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Hi guys, For eternity now (literally forever) I'm always told there are themes for each character in most movies. I hear the obvious ones (Everything John Williams ever did, etc.) But when I listen to most film scores all I hear is random melodies and chord progressions, nothing that usually states a theme for a certain onscreen person. (I'm blanketing here out of frustration, forgive me) My question is 'Is it just me?" Do I need to listen harder? Or are the themes so vague they're not noticeable unless you know what to listen for? I've listened to Hans Zimmer (of course) and sometimes there's a few notes that repeat but most of his stuff sounds like booming music for effect more than actual motifs. Same with Danny Elfman. I know he's supposed to be one to have themes but I just hear Big Top Pee Wee marimba most of the time. Is there a website to train my ear more? Is there no real themes these days? I saw a video on themes in the MCU and they just played the same clip when Capt. America would run by. But that was only some of the time. Other times they were playing it and it was either so hidden or disguised that it might as well have been the temp music. Any help pointing my way out of this hole would be great. No, you're not alone. Some composers avoid themes like Dracula avoids garlic and sunlight. Not much to hang your hat on these days.
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You're not alone. Sometimes I have a difficult time picking out themes for characters or places or situations. Williams is the easy one. He has immediately identifiable themes. Other composers make you work a little harder, not intentionally, I'm sure. Game of Thrones and Lost have already been mentioned and are good examples. They are both abundant with themes that may not jump out at you immediately, or stick in your mind right away. But after multiple episodes you'll begin to hear patterns and start to remember variations of what you are hearing. I recently went through all 12+ hours of the Lost music and halfway through I was easily identifying what action was taking place or what character was on screen that the music was representing. But don't feel bad. There are still pieces of music where others talk of a particular theme and I just can't hear it.
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Is there a website to train my ear more? Is there no real themes these days? There aren't many. James Cameron does not like themes, and apparently Christopher Nolan and Sam Mendes don't either. And as successful A-list directors, their method is imitated by (or forced upon) other directors with less clout. John Williams' new Star Wars scores still have themes, but the quick, ADD pacing of these new movies leaves him little room to develop them. Back in the 1980s, themes ruled the day. Even Hans Zimmer used to compose themes -- just listen to Driving Miss Daisy, which is bursting with melody.
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