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Unit 1

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nickespro130
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2023-2024

La Asunción.
MUSIC.
UNIT 1.

1. Music and culture.

A film is an audiovisual narrative that includes not just music, but alsO dialogues,
sound effects and images. Each of these components adds something to the story.
Music is used to reinforce the narrative context, because the main characteristic
of film music is that it is at the service of the narrative.
1.1. Types of film music.

Although most films include music in various scenes, music can serve many
different functions within an audiovisual narrative. For example, if music is eliminated in
one scene, maybe that scene would make sense. By contrast, in other scenes, it
would be impossible to eliminate the music because the scenes would loose sense.
This difference illustrates the fact that there are tow types of film music:
Source music—> source music is music that the characters in the film can hear, so
its presence is a consistent part of the film’s narrative.
Background music—> background music is music that plays in a parallel universe.
The characters in the film cannot hear it because it is not part of the narrative. Since
background music is independent of the images.
** Both kinds of music can be combined in a single scene. That is a very creative
resource in the language of film.
1.2. The function of music in films.

Film can have different effects and, depending on the purpose it serves, it
may be classified as atmospheric, expressive or technical.
Atmospheric function: provides a sound environment that sets the context for the
plot of the

film.

- Period: it helps to set the period or epoch.


- Geographical context: the place.
- Film genre: music helps to recognize the genre (action film, romantic comedy,
thriller…)

Expressive function: conveys emotions to viewers.


2023-2024
La Asunción.
It highlights the character’s emotions.

Evokes emotions that are unrelated to the characters.

Technical function: adds unity and clarity to the narrative discourse.

Smooths over scene changes.

Adds continuity to scenes that take place simultaneously.

2. Sound.

Sound is produced when an object vibrates, generating waves that are carried
through the medium in which it is located. If the vibration is sufficiently intense, it can be
captured by a receiver.
For a sound to be perceived, the following are needed:

Sender: the object that vibrates.

Transmission channel: the physical medium that propagates the wave.

Receiver: the person who perceives the vibrations.

2.1. The qualities of sound.

There are four qualities:

Pitch: if it is high or low. It is determined by the frequency of the waves.


Duration: if it is long or short. It is determined by how long the wave
persists. Intensity: if it is soft or loud. It is determined by the amplitude
of the waves.
Timbre: it is the characteristic quality of each sound that allows us to distinguish a
trumpet from a violin. The timbre of a sound is determined by the shape of its wave.
2.2. Noise.

Noise is a type of sound that we find unpleasant. This feeling is subjective, and
may refer to sounds with high intensity or that we simply do no want to hear at that
moment.
The difference between sound and noise waves
is: Sound waves are regular.
Noise waves are irregular.

2.3. Silence.

Silence is the absence of sound. Music combines sounds and silences, and
2023-2024
La Asunción.
silences are just as important in music as sounds.

3. Music genres.

Films are categorized by genres: comedy, drama, adventure, animation, etc.


Music can also be classified by genre.
3.1. Popular vs. art music.

In the past, authorship was the main criteria used to distinguish between
these two genres. Traditional music was transmitted orally and art music was created by
a single person and written it down, leaving a record of it for future generations.
Today, these criteria are more flexible. Popular music is generally applied to
works with a simple structure and short duration. Art music, also known as classical
music, is typically applied to works composed by a known author often more
sophisticated and complex than popular music.
2023-2024
La Asunción.

3.2. Religious vs secular music.

Music is said to be religious when it is used to accompany religious rituals or


otherwise associated with the practice of a given religion. Music that bears no relation
to religion is said to be secular.
3.3. Descriptive vs abstract music.

Music may be classified into two genres depending on the source of inspiration.

Descriptive or program music is music that is inspired by a landscape, a painting, a


story or any idea besides music itself.
Abstract music or absolute music is based on exclusively musical concepts: a melody, a
rhythm, etc.
3.4. Vocal, instrumental and vocal-instrumental music.

We can also classify works depending on how it is performed. We distinguish


between vocal, instrumental and vocal-instrumental music depending on whether it is
performed using the voice, instruments or both at the same time.

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