Of course whenever I'm given the chance to do something with my own free will I use it to overachieve. Given I'm allowed to make a research post about anything I want, I decided I'm breaking open my old music theory books from middle school band to relearn how to scare people with music. There likely wont be more than two or three songs made for this, so I have that going for me.
This is mostly going to be a collection of information that I find about music that would help in creating a tense film soundtrack.
Music theory is my best friend and the band's worst enemy. This film opening's title and main character's band name consists of puns. "A Major Flat," (the title) is an incorrectly worded way to say "A flat major." The reason for this, which will be a consistent theme, is that:
1: The band (aside from the keyboardist) has no knowledge about music or music theory
2: The band will eventually "fall flat" and be "a major" disaster.
The second pun is the actual band name: The Treblemakers. Is it corny? Maybe. Is it effective? Yes, the band is made up of high school dropouts, they are going to be troublemakers (this will be developed in the opening scene.)
The score for this will be original. Because I stopped taking band in high school specifically to branch out creatively and be in this class, I have become rusty. Therefore, I will be collaborating with some musicians better than me. But that's just more variety for the credits, so it's a win-win.
Tension and Release
Is what this score will be built off of. More specifically, there wont be a release. I want the music to lack any resolve, to keep the listener/viewer constantly anxious and tense. Dissonant chords, random sounds and interceptions also adds to the on-edge feel.
Some examples of the songs that inspired me are linked here:
https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxA5vQ1P7qlJ2NV8WlwxYYTOASITWTnUgm?si=3EPWRxW8B3vam8yJ
The majority of thriller and horror soundtracks (there are more sources on horror music and they're fairly similar) are written with minor chords, as well as augmented chords, to create suspense. The way to build a minor chord would be to choose a note, go three half steps up, and then four half steps up. Augmented is similar, but for both it is four half steps up.
A distortion guitar would also add both to the indie-garage-band sound and overwhelm the viewer with the music. Though many thrillers use string instruments, like the score of Psycho (1960) primarily using screeching violins, synths and electric guitar would fit better to modernize the movie. Additionally, I want to use the same instruments that The Treblemakers play as if the score was made up of the same band if they made good music and practiced.
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