Bundle Summary
In Theme Writing 1, learn how 8-bar forms shape the emotional expression of a theme. Examples of each form are drawn from major feature films.
In Theme Writing 2, learn to write melodies that mean what you want them to mean. By analyzing many of Hollywood’s best-known themes, you’ll learn how basic shapes are elaborated to create expressions that are perfectly suited to a theme’s association.
In Theme Writing 3, learn how to expand 8-bar themes and construct forms with a contrasting B section. Write large themes of flexible length called “continuous themes” from short units of just a few bars. And learn how to join themes into a suite like those for end credits, main titles, and the like.
And in Theme Writing 4, discover a wide range of scale-degree combinations with expressive associations in film. These combinations, or “gestures”, are typically placed at the very beginning of themes, ensuring they are heard even if only the theme’s first couple of bars are played.
Included in all 4 courses are original compositions showing how the techniques may be applied, and composition exercises with answers in MIDI format for DAWs, MusicXML for notation software, and PDF and MP3 for pencil and paper.
Course Content – Theme Writing 1
- The 12 Types of 8-Bar Themes
- Components of the First 4 Bars
- Components of the Last 4 Bars
- Basic Forms – The Sentence and Clause
- The Basic Idea
- The Repeated Basic Idea
- Acceleration – The Sentence
- Variation – The Clause
- Basic Forms – The Period and Composite
- The Contrasting Idea
- Return – The Period
- Difference (no acceleration) – The Composite
- Developing Forms
- The Developing Idea
- Developing Sentence
- Developing Clause
- Developing Period
- Developing Composite
- Hybrid and Compound Forms
- Hybrid Forms – Overview
- Hybrid Sentence
- Hybrid Clause
- Hybrid Period
- Hybrid Composite
- Compound Sentence & Clause
- Compound Period & Composite
Course Content – Theme Writing 3
- Traditional Long-Form Themes
- Expanded 8-Bar Forms
- B Sections – Harmony & Phrase Structure
- B Sections – Melody
- Rounded Binary
- Rondo
- Ternary
- Continuous Themes
- Structural Units: Mottos, Large Phrases, 8-Bar Themes
- Combining Units into Repetition and Variation Blocks
- Combining Units into Contrast Blocks
- Intros and Closes
- Analyses
- Theme Suites
- Dynamic Structures
- Key Relationships
- Transitions
- Thematic Combination
- Suite Intros and Closes
Course Content – Theme Writing 2
- The Main Line
- A First Example
- Overview
- Main-Line Features
- Characterizing Main Lines with Inner Voices and Dissonant Notes
- Strong Expressions with 6-5 Motion
- Comfort, Tradition, Heroes, Sadness and Mystery – Descending Main Lines
- Overview and Lines with Interrupted Goals
- Expression with Descending 3-Lines
- Expression with Descending 5-Lines
- Uplifting or Lifting Up – Ascending Main Lines
- Expression with Ascending 5-Lines
- Expression with Ascending 1-Lines
- Detailed Expression with Main-Line Elaborations
- Setting the Mood – The Opening Ascent
- Intensifying – Breaking Through
- Striving – Reaching Over
- Climax and Exuberance – Octave Boost
- Love, Mystery, Sadness – Submerging Melody at Cadences
- Revelation and Amazement – Emerging Melody at Cadences
- Mystery, Evil, Love, and Rousing Themes – Altered Main-Line Notes
Course Content – Theme Writing 4
- Major-Key Associations – around Degree 5
- Love, Emotional Warmth
- Very Positive, Joyful, Noble, Pure
- Love, Bonding, the Extraordinary
- Childhood, Child-Like
- Aspirational
- Major-Key Associations – around Degree 1
- Wonder, Amazement, Emotional Warmth
- Pleasant, Pastoral, Inspiring
- Minor-Key Associations – around Degree 5
- Sadness, Tragedy
- Burden, Hardship
- Mysterious, Ominous, Emotional Pain, Heroic
- Mysterious, Evil
- Minor-Key Associations – around Degree 1
- Evil
- Dangerous
- Mysterious, Intimidating
- Ancient
- Militaristic
- Associations in Major and Minor Keys
- Powerful – Physically, Emotionally, Politically
- A Vast Expanse
- Heroic
- Extraordinary Power
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