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

[@Kurt1969]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@midge2112]

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

[@jamestagliareni9417]

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

[@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".

[@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!

[@LakesideEcho]

Rick! Great vids as always.

[@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.

[@robertservice4932]

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

[@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

[@trustno_one]

Beautiful movie, such a cool tone, great soundtrack by Elfman but also Prince

[@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.

[@TrevorWesleyOfficial]

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

[@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.

[@davidsummerville351]

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

[@ShaunaMarieSings]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@jasonfella265]

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

[@rohitravi2989]

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

[@dollofshadows1703]

I think Rick needs to interview Danny Elfman next!!

[@mosstet]

YES!

[@Edmundostudios]

The Fable music is fantastic always sets the mood.

[@SkillipEvolver]

Edmundo studios and its making a return apparently !?

[@Edmundostudios]

SkillipEvolver rumour has it.

[@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.

[@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.

[@michaelakraka8100]

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

[@marcelomerola_art]

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

[@JackQAnimations]

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

[@VikingVertigo]

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

[@davidallenhammond2777]

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

[@chrisxu9373]

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

[@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.

[@matthewjamestaylor]

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

[@artemisarrow9545]

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

[@philippgrunert8776]

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

[@t3rm116]

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

[@jamessalem2825]

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

[@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.

[@Julzantoine]

So good to hear from danny elfman !

[@GwcMuso]

Oh man, Rick always delivers. Top guy!

[@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.

[@kevinmelton3515]

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

[@JAFOpty]

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

[@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.

[@RobiticDuck]

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

[@progmind4274]

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

[@RonJohn63]

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

[@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

[@louielouie372]

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

[@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...

[@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 :)

[@RCAvhstape]

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

[@TomHawkComposer]

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

[@Matt-Hurin]

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

[@jclefbouncyrock]

Awesome - thanks, Rick!

[@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.

[@alandalaku719]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@alicethedestroyer1287]

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

[@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

[@pringelsthegamefreak]

That Bm7(b6) chord sounds awesome and mysterious.

[@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

[@doggbloodz9640]

Really nice @Rick Beato ! much appreciated. Could you maybe also do a video where you show how to orchestrate this score?, like you did in the video "Techniques of Orchestration Part 1 | How To Orchestrate a Chord" where you orchestrated the opening b-flat major chord of John Williams Star Wars score. Cheers.

[@dimitrisnikoloulis4071]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@TheDoug625]

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

[@TheBigwheels11]

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

[@abbasalikhan]

ahhh finally. thanks rick

[@aaronseckman]

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

[@ljdobles8104]

Excelente video. Uno de mis temas favoritos de Batman, mejor que el de Zimmer.

[@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

[@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.

[@uncledrew7633]

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

[@Karmablock]

Wow, wish this video would show in my subscriptions.

[@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

[@damion2226]

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

[@tepidtooth8539]

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

[@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.

[@stevenvanrensburg2938]

thank you very interesting, would you be able to analyze Alan Silvestre's work please?

[@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

[@Robbannno]

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

[@noahk.3696]

Nice !!! 😄 video about the music of TROY would be cool

[@DJSlaughter]

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

[@carlosguerraarts6985]

Rick is the best

[@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?

[@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.

[@SecondLifeAround]

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

[@tacos1337]

Thanks for yet another great video Rick! It's fantastic to see how simple melodic material can hold together such complex harmony and turn it into a memorable tune. I'd love to see more of Danny Elfman's music on your channel for sure ! (The alice theme maybe, or the spiderman theme)?

[@SubCultureMEDIAHilbert]

Awesome!

[@Chez_LEX]

Thx Shirley Walker & Steve Bartek ! ^^

[@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?

[@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

[@dennismenezes9423]

Cool Rickão da massa!

[@victorhugotoledocofre1366]

Do Goldsmith's "Ave Satani"

[@joeb714]

Great video