HOW TO USE THE 4 FOUNDATIONS OF MUSIC

TO START WRITING FOR

DIFFERENT GENRES

ROBERT RODRIGUEZ MUSIC

2021 BY ROBERT RODRIGUEZ MUSIC

 @ROBERTRODRIGUEZMUSIC

Here's a comparison chart to help define key

characteristics of different genres in film scores

RHYTHM/
GENRE MELODY HARMONY ORCHESTRATION
TEMPO

- Use 4ths, 5ths, - Use 4ths & 5ths - Dotted - Full

& 8vas Chords Rhythms Instrumentation
- Alternate - 110BPM- - Melody in Horns
Heroic Action - Alter 6th Scale
Degree between major 140BPM and High Strings
- Logical and minor key - Triplets - Harmony Across
Phrasing chords Rest of Orchestra

- Use Pitches - Major Keys/ - Little Rhythmic - When Intimate:

Found in Chord Lydian Mode Activity Small Instrumention
- 50BPM- - Solo Intruments
- Some Non-Chord - Largely Uses
Positive Emotions 100BPM like Woodwinds or
Passing Tones Triads with Added
- Time Signature Strings
- Often Utilizes a 6ths, 7ths, 9ths - When Emotional &
- Suspensions tends to be 4/4
Countermelody Powerful: Larger
or 3/4
Instrumentation
2021 BY ROBERT RODRIGUEZ MUSIC
 @ROBERTRODRIGUEZMUSIC

Here's a comparison chart to help define key

characteristics of different genres in film scores

RHYTHM/
GENRE MELODY HARMONY ORCHESTRATION
TEMPO

- Minor 2nds & - Create an - Strange

- Rarely Uses Instrumentation; Piano
Melodies TriTones Unpredictable Beat
Hits, Odd String
- If So, Use - Use Muddy, Low - Slow Tempo from Techniques
Horror and Suspense Dissonance and End Voicings 50BPM- 70BPM - Small Orchestration
Chromatic Scales - Cluster Chords - Use Mixed & Odd for Intensity
Meters - Large Orchestration
for Clear Danger
- Melodies Move - Alternate - Time Signatures - Staccato
Across between Tonic & Are 4/4 or 3/4 Woodwinds & Brass
Instruments Dominant Chords - Fast Tempo from - Pizzicato Strings
Comedy - Playful Melodies - Major Keys 100BPM- 185BPM - Muted Brass
are Common - Use Raised 4th - Comedic - Melody Bouncing
or Lowered 7th "Oompah" Rhythms Across Different
Degrees Sections for Color
2021 BY ROBERT RODRIGUEZ MUSIC
 @ROBERTRODRIGUEZMUSIC

Here's a comparison chart to help define key

characteristics of different genres in film scores

RHYTHM/
GENRE MELODY HARMONY ORCHESTRATION
TEMPO

- Start Off in - Slow/Moderate: - Small/ Limited

- Use Pitches
Minor Key 70BPM- 110BPM Instrumentation
Found in Chord - Mix Major, Minor, - Little Rhythmic - Mainly Use Strings
Drama - Focus More on & Modes Activity to Hold Harmony
Texture Rather - Chromatic - Add Repeated - Limit Use of Other
Than Melodic Lines - Move in Major Patterns to Create Instruments (Brass,
or Minor Thirds Interest WW, Percussion, etc)

- Can Either Be - Can Be Major or - Huge Range of - Use Metal

Prominent or Minor Tempo from Percussion: Celesta,
Subtle Depending - Try Using Lydian 40BPM- 160BPM Glockenspiel, chimes
Magic and Fantasy on Need Mode (Raised 4th) - High Rhythmic - Utilize Harp and
- Prominent - Use Triads and Activity Choir
Melodies are 8-16 Tonal Structures - Time Signatures in - Tremolo/ Pizzicato
Bar Phrases 4/4, 3/4, or 6/8 Strings

2021 BY ROBERT RODRIGUEZ MUSIC

 @ROBERTRODRIGUEZMUSIC

Here's a comparison chart to help define key

characteristics of different genres in film scores

RHYTHM/
GENRE MELODY HARMONY ORCHESTRATION
TEMPO

- Use Pitches - Minor Keys/ - When Intimate:

Found in Chord Aeoleon Mode - Slow Tempo from Small Instrumention
- Some Non-Chord - Largely Uses 40BPM- 100BPM - Solo Intruments
Passing Tones Root Triads/ like Woodwinds or
Sorrowful Emotions - Often Uses 4/4 &
- Uses Inversion 3/4 Time Strings
Countermelody Progressions Signatures - When Emotional &
- VERY Similar to - Suspensions Intense: Larger
Positive - Key Changes Instrumentation
- Minor 2nds & - Fast Tempo from - Full/ Large
- Rarely Uses 110BPM- 180BPM Instrumentation
Melodies TriTones
- Use scales other - Use Odd Meters: - Treat WW as
- If So, Create 5/4, 7/4
Action Based on than Major &
- Unexpected
Background;
Chromatic/ Minor Crescendo, Arpeggio
Meter Change
- Create Sudden
Dissonant - Repeated Driving - Intense Percussive
Intervals Harmonic Changes Hit and Bass Lines
Patterns
2021 BY ROBERT RODRIGUEZ MUSIC
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enter the world of music.

Robert Rodriguez Website

Music Theory Fundamentals Course: Part 1

2021 BY ROBERT RODRIGUEZ MUSIC