Transcript Dynamics This relates to the volume of the sound or

Sounds & Music
Dynamics
Pitch
Timbre
Tempo
Melody
Harmony
Dynamics
This relates to the volume of the sound or instrument.
Can be used for effect eg: horror.
Forte=Loud
Pianissimo=Soft
Crescendo=Gradually getting loud
Decrescendo=Gradually softer
Use of performance markings eg:accent
for motion, pause for suspense before the
big murder
By Marc Johnstone
Pitch
This relates to the lowness or highness of a sound
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Pure tones e.g. the tone of a triangle when struck, or a string of a violin
played
Complex tones e.g. the sound of glass smashing
Pitch could be used effectively for evoking objects in film e.g. The shrill
birdlike shrieking in “Psycho” is represented by high pitched violins.
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By Marc Johnstone
Timbre
Relates to the Harmonic Components of sound
giving it a certain ‘color’
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Effective when representing characters e.g. The Frodo theme in Lord of
the Rings. Use of the Pan Flute has a sweetness in tone color to represent
his courage/character.
The low/dark sound of the double bass in the theme to Jaws gives the
monster idea lurking beneath the depths of the sea.
Important to realise that every instrument has its own sound quality
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By Marc Johnstone
Tempo
This relates to the speed of the music.
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Presto=Very fast
Allegro=Fast
Andante=At walking speed
Moderato=Moderate
Largo=Slow
Accelerando=Gradually getting faster
Ritardando=Gradually getting slower
Example = The theme to Jaws, represents the motion of the shark building
up in speed
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By Marc Johnstone
Melody
Is it Major or Minor/Happy or Sad?
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This is used for Emotional attachment to the listener
The theme to Star Wars is Major to Represent triumph/victory.
The theme to Schindlers list is Minor to represent tradgedy/depression.
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By Marc Johnstone
Harmony
Chords or just one melody line?
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Harmonic=where there is more than one note played or sung at the
same time.
Melodic=where there is just one single melody line played or sung.
Harmony can create a thick or thin sound and it also be pleasant or
discordant depending on what's happening in the scene.
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By Marc Johnstone
Film Composition Task
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You are making some music for a scene in a movie that involves a
‘hello’ and a ‘goodbye’. Think of the start, middle, and end of this
scene and try to write some music to describe your hello and
goodbye. Use the plan on the handout and do this at the
keyboards. Experiment with the sounds and try to even record
your film score.
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By Marc Johnstone
Psycho
Choose
5 key scenes which you feel
‘tell’ the story of Psycho. If you could
only show someone 5 scenes – which
would they be (in order), and why.
Scenes
1.
Opening scene / or / Marion
packing her bag
2. Talk to Norman / or / Shower
Scene
3. Arbogast killed
4. Basement with Lila and
decomposing ‘Mother’
5. Psychiatrist explaining
Opening Scene
Cinematography
elements –
Sound elements –
Mise en scene elements Editing and Production design Character elements –
Mood / Atmosphere -