The ONE Chord That Made The Batman A Masterpiece

[@CharlesCornellStudios]

Go see The Batman immediately and then go get 30% off (and maybe even a lil more...) at cornell.academy/epicflat6

[@uvinduperera950]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKPQhp5ojrqgZ5Y&ab_channel=WarnerBros.Entertainment can i just put this here :D the music reminded me of the animated series in 2001

[@ShyGuyDood]

Please review Team Fortress 2 soundtrack

[@moegeemoe]

AHHHHH! Oh. That was a long time under the water of the comment thread vortex... Hmmm in thinking more about RatBoy Genius it made me want to actually learn how to play his songs... Oh, there is a school for that, an academy as it were? Great. I'll go sign up now!

[@clownskopf635]

What do you think about George Gershwins music and the Jazz harmony ? :D I recently discovered him and think his music is just brilliant. In the „Prelude 1“ he included such beautiful sounding transitions and resolutions By the way Great Video as always. When i saw the movie it immediately reminded me of the imperial march or the Chopin funeral march

[@danieldevine8134]

if i have a reaction request you react to canon in d but it gets jazzier i feel you might like itr much love from germany

[@sydposting]

Fun fact: the Joker's motif for The Dark Knight (composed by Hans Zimmer) is composed of only two "defined" notes - D and C. For DC Comics. Because it wouldn't be the Joker without that hint of terrifying meta-awareness. Zimmer himself referred to the long sliding whine from D to C that opens the track "Why So Serious" as just *The Note* when writing about that score. It's SO cool.

[@a.w_.]

Couldn’t be Hans Zimmer without writing in *D*

[@melissat9120]

@@a.w_. YES finally someone else who is slightly annoyed by this!

[@ErebosGR]

Zimmer does't even write his own music.

[@ephjaymusic]

@@ErebosGR is there a source for this rather intriguing statement?

[@twitch.101]

@@ephjaymusic nah

[@WreakingHavoc005]

Gotta love that he always goes back to Star Wars to give great music examples

[@ryancarroll1697]

Cuz John Williams is the goat

[@m0rla_]

Well bc it totally sounds like The Imperial March/Vader's Theme.

[@AdamTognoli]

Or avengers theme

[@wolfpack_104]

I'd be curious to hear his thoughts on Kevin Kiner's contributions to Star Wars music in Clone Wars and Rebels

[@RockEsper]

@@m0rla_ Except that's not the song that made him bring up star wars, and it's kinda weird he didn't bring that obvious similarity up if he was gonna mention star wars

[@MarkyD.Ingram]

I can't help, but hear Chopin's funeral march when you play the Batman theme.

[@CassainFTW]

Same here, both pieces are vamps of the same 2 chords in the same key, Bb Minor - Gb Major.

[@mauricemcguillicutty4746]

bingo! yo tambien!

[@m0rla_]

I dont remember that one by heart but also had general funeral march vibes from it!

[@Lexhouben]

was about to comment this

[@eduardosousa9106]

I hear the start of the Imperial March from Star Wars

[@ShredmasterScott]

Even lord Chopin used this progression in his Funeral March

[@RaptorT1V]

Confirm.

[@katherinebare8212]

Thank you, I couldn't think what it reminded me of!

[@HoveyTheHallowed]

YES, AS SOON AS I HEARD THE THEME I WAS INSTANTLY REMINDED OF CHOPIN'S MARCH

[@lollel4104]

Just because I love being that guy, funeral march Is 6min to 4maj not 1min to b6maj. Same interval + chord, just relates to every other note differently.

[@HoveyTheHallowed]

@@lollel4104 you must not have many friends

[@olgak.1139]

The latest Batman main music theme is The Imperial March ' just unfinished! Plus , Michael Giacchino is the composer of Rogue 1 a Star Wars Story!

[@RobinsMusic]

Yeah it’s honestly way too similar to the imperial march

[@layenull]

Finally someones said it

[@joshua.merrill]

The rhythm makes it different than just an unfinished Imperial March, but it’s definitely hitting the big notes.

[@Hypodrize]

Actually, The Imperial March uses a minor bVI instead of a major bVI, still very similar tho!

[@LanceHamright]

I started singing the March out loud in the theater and people laughed 😂😂😂

[@thevfxwizard7758]

I really love how each composer for Batman focuses on one really interesting chord change that really solidifies the identity of the movie. Michael Giacchino, The Batman: i -> bVI Hans Zimmer, Dark Knight Trilogy: i -> VII Danny Elfman, Batman 1989: bvii -> I Each of these two chords are instantly recognizable and give each movie a dark, yet heroic feel.

[@jyotektosgaimur]

Holkenbourg/Zimmer did a cool i - bvi (Em - Cm) with BvS and for ZSJL, Holkenbourg transformed it into a harmonic major sound with the use of augmented chords, which is also very interesting as it shows the stark contrast between an old, suffering Batman being tormented and manipulated into hatred to one that's more focussed on optimism and humanity etc, while still adopting the mysterious vibe of Batman.

[@andybaldman]

Formulaic

[@jaebird3077]

Danny Elfman has such a wide range of music under his belt. I just watched something, can't remember what movie, that he did and my fiance was shocked to hear some of the other films he did. She's not into that stuff as much that's why I love her XD

[@Lucabistrong]

For the joker’s theme it would definitely be a i-IIV, but I would argue for Batman’s theme in the Christopher Nolan trilogy it would be a i-III

[@TheMBE2003]

I personally disagree. All of these composers used the i -> bVI chord movement as the basis of all their Batman themes. Zimmer barely uses i -> VII

[@KieranBlade]

"Sonata in Darkness," which plays through the credits, is absolutely masterful. It takes the vibe of the main theme and fully expresses it.

[@henryturner2258]

Can you analyse John Powell’s scores for the “How to train your Dragon” series. It is very well known for its amazing scores.

[@n8w00d8]

I really like the music of how to train your dragon, especially the opening theme!

[@we1l779]

I would love this!

[@TJ4A9]

I would also love to see this!

[@quintennnnn]

Hey, me too!

[@Serteran64]

Sideways already has a great video on this, you should check it out if you haven’t seen already kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoa4e4R-bKx_o9U

[@deyama2012]

Another example of that i-IVb from the same movie but a different "composer" is Nirvana's "Something in the Way". The song is literally just these two chords. I'm curious whether Michael Giacchino came up with his score before or after the song came into play, meaning was it a coincidence or did the song serve as an inspiration

[@althealligator1467]

Well it's certainly not a coincidence, but I also wonder whether he based the theme on the song or whether they used the song because it just sounded like the theme.

[@dr.weeniehutjr]

was looking for this comment, after the scene where Nirvana was played I couldn’t stop hearing how the theme was the same motion as Kurt’s song. I assumed they based the theme on that song, considering the lyric “the tarp has sprung a leak” is kind of foreshadowing later events is the movie. I think it would be cooler if the song was inspiration for the theme but it would be nice to know for sure

[@donutsrock]

Director Matt Reeves has said in interviews that Cobain and especially Something in the Way was a major influence for him while writing the movie. So it's a fair guess that the soundtrack is also based on the song.

[@Mewse1203]

@@althealligator1467 considering the entire script was written with Kurt in mind as that was what the writer/director was listening to while writing it, I'm sure Something in the Way came first. Director told him "this song wiill be the major theme of the movie so build me something off that."

[@NoneOne_]

Actually IT WAS A COINCIDENCE, I konw that Something In The Way was a mojor influence on the music and tone of the movie and that batman was designed with Kurt Cobain in mind, but Micheal Giacchino confirmed, that he only realised that the theme and Something In The Way have the same notes after he composed it.

[@harrylane4]

I loved all 2 notes of the Batman score

[@bryan.w.t]

Unironically good and iconic

[@nessun8457]

I feel that 2 notes could have been effective but the use of it throughout the film made it sound very repetitive. The rest of the score outside of those 2 notes felt very dry and uninspired. The music used for emotional scenes was extremely clishe and it ruined the emotional beats. Overall I wish more could have been done with the music for such a great film. One of my only gripes with an otherwise great movie.

[@apatouros7572]

"is it NATURE, or is it NURTURE?!" ...it's two notes.

[@BharatLagali]

Zimmer's Superman theme in Snyder's MoS. Nice two notes there

[@person3538]

I know this is a joke but people should really listen to the whole theme it's really much better than just two notes

[@sbriley79tx]

That flat 6 reminds me of The Phantom of the Opera theme. Not a superhero, but definitely epic.

[@sizableyeet]

I think you mean Echoes by Pink Floyd (Weber almost certainly plagiarized it)

[@devoid-of-life]

That's exactly what I was thinking

[@elisabethclark9989]

Oh my gosh yes!!! That’s my favorite musical :)

[@steamedbryce]

Movie scores need more organ

[@jellyjub1690]

@@sizableyeet I was about to say that lol

[@Noah-gp4ml]

The imperial March uses this too! And Vader has a very similar vibe to Batman too.

[@J2415J]

Exactly where my mind went.

[@gomentil]

Exactly, I hear the Imperial March

[@Punz18]

Giacchino's score was probably my favorite part of that film. His motif that he uses for batman (first thing played in the video, particularly the left hand) invokes Beethoven's 5th, Chopin funeral march, and Mars Bringer of War. I need to find the original sheet music to "Sonata in Darkness" to play it. Arguably Giacchino's best work.

[@RyanChenMusic]

It also reminds me of the imperial march (at least the opening of it)…Darth Vader and Batman evoke a similar sense of dread after all!

[@Punz18]

@@RyanChenMusic the imperial march motif is also from Mars Bringer of War.

[@jambajoby32]

Chopin’s funeral March? You mean Wagner?

[@Punz18]

@@jambajoby32 Chopin- Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor Op. 35

[@davidhoffman4641]

I love Giacchino's Batman score, especially the use of the flat 6 chord referencing the melody of Danny Elfman's iconic Batman theme.

[@RyanChenMusic]

I thought when he mentioned Star Wars he was going to compare it to the opening of Imperial March…they’re pretty similar, and darth vader and Batman are both scary dudes after all

[@SonicPlyr]

Yeah so strange he didn't mention that, they seem so similar to me!

[@smartaleckduck4135]

This chord change invokes a very strong sense that “this character is terrifying and powerful” which obviously perfectly fits both Batman and Darth Vader

[@ChristianNally]

Came here to say this. Imperial March needs some props.

[@matthewbertrand4139]

that's the bVI functioning the same way it does in the first theme we listened to. no new information there

[@-.Outlaw.-]

Don’t compare the virgin Batman to the chad Darth Vader

[@sdw-hv5ko]

The chords for Something in the Way by Nirvana (which is used in the film a couple times) contain a similar i-bVI motion, which I think he was drawing from when he made the score

[@ErimlRGG]

half the score was just Something in the way but minimalistic and instrumental. It distracted me a lot. They really squeeze that song as much as they could

[@reeree488]

They used it for all they could ngl

[@Mugen2024]

Yyeaj, I liked it a lot

[@sdw-hv5ko]

@@Mugen2024 thank you I thought it was sick lol

[@NickyWaters]

3:52 mysterious dog timed perfectly with the music

[@LoneTiger]

It has been 2 years since this video, and I just had to look for this comment of mysterious dog being mysterious. 😹

[@vinshoken]

I just wanna mention how cool the way you frame your videos is-the piano at the bottom flush with the edge of the screen and extending off to either side, it gives a subconscious vibe of the limitless opportunities of music and I just consciously realized why I sensed that vibe and had to comment

[@Wilkins325]

This was beautifully profound.

[@Ryan_Perrin]

I think it is important to mention that this harmony is also exactly inspired by Something in the Way. It is the same movement between minor I and major VI

[@jasondeshan4635]

*VIb and you are so correct! I was just about to comment this exact thing. Same exact harmonic movement!

[@Ryan_Perrin]

@@jasondeshan4635 It is only a flat six if you are thinking in the major scale, however, I was labeling as they are in the minor scale. so, it is just the 6th of the scale

[@jasondeshan4635]

@@Ryan_Perrin I see where you are coming from, but for me if you were thinking in terms of the major scale wouldn’t the vamp be vi to IV ? The way I see it; if the minor chord is the tonic, the chord sequence up and down the scale would read (i) iibdim IIIb iv v (VIb) VIIb i And if viewed in relative major (vi) viidim I ii iii (IV) V vi I guess it’s all a matter of perspective. And for me there is a pretty substantial difference between a VI and a VIb However since the song is a two chord vamp, there probably wouldn’t be any confusion with labeling it as you did. Also to your point; it’s true you can see VIb in a major key, but I usually view that as modal mixture as the bVI is borrowed from the parallel minor. Anyways, I agree it is important to mention that the theme and the nirvana song both have the same harmonic structure. I wonder which came first.. did the composer already know that the song would be included and he wrote the theme to match the song? or was the song chosen after the composition was complete, in order to better match the theme?

[@Ryan_Perrin]

@@jasondeshan4635 interesting. I am not trained in music theory, so maybe I have some confusion there. I imagine the nirvana song was intended early. The same thing happens with Ava maria and riddler as well. So it feels like the two main characters have their own pop-culture based song which is then used to influence the score

[@Barrsie]

This whole video was one big eureka moment. Coming from a heavy metal background, I remember being introduced to a bunch of metalcore stuff especially and thinking, most of their choruses were really epic sounding. Sure enough- it was the flat 6 intervals that made them sound huge. Flat 6 is the sound of epic!

[@thoyo]

@Charles Cornell Textually, yes the chord progression is the same, however, contextually, they're very different. In both pieces, the 1 -> flat6 feels like it is conveying a sense of something lying beneath the surface. The difference is that in The Batman theme, it's that same 1 -> flat6 on repeat, conjuring this image sonically similar to Chopin's Marche Funebre. The repetition drives home this feeling that beneath a thin veneer, this moribund, seedy, gothic noir hellscape never changes. Nor will Batman, he was baptized in this hell (i.e. the death of his parents), it has become him, they are one and the same, evidenced by his theme song sounding as hopeless as the constant state of his city. For The Avengers, that 1 -> flat6 also conveys a sense of something lying beneath the surface, but directly after those chords comes this highly recognizable brass chord progression that is synonymous with the heroic in western culture. It feels like it's a celebration of the heroic, the uncertainty of the first chords gives rise to comfort that these titans will save the day. While, in Gotham, unfortunately, Batman is just a single man fighting his inner demons as well as those who disturb the city's peace.

[@DichotomousRex]

Yeah that's what he said

[@thoyo]

@@DichotomousRex Should've watched the whole video before commenting 😭

[@nova6888]

3:52 Yeah, good boy cameo😍

[@ZachChabot02]

Throughout the whole film, I kept hearing the Imperial March so I’m glad you brought it back to Star Wars, even if it wasn’t the same song.

[@odistabettor]

I love the way you break this stuff down. It doesn't ever feel like you're ruining anything mysterious but rather that you're opening up new possibilities by showing us the tools others have used.

[@chaseking1361]

11:53 was the same progression as the Spider-Man 3 ending when he says “I forgive you”. Such a moving piece

[@thobat14]

Aww Charles I REALLY want you to talk about the whole The Batman theme, because there is SO much to it! I mean it’s very uplifting toward the middle I really wanted you to talk about the whole song as a whole not just that beginning.

[@eelcolos0451]

09:56 come on, play the Imperial March already 😄

[@guleb9423]

I’m currently writing my dissertation on the effectiveness of dissonant intervals on (horror) movie music! The nature vs nurture argument around how we perceive music is incredibly interesting! Great video as always!

[@SamLee-tm6jn]

I absolutely lost it when you busted out the Harry Potter trailer with the Voldemort giggle 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@bobsbbcards]

He lights up when the Star Wars theme gets to the “money chord.” ☺️

[@BradsGonnaPlay]

I once wrote a song that had a brief change in the chord progressions which went from Gm - Ebm - Bb (i - vi - III) and it was always one of my favorite changes. The b6 is just powerful all around.

[@TomboFry]

Flat 6 chords and minor 4 chords are two of my absolute favourites. They sound SOO GOOOOD! I'm so glad you've made videos about both of them 🤩

[@emmythevelociraptor]

Funny how Something in the Way uses only those two chords as well. Also I love how it‘s done in the Dark Knight Trilogy with Batmans Theme being teased as only a simple move of a minor third at first, before finally revealing it as those chords.

[@Bambooberrybum]

Pretty sure the same progression makes up the chorus of "You Know My Name" by Chris Cornell. The progression sounds epic and his vocals add so much to that too, by far my favourite Bond theme!

[@IcelandsPuffin]

As far as I know, all bond songs have that progression worked in there somehow

[@johnayres7302]

This same sequence appears as joking dark in the theme to the Pink Panther..different key like Dm alternating with B flat 7.. I like this sequence

[@pianoboi4842]

Most underrated Bond song ever. Way better than the famous Skyfall imho.

[@roberthead]

The genius of Binary Sunset (a.k.a. the force theme) is the juxtaposition of that hopeful, yearning major IV chord (with a natural 6) and then letting us know that the journey is going to be filled with strange and epic moments by dropping that bVI chord on the way to the authentic cadence. It's a masterclass in melody and harmony in like 15 seconds.

[@dekeltal]

Must mention this chord progression was famously used first by Chopin in the Funeral March (Marche Funèbre). And, of-course, the Imperial March from Star Wars.

[@paulturner4684]

I actually completely agree, this has got to one of if not my favorite Batman theme. Maybe the theme of Mask of the Phantasm still beats it for me, but it's close. I enjoy the duality of the entire piece. There is the dark, brooding anger of The Batman which explodes with rage near the end of the song but to represent Bruce's pain and grief from the loss of his parents there is a really sweet and melancholy theme that denotes his inner turmoil. This ties back into the themes of the actual film of overcoming trauma, being authentic and turning your pain into positive action outwards instead of closing yourself off to the world around you.

[@graavy]

Channels like this are literally going to shape the future of music. Imagine all the young people who come out of high school so excited about music, but with next to no practical knowledge of music theory. Charles teaches *practical* knowledge using examples that everyone recognizes and it must help aspiring performers and composers really *understand* the concepts so much better than the stodgy environment of a music theory class (or at least all of *my* music theory classes up til film/media comp). I hope the world continues to produce Charles Cornells and Adam Neelys far into the future.

[@romainmallat1677]

What’s even cooler about this is that Something in the way by Nirvana which was the main song used in the film also uses the same motion (Em to C)

[@ifSephirothwasemo]

I also like to note that DC tends to take supers dealing with human issues, and Marvel tends to take supers excelling in spiteof the human elements. DC leans more into the triumph over internal issues with overpowered individuals, while Marvel delves more into the fantastical inspiring the mundane.

[@Sayajin3321]

It's actually the opposite, DC is known as gods that we look up to, while Marvel is gods we relate to.

[@-.Outlaw.-]

That’s like the opposite..

[@Geve.17]

watching this man talk about music is like watching a kid talk about the new hobby he discovered like this is so wholesome

[@TheViliukas]

The Batman theme always reminded me of the Darth Vader theme - was really surpirsed when I heard it in theater!

[@Kosmokraton]

One of my personal favorite flat 6s is at the end of Hellfire from Hunchback.

[@liamwelch505]

A great use of the flat AND natural sixth is the whole of Shine on You Crazy Diamond by Pink Floyd take a look especially when it gets to the lyrical parts

[@Callmeapollo1]

I like what you said about that movement feeling hopeful because it's moving from the minor to major, and I think that's perfect for Batman, because he's a dark figure that inspires just a little bit of hope.

[@ROCKlDOVE]

I actually really enjoy the way they used the chords for The Batman, and for some odd reason it reminds me of the score by Danny Elfman for the 1989 Batman film. For me it captures the same aura of that score. Now that I think of it I think it would be cool if you analyzed it to sort of compare and contrast it to the score of The Batman

[@paulmal535]

Ixi, who analyses NIN mostly, has a 2 part segment on her favorite chord, the flat 6. She gets just as excited over these notes as you:) I think it’s mostly what you said, a Major over minor, Lydian vs minor.

[@BrightsonDavid]

Hey Charles, I don't know if you'll ever read this but, my dad's a pianist, and luckily, his ability to appreciate complex chord progressions got passed on to me. But unfortunately, I never met anyone else who had that ability to appreciate those clever chord progressions in songs the way me and my dad did. That is until I found your page. You have no idea how much happiness this brings to me to be able to be a part of this community. It's something that I never realized I needed. Thank you so much Charles! :)

[@Thundervox]

they are so subtle that I can describe them as a feeling that gives chills. It is a feeling that you cannot explain and Charles does an epic explanation about them. The emotion that makes the heart skip a beat, cry in sorrow or joy. I totally agree with you on this one.

[@BrightsonDavid]

@@Thundervox I know exactly what you mean! 🙌

[@Gnurklesquimp]

One great thing about this is that it responds so well to changing the major/minor qualities, if you change them to all minor, it's a great villainous sound, and all but minor 1 major flat 6th sound kinda out there in their own way, almost like doing the same with a tritone rather than a flat 6th, which also responds so well to switching the chord qualities. And that's without even getting into dominants etc. etc., I think someone should do a scene where a ''hero'' had a motive over the 1 and flat 6 as well as an alternative tritone one for mysterious scenes etc., all major, then everything turns minor when it's revealed they're on the dark side.

[@bryanhitch9383]

you raise an interesting point with the 'nature versus nurture'. I had this thought with Star Trek recently when writing a theme for my son's student SF film. I just wrioe what felt 'right' before realising I'd been using C-Mixolydian (to give us the B Flat). The original Alexander Courage was Mixolydian, the Goldsmith one was too (and the Giacchino one was written as a counterpoint to the original Courage theme) so is it now nature that says any sort of SF or especially Trek them HAS to be Mixolydian to work? Probably not but it might only sound like proper Star Trek if it does.

[@lasagna.noodles]

I was actually able to see the world's first live performance of the theme from The Batman at the Toronto Symphony Orchestra last month! It was absolutely insane! Michael Giacchino is easily my favourite film composer

[@harrylane4]

It’s interesting to note the similarities between Giacchino, Zimmer and Elfman’s BTAS scores, in terms of progression.

[@Rhekon]

First thing I noticed watching

[@shitmultiverse1404]

Elfman's score IS the batman sound imo

[@harrylane4]

@@shitmultiverse1404 true. Zimmer used two chords to imply the Elfman theme without playing it, and Giacchino simplified that even more, down to a 4-note melody. It’s super cool to see the line go all the way back to Batman TAS and Batman 89

[@nellycolomdocdean9752]

It's literally the same chord progression as TAS

[@geoffstockton]

This particular chord relationship was literally the very first chord relationship that I ever fell in love with. For me, it came out of classic metal. I started playing guitar when I was 11 years old in 1988 and for a few years there, I was listening to nothing but metal. Even though I didn’t have the language for it, I was definitely identifying these two cords and how they related to each other, regardless of key. To me, it was the central element to what made all the music I loved sounds so good. I’ve been deep into countless other styles of music since then and have come to understand the outer reaches of harmony to a good degree but still I love this chord relationship. It’s still the fire.

[@hakonboen]

I would love to hear your take on Brian Tyler's Formula 1 theme! Such an epic piece of music!

[@dhpbear2]

1:52 - The notes that make up the Gb-major and Bb-minor chords make up a Gb maj7 chord! (Gb Bb Db F)

[@misterplane5488]

I can't be the only guy who hears the Imperial March here am I?

[@hugolesage3323]

yea right im rly surprised he didnt mention it haha

[@eduardosousa9106]

You are not alone

[@xVolta]

Definitely not just you.

[@jjrussell]

Not sure how he heard anything else first.

[@MidSouthUTV]

Yep me too. The cords, rhythm, and percussion. The Batman is just a rendition of the Imperial March.

[@mikeanthonybrooks]

Bb minor and Gb major, actually the Bb minor chord could be considered the minor3 chord of the Gb major scale. Only sticking to those two chords, and just the chord tones, doesnt give enough context to know which tonal center we are in, thus giving an almost uneasy ambiguity to it. Gb is the b6 chord of the Bb minor scale and Bb minor is the 3 chord of the Gb major scale

[@KbIPbIL0]

me coming from guitar: oh yeah that Am F is really that exciting? (fair enough considered it's everywhere)

[@Michael-Ray]

The Batman theme sounds like a mix between The Spaghetti Westerns Music and Chopin's Funeral March.

[@nerdineverythingnerdinnoth4984]

I really enjoyed this video, and the Batman. I‘ve got a recommendation for another ost, that nobody could escape a few years ago: Persona. Most quality is probably Persona 5, but I like „A sky full of stars“, and „Heartbeat, Heartbreak“ from Persona 4 more than pretty much any track from 5 (although „sunset bridge“, „Butterfly kiss“, „Confession/Secret“, „Price“, and many vocal tracks come very close). The fan favorite soundtrack is Persona 3 (especially the fight theme), but apart from the opening I didn‘t listen to it very much.

[@ExaltedDuck]

The opening two chords sounds like the opening of the Star Wars Imperial March prior to the main melody and your repetition of those chords on the piano definitely evokes Chopin's Marche Funèbre

[@bernardohenriques4603]

Great video! I really like how you show the emotions behind a chord. it would be really nice if you did the same with the neapolitan sixth. For example the indiana jones music uses that device!

[@gwenrose3211]

I love the sweeping, emotional Bruce Wayne part of the theme. It's so moving

[@robinmaurer2645]

Charles: *plays Avengers* Me: *instant Goosebumps* I dont know what it is about that song but its sooo good.

[@Bangaudaala]

You probably really love it when songs suddenly turn from minor to major , and I can understand it, it's majestic

[@Mugen2024]

I am not

[@shizzl0rable]

starting with something "negative" and seeing the "positive" in it emotionally speaking might be what we feel like when we talk about overcoming something or to speak totally in traditional words the power of transformation (the dao comes to mind) ... pretty deep to make a minor sound major, maybe the kind of power a hero unlocks when overcoming their obstacle and living up to their potential.... some kind of musical foreshadowing maybe ? Of course enhanced by the nurture you describe. These videos keep getting more interesting!

[@liamviljoen5845]

Almost sounds like Something In The Way, which was used in the trailer for the film.

[@michaelfield8899]

That Star Wars clip hit me like a ton of nostalgic bricks, not because of the music itself, but it brought back a very similar piece, the opening of Niel DeGrasse Tyson’s Cosmos

[@skypentraico4322]

HOW has no one talked about how good 3:38 sounds?! I want a full version of that on piano.

[@17AJ06]

It’s really interesting listening to you talk about music and nature, and how the chords themselves evoke emotion on top of conditioning, in context with the fact that I’m currently working on an essay for my Music History class in college about program vs absolute music.

[@ALDVIR]

Someone correct me if I’m wrong but wouldn’t that be just be a i -> VI in the scale of Bb minor???

[@alexanderkyst1316]

Thank you! I was wondering about that too. If it is a Major scale with a b6 then why is the tonic minor. I would just suggest that it is a minor scale with a natural occurring 6th 🤷‍♂️

[@fiddler1094]

Yes. Maybe this is just from jazz perspective. But you are totally right

[@pete_dev]

Mr Giacchino said he was inspired by Daeth Vaders theme for his Batman score. Incredible. What a film and what a composer

[@jaclyn1830]

im just confused on how it’s moving from i->bVI without the use of any accidentals in the sheet music? at first i assumed it was just in a minor key, but the VI chord is already major in a minor key, and bringing the root of the sixth scale degree down a half step would make the chord augmented, not major. + in the binary suns example, the major four is used in a minor key, which should require an accidental, but i don’t see any accidentals in the sheet music i can find. im just starting to really deep dive into music theory, so im just legitimately confused here. overall a great vid!!

[@kushlord2139]

This always confused me too, but I'm pretty sure the trick here is to remember that all the roman numeral notation is *with respect to the major scale*. So a bVI chord is a major chord built off the flattened sixth degree of the major scale starting from your root ... in other words, it's a major chord built off the note that is 8 half-steps above your root. In a minor key this is the "regular" (diatonic) sixth chord and doesn't require any accidentals (e.g. for the key of Am it is just F, or for Bbm as in the video it is just Gb). It looks funny to put a flat in front of it when you're in a minor key, but it's because the sixth degree of a minor scale is already flattened compared to the major Major scale and chords: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 --> I ii iii IV V vi vii0 Minor scale and chords: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 --> i ii0 bIII iv v bVI bVII

[@gilah7174]

@@kushlord2139 This was actually really helpful for me, as I was dealing with the same confusion... Thanks so much!

[@RKFlinspach]

Check out the Destiny (1) main theme. It uses the same kind of ominous>epic chord structure. The "binary sunset" theme from A New Hope immediately reminded me of it during this video (yes I admit the remembrance should have gone the other way around).

[@TGBGO]

The 1 to flat 6 sounds a bit like Bond to me, namely Skyfall

[@livinglife3967]

THAT'S WHAT IT WAS!

[@SpencerRussellSmithAuthor]

It definitely draws from the classical traditions, and Williams definitely cemented it in our minds in the ominous sense, using Chopin's Funeral March as the inspiration for the Imperial March.

[@elianmusic7452]

It sounds exactly like the darth vader theme song intro but slowed down a bunch. Surprised it isnt already mentioned in the comments

[@Arycke]

For me it's Aeolian brightening up to Dorian by raising the sixth. That i IV is the Dorian signature sound bc the IV has the nat6 in it. That's how I hear it is a darker sound brightening.

[@TRFAD]

I saw this a few days ago and thought it was enjoyable to listen to. Very ominous Also, I've played Doom Eternal a lot lately and have been obsessed with the music. I was already a big fan of Metal music and would love to see your take on its soundtrack. I wouldn't say it isn't straightforward, but it has its moments, particularly Urdak. Eary and interesting. It's so GOOD. I would love to see your take on it...

[@WD_RatLad]

7:33 sorta reminds me of sono chino sadame

[@BoWSkittlez]

3:52 DOG!!!

[@vivi4211]

b6 is my favorite interval

[@BrakusJPS]

The Minor 6th -- also known as the "NOSTALGIA!" chord/interval, according to Adam Neely and his explanation of Celine Dion's arrangement of "All By Myself".

[@amihere383]

I love how he’s going so In depth on the literature and terminology of the use of both major and relative minors, and it’s just called “la based minor” in choir because in solfège the 6 is la

[@jimflys2]

Could you do a video on the interval Jon Bon Jovi is now using in the melody of his live shows. Seems like an out of key flat 6 to me.

[@ardencassie5150]

Was I the only one who heard the chromatic line from the OG Batman theme over the top of this. To me it’s Giacchino connecting this into the past Batman’s and that makes it next level for me.

[@BaileyPhillipsComposer]

Not even gonna lie, when you played the third chord of the Marvel theme I got a bit hyped. I think it is a mixture of nature and nurture. The color shift in the Eb after the bIV is just a bit too epic. Same thing with the star wars theme. The color shift is associated with the "Hero", so I think that part is nurture.

[@triad5766]

This is used in tons of metal songs. Dissection’s “the Somberlain” around 2:40 minutes in for example. It’s a period of epicness in an otherwise dark and frozen world, which is what melodic Black Metal conveys.

[@moshondobeat]

This video found me in the appropriate time😂

[@remkoseelig]

These i-bVI (I’d rather write them down as vi-IV) progressions are so common in rock/metal. Great example is Iron Maiden that uses a lot of ‘Em C’ progressions. The way you explained it triggered me a bit as well and made me realize better how these modes work. Some musical styles (progressive rock/metal, to name a few) build up tension by keeping the bass note fixed, e.g. Em followed by C(maj7)/E. The harmony “hints” resolution but by inverting the chord and keeping the E as bass note the tension is not released. Once you actually resolve to C that’s when the actual Lydia’s mode is “perceived”.

[@jyotektosgaimur]

Porcupine Tree does this really well too imo.

[@wiseSYW]

flat6 -> flat7 > major1 is the mario cadence so that being epic/triumphant makes sense

[@justplainjosh]

Something interesting about the i-VIb that I noticed in the Batman theme is that when it’s just the roots played as the melody it sounds really dark and ominous but when you added in the rest of the harmony, the VIb especially sounded brighter and more hopeful while still keeping that ominous sound. That also kind of ties in to Batman’s character arc in the movie, as he goes from the dark and vengeful vigilante who cares for nothing but vengeance to realizing at the end that he also has to help build Gotham up, to accept some of the light, rather than just beating down evil from the shadows

[@stormiesnazz4698]

god i fucking love how juicy these chords are

[@BrunoMael]

BTW: You playing the Batman Theme and the Binary Sunset/Force Theme together made me realize that the Bruce Wayne theme (aka Funeral and Far Between) reminded me of the Force Theme

[@mattfinnish]

I LOVE this score and the piano sonata that comes from it. I have no inside info, but can’t help but think the two-note motive and the Nirvana song are inextricably connected.

[@thezachmarsh]

Charles' dog walking in the background while he ponders if we have a Pavlov's Dog association between certain musical motifs and certain cinematic genres

[@ChipeloAndCrew]

Pretty similar to Junkie XL’s Batman theme from BvS, but I love that his theme also has more of the tragicness behind it

[@joshuaj.knowles3664]

I love how you make the it so accesible for me to engage on this content even when all my music theory Education come just from cool videos like these. By the end, I felt like I could detect the heroism in the Harry Potter there before you explain. Thanks for being an incredible teacher!!

[@LuxLucidOfficial]

The new season of a kids show, Green Eggs and Ham, uses that 'spy noir' minor b7 sound and a nice flat 6 to major I movement... amazing singing and arrangement!

[@BenCaesar]

This is a thorough look into a composition device that we would not be able to spot or unpack. Great tools to add