Rick Beato - Why Is Everyone Talking About This Show’s Music?
The speaker discusses the opening theme of 'Severance,' highlighting its modern and intricate musical composition by Theodore Shapiro. The theme starts in C minor and uses a series of chords that are not from the same key, creating a unique sound. The speaker breaks down the chord progression, explaining how it transitions from C minor to F major over C, and then to A flat minor over C, using scales like C Dorian and C harmonic minor. This creates a dissonant yet beautiful sound, reminiscent of film music by composers like Thomas Newman. The speaker also mentions a descending line that adds to the theme's complexity and beauty. They encourage viewers to explore more about music theory through their interactive book, which explains how to create such chord progressions.
Key Points:
- The theme starts in C minor and uses complex chord progressions.
- Chords transition from C minor to F major over C, then to A flat minor over C.
- The composition uses scales like C Dorian and C harmonic minor.
- The theme's modern sound is similar to film music by Thomas Newman.
- The speaker offers resources to learn more about music theory and chord progressions.
Details:
1. 🎬 Discovering Severance: A Musical Insight
- The speaker has not yet watched the show 'Severance' but plans to do so, influenced by friends who highly recommend it, especially for its music.
- 'Severance' is a show that blends workplace drama with a psychological thriller, praised for its unique storyline and compelling soundtrack.
- Friends emphasize the importance of the show's music, urging the speaker to check out the opening theme.
- After listening to the opening theme, the speaker finds it impressive and indicates a heightened interest in both the music and the show.
- The speaker's expectations were initially neutral, but the music has created anticipation and intrigue about the show's themes and narrative.
2. 🎼 Analyzing the Opening Theme: Composer & Chords
- Theodore Shapiro, renowned for his modern compositions, crafted the opening theme, which is characterized by its contemporary style.
- The theme utilizes a unique chord progression that sets the tone for the series, creating an engaging auditory experience.
- Shapiro's use of specific musical elements, such as syncopation and varied dynamics, enhances the modern appeal of the theme.
- This composition is significant as it aligns with the overall thematic elements of the series, providing an auditory representation of its narrative.
- The choice of instruments and electronic elements further emphasizes the modern style, appealing to a wide audience.
3. 🔍 Watching and Analyzing the Opening Sequence
- Analysis of the opening sequence can enhance understanding of thematic elements.
- Focusing on the first part of a movie provides insights into narrative setup and character introduction.
- Watching and analyzing can reveal filmmaking techniques such as camera angles and lighting.
- Initial sequences often set the tone and mood for the film, making them critical for analysis.
4. 🎹 Musical Breakdown: Chords and Scales
- The piece begins in C minor, establishing the tonal foundation, which provides a consistent backdrop for the musical narrative.
- The second chord is F major over C, offering a modal shift that introduces a fresh harmonic texture.
- This F major over C is repeated, reinforcing the harmonic progression and solidifying the listener’s perception of the piece’s direction.
- An interesting transition occurs with the introduction of A flat minor over C, adding a minor modal variation that enriches the harmonic landscape.
- A riff begins on the major 7th of C minor, providing a melodic interest that guides the listener through the piece.
- The riff resolves back to the C minor chord, completing the musical phrase and providing closure to the section.
- The scales utilized include a C minor scale for the foundational harmony, transitioning into modes that complement the chord changes.
- The use of scale variations aligns with the chord progressions, enhancing the emotional expressiveness of the piece.
5. 🎶 Melodic Details and Their Origins
- The music transitions from an A flat minor to a C Minor 7 chord, indicating a shift that is not within the same key.
- The piece starts in C minor, potentially implying a C Dorian mode, but it predominantly sounds like C Aeolian or C natural minor.
- A C Fran scale contributes to the second chord in the sequence, adding a unique tonal quality.
- The presence of F major over C (the four chord in C minor) suggests a modal interchange, possibly from C Dorian.
- The dissonant A flat minor over C chord originates from the C harmonic minor scale, characterized by the one, two, flat three, four, five, flat six, major seven, and back to one sequence.
- The descending melodic line adds a beautiful coloration to the piece, enhancing its harmonic complexity.