How Thomas Newman makes use of Modes

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How Thomas Newman makes use of Modes

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Күн бұрын

🎵 If you enjoyed this video, make sure to also check out my free training - 'My 3 Secrets to Composing Rich Cinematic Music':
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Thomas Newman has one of the most unique musical voices in the Hollywood film music of today. In this video, I show you musical examples from films including American Beauty and Finding Dory, detailing how he uses Modes to help achieve his sound.
► Get your FREE 'How to Write Cinematic Music for a Film or TV Drama in 5 Easy Steps' here: composingacadem...
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:12 - Dorian Mode
02:17 - Lydian Mode
04:26 - What is a Mode?
05:18 - Mixolydian Mode
07:13 - Outro
Links to pieces:
Dorian Mode
American Beauty
• American Beauty Soundt...
Finding Dory (Main Titles)
• Disney Pixar's Finding...
Lydian Mode
Wall-E (Eve)
• WALL•E Original Soundt...
Lemony Snicket's: A Series of Unfortunate Events (The Bad Beginning)
• The Bad Beginning
Six Feet Under (Main Title Theme)
• Six Feet Under: Main T...
Mixolydian Mode
Finding Dory (Hide and Seek)
• Hide and Seek
American Beauty (Lunch with the King)
• Lunch With The King
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Пікірлер: 168

@chemicalangel5227 2 жыл бұрын

Nobody is going to joke about the Dory-an mode?

@composingacademy8270 2 жыл бұрын

haha yes, I'm sure its not a coincidence on Newman's part!

@mariotheodoro6854 Жыл бұрын

I'm sure it was done on purpose ! Finding Dory in F Dorian

@whatabouttheearth 8 ай бұрын

I'm more disturbed by noticing how much he looks like Tom Cruise.

@filmpharmacy 6 ай бұрын

Scrolled to comments just to do that.

@cjkalandek996 2 жыл бұрын

For some reason, Thomas Newman's music always makes me cry.

@simonjohansson248 2 жыл бұрын

Am I the only one thinking it's hilarious that he used F Dorian in Finding Dory!!

@Locrum 3 ай бұрын

I almost spit out my coffee when reading that.

@mastersloseymusic3928 2 жыл бұрын

Thomas Newman is perhaps my top favorite movie composer. It's also interesting how much I'm naturally drawn to the Dorian mode because most of my favorite music is in that mode or I come up with something ends up being in that. It makes sense that my favorite piece from his is the Plastic Bag scene.

@jeffreyksiazek7890 2 жыл бұрын

Thomas Newman is my number one favorite film composer, so I'm glad you taught us how to play his music. 🎼

@micwarren21 2 жыл бұрын

I appreciate all the work and time you put into your presentations.

@composingacademy8270 2 жыл бұрын

My pleasure! They do take a while, but I'm enjoying the process and especially with this one, diving into some of my favourite composer's music!

@urilevy1 2 жыл бұрын

Nemo’s Egg is my favorite score by Newman. I love his work, this one appeals to me because it is absolutely soothing.

@santiagorojaspiaggio 2 жыл бұрын

My favourite TN soundtrack is Road to Perdition, a beautiful not-so-well-remembered film, also directed by Sam Mendes (the next one to American Beauty). There you have the tracks "Rock Island 1931"; "Road to Chicago" (great); "Road to Perdition"; and my favorite: "Ghosts". And there's also the main theme of Revolutionary Road, that feels so emotionally strong.

@bradleyhite3476 2 жыл бұрын

Finding Dory is in F Dorian, coincidence I think not!

@the_minimalistic_adventure 2 жыл бұрын

I just recently found his work, and his American Beauty score is absoloutly otherworldly and beautiful, plus he just seems like a super fascinating guy in general. I’ve been diving deep in to Thomas’ work!

@composingacademy8270 2 жыл бұрын

Yes its amazing! I've always wanted to study his work more and by the process of making the video, I got to do just that!

@VSushant Жыл бұрын

Check out "Road to Perdition" & Spectre.

@AnimationNation2004 2 жыл бұрын

All of his scores are great. He is my all time favorite composer but if I had to pick one I would say that it would be from In the Bedroom. There’s just something off about the main title in the best way possible. The film itself is heavily underrated. My second would be Road to Perdition followed by 1917. All three of these are also my top 3 films of all time.

@MartinJG100 2 жыл бұрын

Indeed, Simon. My favourite film composer. I would liken his approach to the delicate and deft strokes of a water colour artist, unlike some other celebrated composers with, shall we say, a heavier hand. Wonderfully understated and enticing technique with just enough notes to keep the audience interested :).

@DanIel-fl1vc 2 жыл бұрын

The bars at the bottom are really nice, removes the pretense of that any of this is that complicated. It's so disgustingly simple but made complicated because people are bad at explaining things. If you can't explain something so a 10 year old can understand it. Don't bother. Really nice video.

@thomandy Жыл бұрын

I wish you had 100s of these videos, I would binge them over and over. Amazing quality and pacing!!

@composingacademy8270 Жыл бұрын

Thanks, there are more on their way!

@score-crazyca Жыл бұрын

My absolute favourite Thomas Newman score is 1917, but I started listening to more of him cause he has such a variety of compositions that always evoke some kind of emotion whether mild or strong. I really must thank you for this presentation as I am trying to get into film scoring myself and this is delivered in such a way that my autistic mind can actually understand, Thank You!

@angc1456 Жыл бұрын

when did you start listen 2 him?

@simonrobertfrench Жыл бұрын

The 1917 score is absolutely stunning.

@jasonwilliams3088 2 жыл бұрын

This was a wonderful video, thank you! I've been writing some stuff recently where the minor scale was feeling a bit too dark so excited to play with Dorian and open it up a bit!

@neaituppi7306 Жыл бұрын

It continually surprises me, that when someone does an expose on Thomas Newman's movie soundtracks, and how he composes. They never mention Road to perdition. I haven't seen any. Like it didn't exist. And it has some of his most emotionally stirring music.

@composingacademy8270 Жыл бұрын

I agree, great soundtrack! One I need to dive into more for sure.

@trademarkshelton 2 жыл бұрын

I also see a lot of open and stacked fifths in the examples you showed; those also contribute to that ambiguous feeling you mentioned (nice video--just wanted to comment something to help the ol' algorithm)

@jand.k.2897 2 жыл бұрын

Great video, as always. Succinct, yet well explained and paced. Excellent didactic skills!

@composingacademy8270 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Jan, thank you so much for your kind words!

@ahaabit11180 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! I've always loved Thomas Newman's work and feel like his work doesn't get the attention it deserves. I first heard of him when I watched the movie The Horse Whisperer..the music was so beautiful and I had to find out who composed it. The Horse Whisperer is one of my favorite soundtracks of his as well as Meet Joe Black and 1917.

@christiana.guevara4947 2 жыл бұрын

Musical Joke: Finding Dory -> Finding Dorian Mode 😂🎵

@composingacademy8270 2 жыл бұрын

Yes I do wonder if that was a conscious decision when he composed it!

@mr.introvert6173 2 жыл бұрын

Favourite score - American Beauty 😘🥰

@akmigone 2 жыл бұрын

this is amazing! Love your teaching!

@directorGMedia 2 жыл бұрын

AMERICAN BEAUTY drew me into Thomas Newman’s works - trying to determine at the moment if ROAD TO PERDITION or THE GOOD GERMAN was his best (these preferences change often). Even his open to BOSTON PUBLIC is excellent.

@radiozelaza 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, his tunes resonate with me so much. Need to check out more

@musiktheoryfury9873 2 жыл бұрын

I have always liked Newman music, it is really easy to identify. This video is superb

@composingacademy8270 2 жыл бұрын

Yes a lot of his music is instantly recognisable isn't it. Definitely a goal as composer! Thanks for watching!

@VSushant Жыл бұрын

Thank you for making these vidoes that analyze film music in detail 🙏

@tenzijabeats134 Жыл бұрын

Your channel and your willingness to share your knowlage with us is blessing. I hope to see more new videos :)

@composingacademy8270 Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for your kind words! It's my pleasure!

@christopherprim1973 2 жыл бұрын

Natural minor sounds more somber and muted, but not sad here. The raised 6th is brighter. We should definitely describe notes and modes in terms of color and light, rather than emotions, sometimes.

@ratnacomposerstudio Жыл бұрын

I have been composing about a 1 minute piece in dorian, a piece that reflects loss of hope towards end of conversation that has begun on a happy tone, not too dark and not too bright, but somewhere in between the major and the minor towards end, which is good with dorian. American beauty piece comes to me as a wonder, how he has used sus 2 kinda tone in the composition. Its beautiful. how insanely beautiful is the finding dory theme too. just amazes me.

@crim6435 2 жыл бұрын

This explains why I love this songs. And why when eve arrives in wall-e it has a strong emotion on it :')

@MrErlendw 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent stuff! On my wishlist for future videos: An analysis of some of the masterpieces from Alexandre Desplat. Keep up the good work! Greetings from Norway.

@pogchamp7983 2 жыл бұрын

You are a great communicator sir!

@composingacademy8270 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

@vanceoliver7940 2 жыл бұрын

I can guarantee I’ll watch any video like this one and the Hans Zimmer video all the way through multiple times. Please keep making videos like these.

@vanceoliver7940 2 жыл бұрын

Might be an odd request but I would love one on Ennio Morricone

@josephmann4274 2 жыл бұрын

Whisper of A Thrill from 'Meet Joe Black'. Again, never fully resolves in either direction reflecting the pull of both life and death. Top work here!

@maxwindisch-spoerk8410 Жыл бұрын

amazing, learned a key idea for composing in the first 2 min - thanks !

@composingacademy8270 Жыл бұрын

I am so pleased you have found it useful and thank you for watching!

@Ryantalope 2 жыл бұрын

A terrific video regarding a terrific composer. Consider yourself subscribed 👌🏼

@MrKeithterrett 2 жыл бұрын

Great presentation, thanks !

@chj.schwarz 2 жыл бұрын

So clear and easy to understand! Finding you was a big boost to my composing progress, very thankful for that!

@Jonathan-ff4wo 2 жыл бұрын

Don't have a favorite Thomas Newman score. Couldn't choose if a gun was put to my head. But I do love the main theme to Finding Dory.

@vincentrider7638 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for recognizing my favorite movie score composer - his music is beautiful. My wedding song was "Resilience" from Lemony Snicket (turned out - we didn't have any lol... but still a beautiful song!). Nemo score is amazingly moving too.

@rohitbhatti6422 2 жыл бұрын

Love your content bro love from India 🇮🇳 🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️

@slimyelow 4 ай бұрын

This is brilliant. I have been using the dorian scale all my life but never made the connection with TN's music. - wow

@gabrelconner9146 Жыл бұрын

Loved this video! Thank you! At the end of the video you asked what our favorite Thomas Newman score is as well as if there’s anything you haven’t covered. My favorite score of Thomas Newsman’s is so underrated and almost never talked about and it’s really quite a gem. I’d love your thoughts on the 1991 film “Deceived”. So brilliant I love it! Any incite on this would be lovely! Thanks again!

@composingacademy8270 Жыл бұрын

Will definitely take a listen and add it to my film list to watch. Thank you for the tip!

@ephjaymusic 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent presentation! Thank you!

@sarp-music 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for the great information

@Knowyourintent Жыл бұрын

My favourite Thomas Newman scores are "Less than Zero" and "Road to Perdition?

@lepuitsauxsouhaits Жыл бұрын

We need more like this !!

@KE010101 2 жыл бұрын

I'm glad you explained that, it was quite helpful because I knew absolutely nothing about the use of modes before I watched this.

@composingacademy8270 2 жыл бұрын

I'm glad it was useful - thanks for watching!

@tereseabannister4176 2 жыл бұрын

LOVE THIS! Thank you so much! I have been wanting some examples of using modes in popular cues for a long time. I have only written a few compositions with modes so far as I have not taken the time to familiarize myself with the feel of each one so I can fit them into my workflow. This gets me excited to try again and add it back into my toolkit! Thank you!! ♥️

@composingacademy8270 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

@julesjgreig 2 жыл бұрын

Very good, thank you

@caseymcbridemusic8321 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent!

@MrJimli 2 жыл бұрын

I really liked your last two videos on zimmer and newman I wouid love more videos alike !

@TenThumbsProductions 2 жыл бұрын

One of the hardest parts for me in modal composition is making the track feel resolved. Take F lydian for example. It has all the same notes as C major, so it has all the same chords, as a result I have a really hard time making the F chord sound resolved, finished, like it is supposed to end there. Some tricks I do are a lot of slash chords with F in the bass. I will also take a chord like C and make it a Csus4, so it is C F G instead, both of those help, but I still could use help in making my modes feel and sound more resolved. Any advice? Any reading I should check out?

@ollies246 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah great point. I think harmonic rhythm is also really important in this regard. Choosing the “right” bars to place primary chords of the mode of choice in a sequence can really help to anchor the harmony. Using the root of the scale as a pedal tone or drone can also be very useful.

@terdragontra8900 2 жыл бұрын

also helps to occasionally use a Bb note from F major, since to our ears F lydian sounds like F major but modified. but honestly, i think its very cool to make music where the tonic is intentionally ambiguous (though admittedly, its probably more difficult)

@elementsofphysicalreality 2 жыл бұрын

Just look at the chords. F G/Gm Am C Dm Em/Emb5. No Bmb5/Bb. F-Am-Dm-G. F is the tonic and then a little 2-5-1 and repeat. It should sound like F even though it’s in C. Depending on how you accent it. The longer a note is held the more impact it’ll have on the overall tonality.

@DrSnakeGamez 2 жыл бұрын

Really love this channel, been looking for a channel like this for a while now

@dallinorr6929 Жыл бұрын

Just found you. Great vid! Keep it up :)

@lim7lim 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you ❤ Love Thomas Newman, and I really enjoyed this insight into his compositions. Hope you do more video analysis of his music. Will be checking out your manual on composing like him. I also love Rachel Portman, if you're inclined to analyse her music as well 😉

@PauloCesarMaiadeAguiar 2 жыл бұрын

Divine your work Dear. Many thanks for to share this

@timk.6233 2 жыл бұрын

What an underrated film music composer!

@ryno_io 2 жыл бұрын

Hi! This was very informative and Thomas Newman‘a score for WALL-E never fails to leave me in awe. Some composers you could look at that I love are Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross who use a lot of piano over synth ostinatos Jonny Greenwood (Phantom Thread and Power of the Dog) Jon Brion (Eterna Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Punch Drunk Loce) Alexandre Desplat (lots of Wes Anderson movies) Lastly, Atonement and The Theory of Everything have beautiful scores as well Thanks, looking forward to more composer analysis with a central theme! :)

@yvanroustan4426 2 жыл бұрын

Very clear and useful for cinematic compositions ! thank you !

@composingacademy8270 2 жыл бұрын

My pleasure - I'm glad it was useful!

@fisch723 2 жыл бұрын

Finding Dorian!

@SonOfManMusic 2 жыл бұрын

Really appreciate your videos. Thank you.

@annabellew9684 2 жыл бұрын

I have been searching for this kind of video for so long…thank you!! “Little Women” is my absolute favorite score of his. I also love “Fried Green Tomatoes” and “American Beauty”. Could you please, please, PLEASE provide explanations/examples from LW and FGT?? 🙏🏼

@berserker2551 Жыл бұрын

I love Thomas Newman Music

@composingacademy8270 11 ай бұрын

He is amazing isn't he, some really great soundtracks out there with his name on!

@MurphyKargesBass Жыл бұрын

Great channel.

@amb13nt59 Жыл бұрын

Really enjoying your videos.

@composingacademy8270 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, really appreciate the comment!

@amb13nt59 Жыл бұрын

@@composingacademy8270 : D

@kpdelaney6460 2 жыл бұрын

My favorite Thomas Newman score is "Spring", as well as its variation "Harvest Time", from Little Women 1994. I'd love to see you break them down

@katieashcraftmusic2422 Жыл бұрын

The BEST movie score of all time😭

@kevinarmes9804 2 жыл бұрын

Really good video.

@xiaoyiyingmusic 2 жыл бұрын

Really great video! Love it.

@DJSidhu24 2 жыл бұрын

Subbed for content and explanation

@hippolytabaker9559 11 ай бұрын

His soundtrack for Wall-E was the first album I ever bought on iTunes myself, at all of 11 years old, and it still remains one of my favorite scores to date It captures outer space the best, imo.

@composingacademy8270 11 ай бұрын

A great film I agree! Thank you for watching!

@carameii 2 жыл бұрын

Great video on one of my favourite composers! Any change you’ll do a video on Joe Hisaishi?

@markmurphy5486 2 жыл бұрын

Another top class video, huge thanks :)

@composingacademy8270 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you - I'm glad you enjoyed it!

@rickhood Жыл бұрын

Zimmer is my fav, because of his sound design. Newman is my fav for melody and beauty. Zimmer has said Newman should have beat him out for Oscar in 1995 (Zimmer: Lion King, Newman: The Shawshank Redemption).

@cauliflourhead 2 жыл бұрын

I like the Meet Joe Black sound track, some lovely melodies.....BUT there is a thing in his music where he brings in what sounds like dissonance but then moves away.....he does it quite a lot, its one of his motifs.

@jaydenchristy Жыл бұрын

Elemental, Feb 7, 2023, Thomas Newman Was Confirmed to Compose and Conduct for Movie after Finding Nemo (2003), Wall.E (2008), & Finding Dory (2016)

@jstdun 2 жыл бұрын

The Finding Dory theme sounds like something that would be in the Ori video games

@Hound45 9 ай бұрын

Two movies that would have been greatly diminished without the following composers. Shawshank Redemption with Thomas Newman. And Patton with Jerry Goldsmith.

@composingacademy8270 9 ай бұрын

Agreed! Thank you for watching and the comment!

@thomasbuck6250 2 жыл бұрын

That video helped a lot, to get fresh input. Got a question left, because I saw, that you're using Ableton: Do you have an advice for a beginner Orchestra-Set or at least strings for Ableton? What would you recommending?

@tosvus 2 жыл бұрын

He likes the Dory-an mode

@composingacademy8270 2 жыл бұрын

Haha yes!

@user-zv2ye1lu6k Жыл бұрын

Well that Finding Dory theme is technically not F Dorian as there is no presence of the minor 3rd (Ab) in the mix. It's ambiguous. We could as easily made the claim that it is F Mixolydian.

@ambientronix 2 жыл бұрын

Favorite score: Shawshank Redemption

@MrMikomi Жыл бұрын

Hi, you're missing a key signature at 5:58.

@Ericsicons 8 ай бұрын

The American beauty music sounds a bit like one of the Shawshank Redemption theme music, as it turns out it the composer is also Thomas Newman.

@maciej74174 Жыл бұрын

I'm curious if is possible to compose without this theoretical background. I mean playing something what fits your emotions then define it by certain category afterwards. Anyway, great video. Thank you.

@composingacademy8270 Жыл бұрын

Yes, absolutely. Theory helps the understanding somewhat but composing using emotion is always the best way to start.

@soliwan1932 Жыл бұрын

Is it possible to analyze or break down a song called Impossible by two steps from hell? Especially the arrangement, how do they transition between completely different sounding sections smoothly?

@composingacademy8270 Жыл бұрын

That's a great idea - I had planned to do a video on Two Steps from Hell when I return soon - I love the suggestion about looking at how the pieces transition though. Thank you!

@RickyMackie 2 жыл бұрын

I wonder if Tom used F Dorian in Finding Dory because of the similarity in the name, haha

@composingacademy8270 2 жыл бұрын

Haha yes, I did wonder if that was a conscious decision on Newman's part!

@elbobcat 2 жыл бұрын

Favorite Newman score: Passengers.

@igors5637 2 жыл бұрын

How can you use the wrong explanation of modes after discussing it correctly first? The starting note of the scale doesnt matter for the mode.

@loupasternak 2 жыл бұрын

Looking forward to you doing Morricone

@composingacademy8270 2 жыл бұрын

Great idea - I'll put it on the list! Thanks for the suggestion

@maestrospolzino Жыл бұрын

Hey Simon, how is your course progressing? I'm really interested to know more information about it (content, price, expected release date, etc.) =)

@composingacademy8270 Жыл бұрын

Hi, thanks for reaching out. I'm just putting the finishing touches to the first iteration of the course. Make sure you sign up to the Composing Academy Newsletter if you haven't already done so, where I will be posting the info re the course very soon. Thanks for watching!

@saefeldein3402 Жыл бұрын

Basics or rule to make harmony and accompaniment between instrument How make note like orchestra or arrange muisc Please reply and make videos explain that

@composingacademy8270 Жыл бұрын

Hi Saef, thanks for the video suggestions - I'll add them to the list. Thanks for watching!

@OrojinMusic Жыл бұрын

Sound like a chord progression I recognize from Fi's theme in Legend of Zelda.

@nd96_ 2 жыл бұрын

He looks like a mix between Edward Norton & Tom Cruise.

@Ioan_S Жыл бұрын

Hi Simon, It's been a while you haven"t uploaded any video and I love your tutorials, are you ok? :/

@composingacademy8270 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for reaching out - yes all good - I've been developing a composing course, so had to put KZfaq on hold for the last few months. I will be back soon though!