Key Concepts in Film Music and Classical Composition

Diegetic Music

Music that exists in the film's world and is heard by the characters (e.g., a character plays the radio).

Non-Diegetic Music

Background music not heard by the characters, added for dramatic or emotional effect (e.g., suspenseful score).

Foley

Sound effects created in post-production to match visuals, like footsteps or rustling, enhancing realism.

Motif / Leitmotif

A recurring musical idea that represents a character, emotion, or theme (e.g., Darth Vader's theme).

Film Music

All music used in a film, including both diegetic and non-diegetic, used to shape mood, action, and storytelling.

Sonata Form

A musical structure with three main sections: Exposition, Development, Recapitulation.

Exposition

Introduces two contrasting themes (Theme 1 in tonic, Theme 2 in dominant).

Development

Themes are transformed, modulated, and creatively explored.

Recapitulation

Returns to both themes, now both in the tonic key for resolution.

Sonata

A multi-movement work for solo instrument or instrument and piano (often fast-slow-fast).

Symphony

A large orchestral work in four movements, commonly structured: fast - slow - minuet/scherzo - fast.

String Quartet

Chamber music ensemble with 2 violins, viola, and cello. Classical form typically in four movements.

Binary Form

A two-part structure: A-B.

Ternary Form

A three-part structure: A-B-A. Ternary variations use this structure with changes to the repeated A section.

Theme and Variations

A theme is stated and then changed in successive variations (altering rhythm, harmony, texture, etc.).

Rondo Form

A recurring theme (A) alternates with contrasting sections (B, C, etc.), e.g., ABACA.

Form Focus

Emphasis on clarity, symmetry, and balance.

sonata form

Typically fast-slow-fast. (Moonlight Sonata breaks this pattern — starts slow.)

Salon

Intimate music gatherings in homes, especially popular with art song and piano music.

Lieder

German art songs for solo voice and piano. Often poetic, emotional, and use word painting.

Song Cycle

A collection of Lieder connected by a theme or story, often following a character across multiple songs.

Piano Character Piece

A short, expressive piano work that depicts a mood or idea (e.g., nocturne, impromptu, waltz).

Word Painting

When the music reflects the literal meaning of the text (e.g., ascending scale for "climb").

Program Music

Instrumental music that tells a story or depicts something non-musical (e.g., Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique).

Absolute Music

Music written for its own sake without a narrative or program (e.g., Beethoven's Symphony No. 1).

Rubato

A flexible approach to tempo — time is "borrowed" from one beat and given to another for expressive effect.

Prelude

A short, often improvisatory-sounding piece, especially for solo piano (e.g., Chopin's Preludes).

Romantic Era Traits

Emotion, nationalism, individualism, nature, supernatural themes.

Top 3 Romantic Era Composers

Beethoven (bridge between eras), Mozart (Classical master), Haydn (father of symphony & quartet).

Scientific Revolution

16th-17th century movement focused on logic, reason, observation, and scientific discovery.

Enlightenment

18th-century philosophical movement promoting reason, individual rights, and equality. Influenced Classical music's structure, clarity, and idealism.

Romanticism

19th-century cultural movement focused on emotion, imagination, the supernatural, nature, and individual expression.

Nationalism in Music

Romantic composers infused their music with folk elements and national identity (e.g., Chopin - Poland; Grieg - Norway).

Beethoven's Impact

Expanded classical forms, introduced deep emotion and personal expression into music. Bridge between Classical and Romantic eras.

Pentatonic Scale

A five-note scale that avoids half steps, creating an open, consonant sound. Common in folk, Asian, African, and blues music. Major pentatonic: C-D-E-G-A (all white keys). Minor pentatonic: A-C-D-E-G. The black keys on a piano form a G♭ major pentatonic scale. Frequently used by composers like Debussy to evoke nature or non-Western imagery.

Whole Tone Scale

A six-note scale built entirely of whole steps (e.g., C-D-E-F♯-G♯-A♯). Has no half steps and no strong tonal center — sounds dreamy, floating, or magical. Used in Impressionism and film music to suggest mystery or ambiguity. Famous in Debussy's Voiles.

Octatonic Scale (Diminished Scale)

An eight-note scale alternating whole and half steps (e.g., C-D-E♭-F-F♯-G♯-A-B). Used for dramatic, intense, or eerie moods. Common in 20th-century music, Russian composers (Stravinsky, Rimsky-Korsakov), and jazz. Often linked with diminished seventh chords, giving it an unstable and mysterious quality. Great for scenes involving chaos or the supernatural.