Film Music Key Terms

A Leitmotif is...

• A piece of music that tells a story

• A short idea that repeats

• A melodic idea which represents a character or place

• A simple theme

Film scores often contain diegenic music - what is this?

• Music that only the audience can hear

• Music that the characters can hear

• Music that was written by the characters

• Music that sets the mood

Leitmotifs were invented in which musical period?

The majority of a film score is made of non-diegenic music.

What does this mean?

• Leitmotifs

• Music played by the audience

• Music played by the actors

• The Underscore - music that the characters cannot hear

Select 2 ways to create tension through music

• Clashing notes

• Major chords

• Irregular rhythms

• Loud dynamics

Select 2 ways to achieve a positive mood

• Major Key

• Ascending leaps

• Minor Key

• Descending notes

Much of film music is made of repeating patterns.

What is the musical term for this?

• Chord

• Canon

• Ostinato

• Chromatic