I am currently waiting for a film lock so I can score. So I sometimes stay busy by learning and practicing. Sometimes I study scores but more often (as I mentioned here some years back), I like to listen to other people's material and if it is a song or otherwise melody based, I like to transcribe it and then study the melodic and chordal progression structure. I often create a 'lead sheet' and get one or more of my friends (or students in the improvisation class I am taking) to play along. It's both fun and I find I can more often than not, learn things from the experience.
So yesterday, I happened to be watching the Die Hard marathon on FXM and in Die Hard 2, when he goes to the basement, the custodian down there is playing an old record. Turns out to be a well known
'classic' from arguably the top solo female artist of the 1950s, Patti Page.
Check out "Old Cape Cod" from 1957. Even if you don't transcribe, you can find a picture of a lead sheet (in C, though I believe she sings it in A). If you really want to practice, Patti overdubs her voice in the track in four part harmony. Try writing/transcribing the melody in "SATB" four part harmony.
I found a class friend who plays trumpet. Gonna let him do the transcription and then we will play it together (perhaps) in class.
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Take downs are always good to do. You hear something you like and you figure it out and analyze it. Sometimes even things that sound complicated become easier to you once you take the time with it. Lots of info in just these first 4 bars. Love those leading tones on beat 1 of the second and fourth bar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKsDw5TXhwQ
I love reading this, Joel Irwin. Thanks for sharing! Taking down, transcribing, orchestrating, music prepping are often neglected composer's skills and, still, they are so useful, both because you can get hired for doing that by other composers and support yourself with music between gigs and because, when your gig comes, by doing it all yourself , even if the movie is low budget, you can save money to invest in great musicians to record: win, win. Congratulations on your new job and, please , keep us posted! :)
Absolutely true, Linwood Bell . Even when composing, once you start putting your ideas down on paper ( or a notation program) and begin thinking vertically and not only horizontally, things become so clear and easier ;)
This is great, thanks @Joel!
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Elena Maro Yes! ....and some things I always have to write on paper to get the results I want and other things I just want to play it in. Some things are just fun to write on paper and explore it. Many times it will just write itself and I'm as surprised as the next guy watching and listening to it unfold right before my eyes/ears. Stuff like this....and please forgive the mess and the mockup. It was just for fun playing with different interval combos. Point is...it's another tool in the toolbox. Be gentle...lol https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/199365529
That's great, Linwood Bell! Thanks for sharing! Especially when you are going to record it is good to know what you are writing and for what instruments, but I have found along the way that even for electronic music or projects "in the box" it is a great thing to set up an "ensemble" for the film that is staying consistent, so that the score is more cohesive and balanced.
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Thanks. It’s nothing. Just an old piece of homework actually, but it shows how you can get something from nothing by just working interval relationships and leading tones. You can go anywhere with it and different interval combos will yield different vibes. Writes itself. Sure, you have to be clever, but the intervals do most of the work for you.
this is awesome Joel Irwin! I love being able to find a song in a film and stumbling across something I wouldn't have known!