Danny Elfman - Simple Concepts for Film Scoring

[@RYXPfan]

I was so hoping you would have a video about Danny Elfman’s music-he is one of my favorite musicians! Despite his massive success, he seems fairly underappreciated to me. Of course, most film composers are.

[@90FirstGenPGT]

Totally agree. Love his work. My favorites are from the first men in black movie. The starting credit and end credit scores. Absolutely beautiful

[@albertibass6521]

Steve Bartek does the orchestrations, who was Elfman's guitarist in Oingo Boingo. Incredibly underrated guitarist.

[@Eventual420]

Alberti Bass The Kingdom, some gorgeous guitar work. I was hoping Steve would be mentioned somewhere in the comments. Thank you.

[@Balsamore]

Yes, for this score it was him and the great Shirley Walker.

[@ernestogasulla7763]

Right at the time of this movie. These days Danny does it himself. But Steve showed him the ropes.

[@lucasaliscomposer]

Steve Bartek deals with orchestration in the sense that he corrects the scores for the orchestra. All the instruments and colors we hear in the compositions are the work of Elfman. Let's be careful not to confuse things. Elfman orchestrates alone already 99% of his compositions

[@VFXCommander]

@@lucasaliscomposer That's not what I heard. I have sources (I cannot say) said that Danny knows nothing about orchestration and never even worked with orchestras before starting a film scoring career. He used to stand in a middle of a circle that consists of an army of orchestrators and just hum the tunes to them.

[@bigcabba]

What I hear and what the theory backs up is that no matter what situation Batman is faced with, he remains resolute. Even when the chords modulate out of the key, the same melodic sequence (motif) endures. Batman has always been an example of a hero who sticks to his moral code. This theme brilliantly communicates this. Danny is easily my top 5 composers and all this does is back that up.

[@Kurt1969]

Great episode! Danny Elfman has such a unique 'sonic signature'. Would love to see more. Thanks

[@DreamPurpleFloyd]

For anyone interested in Danny's music I strongly recommend checking his first band *Oingo Boingo*. It's a really unique blend of rock, ska, new wave, pop with really interesting arrangements, unique musical ideas and hilarious lyrics. I'm pretty sure it had a huge influence on bands like Mr Bungle. I would start with the albums "Good For Your Soul" and "Only A Lad".

[@jamestagliareni9417]

The talents of the composer, Danny Elfman. The orchestrator, Steve Bartek. Shirley Walker conducting the Sinfonia of London Orchestra. Always awesome and amazing.

[@NormanTiner]

I cannot believe how emotionally resonant 5 notes can be. It's almost unbearable that somebody could be so damn talented. Would love to know Elfman's scoring inspirations. As far as I can tell, the guy dropped from the sky with a completely unique style.

[@Itsjustliketheweather]

Shostakovich, Stravinsky, and Bernard Herrmann are inspirations he has mentioned in interviews but he loves so many genres. Check out his "What's in my bag" he did at Amoeba records, he talks a little about the music that lights him up. :)

[@homegeek3650]

this cue more than just a little similar to one of Herrmann's cues for Journey to the Center of the Earth

[@BoredomEnsues]

Awesome, I've been waiting for you to discuss Danny's music for a while. I would love to see a video on Goldsmith as well.

[@SoundAuthor]

Yes! Star Trek Voyager theme!

[@mistermarkeys]

Danny Elfman is the king of modulation.

[@jasonfella265]

Yah, I didn't even notice a couple of those key changes until Rick pointed them out. Damn.

[@flushfries5633]

The opening to Batman Returns (Birth of a Penguin Pt I) is probably one of my favorite melodies of his. It’s so full of tragedy and melodrama.

[@midge2112]

Loved your breakdown of this piece! I never realized how something so rich and evocative could be created from five notes!

[@markyboo]

I'd love to see a breakdown of Elfman's Beetlejuice theme. It seems like there are a lot of interesting things going on in it.

[@LakesideEcho]

Rick! Great vids as always.

[@dollofshadows1703]

I think Rick needs to interview Danny Elfman next!!

[@mosstet]

YES!

[@jru42287]

Awesome!! I would love to see a breakdown of his Spider-Man theme as well. I think that's one of his most underrated scores.

[@Edmundostudios]

The Fable music is fantastic always sets the mood.

[@SkillipEvolver]

Edmundo studios and its making a return apparently !?

[@Edmundostudios]

SkillipEvolver rumour has it.

[@rohitravi2989]

Thank you so much for this, this has been my favourite batman theme since my childhood

[@ShaunaMarieSings]

**EXCELLENT!!!** I LOVE Danny Elfman's music...especially the 'Edward Scissorhands' film score...thank you so much, Rick!!! 💗💗💗

[@robertservice4932]

Great video! As a musician, your videos in this style are my favourite and some of the best content on KZbin.

[@WaveRiderMusic]

that incredible music he is doing! that composer was self-taught . his themes are really distinctive and stand out. I would like to learn more about his compositions.

[@thestud2]

Best comic book film music of all time, wish he used it for the Justice League.

[@gkgyver]

Uh, he did

[@thestud2]

@@gkgyver a faint use of it.

[@davidsummerville351]

The flat sixth is awesome. So many ways it influences everything around it. Great video. Thanks

[@RobiticDuck]

Love listening to the Goosebumps Movie score. I play it in my car all the time.

[@DerekRNeumann]

Love this, I wonder if he had "Lets Face The music and Dance" in his head when he wrote this. It's the only thing I hear when I watch this.

[@jasonfella265]

Love seeing this analysis, as this is one of the best musical scores ever, IMO, especially that beginning track.

[@RonJohn63]

It takes genius to make something so elaborately beautiful out of just five notes.

[@RCAvhstape]

I love that theme and how they used it again in The Animated Series.

[@ravenmusic932]

I recently made a mock-up from the reprise and although the motific idea is pretty simple, the real art is the arrangement that contains a lot of details which make the piece really interesting and outstanding.

[@cook-music]

This was the best breakdown I've seen for some of Danny Elfman's music so far. Would love to see your take on songs other than the Batman theme, as that seems to be the most common on KZbin right now, and I'm sure Danny Elfman has many tricks up his sleeve. Thanks for putting this out, it was one of those moments where you pick up a couple of new progressions that you will never forget.

[@Sinisterbvnny]

Rick, I havent even watched the video yet, and I want to say thank you ahead of time. I Love Danny Elfman, and have always tried to mimic his style from film scores to Oingo Boingo! Thanks so much!

[@JAFOpty]

simple but memorable ... Shirley Walker did some amazing work inspired by this theme as well

[@alexanderdelacruz9249]

I actually prefer Danny Elfman’s to Zimmer’s Batman 🤔

[@oscarmike1131]

alexander dela cruz same here. But Shirley Walker still has the best theme in my opinion

[@WyattCayer]

I think they both are very good for their respective films, although I am a bigger fan of melodic presentation over soundscapes. I think it take a bit more gusto to write something that can stick in someones head long after the film is over like danny can.

[@RainerK.]

Hell yeah, I don't even remember Zimmer's.

[@sebastiandiaz29]

Zimmer said in his masterclass that he didn´t want to make the sound of the dark night ´s Batman as a real hero but more as something that never concludes, I like both to be honest.

[@dia_sonus]

Zimmer's theme is for Nolan's film,both have different ways of storytelling

[@Matt-Hurin]

Elfman is an absolute legend, one of my favourite voices ever

[@RisikoAO]

It's pretty well known that Bernard Hermann did a very similar thing back in 1959 for the soundtrack of "Journey to the center of the earth". But I still think Elfman's work for Batman is just perfect :)

[@YesYouAreAbsolutelyCorrect]

Danny does a very Prokofievesque type of score in my opinion.

[@6695John13]

That's true. In his Masterclass he openly admits prokofiev is his favorite composer

[@JackQAnimations]

You were able to explain Elfman's style in such a way I could understand. Very interesting stuff, I hope to see more!

[@JonKovach]

These are some of my favorite videos, I sit at my computer with my midi keyboard eagerly playing along with these composers analysis. I would love to see some Harry Gregson Williams or Alan Silvestri breakdowns.

[@VikingVertigo]

Omg, I've always loved this theme! Thank you!

[@marcelomerola_art]

Amazing! A great analysis from Elfman's Batman theme.

[@RoeyHaviv]

Very good, Elfman uses some weird science in his music (ha!) I would suggest braking down the Simpsons theme next please.

[@zeppyprimo1013]

Danny probably used Grey Matter for the weird science, some say that he was making Grey Matter while Running on a treadmill

[@nomadfc4342]

Yeah i love the tritone intro of the Simpsons

[@aaronseckman]

My 3 yr old LOVES the soundtrack from A Nightmare Before Christmas by D.E.

[@petemusgrove7422]

Wonderful. It goes to show that music doesn't always need to be complex to be interesting and have great impact! Great video, thanks Rick.

[@philippgrunert8776]

Yeah, this had to happen. One of my all time favoutite scores. Thanks Rick!

[@TrevorWesleyOfficial]

damn bro you really killed that mock up.... you really delivered those dynamics...

[@splashesin8]

This is great! It makes me think of a specific vocalist, song writer, that already incorporates something very similar, to a lifetime of amazing effect. It would be so fun and intense if she and Elfman could play around collaborating in a room together. Wish I could put a bird in both of their ears...

[@chrisxu9373]

Your courses are the most valuable and wonderful for my study!

[@Julzantoine]

So good to hear from danny elfman !

[@michaelakraka8100]

So, so informative! I learn so much from this! You are a fantastic teacher!!!

[@matthewpeterson3329]

I would love to see Rick do a follow up to Danny Elfman, using the score from Midnight Run. It's so light-hearted and bouncy. That movie was totally fun, and I can't imagine it could've had the same feel with any other score.

[@yummyjackalmeat]

Just watched it 2 days ago. I didnt remember it being so Simpsonsesque in some places.

[@DominicCaudill]

yummyjackalmeat Danny Elfman composed the Simpsons theme as well as the music for the movie if I recall correctly

[@yummyjackalmeat]

Dominic Caudill yes he did and I did know that. I was just surprised to hear those little bits in there. When I was young I was so drawn to the visual aesthetic that I would have never noticed Simpson's and Batman not just sharing the same composer but some of the same musical ideas.

[@Joesfosterdogs]

done at the same time period so makes sense in his development yes?

[@jamessalem2825]

Love your breakdown , detailed as always. Goldsmith’s Basic Instinct is an underrated but sophisticated score.

[@alandalaku719]

From what I saw from a TV interview, Danny Elfman is a SELF-taught musician.

[@GwcMuso]

Oh man, Rick always delivers. Top guy!

[@pringelsthegamefreak]

That Bm7(b6) chord sounds awesome and mysterious.

[@charlesbakerharris3625]

Thanks a ton man. Started at this video for a music assignment, now watching music theory for leisure on your channel which is very weird for me.

[@tepidtooth8539]

Me: Just casually browsing KZbin *Sees Rick Beato video on Danny Elfman* *Tries not to have minor stroke*

[@uncledrew7633]

Analyze Spider-man still by far the most memorable theme throughout all the different scores in the past!

[@einsteinwasgod]

Themes of the first two spider-man movies are just awesome. And it would be more awesome to see you analyze spider-man's music.

[@davidallenhammond2777]

Thank you so much Rick. I've loved his work for quite some time.

[@dimitrisnikoloulis4071]

Batman's theme is the most iconic one march ! Badass and darkly epic!

[@louielouie372]

Great use of color and lighting.Don't mind if I copy at all.Just learned a lot thanks.

[@idontgivea1769]

Elfman has an incredible musical mind. Even The Simpsons theme is a masterpiece.

[@NormanTiner]

I always forget that was him too. Elfman has something so special.

[@IGstBNgrPPutra]

you got new subscriber please do more of danny elfman music, maybe beetlejuice, this is halloween, or tears to shed thank you, thank you, thank you soo muchhh

[@benjaminsim5233]

The theme is exactly the same as the opening motif in Hindemith’s Mathis der Maler. Even down to the organum present in the sustained pedal tone. The whole atmosphere Elfman was trying to evoke in the opening bars is a direct imitation of what hindemith did in Mathis der Maler. The theme does bear some sort of relation to the Simpsons theme but I would say it is more than likely that Elfman would have taken inspiration from Hindemith when composing this.

[@lucasaliscomposer]

Steve Bartek deals with orchestration in the sense that he corrects the scores for the orchestra. All the instruments and colors we hear in the compositions are the work of Elfman. Let's be careful not to confuse things. Elfman orchestrates alone already 99% of his compositions

[@artemisarrow9545]

such an awesome breakdown, thank you!! I would love more Elfman analysis by you, I love your style. thanks!

[@matthewjamestaylor]

This is a great video, both content and length. I would love it if you made more videos like this one. Cheers.

[@jclefbouncyrock]

Awesome - thanks, Rick!

[@rileykaiseeker4294]

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice! I love danny's Beetlejuice theme with it's alternating time signature and his obsession with the diminished 4th interval....Or 'The Simpsons' theme, which is also based around the diminished 4th interval. In fact, this batman theme starts on one note (B) and resolves on it's diminished 4th. (F) He just can't help himself.

[@aripent]

RileyKaiSeeker you mean augmented 4th

[@rileykaiseeker4294]

+Ari Pentelovitch No!! I meant diminished 5th ;) (But i'm not going to edit my comment to correct my glaring brain fart, because that would be cheating!)

[@HampusLiedman]

In Simpsons it's an augumented 4 at least. Not sure about the others on the top of my head.

[@charlesgaskell5899]

E# rather than F, surely

[@longtrang5706]

Dude I was waiting for this I love Danny’s stuff and avenged sevenfold has claimed inspiration from him.

[@kevinmelton3515]

So good! Thank you for sharing some of your knowledge!

[@NIKITKOKIS]

Oh! Do Spider-Man Theme!

[@pringelsthegamefreak]

Keith agreed

[@WyattCayer]

It's 10 times better IMO and the amount of different memorable melodies and techniques he used are just sublime!!! and never cease to give me goosebumps and chills.

[@DJSlaughter]

Please do the theme from the original Spider-Man trilogy and the 2003 Hulk movie

[@SecondLifeAround]

My favorite work by Danny Elfman was on Tim Burton's "Pee-wee's Big Adventure"....no joke, that soundtrack is a masterpiece.

[@t3rm116]

Awesome Content Rick, I am a fan. Thanks for helping brush up on my theory chops.

[@Karmablock]

Wow, wish this video would show in my subscriptions.

[@progmind4274]

My daughter: "Hey, dad, what is music!?" "Ooooh, my little darlin'... Music is.... Music is.... Rick Beato!" :-P Love You from Italy.

[@ecwrvd420]

Weird I was debating this morning if I preferred this or the hanz zimmer theme more. This one wins slightly, quintessential batman theme could work in either movies.

[@eduardopadrino2117]

You should make a video on Johnny Greenwood's score for Phantom Thread. It was awesome.

[@damiangreen6645]

Especially now when he's nominated for Oscars

[@Joesfosterdogs]

great thing about comments...now i know about Johnny thanks!

[@jamesfarmer6953]

I’d love to see another awesome video like this but on the Danny Elfman Spider-Man soundtrack! Hope I can see it soon!

[@TomHawkComposer]

This lesson is incredible! Wow. I still have a lot to learn about orchestration but this really excites me :)

[@kassemir]

Love his music. Probably my fave scores of his would be: Beetlejuice, Pee-Wee Big Adventure and Edward Scissorhands.

[@Robbannno]

Aah at first I thought I read Music of Danny Gatton! Please Rick do a video about the legend!!

[@alicethedestroyer1287]

Rick… Bernard Herrmann’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth”… particularly the cue titled “Sunrise”. Might be worth hearing the model first.

[@Melly20Feb]

Batman Theme - "there may be trouble ahead"? But, "lets face the music" - and dance?

[@TheBigwheels11]

Would love to see you break down some Oingo Boingo music. Love Oingo Boingo. Dead Mans Party, Private Life...Grey Matter ect....

[@kreepeetz]

Awesome video! Btw I think that "Nightmare before xmas" has a lot of content to discuss too :D

[@loganwilbur5131]

Surprised no one else is has mentioned Nightmare before Xmas. With all its key changes and modes and time signatures, it's a gold mine for theory

[@tarkineWild]

Interesting discussion on simple melodic themes Rick, could you at some point do a similar discussion on Thomas Newman music

[@goonyougoodthing]

He already has

[@sammerciers]

Rick. Good stuff as always. I’m surprised that you didn’t mention the very very strong resemblance between the opening of this score and the opening of Mathis der Maler by Hindemith. Give it a listen.

[@damion2226]

I love these tutorials on Film Scoring Rick. Really helpful. Thanks

[@JStrange13]

Love the Batman theme! Using so few notes reminds me strongly of John Williams, especially his Krypton theme from the first Superman movie. Methinks the similarity is not incidental.

[@Bobrano]

The beginning of the Rush song "Cinderella Man" uses those same 5 notes, in the same order with a second D at the end; B-C#-D-G-F#-D

[@TheDylandProductions]

Think you'll ever cover Elliot Goldenthal? Specifically his take on the Batman theme music? While Elfman's builds a majestically mysterious theme out of only 6 notes, Goldenthal's approach is much more complex and cerebral - harkening back to the 60's vibe, whilst still keeping a dark atmosphere. :)

[@TheDoug625]

Loved this. How about "Journey to the Line" by Hans Zimmer

[@elchabonification]

Love this movies themes analysis ! More pleaseeee PD: Also more John Williams analysis please 😀

[@tdubveedub]

'How to do More With Less'; a theme throughout art, music, etc.

[@SubCultureMEDIAHilbert]

Awesome!

[@Chez_LEX]

Thx Shirley Walker & Steve Bartek ! ^^

[@DarshanSenTheComposer]

Rick Beato Thanks for doing this tutorial! Danny's batman score will always remain in our hearts. Chord distances and natures give us a mood to a character. But a tune is the actual character in the music. How do we come up with a tune closely related to a character?

[@carlosguerraarts6985]

Rick is the best