how do I write a theme tune? Are there basic associations between certain chords/progressions/etc and imagery?

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albanian | 3 years, 3 months ago

Yes there are technical things to know. I'm not expert enough to help much but here are three points. One key thing is - what key the tune is in! Major keys for cheerful, minor keys for melancholy. Look up more about keys and modes. Another thing is that musical styles have accumulated associations, especially with geography. For instance, the famous Hogan's Heroes theme was successful largely because it sounded like a cheerful German folk tune. Also consider the instrumentation, a modern instrument like a synthesizer is fine for sci-fi but would be out of place in a historical drama.

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deanmachine777 | 3 years, 3 months ago

I have very little music theory background -- what I learned in school I've pretty much forgotten at this point, although I suppose it snuck into my subconscious over the years -- but my recommendation would be to spend more time understanding what the program you're writing for is all about, and what the primary audience for that program is like. Capture the essence of the show in both the music and the lyrics -- it sounds elementary, but I'd say (and again, I don't write theme tunes so take with a boulder of salt) go almost over the top with happy chords and lyrics for comedy, darker chords and lyrics for dramas, etc.

And as an exercise, spend some time on iTunes or Amazon and download some popular theme tunes to study. A few that immediately come to mind: The Rembrandts' "I'll Be There for You" (Friends), Andrew Gold's "Thank You for Being a Friend" (Golden Girls) and my favorite, Harry Nilsson's "Best Friend" (Courtship of Eddie's Father).

Good luck!

And as an exercise, spend some time on [[iTunes]] or [[Amazon]] and download some popular theme tunes to study. A few that immediately come to mind: The Rembrandts' "I'll Be There for You" ([[Friends]]), Andrew Gold's "Thank You for Being a Friend" ([[The Golden Girls|Golden Girls]]) and my favorite, Harry Nilsson's "Best Friend" (Courtship of Eddie's Father).

Good luck!

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