The first category is the so-called "musical score," which is composed by a composer and played during scenes that are not dialogue. This music is generally not heard when characters speak, but it may be heard when the camera pans across landscapes or when a character walks through an area where there is no dialogue. The composer's job is to write music that fits with the mood of the scene, and he does this by choosing instruments (such as strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion) and tempo for each scene. There are many different kinds of musical scores:
1. Dramatic Score – This type of score uses themes that have been created for the film, usually by the composer himself. These themes are then repeated over and over throughout the entire film. For example, in Titanic (1997), James Horner's dramatic theme was the "My Heart Will Go On" song sung by Celine Dion.
2. Music Box Score – In this type of score, the composer creates a series of melodies and harmonies that match the scenes being filmed. The songs in this type of score are often very short, lasting only one or two minutes. For example, in the film Casablanca (1942), John Williams wrote a melody called "As Time Goes By." He later expanded on this theme and used it again in his scores for Jaws (1975), Star Wars (1977), and E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial (1982).
3. Jazz Score – This type of score has a jazz feel to it. It is similar to the music you hear in a nightclub, such as the music played by Benny Goodman or Duke Ellington.
4. Cinematic Score – This type of score is made up of various instrumental pieces that are played in a way that matches the mood of the scene. Some examples of cinematic scores include the music from Star Wars (1977), Apocalypse Now (1979), and Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).
5. Soundtrack Score – This type of score is made up of music that is performed live on stage while the film is being shot. The musicians are sometimes referred to as "the orchestra." When the film is finished, the music is edited into the final soundtrack. A famous example of this type of score is John Williams' work on Star Wars (1977).
6. Synthesized Score – This type of score is made up of electronic sounds that were recorded in a studio. It may sound like a combination of a string quartet and a synthesizer. The composer who wrote the score may also create the synthesizers used in the score. For example, James Horner created the synthesizer used in the "My Heart Will Go On" song from Titanic (1997).
7. Music From Other Films – This type of score consists of music from other films that was written specifically for the film. Sometimes the composer will use music from another film that is similar to what he is trying to achieve. For example, in the film The Lion King (1994), Elton John wrote a song called "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" that was used as the main theme for the film.
That's all for today. If you have any questions, please post them in the comments section below. Thank you for reading!