Music in Film and Television

Music Music Functions 1) Physical 2) Psychological 3) Technical

Music Music Functions: Physical Having to do with external environment or setting of the scene; supporting obvious visual action Creation of a physical atmosphere or setting time of day, weather, climate, sea, mountains, open spaces, etc. Evocation of time period, style or evocation suggests an accurate time period. Evocation of a culture in which a story takes place, such as ethnic flavor by use of associative instruments and modes appropriate to a specific culture. Underlining action-intensifies perception of physical movement

Music Music Functions: Physical (cont) Underlining action-intensifies perception of physical movement Mickeymousing- the music accents or even mimics what is happening on the screen, used for humorous intent

Music Music Functions: Psychological Dealing with thoughts or feelings Creating psychological mood, fear, suspense, joy, tranquility, etc. Rounding off the film- resolution or theatrical build-up; not always big musically Underlining unspoken thoughts of a character- providing more insight into a character’s unexpressed thoughts or feelings. Revealing unseen implications of a situation- foreshadowing what will eventually happen

Music Music Functions: Psychological (cont) Revealing psychological makeup of a character- reveals or suggests something that is not apparent “on the surface” about a person Underlining expected reaction of the audience- confirms viewer understanding of the scene. Deceiving audience as to what has actually happened- a conscious decision on the part of the director to “trick” the audience into perceiving the scene in an alternate way also known as “a red herring”

Music Music Functions: Psychological (cont) Making a philosophical point- music influences viewers judgement of the situation (also widely used in propaganda films, commercials) Setting up audience for subsequent surprise- going for the “shock value” as opposed to the music’s “telegraphing” what is about to happen.

Music Music Function: Technical Aiding in the flow of the film Building continuity from scene to scene- To help connect scenes that are related or even quite contrasting in content, helps smooth out the editing or scenes which contain lots of cuts. Building overall continuity- association of previously stated themes helps the audience draw relationships among the characters and events in the film; gives the film a unified personality of its ow n.

Music Musical Terms Harmony- Pleasing combination of two or three tones played together in the background while a melody is being played. Harmony also refers to the study of chord progressions. Chord-3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony. Interval- The distance in pitch between two notes Key- Systems of notes or tones based on and named after the key note

Music Musical Terms Modulation- To shift to another key. Major- The Major mode can be identified by the bright, happy mood. Minor- The minor mode can be identified by the dark, melancholic mood. Rhythm- The element of music pertaining to time, played as a grouping of notes into accented and unaccented notes.

Music Musical Terms Phrase- A single line of music played or sung. A musical sentence. Theme (motif)- A reoccurring musical phrase that is usually associated with a character or emotion. Tonic- The first tone of a scale also known as a keynote. Consonance-Groups of Tones that are harmonious when sounded together as in a chord

Music Musical Terms Dissonance- Harsh, discordant, and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord Measure- The unit of measure where the beats on the lines of the staff are divided up into 2, 3, 4 or more beats to a measure. Drone- Dull, monotonous tone such as a humming or buzzing sound. Also a bass note held under a melody. Glissando- Sliding between two notes.

Music Musical Terms Legato- Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played smoothly. Staccato- Short detached notes as opposed to legato. Ostinato- A Short Repeated phrase. Tempo- Indicating speed. Atonal- Music that lacks a tonal or key center.