How to make an arrangement with a Public Domain song

[akak]

I just registered so please excuse my lack of knowledge.
My intention is to put a video on youtube for my wife who passed a few months ago.
My idea is to write words to a public domain song and make an arrangement for it. The video is sort of a tribute to her.
The video would simply show the lyrics while the song plays.
I looked at some LMMS lessons but I need some suggestions.
I am not a composer and play no instruments. And I know little about Youtube.
How can I find a recording of the public domain song with my computer and use it to make an arrangement that would coincide with the lyrics I write, using LMMS.
I hope this is understandable and I thank you for your time and effort.

[musikbear]

I just registered

Hi, Welcome to the Forum akak !
Here are all important links:
http://lmms.io/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4740
-A few rules and useful forum instructions

My intention is to put a video on youtube for my wife who passed a few months ago.

Sorry for your loss.

My idea is to write words to a public domain song and make an arrangement for it. The video is sort of a tribute to her.
The video would simply show the lyrics while the song plays.

You can do part of this in LMMS.
The public-song can be inserted in LMMS' Sample-track
https://lmms.io/wiki/index.php?title=Wo ... ound-files
Download the song as wave-file. you cant use mp3 in Sample-tracks.

Knowing the songs key and scale, you can set a scale in LMMS,
https://lmms.io/wiki/index.php?title=Pi ... Piano_Keys
-and you can then compose a melody that goes with the public-domain-song. You can either use LMMS' native instruments, or you can use VSTs instruments:
https://lmms.io/wiki/index.php?title=Working_with_VSTs

You will need to use a different program, for recording the scrolling text in sync with the exported finished song. LMMS has no features for that, and i do not know any program that can be used.

If you have more questions, do not hesitate to ask.

Perhaps my LMMS rookie-guide can interest you? Link in signature

[akak]

Thank you for your response. At this point, I have a few questions: Is the sound from the musical instruments "natural" or are they sort of "electronic". I hope this is not a bad question.
I mean, will the finished product sound like musical instruments?
Is there any place you can direct me to such as Youtube, where I can listen to a finished composition from someone that used LMMS. Thanks again for your time and effort. Anthony.

[musikbear]

Is the sound from the musical instruments "natural" or are they sort of "electronic".

The presets of zynAddSubFX are excellent musically but you should try for your self.
You can also watch this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShfJ20uHOUs
that shows how to access zynAddSubFX presets, and even how to make new harmonic layers with these instruments.

Is there any place you can direct me to such as Youtube, where I can listen to a finished composition from someone that used LMMS.

There are properly 100 000- mio's of uploaded LMMS projects now. Perhaps the best source for you to look in could be the sharing portal,
https://lmms.io/lsp/?action=browse&cate ... &sort=date
where you can download full projects sorted by genre, but if you are looking for serene and maybe atmospheric ambient like music, here is a song i made several y. ago
https://soundcloud.com/musikbear/walkin ... ese-garden

Just ask us for any help you may need.

[akak]

Thanks again for your response.
I decided not to use an audio to start with.
I have found the original music Notation for the public domain song that I will use to create an arrangement.
So, can you tell me the first steps to take using the notation that I have.
Also, my Finished composition will use just a Guitar and Piano.
The sound I want from these instruments are a Rich Acoustic Guitar and a Baby Grand Piano or Grand Piano.
Can you help me. Thank You.

[musikbear]

steps to take using the notation that I have.

Do you have sheet-music, or do you have MIDI-data.
Sheet music you will to have manually recreate in piano-roll. If you play an instrument connected to your computer, then LMMS can capture as you play.
If you have MIDI-data, then LMMS can import those directly.

Finished composition will use just a Guitar and Piano.

You can find free great VSTs of both kinds. The best quality is with sampled instruments, but these VSTs can be many 100 MB in size, if that matter.

Pianos
https://www.loopmasters.com/articles/42 ... load-links
Guitar
https://thehomerecordings.com/free-guitar-vst-plugins/

[akak]

Thanks again, but I have Linux Mint OS. Can I use any of these?

[musikbear]

Thanks again, but I have Linux Mint OS. Can I use any of these?

Yes. LMMS support VSTs through WINE.
Read how to -Here: https://lmms.io/wiki/index.php?title=Wo ... _.26_Linux

[akak]

Forgive my lack of knowledge, but where are the musical instruments? When I click on instrument plugins I get a list of items I do not understand. Where can I see and use instruments such as piano and guitar etc?

[musikbear]

Where can I see and use instruments such as piano and guitar etc?

LMMS has token-search.
Open the sidebar.
Here you find a search-field. Enter guitar that will open all folder where that token is mentioned.
When you open a specific folder, you will see the instruments that fits the search-criteria. You can the hold down your mouse and listen to how that specific preset sounds. If you like it, right-click and choose an option to add it to song-editor, or beat-&-bass-editor.