Film Scoring

The film shows you what is going on…..but the music tells you what to feel. – Bernard Herman, composer for Alfred Hitchcock

What is Film Scoring

A film score is a broad term referring to the music in a film which is generally categorically separated from songs used within a film. The term film score is frequently synonymous with film soundtrack, though a soundtrack may also include the songs used in the film while the score does not. A score is sometimes written specifically to accompany a film, but may also be compiled from previously written musical compositions.

Music in film consists of small segements and phrases that change with the scenes on the screen

A musical phrase consists of elements of music that produce tension and relaxation.

Glossary of Musical and Film Scoring

Common Uses of Instrumentation in Film Scoring
Brass Instruments

Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba.
The use of these instruments represent power, strength, courage, etc

String Instruments

Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass. The use of these instruments can represent sorrow, passion, power, reflection, remorse, etc

Woodwind Instruments

Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Saxophone.
The use of these instruments can represent the same along the lines of the string instruments.
But remember there are always exceptions

Percussion Instruments:
Drums (All kinds) Drum Set, Percussion Accessories. The use of these instruments is different from the above. Mostly percussion is used to accent action scenes, war scenes, etc.

Electronic Instruments:
Guitars, Keyboards, etc: These instruments can be used in Science Fiction movies, sometimes Horror, Movies about the future. Again there are always exceptions to any rule. Ex. 300

Musical Elements that Produce Tension

Repetition, Jagged Articulation, Dramatic Devices, Increased Volume, Wide Intervals, Non-Chord Tones, Dissonant Harmony, Ascending Lines, Extreme Register of Instruments, Alternating Directions

Musical Elements that Produce Relaxtion

Decreased Volume, Notes of Longer Duration, Smoothness, Silence, Descending Lines, Rest or space, Consonant Harmony

The film shows you what is going on…..but the music tells you what to feel.

Listen to each of the following movie music clips. What are the first words that come to your mind?
How does this make you feel?, What type of scene is this for?

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