Nov 21, 2018 | Composition, Daily Film Scoring Bits
Subconscious Plargiarism Another issue that bothers practically every composer once in a while is to subconsciously plagiarize existing music. Everybody writing music knows the feeling of asking oneself the question of whether that isn’t something everybody knows...
Nov 14, 2018 | Composition, Daily Film Scoring Bits
Key Change Dramaturgy Key changes can be not only effective musical tools but also very effective structural elements. Trying to build towards a climax in a piece that persistently stays in one key might not be the most interesting thing to do and approaching the...
Nov 7, 2018 | Composition, Daily Film Scoring Bits
The Danger of Composing on the Piano Composing on a piano is a great tool but can also be quite limiting. For example, chord voicings that sound good or decent on a piano don’t neccessarily translate too well to real orchestra.Usually, the biggest problem with such...
Oct 31, 2018 | Composition, Daily Film Scoring Bits
Spontaneous Modulations A very common device used in film scoring, especially when writing action music that leads to a climax is to spontaneously modulate up a semitone, whole tone or minor third.This works most effectively on ostinato-driven music with...
Oct 24, 2018 | Composition, Daily Film Scoring Bits
Pedal Points Pedal points are very common in film music, meaning usually that you change chords over a sustaining bass note. Even very dissonant chords in relation to the bass note work under such circumstances. Pedal points are great for buildups. In a busy sequence...