My thoughts are that the soundtracks are both the DM’s province and background only. Anything the bard is playing should be part of the role play and should be over the background like any other character’s role play. If she wants to play something into her own mic, the background should be far enough in the background that it doesn’t stress anyone out for the 20 or so seconds of game time at a time I’d allow to pause the action for her “performance.”
Even in C1 of Critical Role, Scanlan only ever stole the show for about that long at a time. And that show was as RP heavy as any game I’ve encountered.
Say NO! I'm not sure I would have done that (it's always easier to give advice to others), but I'm quite sure I would have regretted after first session.
YOU have planned this. You have even created a soundtrack - probably picking music that supports what you imagines as the mood and theme of the story. Don't let her rock with that if you don't think it will add to the atmosphere. It should actually be possible to explain that to her without hurting her - you have planned a music style, it's nothing wrong with her songs, but they don't fit with what you've planned for background music.
Others have also pointed out that sitting and listening to a song, doesn't necessarily work very well at a roleplaying table. She might find it brilliant and hilarious, but the other players might not...
You could perhaps consider to use the tracks as en "end credits" song, allowing the bard to finish each session with a song? I'm not sure, but something like that might work...
Lol... so I have a mix of both suggestions here...
But he's the compromise I plan on setting out for her...
If she specifically walks into a situation and asks to play something ... I.E. "I walk into the tavern and play X for some gold" ... or "I get on stage and do X comic routine for some laughs" .. I'll allow it.
I will also create times during battles or travels where I will ask her "Hey did the bard want to play something to encourage or rouse everyone?" and if so, sure I'll let her play whatever... and between moments when no story is happening... I'll ask if she wants to "Play us out" or something to that affect.
Otherwise I will handle all other Ambient Sounds / Music ... I tried really hard to stay away from a score that had Lyrics of any kind as I want the music to be a companion TO the events happening... not THE event itself... unless... of course.. she has some reason to make it an actual event...
To me I think that sounds quite fair... I appreciate the feedback everyone :)
Our bard has an instrument that plays a different style of music every time, so what she does is hit shuffle on music and just explains what she’s doing as that plays semi quietly though slightly over the background sounds. Basically I let the players play their music as long as it’s in character for what they’re playing and said bard doesn’t wanna come up with their own thing, it’s honestly fine to let them play whatever for that short 15 ish seconds while they’re doing their bard stuff.
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Bardic Inspiration is just someone believing in you, and I believe in you
Yeah and that's fine ... I have no issue with a 15 second clip as long as it's not over done... I participated in a campaign once.. where a bard had a thing where he told nothing but "Dad Jokes" in combat.. and would hit a "Dum-dum-CHING!" after every joke... it was actually funny and played well
Play what you want not what the bard wants. You are there to set the setting of the game. Not the bard. I have a wonderful bard in my group. Really, great player. She will only use soundtracks when using spells and whatnot and they are quick and played over her mic. As a DM you have far to much on you plate to deal with demands like that. If they want to provide music/song thats fine, but they need to manage it, not send it to you to deal with upon their request. If the group is in an inn and the bard wants to preform then fine, but again it is up to them to do the work, and if it interferes with your sound track... Well just say no. To me is sounds like this player is more focused on his character and not the game/players. Very self focused in a way that I would almost see it as someone who is backseat driving the game to some extent. I would not deal with it and simply say no. If they dont like it then to bad.
Resolved all is good
My thoughts are that the soundtracks are both the DM’s province and background only. Anything the bard is playing should be part of the role play and should be over the background like any other character’s role play. If she wants to play something into her own mic, the background should be far enough in the background that it doesn’t stress anyone out for the 20 or so seconds of game time at a time I’d allow to pause the action for her “performance.”
Even in C1 of Critical Role, Scanlan only ever stole the show for about that long at a time. And that show was as RP heavy as any game I’ve encountered.
I see where you're coming from. I say let her play.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
Say NO! I'm not sure I would have done that (it's always easier to give advice to others), but I'm quite sure I would have regretted after first session.
YOU have planned this. You have even created a soundtrack - probably picking music that supports what you imagines as the mood and theme of the story. Don't let her rock with that if you don't think it will add to the atmosphere. It should actually be possible to explain that to her without hurting her - you have planned a music style, it's nothing wrong with her songs, but they don't fit with what you've planned for background music.
Others have also pointed out that sitting and listening to a song, doesn't necessarily work very well at a roleplaying table. She might find it brilliant and hilarious, but the other players might not...
You could perhaps consider to use the tracks as en "end credits" song, allowing the bard to finish each session with a song? I'm not sure, but something like that might work...
Ludo ergo sum!
Lol... so I have a mix of both suggestions here...
But he's the compromise I plan on setting out for her...
Otherwise I will handle all other Ambient Sounds / Music ... I tried really hard to stay away from a score that had Lyrics of any kind as I want the music to be a companion TO the events happening... not THE event itself... unless... of course.. she has some reason to make it an actual event...
To me I think that sounds quite fair... I appreciate the feedback everyone :)
Our bard has an instrument that plays a different style of music every time, so what she does is hit shuffle on music and just explains what she’s doing as that plays semi quietly though slightly over the background sounds. Basically I let the players play their music as long as it’s in character for what they’re playing and said bard doesn’t wanna come up with their own thing, it’s honestly fine to let them play whatever for that short 15 ish seconds while they’re doing their bard stuff.
Bardic Inspiration is just someone believing in you, and I believe in you
Yeah and that's fine ... I have no issue with a 15 second clip as long as it's not over done... I participated in a campaign once.. where a bard had a thing where he told nothing but "Dad Jokes" in combat.. and would hit a "Dum-dum-CHING!" after every joke... it was actually funny and played well
Play what you want not what the bard wants. You are there to set the setting of the game. Not the bard. I have a wonderful bard in my group. Really, great player. She will only use soundtracks when using spells and whatnot and they are quick and played over her mic. As a DM you have far to much on you plate to deal with demands like that. If they want to provide music/song thats fine, but they need to manage it, not send it to you to deal with upon their request. If the group is in an inn and the bard wants to preform then fine, but again it is up to them to do the work, and if it interferes with your sound track... Well just say no. To me is sounds like this player is more focused on his character and not the game/players. Very self focused in a way that I would almost see it as someone who is backseat driving the game to some extent. I would not deal with it and simply say no. If they dont like it then to bad.
Ok you essentially voiced exactly what I was thinking lol. Maybe I just needed a sounding board to help me out lol