The elements of music to consider
Melody and structure
The scoreSheet music that includes all the instrument and voice parts. of the film contains the following features:
- the main female character is represented by a leitmotifA recurring musical theme representing a person, place, mood or emotion., which is first played on an oboe, the violin and later in the horn and percussion section to indicate a change of mood
- The harpist adds glissandoA slide between two notes. to support the melody
- call and responseWhere one melody is answered by another. between violins and lower strings could represent the relationship between characters and also develops the leitmotif
- the music moves with what is shown on the screen, therefore there is no set structure
Rhythm, metre and tempo
Particular rhythmic metre and tempo identities include:
- the time signatureNumbers or letters written at the start of a piece of music depicting how many beats are in a bar and what type of beat are in each bar. is 4/4 at the beginning, but changes during the piece to portray uncertainty
- the tempoThe speed or pace of performance in speech, dance or music. is tranquilloDynamic term for quiet.
- the rhythmic ostinatoA repeated melodic or rhythmic pattern. In film music an ostinato can create energy, excitement or tension. in the percussion parts creates a sense of unpredictability
- rubatoTempo fluctuates by speeding up or slowing down. and accelerando Gradually getting faster. are implemented to create a sense of drama and space
Instrumentation
John Barry has written the Out of Africa score for a symphony orchestra. The intruments listed in the piece are shown belown.
| Strings | Woodwind | Brass | Percussion |
| violins | flutes | muted trumpets | vibraphone |
| violas | oboes | trombones | bells |
| cellos | cor angllais | french horns | harp |
| double basses | bassoons | snare drum | |
| timpani | |||
| tambourine |
| Strings | violins |
|---|---|
| Woodwind | flutes |
| Brass | muted trumpets |
| Percussion | vibraphone |
| Strings | violas |
|---|---|
| Woodwind | oboes |
| Brass | trombones |
| Percussion | bells |
| Strings | cellos |
|---|---|
| Woodwind | cor angllais |
| Brass | french horns |
| Percussion | harp |
| Strings | double basses |
|---|---|
| Woodwind | bassoons |
| Brass | |
| Percussion | snare drum |
| Strings | |
|---|---|
| Woodwind | |
| Brass | |
| Percussion | timpani |
| Strings | |
|---|---|
| Woodwind | |
| Brass | |
| Percussion | tambourine |
Texture and dynamics
The main texture and important dynamic points to note are:
- a melody and accompanimentA type of texture where there is only one clear melody and an accompaniment that plays different notes and rhythms but is supporting the melody. texture is used in the film music
- a significant use of crescendoA gradual increase in volume.
Tonality
A change in key is a common exercise for a composer to include if there are sudden changes in the story of the film. Consider these points in the soundtrack of the film:
- Out of Africa starts in C major, which represents optimism and excitement
- as the story develops, the key becomes minor as uncertainty increases and a building in tension before
- this section then resolves and changes back to a major key