[N64] Perfect Dark - "Chicago: Stealth" (Replacement) by Yug Guy

[Zeta]

Submission Information:
Series: Other
Game: Perfect Dark
Console: Nintendo 64
Title: Chicago: Stealth
Instrumentation Solo Piano
Arranger: Yug Guy


Replacement Information:
Links to Existing Sheet: MUS | MIDI | PDF
Replacement Type: Challenge (new arranger)

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Yug_Guy]

Name should be changed to "Chicago: Stealth"

Disclaimer: this arrangement is slightly weird in that it contains 2 songs, sort of? You'll notice in the video at the 2:40 mark that it switches to a much more up-tempo version of what had been playing. According to my research online, this theme only plays when Joanna encounters a swarm of enemies. Because according to the soundtrack release, this is part of the same song, and not separate songs entirely, I've dubbed it the "Ambush Theme". If you have played Perfect Dark yourself, please let me know if this works, or if there's a better term I could use for it. Thanks!

[Yug_Guy]

Might as well try bringing this back from the dead. Bump.

Also, the vgmdb page I linked earlier refers to the up-tempo version as an 'X' Theme. Should I maybe change it's title to that?

[JDMEK5]

So, funny story, I've played Perfect Dark quite a bit in my childhood but only ever the multiplayer so I can't really help you at all XD

But here's what I have to suggest:

- The LH throughout most of the piece goes pretty high. I'd suggest another system to clean it up. Maybe either cross stave it or use a clef change.
- Measure 29+33, LH: Stems are flipped the wrong way.
- Measure 49, RH: D should get a courtesy natural since it's coming off a Db in the previous measure.
- Measure 31+35, RH: These chords are greater than an octave. While not necessarily a problem, this implies that you want them rolled. If you don't want them rolled, move the F up an octave.
- Measure 53-60, RH: Stems in the second voice are in the wrong direction.
- Measure 45: Maybe try adding in the background part where possible? I have no idea if it will work necessarily but give it a shot and see if it's doable and consequently productive.
- Measure 73-88, RH: Try incorporating the background 16th-note motives where you have long held notes (particularly those that hold over two measures)

[Yug_Guy]

- Measure 29+33, LH: Stems are flipped the wrong way.
- Measure 31+35, RH: These chords are greater than an octave. While not necessarily a problem, this implies that you want them rolled. If you don't want them rolled, move the F up an octave.
- Measure 53-60, RH: Stems in the second voice are in the wrong direction.

Fixed

- The LH throughout most of the piece goes pretty high. I'd suggest another system to clean it up. Maybe either cross stave it or use a clef change.

You mean like a staff for the lower whole notes & one for the higher eighth notes? I think that would work, though I don't quite know how to pull it off in Finale. Is there an option for hiding systems w/no notes similar to Musescore?

- Measure 49, RH: D should get a courtesy natural since it's coming off a Db in the previous measure.

Frustratingly, my version of finally can't add courtesy naturals (or courtesy flats & sharps, for that matter). Seems like a trivial thing to hold back.

- Measure 45: Maybe try adding in the background part where possible? I have no idea if it will work necessarily but give it a shot and see if it's doable and consequently productive.

Just to see if this would work, I tried overlaying the two to see if they clashed a lot.

The results

(I know it doesn't look pretty, it's more of a proof-of-concept. It would obviously look better if I messed w/the layers)

[close]

While the notes themselves don't clash a whole lot, the layering is a complete mess. I might try and see if I can make it work, but for now I think I'm gonna leave it as-is.

- Measure 73-88, RH: Try incorporating the background 16th-note motives where you have long held notes (particularly those that hold over two measures)

Incorporated. In cases where the melody & the 16th runs played at about the same time, I changed the 16th rest to an 8th rest to give the performer a little extra leeway. I also changed m.97-end to be this way as well, for consistency & ease of performance.

So, funny story, I've played Perfect Dark quite a bit in my childhood but only ever the multiplayer so I can't really help you at all XD

Not surprising. Honestly, the name probably doesn't matter all that much anyway.

[Yug_Guy]

Frustratingly, my version of finally can't add courtesy naturals (or courtesy flats & sharps, for that matter). Seems like a trivial thing to hold back.

Actually nvm it's all good now.

[Yug_Guy]

Bump

[Static]

Nice work here! This arrangement is really cool! Just a few formatting problems I have with this one:

- m29, 33 - The ties in the 2nd layer of the RH overlap the 1st layer of the LH
- m91-93 RH - The accidentals are a little squished
- m95-96 LH - Ties overlap
- m101-102 LH - Ties overlap
- m103-104 LH - Ties overlap

Most of these issues can be solved by resizing all the systems (90% works really well) and respacing the staves and systems.
For the tie issues in m95-96 and m103-104, I would flip the directions of the ties in the 2nd and 3rd layers so they don't overlap other notes. If the tie on the 2nd layer bumps into some notes on the 1st layer, just adjust it a bit.

Also, one more thing, m49-52 sound a little empty. You might want to include some of the chord tones on the multitude of half and quarter notes here for some extra depth and a more full sound.

Overall, really nice job with this!

[Yug_Guy]

- m29, 33 - The ties in the 2nd layer of the RH overlap the 1st layer of the LH
- m91-93 RH - The accidentals are a little squished
- m95-96 LH - Ties overlap
- m101-102 LH - Ties overlap
- m103-104 LH - Ties overlap

Most of these issues can be solved by resizing all the systems (90% works really well) and respacing the staves and systems.

It did indeed solved most of the issues

For the tie issues in m95-96 and m103-104, I would flip the directions of the ties in the 2nd and 3rd layers so they don't overlap other notes. If the tie on the 2nd layer bumps into some notes on the 1st layer, just adjust it a bit.

This worked well for m. 103-104, but I had some trouble with the one in m. 95-96. Let me know if I should change anything about it.

Also, one more thing, m49-52 sound a little empty. You might want to include some of the chord tones on the multitude of half and quarter notes here for some extra depth and a more full sound.

I agree that it does sound a bit empty, but the space is meant to be filled by arpeggios & not block chords, and to be honest I'm not sure this would best represent that sort of sound. I think I'd rather leave it as it is for right now, as empty as it may be.

Files in the OP updated.

[Sebastian]

Just a couple things (I'm on phone and not at a keyboard, so I can't go into too much detail).
- Go ahead and scroll through the arrangement looking for any colliding ties, notes, tests, etc. And move them around if necessary.
- For the copyright info put "Nintendo, Rare" instead of just "Rare."
- Make sure you have the correct composer. You can use for reference
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_the_Perfect_Dark_series

Will have more later.

[Yug_Guy]

- Go ahead and scroll through the arrangement looking for any colliding ties, notes, tests, etc. And move them around if necessary.

I already checked, thanks to Static's suggestions

- Make sure you have the correct composer.

It's Kirkhope, it was one of the first things I checked when arranging this piece.

- For the copyright info put "Nintendo, Rare" instead of just "Rare."

Done.

[Static]

This worked well for m. 103-104, but I had some trouble with the one in m. 95-96. Let me know if I should change anything about it.

The tie in m95-96 looks good, just angle it up slightly more so you can tell the curve is still there, just don't let it hit the notes above. Likewise with the tie in m103-104, angle that one down ever so slightly so it doesn't touch the notes above it.

I agree that it does sound a bit empty, but the space is meant to be filled by arpeggios & not block chords, and to be honest I'm not sure this would best represent that sort of sound. I think I'd rather leave it as it is for right now, as empty as it may be.

If you think what you have better communicates that idea more effectively, I say go for it. I agree that while it sounds less empty with the block chords, it doesn't necessarily have the same sound or feel as the original, which is more important imo.

[Yug_Guy]

The tie in m95-96 looks good, just angle it up slightly more so you can tell the curve is still there, just don't let it hit the notes above. Likewise with the tie in m103-104, angle that one down ever so slightly so it doesn't touch the notes above it.

I tried to get it angled up as much as I could; there isn't a whole lot in the way of wiggle room. Files updated.

[Sebastian]

I already checked, thanks to Static's suggestions
It's Kirkhope, it was one of the first things I checked when arranging this piece.

Oh, my bad! The only tie I was really concerned about was in M. 103-104, but it looks better now.

[Yug_Guy]

Oh, my bad! The only tie I was really concerned about was in M. 103-104, but it looks better now.

No problem my dude