Music

How is film music composed? Making film music is not only an art, but a highly organized endeavor. The following editor will introduce the five most important work steps of film soundtrack:

As a film composer, I have to position myself in film scenes, interpret them and compose appropriate music. Ultimately, my work should generate an emotional response in the viewer.

Film Project: Understanding Vision

Behind every good movie there is a strong team. Film composers are a big part of this and, in addition to musical talent, must have excellent social skills such as teamwork, good communication skills and, most importantly, an ability to take criticism. Important qualities, then, to be successful in music or to be a film composer.

Director and composer usually work closely together. This is how collaborations that take years or decades to build develop. Past examples include Hans Zimmer and Christopher Nolan and Steven Spielberg and John Williams.

In addition to talent, the following skills are also important for film composers:

• Communication: It is essential to understand the director’s expectations
• Organization: the composer must manage his time and compositional structure
• Discipline: The creation of a soundtrack is a huge endeavor, often meaning extensive revisions before the last note is set
• Critical skills: the ability to self-reflect and accept criticism is an important quality for film composers

What is the point of this movie?

At the beginning of the film’s music, the composer and film director sit down to clarify the following questions: What is the purpose of this film, and who are we making it for? What is the target audience?
It makes all the difference whether the film is trying to attract as many viewers as possible to theaters or if it’s designed to serve a niche market. Hollywood productions have different goals than independent films.

Is this a movie with a big budget, or is it a movie with no budget? All of these will have an impact and affect the final result of the soundtrack.

How long should the movie be?

For film composers, the length of a film is important. Not only can the timing be better, but the arc of suspense can be thought out ahead of time, and maybe certain things can be pre-conceived. Hans Zimmer developed various music suites before editing was complete, which gave him early access to the film’s music catalog in post-production.

What genre does this movie fit into?

Of course, the style of film music depends on whether it’s written for a horror or a romance. Is it hilarious like a comedy, or dramatic like an action movie? Or is it even a mixture? Here, it will be decided what tone and atmosphere the music should ultimately create in the film.

What is the director’s vision?

The director certainly has his own vision for his films. What is he trying to express? What’s the news? How does he want to express in the film? Every director has his own style. At this point it is decided whether the director’s point of view and the composer’s point of view can be reconciled.

plan with the director

Once the director and composer have developed a common language, the actual production process begins. From here, the director gives the composer an overview and feel of how the music should sound and initial instructions for implementation.

understand the director’s goals

There are different types of directors. Some people just want the music to sound “cool” or “epic,” while others have fixed ideas about score. So, as a composer, you can expect everything there; from constructive comments to “do it” statements. Depending on the genre, the composer needs clear instructions or rough ideas here to develop a suitable sound. If both parties are talking to each other, things will go wrong.

Temporary Track: Placeholder Music

If the director already has a vision for how his film should sound, a temporary soundtrack is usually used. Temp tracks, well known from commercials and movies, simply don’t fit the movie – not in terms of length, tempo, arrangement or instrumentation choice. Film composers can use these as a guide. It often happens that such temporary tracks make their way into the finished film.

Communication with the director is the most important

In order to meet the director’s expectations, or in the best case, exceed them, communication between composer and director is fundamental. Every director has his own taste in music. Film composers and directors must agree on a common style here. At best, the director said, “I need a sound like The Dark Knight.” That would give the composers a basis for collaboration.

Positioning: Specify the scene to be dubbed

Spotting is the process by which the director and composer go through a rough cut of the film and determine where the music should be used. The tasks and functions that music takes on at the expected point are also discussed – music should be more supportive or driving. Therefore, timecodes are defined with annotations of musical characteristics.

Soundtrack: Film Score

The actual creation of film music begins with the soundtrack. Composers use so-called DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations). With this, he composes music on the computer at points previously determined by timecode. Well known DAWs are Cubase, Ableton, Logic or FL-Studio.

Release and Ideation

When a composer watches a film, the music is already being composed in his head. In the best cases, he even has a kind of schedule. The important thing is that each scene to be scored is a piece of the puzzle of the overall suspense arc. Therefore, each scene should fit into the overall concept of the soundtrack. Answering the following questions can help:

• Is the range of ingredients known? (film length, number of scenes to score)
• Was the director’s vision properly understood?
• What should the music for each scene say?

But the most important question is:

How does the music in each scene affect the structure of the overall score?

scene structure

Each scene can have a separate suspense arc and be coherent. Usually a movie scene consists of three parts.

• heightened tension
• climax
• reconciliation

During the “increased tension” phase, the music’s listening range should not be overpowering or drown out the dialogue. Soft strings are usually the best choice here. In many cases, music is also completely suppressed. “Climax” dramatizes the conflict—whether it’s important information or physical action, like a hit or a chase. “Transition” is defined by the fact that the tension in a scene is slowly released, or the momentum takes over to the next scene and points to further conflict.

Completion: Symphony Orchestra Performs

If a film composer completes his composition in a DAW and it is approved by the director, then it is considered complete. In big Hollywood productions, the notes are transcribed into a score and then played by an orchestra. For smaller productions, the production is done directly in the DAW (no orchestra).

In the example below, you can see how the soundtrack for the film Inception was created. It’s interesting how the responsible composer, Hans Zimmer, worked closely with director Christopher Nolan to create not only a visual work of art, but an acoustic one as well.

I hope I have given you some insight into the production process of film music. Feel free to message me if you have any questions or suggestions.

If you’re a director or filmmaker looking for a soundtrack for your project, I can provide you with a commissioning service.

Professional speakers and solid equipment: the basic conditions for successful recording have been truly achieved. Because a clear sound without noise and at a perfect volume can only be successful with the following considerations. Now I’m going to show you exactly which ones: this is how to make perfect recordings with a microphone!

Give your voice maximum volume

In order for the text in the recording to be understood, it must first be said clearly, clearly, and then evenly recorded. I summarize how to optimize already recorded recordings in my article “Improving Recordings with Audacity”. Now I’m going to show you how to first increase the volume of the spoken text, and then increase the volume of the recording to even.

Vocal exercises for increased volume

First of all, the quality of the voice depends on the speaker himself. If it doesn’t have loud organs naturally, it can increase its volume with some tricks. Vocal exercises can be very helpful, for example, to strengthen your own voice. Upper abdominal breathing also helps. Even professional speakers are constantly training their voices to convey this “true nature”. In a blog post by speaker Alex Jacobi, he explains well what this means. However, technology comes into play when the capabilities of professional speakers — who are true experts at what they do — are exhausted.

microphone for recording

The primary responsibility for recording is the microphone, whose suitability depends on the sound. In general, a distinction is made between dynamic microphones* and large-diaphragm condenser microphones. This last variant is often a good choice for studio recordings due to its large diaphragm.

Once the right device is found, attention is paid to its positioning. The mouth should be about 10-15 cm from the microphone capsule – this value depends on the sound and the recording room. The capsule is aligned horizontally with the upper lip.

microphone placement

This placement leaves room for volume adjustments, so tinny sounds can benefit from the proximity effect. The shorter the distance between the mouth and the microphone capsule, the more low frequencies are picked up – the stronger the sound.

• Dynamic Microphone
• Clear Recording | Dynamic Microphones
• focus sound

But even perfectly recording loud and clear voices doesn’t guarantee perfectly clear voice recordings. To do this, it is necessary to separate the sound of the spoken text from any background noise.

Avoid Noise: Quiet Please!

If background noises are not recorded in the first place, you will of course have less work to clean them up afterwards. Therefore, reduce all sources of artificial interference as much as possible. With this, you can ensure peace of mind:

• close the window
• Turn off unnecessary electronic devices or move them away
• Keep the PC and microphone away from each other to prevent fan or signal vibration
• Schedule your recordings at quiet times of the day

You should also choose a soundproof room for your recording location: ideally with a carpeted floor and some furniture.

microphone preparation

It is nearly impossible to eliminate all disturbing noises, as tiny sounds are often inaudible to the naked ear. Therefore, these must be captured directly on the microphone.

One possibility is the so-called pop guard, which prevents sonic pops when making explosions such as p, b, k, t, and g. You can simply stretch a piece of fabric over the mic, or – in the Pro version – put a pop-guard frame in front of the mic.

By attaching the microphone to the microphone shock mount, vibrations can be prevented from creating noise. Since the microphone is not on the table, vibrations from the laptop or mixer don’t even fall into the recording area.

Frequently Asked Questions – Recording

How to record?

There are several options. Your smartphone’s dictation feature is great for on-the-go. There is a “Dictaphone” app for Apple and Android devices. A suitable microphone and laptop or PC are great for at home. An audio interface is also recommended.

How to record sound?

There are various programs for recording sound on a PC or Mac. For Apple, this is the Voice Memos app; for PCs, the Audio Recorder program is one of the options. However, for (semi-)professional recording it is recommended to use a DAW or the recording program Audacity – available for PC and Mac.

Conclusion: perfect recording

With the right use of voice and technique, you’re well prepared for professional recording. Now’s the time to try it out: learn about the equipment and develop your own recipe for the perfect shot.

Are you looking for information on music production? Here you’ll find everything you need to know, from definitions and history to training and suitable equipment.

Definition

Music production includes all activities related to the creation of musical compositions. Professional music production is often based on the release of songs or albums, often in pursuit of commercial goals. In technical terms, also speaks of the “production” of a song or track.

Process/Steps

Like other fields, the production of music is divided into different work steps. Here you will find a rough breakdown of the stages:

• Ideas: composing and composing
• Pre-production: creation of suite or first arrangement
• Recording: vocals (with microphone) and instruments
• Mixing and mastering: Cutting, mixing and mastering of soundtracks
• Publishing: Music distribution via CD or Internet

Tips of Music Production

Story

Music is a universal form of communication. She manages to evoke emotions and bring people together. Music effects can be used for a variety of purposes, whether in commercials, video games, or film music.

origin

Even Neanderthals made music 50,000 years ago. They play primitive drums or flutes. Later in the Middle Ages, stringed instruments such as the violin were added, with which troubadours traveled across the country and told stories. During the 16th-17th century, during the Renaissance, musical instrument manufacturing was given a huge boost, leading to the Italian Bartolomeo Cristofori building the first piano around 1700.

Music is a language that everyone understands.

The self-playing piano was invented in the middle of the 19th century. It makes its sound with the help of a piano roll in which notes are punched. As such, it was the forerunner of the first “MIDI” playback devices:

Phonograph

The first machine that could process and reproduce sound was the phonograph. Also known as the “talking machine,” it was invented by Thomas Alva Edison in 1877. The drums here represent the vehicle for the sound, but the hype only lasted a short time due to the poor sound quality and the short playback time.

Sound Recording

What is the most important record in music history? Four sound carriers revolutionized music production in the 20th century:

• Vinyl Records
• CD
• tape
• MP3

Synthesizer

By the 1960s, electronics technology had come a long way. Developed the analog synthesizer, which can artificially generate tones and sounds. Due to their size, they are only used in professional studios. The first digital synthesizer was introduced in 1976, paving the way for digital music production. Pioneers of this period included Raymond Scott, Donald Buchla, and Hugh Le Caine.

MIDI

MIDI made it possible to integrate computers into the musical process.

Ikutaro Kakehashi developed a common language in 1981 to make different devices (synthesizers) compatible with each other. MIDI, which stands for “Musical Instrument Digital Interface,” made it possible to integrate computers into music production. The foundation of every music studio we know today.

DAW

DAW stands for “Digital Audio Workstation” and is a piece of software that allows you to record and edit music. It wasn’t until the late 1980s that the first high-performance DAWs arrived and are now a fundamental part of music production.

Study Education

Next, I would like to introduce to you three courses in music production. If you want more tips on how to start a music business, I can recommend my article “Becoming a Film Composer”.

Music production: SRH

Music production can be studied full-time at the private “SRH University of Popular Arts” in Berlin. The program normally consists of 7 semesters and leads to a “Bachelor of Arts”.

Music Production Darmstadt

The course “Sound and Music Production” can be completed full-time at the Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences in 7 semesters at the standard of the “Bachelor of Arts”, covering the content of sound design and production. Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences link: https://h-da.de/studium/

Sound: FH Dortmund

The full-time program “Film and Sound” leads to the completion of the standard 3 semesters at the Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and leads to a “Bachelor’s Degree”. Admission requires prerequisites, so let yourself know in advance.

Equipment

Especially when starting music production, the question is which equipment is the best fit and won’t break your own budget. First, it’s not always necessary to set up a full-fledged home studio to produce professionally. Many work steps can also be implemented in high quality using free software. Here you will find a list of useful points:

• A computer: PC, or MacBook, music notebook
• audio port
• Music software: notation software, music program, DAW
• musical instrument
• A microphone (plus a microphone stand)
• studio monitor

FAQ

How much money do music producers make?

As a music producer, you pay per order or per fee. Salaries range from small to millions.

How much does music production cost?

The price of a musical composition depends on a variety of factors. Scope, type of production, studio rent and salaries of guest musicians all play a role.

Which PC is Best for Music Production

A PC for music production should have a powerful processor (i5, i7 or better) and enough RAM and storage (SSD hard drive). An audio interface is also recommended.

How did you start making music?

Ideally, you already know an instrument. To do this, look at existing songs and their structure, and try to reproduce them to understand their structure. Most of the time, this results in very unique compositions.

What do I need to make my own music?

To start making music, we recommend a computer or laptop, audio interface, microphone, and DAW software.

Music is an important prerequisite for many people to do well academically. Classical music can have a calming effect while also improving focus. The following article discusses the positive effects of classical music on learning.

Features of classical music

Classical music is characterized by musical performances by orchestras. Its history goes back to the era of musical history between 1760 and 1820. Famous composers here include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn and Ludwig van Beethoven. Classic has the following characteristics:

• balance
• clear
• nature

It is the naturalness of the classics that positively affects the psyche of people. For example, piano music can have a calming and relaxing effect. The piano represents romance and creates a certain sense of well-being in the audience.

From this new forces can be generated and creative processes can be initiated. On the other hand, impulsive music can distract and encourage chorus, which can distract and reduce productivity. Therefore, pop, rock and electronic music should be avoided while studying.

Mozart Effect

The so-called Mozart Effect is probably the most famous experiment demonstrating the positive effect of classical music on people’s concentration. In this study, UCLA researchers found that subjects who listened to Mozart sonatas performed better on IQ tests.

It turns out that not only does classical music have a positive effect on productivity, but music in general can have a positive effect on the listener. This effect comes from the way classical music is made. This is composed in relatively fast bars and major keys, thus creating a positive mood.

Freeing Writer’s Block With Classical Music

Everyone knows, slurred speech and poor concentration. These thoughts don’t want to be written down on paper or in a digital notepad. A Writer blocking occurred. Classical music can also help here. Because classical music doesn’t distract you from singing. With purely instrumental voices, she can play a supporting role to develop new ideas.

Classical music as motivation for learning

A study strategy to prepare for class assignments or exams is to listen to classical music. It improves concentration and ensures a pleasant working atmosphere. For this reason, many students use classical music for their studies.

How about learning while listening to music?

Classical music can be inspiring and revitalizing. It’s perfect for a desk or office – if the employer and work regulations allow it. So here are some practical tips on how classical music can be more productive in your studies or work:

1. Headphones for the office: If you don’t want to disturb your colleagues with music, it is recommended to wear headphones while working. For this reason, keep your headphones ready for the office.
2. Create a playlist: Listening to the radio while studying or working will slow down your productivity. Because commercials or reviews can disrupt your workflow. So I suggest you create a playlist of about 2 hours. After this period of time, you can take a break.
3. Sounds of nature: I might also recommend including ambient sounds in your playlist between classic songs, such as the sound of the sea or birdsong.
4. After Study: Classical music is recommended not only during the study phase, but also after get off work or on the train to the office or university early. It can focus your attention on the most important things and calm you down when important exams are due.

Music tools to improve study and work efficiency

If you don’t want to spend time organizing your own classical music playlist, I recommend the following music tools. Create soothing sounds with just a few clicks of music:

• Noisli: It takes just a few steps to create a pleasant atmosphere here. This tool creates artificial natural sounds that can improve concentration.
• Coffitivity: We recommend it to anyone who likes to use their laptop at coffee shops
• Coffitivity. Here you can create a coffee house atmosphere and play an inspiring role.

Rainy Mood: This tool relies entirely on the calming power of rain. Combined with the sound of thunderstorms, these are played on an endless loop.

Conclusion: Learning the Classics

Classical music has many positive influences. It can be both calming and energizing at the same time. Therefore, classical sounds are great for learning.

• It can have a relaxing effect and distract people from daily life.
• It improves concentration while studying.
• By taking precautions, it can increase productivity in the office or at your desk.

Classical music is characterized by its naturalness, which makes it ideal for study. Piano music is recommended here, one of the most popular instruments that conveys peace and happiness instantly.

Every musician wants to be successful. But success is not foolproof. The following building blocks form the basis of your breakthrough.

Do you want to be the next Ed Sheeran or write galactic tunes like John Williams? A desire that every young songwriter or composer pursues. But besides talent, what qualities do you need to succeed musically? Here’s an overview:

5% talent 95% hard work

As in any industry, talent alone does not equal success. A lot of hard work and self-discipline are important basic qualities. I myself often put hours, even days, into just a few minutes of music. A lot of fiddling and crafting is involved.

start small

It doesn’t have to be Hollywood or chart-topping. Try taking small steps toward your goals. Start with your first order or project and make yourself famous. Especially when working with other people, you can learn and get valuable feedback.

practice every day

Only practice makes perfect. This also applies to talented musicians. Engaging in creative activities is like competitive sports. If you train every day, your results will improve. Only through constant composition and practice will you progress and at some point celebrate your first success.

Make famous songs and learn the basics

Every musician should find his own personal style and copy as little as possible from others. However, it pays off to create successful and well-known songs. You’ll learn the basics, such as arranging a song or choosing the right instrument, which will later help you create your own songs.

Only one song out of 10 will be good

Not every idea you have will become the next mega hit. However, create, try, make mistakes, it’s part of the continuous development process. Even if some pieces don’t look great at first glance, you can keep trying, whether it’s the next day or a month later, only a few ideas finally pass the stress test.

Find a mentor

Every rough diamond needs someone to cut it. According to padawan guru principles, young musicians need guidance. You can learn a lot from a mentor. Whether it is technical basic knowledge, or the qualities required for personal development.

enjoy life

For many artists, no day ends without creative results. This creates strong internal pressure. Productivity sometimes lies in doing nothing. Therefore, often do things that have nothing to do with music to gather new inspiration. Going for a walk in the park or meeting up with friends is sometimes enough. Here, new ideas can be generated and energy released, ultimately increasing your creative output.

become a team player

As a film composer, you are often involved in projects. That’s why it’s important to be able to work with other people. This requires you to be able to obey yourself, be reliable and keep an eye on everything. Soft skills are essential, especially in a band.

motivate people

Wash one hand with the other. As a musician, you are always looking for inspiration. But try to help other creative people with their work, give them tips, offer ideas, and it always pays off. Either there was a creative moment while you were helping, or someone you helped gave you the decisive creative impetus at some point.

In search of eternal challenge

Never rest on your laurels, but try to measure yourself against new tasks. Experiment with new musical styles or deviate from your usual compositional scheme. Everyone grows with responsibility. So new paths and missions are a good challenge.

Conclusion: Musical Success

As you can see, art, especially music, is not a surefire success. In addition to talent, it requires a lot of discipline, perseverance, and most importantly, a lot of hard work. Especially for composers and songwriters, a successful song is often hard work. Get started now!

The digital entertainment industry is growing. This also increases the demand for music in video games. How is video game music different from music in movies? Learn more on the topic here:

Definition

Video game music includes any musical composition used in a video game. You can use music composed especially for the game, or you can use existing songs as the soundtrack.

History of Video Game Music

The history of video game music began in the 1970s, and like film music, it has come a long way. Technological influence also plays a role here, as video games have been a digital product from the beginning.

1970s: First Notes

In 1972, the first sounds were heard in computer games. Atari introduces Pong – an electronic table tennis ball. Along with the minimalist look, the sound design stands out and should set the stage for the video game’s music to come. Three tones are essential to provide auditory feedback to the player. Here is an example:

The mid-1970s saw the development of sound chips, which led to better sound and music production. Most famously, the four-note music of “Space Invaders” in 1978 – which ushered in the 8-bit era.

1980s: The first game soundtracks

One of the earliest and most famous video game music is the tune from the 1984 puzzle game Tetris. Composed by British composer Wally Beben, at 26 minutes it was probably the longest SID (Sound Interface Device) composition of its time.

Over the next few years, video game music became increasingly important, thereby contributing significantly to the gaming experience. This is how popular game music was created, such as “Super Mario Bros” in 1985 or “The Legend of Zelda” in 1986.

1990s to Present: Music as Identity

Beginning in the 90s, video game music became increasingly complex, following the pattern of film music. For this reason, so-called triple-A games today have original soundtracks, often recorded by large orchestras, thus aiding computer game recognition.

Best video game songs

In what follows, I want to present my personal top three video game songs/soundtracks in recent gaming history. If you also have a favorite game soundtrack, please let me know in the comments.

Mass Effect 3: Opening Song

Released in 2012, Mass Effect 3 opened with a touching prologue. The opening track shines with its catchy melody and grand tension, mixing the voices of the Reaper (the game’s great threat) with atmospheric piano and orchestra. Featured on the Mass Effect 3 soundtrack, with contributions from multiple composers, including Sasha Dikicyan and Sam Hulick.

Skyrim: Dovakin

The main musical theme of “Skyrim” is also a formative soundtrack. Released in 2011, the game has sold a total of 30 million copies by 2016, making it possibly one of the most successful video games of all time. Here’s an excerpt from the theme song “Dovakin”, composed by Jeremy Soule and sung by Sabina Zweiacker:

Gothic 3: Soundtrack

One of my favorite games is the Gothic series from German developer Piranha Bytes. The soundtrack to “Gothic 3”, composed by Kai Rosenkranz, is excellent. To me, this is a masterpiece of video game music, especially in terms of dynamics and variety. Here’s the making video:

make music for games

When making music for a video game, the same rules apply as for film music, tension must be built and emotion conveyed. It is a supporting element and must not appear too dominant.

Differences from film music

Film music and video game music are similar in that they both have the task of conveying emotions and feelings. They either reinforce an identification with a place or aurally represent a character or a situation. However, apart from the similarities mentioned, there are also differences:

video game music

• The performer has a direct influence on the progression of the music. He can affect how the music plays by interacting with the game environment. The length of the musical selection, as well as the drama of the musical means used will be affected.
• In video games, players have varying degrees of freedom to make decisions. He can control the game world/plot, which affects the music.
• Therefore, music in a video game must be able to respond dynamically and flexibly to the player’s interaction with its environment—video game music must adapt, or adapt.

Film Music

• The audience of the film usually has no direct influence on the course of the music. It stays on watching.
• The viewer of the film is passive because the action of the film is linear and the process of the music is not affected.
• Film music doesn’t have to respond to audience interaction because the course of action is pre-fixed – the music is static because it follows the film script/film cut.

Video Game Music Production

How is video game music made? The composer faces a great challenge here, since he has to create music that should respond to an unpredictable course of action. He can use the following four tools:

• Created blocks have different lengths in their composition and thus can be combined with each other in any order.
• Create an intro that introduces a game sequence and prepares you for what’s to come (calm or dramatic).
• A loop is a short piece of music that repeats until the mood of the game changes. Whether the player takes 10 seconds or more to engage in combat has no effect on the cycle’s transmitted mood.
• Other techniques can be a recurring theme during gameplay. Also, the music as a whole can carry the tone given by the game developer.

How to Become a Video Game Composer

Of course, to become a video game composer, you need to have a passion for music. On the other hand, you need skill and understanding to create harmony and melody. Here are three key points for getting started with video game music:

suitable software

Which music software is best for music production is a matter of personal preference. For example, Hans Zimmer mainly uses the DAW Cubase. Personally, I use FL Studio for movies and video games. Every music program has its strengths and weaknesses. Personal preference and what you want to do with them matters.

self marketing

Self-marketing plays a vital role for musicians. In addition to an optimized website, you should also have representation on relevant social media channels. It is very important to understand your target group or fans and meet their needs. “What does your audience want?” Background information or insights into the composer’s day-to-day life are ideal. I recommend my article “Music Marketing”.

music reference

The best commercials are, of course, beautiful songs. I’ve created a subpage with Royalty Free Music where I offer a selection of songs that are free to listen to and download. I think of this playlist as tracks that I might commission.

Music can be used exclusively for subconscious manipulation. Advertisers and the entertainment industry have recognized this and swear by the power of sound.

Music manipulates us every day

Music is part of our everyday life. Whether in a department store, movie theater or on the Internet. Music affects our lives. Sound surrounds us and is even used in a targeted way to influence our perception and actions.

In a movie theater, film music can enhance the impact of a scene. Music in commercials can appeal to our deepest (buying) desires. This is why supermarkets use music as one of their sales strategies to encourage consumption. But how do you manipulate people with music?

Music is a universal language

When it comes to music, you don’t need words to convey an emotional message. Everyone can understand music – music is universal. The bass represents a threat and appeals to our basic instincts—for example, a roaring lion, and we instinctively want to flee.

High-pitched tones and playful melodies convey lightness – for example, the cheerful chirping of birds on a summer morning. The entertainment industry takes advantage of this, using advertising such as music to grab our attention and persuade us to make targeted purchasing decisions.

Where is music used as a means of manipulation?

We encounter music and sound everywhere in our daily life. The selection below shows some industries that consciously use music to influence people subconsciously:

department store music

Music can create a pleasant atmosphere in shops and department stores, preventing uncomfortable silences. Potential buyers have a relaxed feeling. This increases their willingness to buy.

This sales strategy works best in small specialty stores. An example of this is a wine merchant playing a selection of music from the region, thereby positively influencing customers’ buying behaviour.

politics and advertising

Whether it’s a product ad or a party in an election ad, music can influence people’s will in a targeted way. Music is emotion.

The same applies to election ads: Here, political topics are emotionally reinforced, often with the sound of a piano. This facilitates a connection to the politicians presented and their messages. More on the topic of “political music” here.

Film Music

For nearly a hundred years, film music has been used to make scenes more emotional. Here a symbiotic relationship between image and sound is created. As a result, what is visually displayed appears more tangible. People are manipulated into identifying with the main character or getting excited about the horror scene.

music and feeling

At the end of the day, music conveys a feeling. This is what storytelling creates. There is also a place for storytelling here. Depending on the pitch and how it is played, a melody can evoke a memory in a person and thus trigger a specific emotion.

Conclusion: Manipulation through music

As mentioned earlier, music can be used in a targeted manner to manipulate the will of a target group. Here’s a brief summary of why this is the case:

Music is all around us every day

• Music is universal and understandable by everyone
• Music appeals to emotions and our primal instincts
• Music is used in almost every area of ​​the economy

How do you identify calming music? This question is difficult to answer. Some consider it heavy metal, others the classic sound of relaxation music. Nonetheless, here are four characteristics that characterize closed music.

How do we listen to music?

We listen to music to relax, fall asleep, or just to forget about our daily routine. Everyone feels music subjectively. This is illustrated by the fact that some people can focus on loud music, while others can only focus on quiet sounds. Still, soothing music has some characteristics based on the general audience. Here’s a small overview:

Features of Relaxing Music

slow pace

Soothing music is characterized by a slow tempo with few percussive elements. Paces try to “slow down” us in the truest sense of the word. This makes relaxation music very different from the often hectic and fast-paced everyday life.

natural instrument

Soothing music mostly uses natural instruments. This means that no distortion or artificial sounds are used. A natural instrument could be a harp, a flute, a strummed guitar, or like the song example here, an orchestral sound

harmony melody

Calm music mostly has harmonies and lengthy melodies and “warm” harmonies. These sounds spread out in front of our ear canals like a soothing sonic carpet, giving us a sense of security. Plus, they bring calm and balance, allowing you to rejuvenate and switch off.

sounds of nature

The positive effects of harmonious melodies and sounds are also supported by natural sounds. This could be birdsong, a waterfall, light rain or the sound of the ocean. Importantly, these sounds convey balance and calm.

music psychology

Music has a very special effect on us humans and our psyche. It lowers blood pressure and allows us to breathe deeper, which relaxes our bodies and reduces stress. This allows us to gather new energy while strengthening our focus.

Conclusion: What is soothing music?

Soothing music is not meant to make us sluggish, relaxing music is meant to make us more creative and improve our focus. This allows us to be more balanced in our daily lives and to face stressful situations with a cool head.

Features of Soothing Music at a Glance:

• slow and calm pace
• Natural instrument, no artificial influence
• peaceful harmony and melody
• Nature sounds (sounds of the sea, birdsong..)

Want to write emotional lyrics? Then here are seven helpful tips that can serve as inspiration.

Title as inspiration

There is a view that the title of the song is produced during the creative process. But I’ve found that starting with a catchy title can move the entire songwriting process forward. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that song titles change over time.

A catchy name at the beginning of a project can be the spark to a cool song. For this reason, it makes sense to spend an hour or even a full day looking for the right title. The resulting key points, words or even short text paragraphs can be merged later and make writing easier.

Special features when writing lyrics

“I am blue Da ba dee Dab a die..” – a meaningless refrain, but sure enough it’s a catchy melody from my childhood. Musical style is certainly a matter of taste, but a formative text—whether it’s “la la la” with a catchy melody—will sear into the minds of listeners, even if they don’t necessarily like it. Style your song.

In addition to the lyrics and what is sung, the instruments, sounds, sequences or phrases can also stand out and make your song stand out.

Focus on emotions rather than specific topics

The beginning of songwriting was difficult. There is nothing more frustrating than sitting with a blank sheet of paper or an arrangement not knowing how best to start. Put yourself in emotionally good or bad situations. The resulting feelings are the perfect basis for writing a catchy song.

Because emotions are always honest. Forcing text, because you may only want to address a political issue, but not necessarily support it, always feels tortured and forced, making your message less convincing to others.

Contrasting music and song structure

Once you’ve put together the elements of your song, it’s all about bringing it all together into a structure that brings your song to life. The arrangement here is key. You can choose a classic form (intro, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus, ending) or a different composition, or you can break the usual structure and thus provide moments of surprise.

It’s always important to create pressure. Design your song in such a way that your listener is so engaged in the first 20 seconds that they want to experience the song until the end. Also, make sure you don’t start off dusting when composing.

To make the listening experience of your songs as varied as possible, it is also possible to assign different tempos to the verse and chorus melodies. An example is the use of quarter notes in poetic melodies. In the chorus, you can increase the tempo with eighth notes. In this way, you can add some dynamics compared to the poetic melody.

It’s okay to imitate, but don’t plagiarize

There is an opinion that, in principle, imitation is not creative. Of course, it is not advisable to steal other people’s ideas and boldly copy them. But there’s nothing wrong with incorporating someone else’s style into your own lyrics, adding your own ideas. In my experience, this often results in a very own style that is only remotely connected to the original idea.

In the event of using someone else’s ideas when writing lyrics, no matter how small the project, ask permission from the author and include his name in the credits. More information on music copyrights.

KISS principle

Never put too much thought into your song. Tip: Consider the rules of the KISS principle (Keep it simple and stupid.).

Here’s Wikipedia’s description of KISS:

The KISS principle states that the simplest solution to a problem should be chosen. KISS is an acronym that can choose to have one of the meanings listed below. In essence, it is very similar to Occam’s razor, which states that in science, the preferred theory is the one that needs to make fewer assumptions to explain the observations made. The principle of simplicity is also comparable.

or more properly:

In writing you must kill all your lovers

To keep your songs from sounding overloaded, remember the saying “less is more”. Your latest coup may be brilliant in every way to you, but it may seem overwhelming to new listeners. Always remember that potential listeners have never heard your song before. Avoid overstimulation. Rely on the easy way.

Therefore, when composing and composing songs, it is best to let the compositions sit for a few days until you can hear them again with “virgin” ears. This often leads to entirely new assessments and even entirely new ideas. The result is that you eliminate most of the original built-in elements.

Think outside the box when writing lyrics

It’s always helpful to keep an eye out for fresh ideas outside of musical styles that can be implemented for a project. So take advantage of the diversity of the internet and watch music videos on YouTube. If you can, go to a concert of a real star and watch the audience react — which song passages send the listener into ecstasy, and at what point the lighter is pulled out.

The same applies to moments when the audience isn’t touched by emotion. This can be very helpful in understanding which musical elements come into play when and how. Simulate these test conditions and play your new song in a small circle (family, friends) where you can get direct feedback on your song before putting it on the internet or showing it on stage. Use these lessons on your own song to improve it.

Bonus: Overcoming Creative Vulnerabilities

Every creator knows it. Suddenly, a creative hole appeared. The thoughts don’t want to bubble up, and the motivation is close to zero. how can i help Basically, there is no solution, but it always helps to break up the daily structure: Instead of driving straight home after get off work, sit in your coffee for an hour and soak up the vibe. Or try a new dish or drink to stimulate the brain with new taste stimuli.

Most importantly, set aside some time where you can relax, do nothing, and free yourself from the stress of having to be creative and boredom. Many thoughts will come to you on a whim, whether you force them or not.

Conclusion: Write excellent lyrics yourself

Writing lyrics is not rocket science. Even a catchy song title can inspire further work and contribute to a successful song. It’s important that your song has a distinctive character. When writing lyrics, try to focus on emotion rather than trying to write about a specific theme. Also make sure that your composition has tension curves and that the essence of the song is not presented at the beginning.

You can incorporate ideas from other artists into your work as long as you emulate them, but don’t copy them stupidly. As you create and create your song, remember not to overwhelm your audience. Simple ideas are more intriguing to the average listener than a bunch of “brilliant” flourishes. So take, for example, musicians who manage to make their audience cry or ecstasy, and see what musical elements they use. If you’ve reached a point at some point and are out of ideas, take the pressure off of having to be creative and try to gather inspiration by doing something that contradicts your everyday life.

I hope these lyric writing tips help you a little. If you have any suggestions of your own, please post them in the comments. My advice is not set in stone, this is my first post of its kind.