bones_dup3 Posted July 25, 2002 Share Posted July 25, 2002 I am having trouble figuring out what type of chords to use to create different moods such as fear, anger, tension, suprise, relief etc. I know that a chord: Eb,F,Gb,Bb with Eb as bass creates a scary type of sound. A chord: Eb,Gb,Ab/a (Ab slides to A) with Gb bass creates an I am about to kick your *ss sound I want to be able to know what chords are used to create specific moods. For instance, I want to know which chords(even scales) to play like they do in an old western where the bad guy has one piano part that sounds scary, the good guy has an I'm hear to save the day riff and chords, and yet a different chord for the happy ending. Any help on what type of chords (and even scales) create which moods, or websites, or anything is appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrdman Posted July 26, 2002 Share Posted July 26, 2002 Originally posted by bones: I am having trouble figuring out what type of chords to use to create different moods such as fear, anger, tension, suprise, relief etc. I know that a chord: Eb,F,Gb,Bb with Eb as bass creates a scary type of sound. A chord: Eb,Gb,Ab/a (Ab slides to A) with Gb bass creates an I am about to kick your *ss sound That's just a dimished triad. Single chords won't do it. The key thing is transitions between chords and tonalities. Plus the control of disonance. To do it well is a very subtle art. Its true there are all sorts of hackneyed things you can do, like using gallons of french horns for sea and space battles but even John Williams, who is the past master at that stuff, suffers from sounding too much like John Williams these days. So unless you have a piece to do in the genre, work on your own compositional style rather than trying to imitate narrow historical styles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D_dup3 Posted July 31, 2002 Share Posted July 31, 2002 Gee, I thought this was going to be about my favorite genre---"scary & western" music ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magpel Posted July 31, 2002 Share Posted July 31, 2002 Originally posted by d: Gee, I thought this was going to be about my favorite genre---"scary & western" music ! Wouldn't that be Ennio Morricone? Check out the Sweet Clementines CD at bandcamp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D_dup3 Posted August 1, 2002 Share Posted August 1, 2002 Righto, chap! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadian Posted August 2, 2002 Share Posted August 2, 2002 My recommendation would be to learn some basic approach to constructing chords. For example, learn how to use a Fake book (recognize what notes to play when you see C7 or Gmin9 or etc.). Next, take some pieces and look at how different chords relate to eachother (i.e. I chord going to a V chord). Finally, listen to music which articulates the chording you are looking for and mess with the the voicing (arrangement of the notes) until you find something familiar in the theory sense. Then again, if you want an easy answer, go to the library and check out some old issues of Keyboard and read the lessons section. Or you could just use your ear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitefang Posted August 2, 2002 Share Posted August 2, 2002 I was going to say the usual crap. Minor chords for sadness, Major sevenths for love or reflection, etc. etc. But after the other replies, this is all moot. Depending on whether or not you're playing solo or with backup makes a difference. What I mean is, each requires a different approach. Past masters have displayed anger with minor AND major chord inflections, and fright with single notes! It all takes some hit-and-miss trials before you find the voice you want. And can anyone tell me what chord is used with those very, very high-pitched strings Bernard Herrmann used for that now clicheic sound for fright and suprise? (Eee-eee-eee-eee-eee!) Whitefang I started out with NOTHING...and I still have most of it left! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucktunes Posted August 3, 2002 Share Posted August 3, 2002 Originally posted by bones: I am having trouble figuring out what type of chords to use to create different moods such as fear, anger, tension, suprise, relief etc.Here's one of my faves for sudden horror; C, F, Gb, B. Start an octave above middle C with a string pad type sound. Kind of an "Oh, shit. The killer can see me but I can't see him!" type of scene. Peace all, Steve ><> Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marino Posted August 3, 2002 Share Posted August 3, 2002 Originally posted by Bucktunes: Here's one of my faves for sudden horror; C, F, Gb, B. Start an octave above middle C with a string pad type sound. Kind of an "Oh, shit. The killer can see me but I can't see him!" type of scene. Peace all, SteveHe he... I guess you never heard Stockhausen's "Klavierstucke n.9", a piece I studied in conservatory. It starts with 128 repetitions of this chord (just a semitone above your example) starting with a banging fortissimo, then gradually diminuendo to ppp. And then it starts fortissimo again, for about 40 more times! Quite an experience... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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