Do you love movie soundtracks? Do you know why you like the soundtracks that you do? Do you ever struggle to add music to your films that has meaning to the themes and stories of the production?
Rick Beato’s YouTube channel, Everything Music, is deep. Like, really deep. I consider myself a relatively learned guy, but joining in with Beato makes me feel like I’m still working with Play-Doh. But, I love it; it’s a constant state of learning for me.
Beato’s most recent video helps to dissect what is termed the Lydian Mode. This essay become relevant to movie-makers when he starts to talk about some of the giants in soundtrack composition.
Beyond the discussion of notes and keys, which is mostly beyond me (though I’m stretching to understand), Beato uses the examples of Thomas Newman, Randy Newman, Junkie XL, and, of course, John Williams to explain how this particular mode gives a sense of rise or hopefulness.
Putting together a soundtrack is clearly more complicated than selecting something you like. It should be something that helps to tell your story. The best filmmakers make use of as many senses as possible.
What do you consider when putting music together for your films? I’m open to any other suggestions to expand my musical education.
Lead image used under Creative Commons License, Steinway & Sons, jpolta