Tyler_Bates

Tyler Bates Tyler Bates produces and composes music for films. Some of his influences are Zappa, Coltrane, Led Zeppelin, Kiss and U2. At age ten he started to play and record music, the limitation of equipment not stopping him do what he already loved doing. He would experiment new ways and improvise to get a good sound and a good end result. Early in Bates career he formed the band Pet, who soon mad a record that became a platinum record. They toured with Blink 182, Limp Bizkit, and Social Distortion. The film that cemented Bates' career in scoring movies was director Stephen Kay's, The Last Time I Committed Suicide. Not only does he compose music for music but also video games. In 2009, with more than 40 films and 15 years experience scoring movies, Bates is at the forefront of innovation in film music. Some of his works include: - Dawn of the Dead - Day of the Dead - Halloween 1 and 2 - The Devils Rejects - 300 - Watchmen - Slither The movie I have chosen is 300, which is directed by Zack Snyder. His work on Zack Snyder's battle epic 300 embodies expansive orchestral and choral themes that express a sweeping range of color and emotion with a heavy rock attitude. The scene I have chosen is the one at the very end of the movie just before the credits. The song in this scene is called Remember Us. Section A Structure: Section A is the introduction section. It has a distinct opening, a very quiet drum roll, long slow notes being played by cello, viola, violin and the voices which all go together in a unison, the clarinet plays the melody. A harmony is sung that goes along with the long slow notes. Texture: Section A is homophonic there is chords with a melody played over the top. It has several groups, woodwind, brass, strings and voices playing in unison. Tone Colour: The long slow notes with a slow melody played over the top gives it a mellow, somber and dense feel. Expressive Techniques/Dynamics: In this section the notes are played legato and have a slight vibrato effect. It starts off pianissimo, and then moves to mezzo piano. It is slowly building up to a crescendo. Pitch: All of the lower instruments are playing in the lower register of their instruments and all the higher instrument are playing in the upper register of their instruments. The melody is played in the upper register of the clarinet and violin. Duration: The long notes being played by the cello, viola, violin brass and voices are played at lento speed. Section B Structure: This is a short section, which is played slowly with long low notes played in unison by several instruments. There is no melody in this section of the song. Texture: The cello, viola, trombone and a drum roll create allot of weight and intensity which creates the backbone of this section. There is also a synth in the background. Violin and trumpets play the second part of the backbone. Tone Colour: The cello, viola, trombone and a drum roll combo gives this section a dark and intense mood. Expressive Techniques/Dynamics: In this section the notes are played legato and have a slight vibrato effect. It is played mezzo piano. Pitch: There is not really a melody in this section. Most of the stuff being played is in the lower register of the instruments range. Duration: This is played lento with lots of long notes played in unison. Section C Structure: This is the coda section of the song. It has high and low long notes that create unison. Texture: This section is homophonic It uses unison layers and groups of instruments. Tone Colour: The combination of high and low long notes, a melody and singing give it a majestic, piercing, warm, light, rich and dense feel. Expressive Techniques/Dynamics: The notes are played legato. It starts off mezzo forte then it becomes forte. It builds up to a big crescendo all the instruments getting involved. Pitch: This section has a melody played by clarinets. The background long notes are played in the lower and upper register of several different instruments. Duration: It is played moderato. The drumming creates a pulse like effect in the background. Lots of long notes are played and sung. My question. How Has Bates used instrument unity in this piece' In section A underneath the melody is the cello, viola, violin and voices playing the same part which creates a unison. In section B the cello, viola and trombone create a unison, which has a dark feel. At the start of section C there are two unisons going on, a low one with cellos and viola, and a high one with violin and flutes. Then towards the end of section C voices come in as well, high and low ones creating a unison and building up to a crescendo which ends on several instruments ending on the same note creating a unison. In Remember Us, we hear an uplifting musical epilogue with a powerful narrative over the top, which brings the story/movie to an emotionally satisfying conclusion. This scene would not have such an effect on the watcher if Bates Remember Us was not played over the top of David Wenham’s speech. When the song builds up to its crescendo and the army charges the Persians while yelling it is quite an awesome ending. I transcribed the melody at the start of the song. This is a bass tab with long notes being played. G |1-------|--------|---------|--------| D |--------|2-------|4-------|--------| A |--------|--------|---------|--------| E |--------|--------|---------|--------|