Film Music Lesson 2

Learning about Themes and 'Leitmotifs'.

TODAY'S PLAN

1. To recap how music is used to enhance the drama and mood of a film.

2. To understand what a Leitmotif is.

3. To study 3 famous leitmotifs, using the musical elements.

4. To have an introduction to Bandlab Education software.

TASK 1: READ ME

Last week we listened to some famous pieces of Film Music 🎧

• We worked out which music we felt suited different types of film.​

• We thought about the musical elements which we refer to as:​

M A D T S H I R T S​

• We listened to the main theme from 'Batman'.​

• We considered how the composer had used the musical elements to best represent Batman, his personality and his powers! ​

TASK 2: WATCH ME

Watch this short video which will explain a little more about Film Music and the use of character themes, known as 'Leitmotifs'.

TASK 3: READ ME

Leitmotifs are musical phrases, associated with an individual character or place.

Using Mad t shirts we will study three famous examples of letimotifs.

1. INDIANA JONES (Hero from an Action Film)

The Indiana Jones leitmotif MELODY mainly moves in STEP... but there are also large “leaps” between some of the notes.

A brass sound, (SONORITY, TIMBRE & INSTRUMENTATION) works well to perform this leitmotif because it is a FANFARE for an action film.

It has a fast TEMPO, very RHYTHMIC and is LOUD to portray Indiana's urgency and strength.

Extension: You can try to play this leitmotif if you have a piano keyboard.

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Indiana Jones Leitmotif.mp3

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Listen to me! Indiana Jones keyboard

2. DARTH VADER (Villain from a Science Fiction Film).

The Darth Vader leitmotif MELODY is repetitive.... but again has large “leaps” between some of the notes.

It also uses sharp and flat notes (the black keys on a piano keyboard). We call these ‘accidentals’.

A brass sound (SONORITY, TIMBRE & INSTRUMENTATION), would work well to perform this leitmotif or, maybe a low string instrument. These are dark, low pitched sounds - as Darth Vader is an evil villain.

This leitmotif is in a minor key (TONALITY)… can you think why the composer thought this was the best tonality to use to portray a villain?

Extension: you can try to play this leitmotif if you have a piano keyboard.

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Darth Vader Leitmotif.MID

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Listen to me! Darth Vader leitmotif keyboard

3. HEDWIG'S THEME FROM HARRY POTTER. (Fantasy and Adventure).

Hedwig’s Theme is the leitmotif from the Harry Potter films.

This leitmotif sounds best when played with a “magical” or “fantasy” SONORITY such as a percussion sound (glockenspiel for example).

This MELODY moves sequentially. It is ascending and descending. Can you think what this melodic movement might represent?

Again, watch out for the black notes (accidentals)! This melodic device is called chromaticism and it adds to the eerie feel of magic and mystery!

Extension: you can try to play this if you have a piano keyboard.

Click below to listen.

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Hedwig's Theme.mp3

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Listen to me! Hedwig's Theme keyboard

TASK 4: WATCH ME

For the rest of this lesson you are going to get familiar with Bandlab Education.

Over the next few weeks we will be composing our own leitmotifs for Film Music. You are not actually composing today - just getting more familiar with the software.

BandLab for Education only works on computers. Not phones. Not tablets.

If you can use a computer, then you should. If it is possible to use a computer a little later, that is probably better than using a tablet or phone.

If you can't use a computer, message your teacher for advice. Do not sign up for Bandlab.

Please watch the video below. You can pause it at any time.

TASK 5: TRY BANDLAB FOR EDUCATION

You must watch the video above first. If you are confused, watch part of the video again.

1. Your teacher will give you an invite code on Teams.

2. Go to https://edu.bandlab.com/ and use the invite code.

3. Sign up using your name, school email address and school password.

4. You don't need to make a profile.

YOU ARE FINISHED!

Good job Year 8! There is nothing to hand in today.

OPTIONAL EXTENSION

Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7BkmF8CJpQ