Basic Unit: Music Soundtrack - Elements of the Music (Term Paper Sample)

Instructions:

Semester Project: Movie Soundtrack Analysis: Part 1

First, you need to choose a movie and specific scene to analyze. Write a one-paragraph description of the movie scene and briefly describe the music being played. Make sure to describe a scene that is appropriate for ALL audiences. This will need to be submitted for approval prior to starting the remainder of the project. If the scene or music is available on the Internet, please provide the web link. You can often find information about movies and music on Internet sites like IMDB and Soundtrack Info. This approval paragraph is worth 20 points.

Part 2
Introduction
After you have received approval to analyze a specific movie scene, you can begin the first part of your brochure, presentation, or paper. Describe in detail the movie scene, including the action, dialogue, scenery, mood, etc. Also briefly describe the music. Include the name of the song and artist if applicable. Be sure to identify the movie you are watching as well! (25 points
Part 3
Basic Elements of Music
During this part of the project you need to analyze the music playing during your chosen movie scene based on its basic musical elements which you learned about in the Basic Elements Unit. You should include information on at least five of the musical elements, such as: rhythm, meter, melody, harmony, range, form, tempo, dynamics, articulation, etc. Use the vocabulary you learned while studying the Basic Elements Unit. (25 points)
Part 4
Music Time Periods
Now analyze the music based on the time period it was written, OR the time period it was written to sound like. Use the information you learned in the Music Time Periods Unit to determine what time period the piece is from. Also briefly describe the historical time period of the movie scene. For this part of the project you may have to do some additional research about the specific piece of music playing during your scene. (25 points)
Part5
Instrumentation
Using what you learned in the Musical Instruments Unit, describe the instruments/voices that are being used to play the music. Which instruments/voices are playing the melody? Which play the harmony and/or accompaniment? You may also include information about the specific performers if that information is known. This is another area where you may find additional research on the piece of music to be helpful. (25 points)
Part 6
Evaluation
For the final part of this project you need to evaluate the piece of music and determine what made it an effective choice (or not) for this particular scene. How do the musical elements, the historical time period, and the instruments playing the music correspond to what is happening in the movie? Why do you think that particular piece of music was chosen, and is it effective in this scene of the movie? If you don’t feel the piece of music is effective, what changes would you make? Throughout this portion of the project you should be as specific as possible. (50 points)

source..

Content:

Music Soundtrack
Name:
Institution:
Part 1: Soundtrack analysis
The movie whose soundtrack and scene is being described is Titanic. The essay provides insights into the final scene of the movie where after the ship had broken into two and lifting everyone on air, Jack and Rose decide to ride it into the cold ocean.
Part 2: Introduction
As the ship sinks, Jack briefly loses Rose and apparently is in search of an option to save both of them. He resurfaces when one of the drowning passengers is using Rose as a buoyant object to keep him afloat. Jack beats him up and helps Rose to a wooden panel that is only buoyant enough for one individual. While Jack is holding on to the wooden panel, he assures her that she will not only die old but also warm in her bed. Rose falls asleep and she is later woken up by the noise being made by individuals from one of the lifesaver boats who are looking for survivors. She calls the lifeboat crew to come back but her voice is quite frail. She tries waking Jack up only to realize that he is no more. She then lets Jacks go into the deep ocean promising not to let go while crying for having lost her lover. She then swims to a dead man holding a whistle in the mouth and uses the whistle to get to the people in the lifeboat who eventually come for her. It is quite a sombre mood at this scene especially because Jack dies and Rose is compelled to let him go. Moreover, the music being played at this end scene â€˜My heart will go onâ€™ by Celine Deon has romantic connotations and also depicts the environment and the mood of the scene in description (Johnny, 2013).
Part 3: Elements of the music
The key of E is used in writing the song despite the chorus being in the relative key. It has a lot of emphasis on arrangement of the instrumentals and the use of flute is employed prominently. This is also backed by rhythm guitars, as well as, melodic use of strings. The tempo of the song is slow throughout so as to maintain a rhythm that is consistent perhaps because romance is the main theme of the movie. It has a fairly regular beats as the songâ€™s notes are played softly. Interestingly, they gradually get stronger towards the end (Dion, nd).
The pitch of the song is medium since high pitched notes are played on various types of instruments such as the flute. The melody is not only intricate but also angular. This song is the movieâ€™s main theme song and it is played without the vocals accompanying it. Moreover, musical elements such as imitations and repetition among others are employed alongside an ABABC pattern while C is for changing the pitch and bridge (Dion, nd).
Its dynamics is quite soft because of Pianissimo. At the excerptâ€™s last minutes where there is a gong of the sound it gets louder especially where there is crescendo. The playing of the flute inclusive of the other instrumentals are smooth and tends to flow. Besides, there are accents that are employed on certain notes (Dion, nd)
Concerning the tone color; pianos, flutes, and bagpipes are the major instruments in the piece. It captures both the emotions and mood of Jack and Rose as the two lovers. It implies that the song has a texture referred to as polyphonic as at least two instruments are used to play the melody. The integration of these instruments produces a harmonious and peaceful sound (Dion, nd).
As illuminated earlier, the song a polyphonic texture that is used in the creation of a thin texture of sound. It is due to the fact that the layers of the instruments in the music are relatively few to emphasize on the emotions between the love birds. Furthermore, the texture changes slightly towards the end as the gong is played. Simultaneously, the playing of the instruments tends to be louder crescendo and to finish off the song, there is a sudden occurrence of a diminuendo (Dion, nd).
Part 3: Musical time period
The music was chosen to depict the post romantic period of music that had characterized 1800 and early 1900. During this period, the composition of music had not only become increasingly inventive but also expressive. For an instant, virtuosic piano music and expansive symphonies passionate songs, and dramatic operas appeared inspirational in comparison to literature and art (Goldstein, 2012).
The construction of Titanic began in 1909 and the vessel was quite an industrial marvelous ship during the time as it was to be the most luxurious, fastest, and also the biggest liner.
Part 4: Instrumentation
As mentioned earlier, flutes, bagpipes, and pianos are the main instruments that are used in the song â€˜My heart will go on.â€™ The flute makes the melody intricate and angular. However, the instrumentals do not have a vocal ...

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Basic Unit: Music Soundtrack - Elements of the Music (Term Paper Sample)

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