Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard - Music of "The Dark Knight"

[@Sorc47]

Come on people, when Rick says it's simple, he's not hating on Hans, stop overreacting. The music really is simple and it's powerful mostly because of the production, not composition. But sometimes that's just the effect you want to get and I personally love it.

[@ajallen6980]

I mean, Knee Play 1 is simple, but that doesn’t stop Einstein on the Beach from being a genius piece of music. Minimalism has a place

[@suprchickn7745]

Hans is essentially a minimalist composer but his use of chord progressions is what makes him stand out imo.

[@aniruddh_d16]

I totally agree. Batman's theme is just 2 notes and it portrayed a range of different emotions for the character.

[@isaacholden3200]

you all prolly dont give a damn but does any of you know a way to log back into an instagram account?? I was stupid lost the login password. I would appreciate any tricks you can offer me.

[@isaacholden3200]

@Prince Kameron i really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and I'm in the hacking process now. Takes quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.

[@sunsettosound]

It truly is the percussion and effects that gives it it's real power and feel. As an aspiring composer that isn't musically trained, but has an infinite world of Kontakt drum samples this gives me hope, lol.

[@JoshuaCastillo6309]

When you listen to Hans score of The Lion King or Man of Steel, you can see what he’s truly capable of but sorta holds back these days. Either way, his music hits the soul no matter how simple it may be 🤘

[@RobinsMusic]

correction, how he used to have more ghost writers but now does it himself

[@sup3414]

Hans Zimmer: Master of Ostinatos and Arpeggios

[@abdulalshibly3930]

I think the simplicity of the orchestral writing(not really but he is using simple harmony concepts that sound great) from Hans and his powerful effects and drums is what makes this kind of tracks his signature sound. P.S.: Simple doesn't mean bad

[@abbasalikhan]

hans zimmer has his strong points. he depends more on the sounds that he uses. his melodies are simple and maybe thats why they are more relatable. plus offcourse the hybrid arrangments that he does. he is different and we cant take that away from him.

[@lukehunnable]

Whats a hybrid arrangement?

[@abbasalikhan]

@@lukehunnable hybrid means when u use the conventional orchestra with computer generated sounds like synths etc

[@ToxicTurtleIsMad]

The melody needs to be simple otherwise it will detach from the image.

[@MoosCode]

If Hans wasn't a genius none of modern composers would copycat him : ) He has a powerful sense of the drama of the scene which make his music stand out.

[@october65-h6e]

I´m really happy that I was able to saw both composers live on stage, at several concerts and I can honestly say that dreams came true. I love scores of these two because I like the more elektronical style of Hans Zimmer on the one hand and the more classical style of James Newton Howard on the other. At the moment I listen to the soundtracks of the Fantastic Beasts series on a daily basis. Love both!!!

[@syen3rgymusic]

Hans is my ultimate favorite composer though I have so many! Really enjoyed "Watch the World Burn" and "Aggressive Expansion" from this soundtrack. Love King Kong from James Newton Howard we also share the same birthday on June 9! :D

[@Mazeltof90]

Brilliant- thank you Rick! Hope you have enjoyed the movie as well. Everything in this trilogy is so well crafted. Everything.

[@sanzen1234]

It's not about the complexity its about the creation and coming up with the right notes in the right places with the mood he sets to achieve certian feelings during the movie

[@dosgos]

Really appreciate these superb videos Rick! What a great public service

[@jimsteele9289]

Zimmer is brilliant and you're merely smart. What he applies works for the scene. Anxious to see you do that.

[@マシュードーラン]

Hans captures our emotions and takes them on a ride with every soundtrack he creates. Moving, powerful, gorgeous and so many others. It can be simple at times, complex at others but always perfectly compliments what’s on the screen. Just a brilliant composer and a down to earth lovable guy!

[@michaell2288]

I love both of these composers so thanks for dissecting these pieces. Hans' ostinato parts are amazing and really what makes these soundtracks so powerful and epic! From your video, I realized how he uses them to build tension and power.

[@holacabeza]

Rick, please analyze the soundrtack from Interstellar! Great video btw

[@AirGuitar]

Hola yes!!

[@isaachunter2472]

I'd love to see a video about James Newton Howard on the Hunger Games specifically his healing Katniss song or Rue's farewell music because of the use of the guitar.

[@jesusbudda7622]

another excellent video, Rick. Best and most informative channel on KZbin. Keep up the brilliant work. And thanks.

[@GreyWind]

Lol all jokes aside TDK was one of the most structurally complex scores Hans has ever written. Also I believe the mock-up has some wrong bass notes…

[@tavusion]

@Rick Don't hate Hans, if you say this is Hans' sound then you've obviously not heard him enough (or don't want to). The franchise in itself was a massive hit and they were three of them so it made these works of Hans the most famous out of all. This maybe the most famous soundtracks of Hans, but definitely don't define his music because it's so much more. I personally don't like any of his Batman score, not even Inception or much of Interstellar but I still love him for so many other soundtracks. Like A. R. Rahman rose to world fame with Slumdog Millionaire and all non-Indians know him because of that, but just that is not "His Sound", it's not even in his best 25 soundtracks. Try listening to The Last Samurai, The Holiday, Pearl Harbor, Gladiator, Sherlock Holmes without any bias or presumption. I won't say you'll like them but at least you'll understand that he is more much more than what you want to believe. Even if what he composes is not to your liking, it moves, inspires or makes a lot of other people happy. Let's respect all artists.

[@RickBeato]

I am very familiar with his work. I love Hans that's why I'm going to do a video of his scores I want to. I just had so many people ask me about the Dark Knight movie that i wanted to just do it. It's his sound for that movie. Almost every track is an ostinato. and they are all so similar.

[@RickBeato]

I didn't say anything about not respecting him did I? He's great! But it does appear that there is some kind of "cultish" thing about him from the personal comments. You guys must really love those movies for the soundtracks to mean so much. That's cool. It's a generational thing.

[@AlistairRobertson93]

To be fair - if you're referring to his comment at 9:10 - I think he means that in this kind of example, it's more Zimmer's musical voice that is being expressed than JNH - not that this is the ONLY style Zimmer is capable of (although it is admittedly what he's become known for in recent years). Besides I've heard from several people that HZ and JNH were both hired on this score to fulfil different roles. HZ to take the lead on the big, bombastic percussion action cues, while JNH took care of the more 'expressive' aspects of the score - so it's highly likely that the examples that Rick's showing were, in fact, more influenced by HZ than JNH.

[@RickBeato]

That's exactly correct. I actually thought about calling the video, how to use ostinatos in modern film music.

[@tavusion]

I don't wanna be the bad guy here, I love both Hans & Rick. Rick Beato yeah that would have been appropriate, haha. I'm just happy to know that you're gonna post more videos of his music and I'm looking forward to that, till then I'm gonna learn from your other videos and send you gratification vibes. 😊

[@jaikumarsivalingam]

Thank you

[@iik9555]

It will be interesting to see Interstellar analysis

[@tugrulozer9419]

it should have been ''C'' at 1:23. keep it low ;)

[@wasunsamherzenliegt]

Tuğrul Özer Thanks. I was looking for that comment 😊👍

[@danagboyer]

Rick...THANK. YOU. Your channel is quickly becoming all I watch on KZbin. Magic for us music-magic people.

[@3bandEQ]

Playing along with this on my guitar, instantly realize the benefit of a Baritone guitar. Convincing myself I need one, or at least, its extended range is my justification. Lol. Rad lesson.

[@RomainPennesComposer]

Hi Rick, Your videos are very educational and I feel like I learned more by watching your videos for the past 2 monthes than I've learned in the past 2 years. I feel like many people criticize Hans Zimmer for doing always the same things (ostinatos over huge percussions for instance). I believe it to be true when listening to batman soundtracks and many of his recent work. But I feel like music from Kung Fu Panda, Pirates of the Caribbean, Gladiator, Da Vinci Code, The Lion King, Rain Man, Sherlock Holmes explore many other genres and styles, and that there are many things that we (beginners in composition, orchestration and mixing) can certainly learn from. Thank you again, I really love your work, and the fact that you are being so active.

[@josicx2507]

I still don't know, if I should hate or love Hans Zimmer music. I got his Masterclass as a christmas gift and I start to think that Rick tells me more about film scoring than Hans will do, but we will see...

[@jeffpandur8776]

hey man how was that, did you liked it?

[@VisualAudioV]

Im on the masterclass too, there's only a few videos up at this point. only 5 or 6. There's like 30 to come. It's all intro right now.

[@jeffpandur8776]

PM me bro!

[@hufflepuff23402]

I'm just about done with Zimmer's Masterclass videos, and I have to say I've really learned a lot. I know some people were disappointed that his lessons didn't cover more "technical" advice, but to me his creative insight/process is just as (if not more) valuable. Yes, I can hear how is music is often repetitive and "basic", but I think one thing about Hans is that his music is typically iconic and memorable. For example, if I hear the main tune of PoTC, I know exactly what it is and what film it's from. Although he may not be the most technical composer, you do have to give him that he has a knack for world-building. Inception, Interstellar, PoTC, Gladiator... they may all have repetitive scores built around one small motif, but it takes some skill t to be able to span one small rif across an entire soundtrack.

[@VisualAudioV]

It was good as Baylee says. However, I would have preferred a different approach. There was a heavy weight on you and the director, and only hints of technology use. The theory of the tracks is good, but a lot of time was studying things done, rather than clean slate approach. JunkieXLs channel has been far more informative IMO. He released a video every week in studio time.

[@nickjoyce1405]

Basic, yes. But did you think of it? Probably not. Two notes, with a simple us of expression = the sound of Batman. Genius.

[@Mattieval]

I don't know if this is a topic for a video, but I'm fascinated by the contrast in scores between the first Tron film and it's sequel. The first being done by Wendy Carlos, very interesting harmonies and really rich. The second done by...Daft Punk. Maybe a video on how film composing has changed from decade to decade could be interesting. Anyway, great videos Rick!

[@mensamin]

Wow, people just see the bad side of things sometimes... Great video :), looking forward for the Hans Zimmer solo video :3

[@chrisangeluk]

BRILLIANT!!!!!

[@DoctorJRx]

Thanks Rick !!

[@juliandevilliers6435]

That cue has balls! lol Thanks Rick! This was fun.

[@OptimusNiaa]

I've recently discovered your channel, and am thoroughly enjoying your videos. I'm a fan of composers like Williams, Newman, Goldsmith, Silvestri, Broughton, Barry, Herrmann, and others. When I saw you had a video on Hans Zimmer, I was very curious what the tone would be, and what your assessment of Zimmer's music would be. The video did not disappoint, sir. From the very beginning to the very end. Truthfully even exceeded my expectations.

[@mupicap7927]

Zimmer score really can liftup every scene he want it, i guess.. No need to be complex, as long u can lift that's the point.. Even Danny elfman can't lift Justice League scene, that seems quite

[@theviolinoob]

it's simple, but they come with this thing as a new idea,and it fits perfect in the movie that's the point. It have some original ideas thought like that crispy cello glissando sound in the beginning of the dark knight robbery scene. And that 5/4 theme from Dark knight rises. Dark knight series is all about ostinatos and repetitions.You should make an analysis about the really beautiful theme from Batman begins like Corynorhinus it' has an nice melodic theme.

[@J1283-s1k]

Agreed man but the funny thing about Corynorhinus is it's almost entirely James Newton Howard and it's understandable because he was a lot more directly involved. It doesn't fit that Zimmer mould of percussive ostinatos at all and it's why we love it so much, it offers so much variety of flavour.

[@pedroplays3090]

Thanks for the video Rick!

[@Timmsstuff]

Hi Rick, new to the channel, would love to see you take a look at the Lion King soundtrack if you're interested in covering more of Hans (it's my favourite of his), it feels to me less reliant on sound design and tonality than this, which would probably make for a more interesting subject matter from a music theory perspective

[@romualdphillip666]

Yesss

[@abbasalikhan]

hahaha i saw what you did there rick. thanks so much for the video

[@WayanJos]

isnt the purpose of music for picture is to bring "life" to the picture? doesnt matter if it's "basic" or whatever.

[@abdulsalammajed]

jrubbernek I agree with you 👌👌👌👍

[@katarzynakostiuk5088]

Hey Rick! Have you noticed that part you analize in 5:10-6:30 is, if I'm not mistaken, a clear reference to the Elfman's Batman theme from the cartoon!

[@itznoxy7193]

Great lesson Rick! I would love to see videos on the Lord of the Rings movies and the Halo games. Two of the best soundtracks ever imo.

[@tomaspalazzi]

It would be cool cues of video games or tv scores, I love you channel!

[@TheMarktouan]

Hello Rick! I am a huge fan of your videos. Really interesting and helpful! Your videos helped me to understand jazz modes much better. I would love to see a video with you explaining modern pop songwriting (Max Martin, Dr. Luke etc). It would be really exciting! Thanks once more and many greetings from Austria!

[@Ninienergy]

Amazing, Thank You :)

[@KhaledAbdelmonemMusic]

you are great

[@李姜-v1f]

Rick is great!

[@tonydesoto8891]

Thanks for this! Wish you could do an analysis of Edward Scissorhands. I think that is Elfman’s most gorgeous music.

[@AntonioVidarteMusic]

Great breakdown, thanks!

[@cacauceluque]

I think that Hans Zimmer Interstellar soundtrack has more interesting mix of ostinati and harmony than this.

[@gabrield.cstoica1832]

sr Rick biato...en su demonstracion en solo 3minutos...a la parte de cello bajos una nota esta bien...pero el ostinato muy bien... igual lo has dicho que es muy facil... felicidades por su progama es de muy gran ayuda para muchos que aprenden el scoring film.

[@Bashanvibe]

I have heard this so many times thanks for revealing the source

[@J1283-s1k]

Wish Rick would go solely on a James Newton Howard track from Unbreakable. Newton Howard is so far from a simplistic ostinato sound (not criticising it but it is very much ingrained in Hans' specific, go to sound nowadays) in his soundtracks. While the movie features several extraordinary motifs and a distinct percussive beat in arguably the main theme of the movie, Visions, JNH provides so much variety in the instances where they reappear (be it in that track or others) that I can't agree with Rick, even with The Dark Knight soundtrack here, that JNH offers an ostinato based style in any way similar to Hans, unless perhaps Rick was referring to JNH working with that mould Hans would offer (like at 07:32 where the piano motif in Agent of Chaos quotes the opening melody of Corynorhinus). Tadarida, a track from Batman Begins (keeping in line with the train of thought for this video) is a perfect example of this. The first minute alone offers this Newton Howard-esque elaboration on a repeating single heart wrenching strings motif that he gradually builds into a bittersweet pay off. Like I say, it's very, very typical JNH and about as far from 'typical' Hans' ostinato/percussion based sound as you can get but it is a good example of the disparity between their styles.

[@matiasgarciaacosta1040]

Great video as always Rick! Looks like zimmer really likes obstinatos,....and then in Interestellar he samples cathedral organs....awsome composer skills....please do Howard Shore part 2,..

[@WesleyWestMusic]

Thanks for the videos! My one friend that finished studying music in 2016 told me I should check you out. I'm 3rd year now and we're starting with film composition this year. I'm grateful I discovered you at a time like this :-)

[@RickBeato]

Thanks Wesley!

[@waynesilver9094]

Nice video

[@jordanmuntz8270]

Hey Rick, was wondering if you would do a video on the music from the Halo video games series by Martin O'Donnell

[@rowegardner9673]

This would be great. I second this.

[@-cyberwave-studios]

If he does that, I'll be very happy

[@VladyVeselinov]

Hi Rick, it would be awesome to see you do some live composing something with a heroic vibe. I'm super interested to see how you approach composing from scratch.

[@deepak6529]

Nice...can u make a video of the love theme from the pirates of the carribbean

[@EdvardBolaasMusic]

1:22 @not to sound pretentious but thats a C, not D right there. Makes quite the difference actually.

[@trottheblackdog]

Rick's not hating on anyone. It's all eggs, flour, milk, etc. Just how you use it

[@RobertDannyDavis]

The unfortunate thing is that most Hollywood music has pretty much resorted to this sound and music that strays from this method is seemingly more and more rare. I think it is ok if it is Hans Zimmer's sound alone, but most people want to sound like Hans Zimmer, which is making everything sound 70 to 80 percent the same now. Maybe that is all producers want now? I dunno.

[@ArtbyAtlas]

Dark Knight soundtrack is one of my favorites, thanks for doing this video. Listening to the music (to the untrained ear--like mine, I suppose!) makes the songs seem more complex than they are, but hearing you break them down really simplifies it. I think the scale of the sounds probably just comes from all the layering and building up Hans does with the orchestra, and not so much that he's playing something so totally new.

[@Stadtpark90]

Any chance for more Hans Zimmer reviews? Interstellar? Dune?

[@willo.brien.]

I appreciate what Hanz Zimmer does. In his own words, "Minimalist composition, maximalist production". Rick, what program are you using for the string sound? Sounds great! Thanks for the excellent content 👍

[@lukehunnable]

Did he actually say that?

[@ThePonchovader]

Rick I think it would be awesome if you could make a video about Michael Giacchino! By the way thanks for all your videos!!

[@jggabbay]

Could you make a percussion video? I find it to be the hardest part when trying to mockup soundtracks, my ear just gets lost

[@ValeSchneider]

Please do a video about Michael Giaccino! Thanks! Love your videos Rick!

[@futurebeats898]

have you covered music from lord of the ring yet? its so much better i think ;)

[@karlkante3142]

helpful, thx

[@heatherbuechelartistry]

are you transposing this because when you say G it looks like your playing it on A when you start play at 7:23

[@tikidale]

I feel like Hans does the ostinatos in Pirates a lot also

[@bugeyedmudafuka2]

Nice.Do one for inception.Love the chord sequences in that.Simple but kinda odd at the same time.

[@DominikKaliszewski25]

What makes Zimmer;s music so touching ?

[@dihohentzollern3175]

some other material if you'll be willing.john williams home alone-setting the trap , steve jablonsky-transformers.thanks for the lessons!

[@romualdphillip666]

Hello Rick. Been following ur channel for a while and Ive learned so much. Thanks for all the amazing content. I would like to see ur analysis on the lion king soundtrack.....the cartoon version

[@ZamudioAbel]

Hey Rick, you should do a video about Jacob Collier's music!

[@consonaadversapars]

What is this comment section about? He did not say anything bad about ZImmer. He just said the ostinatoes are quite basic, that's all. Thx for video, looking forward to the next ones! And please, could you do some videos about progression in these compositions, how they evolve in time, chord progressions used, how the patterns change, etc. Thx and cheers!

[@tavusion]

Consona Adversa Pars In a recent facebook live video he did make fun of him while referring to his masterclass, so people who saw that clearly got the feeling that Rick doesn't like him much.

[@consonaadversapars]

Oh, ok, didn't know that. And I'm actually going to buy his masterclass. I think his soundtracks for Batman, Superman, Inception, Sherlock Holmes or Interstellar were great. He just has his own of way of composing and there's no need to make fun of him. His soundtracks have very varied sound palettes and are quite different, which I like a lot.

[@RickBeato]

+T.A.V I was remarking on how every time I go to KZbin his master class video plays.

[@consonaadversapars]

Yea, even from this video it seems there are no bad words against Hans. Seems like people like to twist and exaggerate things.

[@JamesWatsonComposer]

This is a different video but I just realized how John Williams works some of those "atonal" (sounding) high strings/tension/sustaining pianissimo ideas. This is thanks to your videos on modes and breaking down the diatonic chords in each mode or scale. He's seemingly just moving through a diminished scale a lot of the time the same way and finding good voicings for each instrument. i.e.: War Horse 13. No Man's Land Thanks so much for these videos!

[@OllieWWW]

What's happening with the brass stabs in the cue at 2:17?

[@anibalsilvaagudelo189]

Hola Rick , saludos desde colombia ! quisiera saber como hacer para escuchar las pistas instrumento por instrumento , estoy interesado en analizar las obras de Zimmer y me seria muy útil escuchar las pistas de esa forma. he visto muchos de tus vídeos y me parecen geniales ! muy buenas tus explicaciones!! aunque entiendo un poco de ingles he comprendido la mayoría de los temas que tratas !!

[@HiLoMusic]

Simplicity equates to mass appeal.

[@aitornavarro6597]

The Dark Knight Trilogy is heavily Zimmer's style. I personally enjoy James Newton Howard's style more. The track named "Harvey Two-Face" was composed vy Howard and I think it's one of the best pieces from the score.

[@zxprophet30]

Please forgive my ignorance but doesn't c# Locrian have an f#? At 2:30

[@jameswilliams9881]

So I think Rick's trying to be really really nice, but his underlying message is that Hans Zimmer got really really lucky. (right place right time, which can certainly happen.) Rick uses the term "basic" a lot. :) Anybody with a synthesizer, a good set of tools and a modicum of musical ability can make the exact same "compositions". Hell, my son does it on Rock Band to a degree and he has literally no musical training. But, hey, he gets work in a tough business so good for him. Personally I think it 's all fluff. Meanwhile, Rick, you are awesome and deserving of all praise and accolades. What you do and how you do it is truly appreciated by those of us who consider music essential.

[@stevenweiss4699]

Hey rick, can you do a video on the music of Alexandre Desplat?

[@driven2thrive33]

I just recently subscribed to channel Rick and I'm really enjoying it. You are great at what you do. What plug-ins do you use for your strings?

[@juandesalgado]

Thanks very much for your collection of videos, Rick! If I may drop a suggestion, you could give a look to videogame music, nowadays they are like movies. "Skyrim" would be a good example (check in KZbin). Thanks again!

[@valeriogiovine]

Top of Zimmer remains The Lion King, but also Sherlock Holmes, Pirates Of Caribbean, The Gladiator... Batman it's very commercial and modern music... now Zimmer has become quite commercial and his secret is simplicity that fits well on many films , born as synthman certainly not as a conductor, this is his peculiarities (I Love Zimmer), there are other composers such as Joe Hisaishi, Alan Menken, Danny Elfman, Alexandre Desplat that I think deserve to be more studied.

[@RickBeato]

You guys realize that this music is written by him and James Newton Howard right? Go watch my video on James and listen to his soundtracks this music sounds like his music with Hans Percussion loops

[@valeriogiovine]

But being commercial is not to say that is bad, why you associate the word "commercial" to "bad"? It 'a great thing, and Zimmer is a very great composer, it's powerful, epic and sentimental, but I don't consider him even remotely "similar" to composers that compose much more melody and harmony as Desplat, Howard Shore, or classical composers such as Tchaikovsky, Mahler etc., Zimmer is different... certainly remains one of the great composers of the modern music because of its simplicity, write music as Zimmer is not "difficult" and it's also very beautiful and functional, but certainly I don't take him as reference to study composition ... Unfortunately, the young composers of today, however, take with reference too much his music and end up not study and deepening the music, that's all. For Rick, your work is very great because open the mind to other possibility on film score, there are very very beautiful.

[@valeriogiovine]

however, the problem of hollywood, is that missing more and more composers that are ready to dare and create new beautiful themes and today there is too much hybrid music for me.

[@banest0]

Thanks for this! Would you please do an analysis on 160 BPM from Angels & Demons?

[@MadeRude91]

Are these compositions staying within a diatonic scale Or different modes for harmonic / melodic progression ?

[@skyfire3498]

hello sir i love your videos waht sample libraries you've used in this video?

[@tilleyroadaffairproduction6752]

Hi Rick Tx again for this. I would like to know what type of Sound library do you use. I use only Logic stock sounds and am starting to find it a bit limiting as I have to constantly tweek it to make sound decent. Again I am on a budget and still can appreciate good sound... I just want to enhance the creative energy and flow...

[@jaypatel-lg1vp]

sir i have a que for u...in guitar instrument which plactrum is best? thin or thick? i m comfortable with thin pick for strumming.but my frnds said tht thick pick is good one than thin..bt i am comfortable with thin..so is it ok to use thin pick for strumming and stage performance.. thank you..we love u.

[@CPXYFAN]

Hi Rick, this might be something off the topic from this video. But what DAW do you use/ prefer? And is Cubase any good for composing such scores?

[@findkip]

What about Zimmer from Sherlock Holmes. Personally I think both movies have the best scores ever

[@brucewayne795]

I agree

[@deangoritz9625]

hey Rick, Dean from Chicago love all your videos I've been a subscriber for about a month now. I think we are cut from the same cloth. anyway I could go on forever but real quick what cord is Jimmy Page playing on the Rain song when the main verse comes in that cord that slides down a half step just curious I took jazz guitar about 13 years ago and my jazz teacher couldn't name that chord,eager for the answer and keep up the awesome stuff I'm truly learning a lot

[@RickBeato]

Thanks Dean!

[@petragaffney135]

Dean Goritz Hello Dean. I listened to The Rain Song and I can answer your question. Rick would obviously know but may not have time to reply. The two chords on the last two 8th notes leading into the verse are Ab9 > G9.....so then the next 8 bars go.... [|: G9 / / / | Gm9 / / / | Csus4 C / / | Csus4 C / / :|] I hadn't heard this song so I enjoyed hearing it. Thanks. Pétra.

[@RickBeato]

Thanks Petra!!

[@deangoritz9625]

Pétra Gaffney , is it really that simple, I know he tunes his guitar to open Csus4 (I think) but I guess I never sat at piano or found notes on guitar to analyze the chords, thanks for info

[@mariomj4535]

Hi Rick, what string vst were you using in your mockups?

[@figuex]

That C# D F Bb is the pattern for Danny Elfman's Batman Theme, right?

[@kenapplegate904]

Not quite, although it is very close. In this key, it would have been D-E-F-Bb-A (or B-C#-D-G-F# in Elfman's key). Between this and when Hans lengthened the 2-note motive in DK-Rises (D-F-Bb-A [only leaving out the second-note E), he came within 1 note of copying Elfman's first 5 notes twice... which is weird because I seem to remember that he and James were both kinda irritated that they couldn't get out from under Danny Elfman's shadow (which is perfectly understandable, of course).

[@figuex]

Great! many thanks.. I could not remember the exact notes from memory, just the feeling of the note pattern, including the direction in which the notes are going.. all this is quite similar. It would be great to know the secret behind this choice. =)

[@paulcorrea8747]

You are talking about only half of a thing, imho. IF you think about it in chords, this riff goes from B minor to C# Major. The B-C#-D-G-F# is a broken B minor cord. It then goes up to C# major. It is that chord progression, which is a classic m2M pattern, that gives the motif its essential characteristic of mystery and power. (I cannot hum this or think about it without including the C# major).

[@figuex]

Well, you now that quotations in music are not strict, do you?. That's the catch there, so you are suggested that it probably could be something else. I find your further analysis quite unnecesary, although is a good one, but one thing is the use of theme development and the other is a copy

[@kenapplegate904]

You're right, Paul. We were just speaking to the melodic pattern. The C# chord you're referring to definitely gives Elfman's theme intro its perfect arrival and I am also with you on not being able to think of the theme without that chord. It was a very intelligent piece of writing.

[@RyanMovingViolationz]

Hans is the second best film composer in history after John Williams! Love his Batman scores!

[@sup3414]

Hans*

[@RyanMovingViolationz]

Corrected