12 Lessons

Action-Music Harmony in Classic Blockbuster Films

Learn harmonic techniques of well-known scores from the 70s, 80s, and 90s.

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This really IS the holy grail… Most of us are happy to admit that composers of classic blockbusters have a command of a harmonic language that seems sometimes impenetrable. But it isn’t… This course literally shows you note by note HOW it’s constructed and the logic that goes into it.
– Ed Buller
The content in this course is second to none. Mark’s ability to explain and simplify some of the most complex topics in your favourite action music writing and make them approachable is unparalleled. The layout of the course is excellent and is divided into easily digestible chapters, that not only cover topics that aren’t discussed elsewhere but teach you the principles of how to think and write with the mindset with which they were written.
– Greg Stuckey

$129.00 USD $119.00 USD
Duration: 6 Hrs 34 Min

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The octatonic scale is one of the most commonly-used resources in classic action music. Learn the power of its versatility in these three lessons. Lesson 1 builds a vocabulary of common octatonic chords in action music from the 70s, 80s and 90s, many of which are connected by the “Alpha chord”, a key concept which has never before been applied to film music. Lesson 2 explores techniques for writing octatonic melodies and for stretching chords out into short passages. And Lesson 3 shows how to write longer and more complex passages.

  1. Octatonic Scales
    • Overview
    • Possible Chords
  2. Traditional Chords from Octatonic Scales
    • Major Chords
    • Minor Chords
  3. The Alpha Chord and Its Dissonant Subsets
    • Overview
    • Large Subset Chords – 5 or 6 notes
    • Major and Minor Subset Chords – with one dissonance
    • Atonal Subset Chords – 3 notes

  1. Octatonic Melodies
    • The Whole-Tone Octatonic Mode
    • The (0134) Chord
    • Connective Scale Runs
    • Dyads Composed of 3rds
  2. Drawing Out Octatonic Harmony
    • Repeated Chord with Octatonic Melody
    • Transposed Chord with Octatonic Melody
  3. Multiple Octatonic Scales
    • Successive Scales
    • Simultaneous Scales
  1. Combining Octatonic Elements
    • Melody/Bass Intervals
      1. Unmoving Bass
      2. Moving Bass
      3. Melodic Bass
    • Melody and Accompaniment
      1. Freely-Written Chords
      2. Multiple-Strand Accompaniments
  2. Varying Octatonic Harmonies
    • Through Motives
    • Through a Common Subset
  3. Octatonic Elements at Larger Scales
    • Through Returning Music
    • Through Returning Intervals

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