3.3 Music to evoke reaction

As a music critic for a FILM MUSIC COLUMN, rate and review the music of the film according to the above scale.

• This activity can be done individually or in groups.
• Choose a film of your own choice, or

Choose a film from a period given to you by the educator.

• Write a review of the music of the whole film or of a specific scene.
• Analyse how the music in the film (or scene) is used to gain reaction from the viewer.
• Use the given music elements and composition techniques as guidelines - not necessarily all of them.
• Your educator will advise you.
• For ideas for the layout or form of your interview, look at magazines, newspapers or the Internet.
• Paste the review into your learner journal.

Music-Elements

1. Style and genre ( zjaan'-re )

• Which type of music is used? (Classic, Rock, Avant-garde, Church Music, Blues, Jazz, African, Gospel, etc.)
• Does it suit the genre of the film e.g. action, drama, adventure, science-fiction, fantasy, war, western, etc.?

2. Theme, melody

• Are there any main themes?
• Are they linked to specific characters (events and situations)?

3. Rhythm and tempo

• Is the music fast or slow? Is there a characteristic rhythmic pattern?

4. Harmony and key

• Is the music tonal? (in a major or minor key) or atonal (no key, e.g. notes in any order)?

5. Instrumentation and orchestration

• Instrumentation: Is the music vocal or instrumental? Is it electronic music? Which instruments are used for specific characters and situations? Orchestration: How are the instruments combined?

6. Texture

• Describe the texture: dense, thin, coarse, smooth, busy, sharp, raucous, silky, stark, velvety, tangled, etc.

7. Timbre ( Tam’bre )

• Describe the colour of the sound: warm, cold, eerie, resounding, jingling, bright, piercing, echoey, muffled, metallic, etc.

8. Dynamics and expression

• Describe the intensity of the sound: hard or soft; happy or sad; etc.

9. Form

• Are there any specific structures used? AB, ABA, verse and refrain, etc.

10. Some compositional techniques

• Which techniques are used?
• Examples of techniques are repetition, imitation, syncopation, transformation, etc.

Step 4

• Have a class discussion and share your analysis with the other learners. Use a video or CD recording of the film as reference.

R eflection

Think about and reflect on your research, analysis and presentation and answer the following questions :

1. Which aids meant the most to you during your research?

2. Was the information which you found accurate and informative? Why / Why not?

3. Did this approach help you to improve your understanding of the aim, function and development of film music?

Assessment