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I was recently instrumental in getting a Music Appreciation class started at the private high school where I teach, and after exploring the timeline of classical music, I plan to look at world styles, unusual instruments, and other topics — including modern film scoring.
OBVIOUSLY, as an Elfman fan, I’m going to use him as one of my examples. What, then, would you recommend as, let’s say, a Top 5 collection that demonstrates Elfman’s talent and versatility? So in other words, one “gothic,” one comic, one percussion-based, etc.
I already know the Batman Theme is one of the pieces I’ll use.
What else?
Use Planet of the Apes as percussion.
yea thats a good one .. use something from Pee -Wee for electronic music
“Clown Dream”, tracks from Flubber, and Batman Returns as a whole would suffice, and ofcourse Mars Attacks! Main Titles
For comedy : Ballet de Suburbia…. from Edward.
And then use Weird Science so they can REALLY appriciate the socres.
Freeway, as an example that film music isn’t always in the classical vein.
First of all, congratulations on getting a music appreciation class started! (also liked your “instrumental” pun).
Top 5 to demonstrate Elfman’s versatility to high schoolers:
Batman Theme (Gothic/March)
“Breakfast Machine” from Pee Wee’s Big Adventure (Comic/Action)
Planet of the Apes Main Theme (Percussion/Horns/Electronic)
Dead Presidents Theme (Dark/Urban) – a bit dull for kids, though
Good Will Hunting Main Theme (Pop/Lyrical)Other pieces of notes:
“Rage” from Darkman – freaky little piece
“Face Like a Frog” – electronic
“The Simpsons” – it’s one everyone would recognize
“Gang on the Run” from Black Beauty or “At Work” from Sommersby for Folksy/Pastoral.
“Overture” from Nightmare Before Christmas has three totally different elements back to back.
To Die For Theme has those great metal guitar licks but it’s as manic as say the Breakfast Machine or Planet of the Apes.
Mars Attacks features the use of Theremin and Ondes-Martenot so it would be a great intro (or outro) to electronic music. You can download your own virtual Theremin here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/playground/theremin1.shtmlEdward Scissorhands and Sleepy Hollow are good examples for the use of choirs.
Pure Luck Main Title
I can’t believe Midnight Run hasn’t been mentioned yet (or Chicago for that matter) considering it for his versatility – plus you can show how a score can grow out of a song: “Try to Believe”
Also Forbidden Zone is a total mix of styles, yet retains stability; however, it might be too extreme.
Nat
I care!
An appreciation of film music might also include showing the scenes in the movie WITHOUT and then WITH the music. Two good examples with Elfman would be the finale from Edward Scissorhands and some scenes from Batman (with the batwing, descent into mystery scene). I always find that the best way to get people into heavy guitar music hooked on elfman is with To Die For’s main titles. It really works, high school students might dig it (oh, wait, is Hip Hop in now? I wouldn’t know really, except that seemed popular when I worked at Best Buy).
Yeah, and show the Mars Attacks main titles with and without music. I think that is one of the best main titles tracks (that’s the first soundtrack I bought, only because of the main titles). As to what soundtracks you ought to choose, I’d say just pick your favorites because you’ll get the most excited about them and that may transmitt over to your students.
-+>Joe Evans
Well! This generated some response while I wasn’t looking. Nice. Sorting all the advice as we speak.
JOE EVANS: I do already have a video of “Evening at Pops” in which (don’t hate me) John Williams shows a scene from Jaws with no music, then with music, and the change is amazing…so I typically use that. Oh, and then I play some Rachel Portman music during the opening scene of Star Wars: A New Hope as Darth Vader enters, just to highlight how music DOES have a mood that needs to match the film.
We don’t hate you. John Williams is great!
*Runs and hides from the John Williams fans*
Knight (Don’t kill me!)
Oh, I forgot to add the hint of sarcasm. Sorry!
Rachel Portman during Star Wars! That’s great! LOL
-+>Joe Evans
To Joe Evans:
:Quote:
“, high school students might dig it..”I am a teenager and I love Elfman…It’s rather depressing to see how many other teenagers are so enthralled with rap, hip-hop, music without any listening merit at all…I wonder myself at times when and how I got to be such a huge fan of Elfman. *smiles* I’m always in the minority *chuckles a little*.
Cheers,
~LeccathuP.S. If I have offended any teenagers here who also like the aforementioned music types, I am dearly sorry. I do not mean to offend, as this is my opinion and my opinion only.Joe Evans wrote:
To Joe Evans:
:Quote:
“, high school students might dig it..”I am a teenager and I love Elfman…It’s rather depressing to see how many other teenagers are so enthralled with rap, hip-hop, music without any listening merit at all…I wonder myself at times when and how I got to be such a huge fan of Elfman. *smiles* I’m always in the minority *chuckles a little*.
Cheers,
~LeccathuP.S. If I have offended any people here who also like the aforementioned music types, I am dearly sorry. I do not mean to offend, as this is my opinion and my opinion only.Joe Evans wrote:
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