auto Train (I love seeing the SDP40fs on that long Amtrak train that passes by first!). Background tune is from Pat Metheny (the same artist that did the classic “Last Train Home” tune that was used in the Publix commericals back in the 80s, featuring an Amtrak train hauled by an F40). Note how the tune sounds “very busy” yet cheerful and energetic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKDgqxdeU3g
This old but cool video clip uses a jazz tune from way back in the day. But yet as I watch the vid the musical theme puts me in the mood where I’m relaxing as I watch 1970s big city passenger railroading combined with abrasive grit, decay, and yet poetic beauty.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glp-bQH5yFw
I hope to be able to shoot some videos of my metalized HO SCL passenger train in the future with some cool mood setting music as well. For a train like The Champion, I would choose a tune that conveys “exhiliration”.
Since the term “classical” can run the gamut of genres from Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque through 20th/21st-century classical and movie scores, great care must be taken to see what piece(s) and what arrangements would best fit a given scene. Along with the two pieces that Tom White already mentioned, I might add that the section right after the 2nd fermata of Prokofiev’s Montagues and Capulets (from his ballet score Romeo and Juliet) would make for a very fine, slow uphill trudging of a steamer through the Sierras.
That one may be a bit more challenging to find on YouTube but is definitely worth the listen. Whenever I hear it, I always envision two lumberjacks hand-sawing the end off a very large trunk of a tree. LOL!
Tom
I love long Hair Musics.
When the trains are running perfect like tonight it has to be.
Brandenburgisches Knozert Nr. 2 F-dur, BWV 1047 by Bach. Yes I cheated and had to read the lapel. Most of you will know it as the Theme to Master Pieces Theater. It is my favorite classical music, not that there is not other one I love.
Whole reason I have a Audiophile Stereo System in my garage is due to the fact my wife hates Classical! Dual Mono Blocked Adacom 555’s amp 600 Watts A side at 4 ohm, Carver 4000 T preamp, Adcom GCD-575 CD player, Dalaquist DQ 1 speakers and NHT SA-1 sub and it is pure pleasure!
Now when I play Rocky Top, there is a steam engine races coming! [bow]
Cuda Ken