Further Musical Conventions

Whilst reading Gorbman's Unheard Melodies, I came across more Western musical conventions that symbolise location and character.

Opening Credits - Defines genre, sets general mood, states one or more themes to be heard later accompanying the story, sets up expectations of the narrative events to follow and signifies that the story is about to begin.

Closing Credits - Musical recapitulation and closure reinforcing the films narrative and formal closure, often consists of orchestral swelling with tonal resolution. often involves a final statement of the scores main theme and it typically provides a rising crescendo "loud and definite".

Indian Territory - 4/4 allegretto drumbeat (or pizzicato in bass viols), first beat emphatically accented with a simple minor, modal tunes played by high woodwinds or strings

Latin America - Rumba rhythm and major melody played by either trumpets or instruments in the marimba family.

China/Japan - Xylophones and woodblocks playing simple minor melodies in 4/4

Turn of Century Vienna - Strauss-like waltzes in the strings

Rome/Paris - Accordions

Medieval - Harps ( also in renaissance or heavenly setting)

Big City (eg. New York) - Jazzy or slightly discordant major theme played by brass to imitate a car horn

Girl Next Door - Sentimental tune in major key

Seductress - Cocktail-lounge style jazz clarinet or saxophone

Comical Character - Woodwinds and xylophones in major key with often 'wrong' sounding notes

Micky Mousing - Technique where music imitates the actions seen on screen through direction or rhythm