How to write a CATCHY THEME like JOHN WILLIAMS

Summary

In this video, composer Ryan discusses the importance of repetition in music composition, particularly in film scoring. He explores how John Williams masterfully uses repetition in themes like Hedwig's Theme, Indiana Jones, Princess Leia's Theme, and Schindler's List. By repeating key motives and rhythms, Williams creates cohesive, identifiable themes that captivate listeners. Ryan emphasizes that repetition allows for musical development, keeps the audience engaged, and helps define the piece’s character. He encourages composers to embrace repetition rather than fear being boring, demonstrating its effectiveness with various examples from Williams' work.

Takeaways

• 😀 Repetition in music is essential for creating a cohesive and engaging piece. Composers should embrace repeating ideas rather than avoiding them for fear of being boring.
• 😀 Repetition helps the listener follow the music and gives the composition an identity, making it easier for them to connect with the theme.
• 😀 Changing ideas too frequently can make music feel disjointed, leading listeners to disengage, as it doesn't give a sense of development or direction.
• 😀 John Williams effectively uses repetition in his compositions, such as Hedwig's theme, where he uses two primary motifs repeatedly throughout the piece.
• 😀 The rhythm and contour of themes are often more important than the exact intervals or pitches. Small changes in pitch, while maintaining the overall shape, allow for repetition without feeling stale.
• 😀 In Hedwig's theme, two key motives drive the entire piece, repeating in different variations, which helps in maintaining listener interest while keeping a strong identity.
• 😀 The Indiana Jones theme is built around a rhythm that is repeated frequently, becoming iconic. The same rhythm is used in variations, helping establish the theme as instantly recognizable.
• 😀 The Princess Leia theme utilizes two main motifs that repeat in different ways, demonstrating how slight variations in repetition can maintain listener engagement and avoid monotony.
• 😀 In Schindler's List, the use of repeated motifs with slight variations helps keep the music connected while allowing for emotional progression without losing coherence.
• 😀 Overall, repetition allows for the development of musical ideas in a way that is accessible and memorable, as demonstrated by John Williams in his iconic scores for films like Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, and Schindler's List.

Q & A

Why is repetition in music important, especially for beginning composers?

Repetition helps to develop and solidify musical ideas, making it easier for the listener to follow the piece and for the composer to build upon initial ideas. It creates a cohesive theme and an overall identity for the music, allowing the composer to create a sense of progression without confusing the audience.

What is the main concept behind John Williams' use of repetition in his themes?

John Williams uses repetition to create memorable, cohesive themes. He repeats musical motives or licks in various contexts to give his compositions a sense of familiarity while allowing them to evolve and develop in a way that remains engaging to the listener.

How does John Williams create interest in a theme through repetition without it feeling monotonous?

Williams uses slight variations in pitch, rhythm, and contour, keeping the overall shape of the theme the same while changing small details. This allows the music to feel fresh and interesting while still being grounded in repetition, preventing it from becoming boring.

Can you explain the use of repetition in 'Hedwig's Theme' from Harry Potter?

In 'Hedwig's Theme,' Williams uses two motives that are repeated throughout the piece. These motives are heard in different sections, such as the accompaniment and B themes, creating a sense of unity. The repetition of these two licks establishes a clear structure while introducing subtle changes in pitch and rhythm to maintain interest.

What role does rhythm play in the repetition found in 'Indiana Jones' theme?

Rhythm plays a significant role in 'Indiana Jones' theme, with the same rhythmic pattern (dotted eighth-sixteenth) repeated throughout the piece. This rhythm is so distinctive and pervasive that it becomes an identifying feature of the theme, allowing the listener to immediately recognize it as part of the Indiana Jones franchise.

How does repetition contribute to the identification of themes, such as in the 'Indiana Jones' theme?

Repetition helps to establish a musical signature that becomes immediately recognizable. In the case of 'Indiana Jones,' the repetitive rhythm and melodic motifs make the theme instantly identifiable. Even if only a few notes are heard, listeners can connect them to the Indiana Jones series due to the consistent repetition throughout the music.

What is the significance of subtle changes in repetition, as demonstrated in Princess Leia's theme?

In 'Princess Leia's Theme,' subtle changes in repetition, such as varying the pitch or slightly altering the contour of the melody, maintain the core identity of the theme while offering a sense of progression. These minor variations allow the listener to recognize the theme's character while keeping the music engaging and dynamic.

Why does the composer argue that too much variation can make a theme confusing?

Too much variation can lead to confusion because it disrupts the familiar structure of the theme, making it harder for the listener to follow. Just as a new actor playing a character in a movie can be jarring, constantly changing a musical theme can make it difficult to connect with the music's core identity.

How does John Williams use repetition in 'Schindler's List' to maintain coherence?

In 'Schindler's List,' Williams uses two primary motives that repeat throughout the piece. While there are slight variations, such as changes in pitch or intervals, these motives remain fundamentally the same, ensuring that the theme retains its emotional and musical continuity. The subtle variations help avoid monotony while preserving coherence.

How does repetition enhance the emotional impact of a piece like 'Schindler's List'?

Repetition in 'Schindler's List' helps build an emotional connection by reinforcing key musical ideas. The slight variations in the repeated motives create a sense of progression, making the theme feel poignant and reflective while still maintaining a sense of unity and identity. This repetition amplifies the emotional weight of the piece.