Feb 2022 suspense instrumental the-expanse girl-with-sibelius
If you've read the Expanse series of sci-fi books or watched the TV series, you'll probably recognize this title. One of my favourite characters is Miller who, while leading a raiding party invading a space station, cautions his recruits to watch out for doors and corners, 'cause that's where they'll get ya from.
I'm going to try every FAWM to do one song trying out something I've never done before. Last year, I wrote in a mode (Dorion). This year, I thought I'd try an unusual time signature, so this piece is in 5/8 time. I wanted to write a suspense piece, which I've done before, but I'm often admiring great suspense music on the TV shows and movies I watch.
No lyrics
SibeliusFirst virtual instruments: Electric bass, Drum set, Mellophone, and Cello
@tamsnumber4 Mar 2022
Don't know the show...LOVE the time signature. Has a nice, deep, dark, mysterious feeling. You really put us right into the moment. It is amazing how you created angst in this piece.
@siebass Mar 2022
Whoa, holy bass progression, Batman! This is wild. Have watched the first few seasons of the Expanse and enjoyed it. Miller is a great character. The progression keeps the suspense and tension high throughout the piece with the accent horns and strings. Beltalowda.
@leepat Mar 2022
like the lopsided groove, a veteran limping in attack :)
too steady an advance for much suspense to occur, but very groovy instead. Pink Panther comes to mind.
Nice melodies and the mellophone sounds good!
@datsch Mar 2022
This sounds to me like a 60's TV show, or perhaps a soundtrack to an Asimov-era scifi book, so you are right on target here. Nice bassline for sure.
@headfirstonly Mar 2022
I love how the horns gradually get more aggressive as this builds. And yeah, Miller was definitely the most entertaining character in the show, although I have a lot of time for Drummer in the later seasons. This has a strictly-business, following procedures kind of vibe that suits him from the top of his most excellent hat right down to the ground.
@elainedimasi Mar 2022
Yep, this is a TV suspense vibe for sure! I'm liking hearing the horn speak up ~ 1:20.
@sailingmagpie Mar 2022
I dont know anything about The Expanse but I don't think it's necessary to be able to enjoy this. You've totally nailed the suspenseful feel you were going for. It feels like it could soundtrack a scene with someone surreptitiously following someone. I love how the 5/8 makes the drumbeat roll around and never really settle.
@n1742 Mar 2022
OH Wow. I love pieces in 5 or 7. it has a wonderful lilting feel and good advice about avoiding doors and corners. I'll try my best to follow it (!) and nice use of dynamics. I think we need more dynamic range in music and a bit less compression although it has its place I suppose. Great the way the bass guitar starts solo and then merges in with everyone else. loved it.
@guatecoop Mar 2022
Something very classic mystery about this one for me. The lurking, the waiting, and the inevitable resolution that is still unknown is just hanging in the air. I like the melody that meanders above the bass and percussion. You've also managed to take 5/4 and make it have a groove, which is not easy to do. Very well done!
@crisp1 Mar 2022
So cool that you keep challenging yourself. I'm a big believer in that! This has a definite suspense vibe to it. Nice work!
@ambroise Mar 2022
Getting a Lalo Schiffrin vibe here ! I discover the mellophone and it brings such a blury blues underworld color ! Same for the bass, can't beleave it is virtual. It could be the begining of a noir moovie. I see fog in the docks at night and a mysterious silhouette walks and vanish...
@kahlo2013 Mar 2022
I don’t read or watch sci fi, but don’t need to to love this suspenseful music with such a cool bass riff and awesome interplay of the mellophone and cello lines on that cool beat. Great composition!
@prsongsmith Mar 2022
Big Expanse fan here, too! This is a great track -- the composition and orchestration is really nicely done! It also *sounds* wonderful ... I am definitely going tohave to check out Sibelius: that trombone might be worth the price of admission all by itself. Well done! (and thanks for taking the time to comment on "Analogue Man" -- really appreciate the feedback!)
@danvaillancourt Feb 2022
Sweet 5/8! Great suspenseful tune. Reminds me of the great detective/spy themes of yesteryear!
@mosley Feb 2022
I love it, it feels like a spy movie or a detective show or something, suspenseful and engaging, I love the timing!
@driftwood1 Feb 2022
You definitely captured a good suspenseful feel. It feels more classic street level police mystery to me than high tech Sci fi. The 5/8 rhythm grooves.
@seemanski Feb 2022
The bass line really does bring the tension to this piece. You can feel it build which is great. Damn, I'm going to miss the expanse now that it has finished
@shallowcarrot Feb 2022
Love the bassline and the 5/8 groove! Fun song, and definitely packed with suspense
@dock Feb 2022
That bass line is so chill! And the Mellophone and Cello are great at taunting each other. I was waiting to hear some eerie strings in the background to add more menace. Some violin tremelo perhaps?
@silvermachine Feb 2022
I'm getting a real spy movie vibe, so plenty of suspense here.
I really like the way the brass and strings appear to circle round one another like in combat. It reminded me of the 1970s, which for me was the era of the greatest TV theme music.
@dragondreams Feb 2022
Opening with a bass... perfect choice. I love that you've gone for 5/8. It adds just the right amount of suspense for a sci-fi thriller cue. And the rest of your instrument choices are perfect for the atmosphere you created here. I'd watch it just on the strength of the music. :-D
@howthenightcame Feb 2022
excellent - you caught me off guard by writing a 60s spy theme!! ha :)
nice build up, and the increasingly serpentine solo really blossoms around 1m40s
i was waiting for a gunshot at the end!!
@wolfkier Feb 2022
Indeed that 60s 70s suspense movie, feel is screaming through this, that forboding bass and horns sneaking round the sides. Great listen. Good stuff.
@davidsnyder Feb 2022
Very nice! Would work very we;ll for sync. :)
@chinacat Feb 2022
Love the 5/8! Great bassline and the parts build the tension of suspense perfectly.
@jeff9 Feb 2022
Love, love, love The Expanse books (& video is not bad). This would make a great soundtrack. Has all the spooky elements necessary to conjure up protomolecule twitches.
@max Feb 2022
100% suspense. Amazing arrangement and instrumentation. Best you can wish for in the #girl-with-sibelius genre.
@frostin Feb 2022
Bluesy 5/8, how cool!
@chroes Feb 2022
Oh fun, 5/8 signature! Totally makes for an interesting backdrop of the harmonies and melodies that creep along to haunt you. It's definitely a suspenseful song!
@bo0m3r31337 Feb 2022
I love this! hehe it's so nice. Sibelius is pretty gnarly. I love the cello one of my favorite instruments! :D also love 5/8 and you did stellar work! would like to hear a few cymbals in this