I've been looking for pointers, tutorials, books and/or papers on how to make musical themes. More specifically what makes or defines that theme. I'm interested in both character themes (Peter and the Wolf, Darth Vader) and 'genre' themes : Adventure, Comic Book Hero etc. To my untrained ears the music for Star Wars, Superman and Raiders of the Lost Ark all seem to contain a familiar tune that could be termed 'dramatic' but there must some common format (chord changes, instruments used etc) which makes it that way. I apologise for any vagueness in the query and admit to having no musical training or experience. I *AM* looking for shortcuts rather than having to study music. However, I'm looking to create some short songs that match a hobbyist computer game I am writing and would really like to have a go myself.

I don't believe any of those themes have any sort of musical prose that are completely similar (as this *might* be -i'm not sure- copyright infringment). But what they do have in common is something that all good compositions have in common. They pull/play with your emotions. Great musicians and composers alike know that music is a form of emotional expression and sorry, but there's no shortcut for that.
I believe that Williams (E.T. Indiana Jones Star Wars etc..) and Zimmer (Pirates of the Caribbean Mission Impossible etc..) both understand this and compose their theme around the emotion of the movie. It can't be any different for games. Final Fantasy X - the theme feels awkward and sad (awkward may not be the best word here). But once you beat the game you understand it. Once you've spent yourself and grown attached to characters and allowed yourself to feel the story, you understand the theme.
So, music - and themes especially cannot be cheated. They should never be just thrown together.

EDIT - there are some 'normals' though. A sad theme may retain a more minor key. A happy one more 'up-beat' and major key-ed. But still yet - you've got to feel it.

-Xyphyx

I might not really have explained very well.
However, I have found this
Tutorial: Tips on choosing the right music for your video
which gives the sort of pointers I am after for theme tunes (e.g. Intro screens).
<edit> I am guessing similar pointers can be used for Character themes so any pointers would be appreciated.
<edit2> ... and this Music moves in a mathematical way has some more.

I apologize - I may have come off sounding a bit harsh. I did not intend to imply that it wasn't possible for someone without musical prowess to compose for a hobbyist game. That being said:
What type of game is it? Tetris doesn't have a main theme really - so games of that nature don't really apply to what I'm going to write. But for games that have characters and for games whos said characters have emotions there are some things to consider.
I still whole-heartedly believe that before you begin writting, ensure that you have a good understanding for the emotion behind the game. Music, especially themes, aren't just thrown in (as I'm sure you're aware). They are part of the entire package. And as such, each composition needs to be aware of and supporting of the game.
The theme, IMO should not be some song for the opening credits or the main menu. It should be able to describe the general emotional state of the entire game. I applaud your entrance into the music world and offer this bit of advice:
Find the meaning of the game. Find where the game affects you. Open yourself up to your Casio black and whites and allow your emotions to represent themselves.
But do yourself -and the game- a favor and don't try to apply any sort of generalized shortcuts. If this is what you want to do, then go for it.


-Xyphyx

Ps - IMO Don't be too 'loopy'. A great loop is nice and efficient but don't overuse loops to the point of monotony. That's the point where I (A) turn off the game -or-(B)turn the music volume way off -or-(C) use custom soundtracks on my 360

Thanks Xyphyx.
The game itself is a simple 'Match the letters' game for my 4yo son.
However, the story behind it is of 'Alien Robots' travelling the galaxy looking for a champion who can defeat the evil 'Overlord' by beating him in the 'Match the letters' game.
The opening credits are of the spaceship flying to earth with 'beepy/robotic' music followed by slash of bold yellow comic-hero font announcing the game as 'The Challenge of the Alphabots' with a voiceover reminiscent of 50's Saturday Morning movies (think Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon). This is followed by dramatic (Star Wars/Superman/Raiders) type music.
The robot asking for your help is the comic effect (think C3PO) and needs an appropriate theme tune (Laurel and Hardy-ish). The Trainer needs a military theme and the Evil Overlord a Darth Vader-ish theme.
There's also going to be tense/rhythmic game music as it is against the clock
plus an upbeat Victory tune and sympathetic 'Try Again' tune.
I believe, given enough time, I can get *something* which matches this by listening to existing music but any pointers to shorten the process is appreciated.
BTW : Part of the fun is to do the music myself with any suggestions that can be made.

Just my 2 cents:

A good thing to consider when trying to come up with a theme for a character is the instrument or combination of instruments that will technically be the voice of that character in the musical realm. From something as common as a bassoon, to getting more creative and working sound design in with something conventional. Depends on the emotion you're trying to invoke. The instrument/sound you use has a lot to do with it though.

Just my 2 cents, again. :-)

Quote: Original post by Xyphyx
I don't believe any of those themes have any sort of musical prose that are completely similar (as this *might* be -i'm not sure- copyright infringment)

Even when all three pieces have the same composer? They do have a lot in common, especially Star Wars and Superman. It's an interesting challenge to hum the Star Wars theme and then try to hum the Superman theme. They are both in major keys, they both quickly return to the tonic several times (Mozart does this too), they repeat a sub-theme twice, they use similar orchestration...

You can try to extract the common patterns in chord progressions, rhythms, melodies, orchestrations, chord voicings, etc. but it would take you a few decades to go over any significant body of music, and you would only get something useful out of it if you are extremely talented. There is a short cut...: study music! A lot of very talented people have dealt with these issues before and they have created a lot of useful theory so you don't have to reinvent the wheel. Take advantage of them. Then you will be much more effective in analyzing existing music and in incorporating what you learn into your own.

I understand this is too much trouble if all you want is music for a single amateur game, but I don't know of any other way. Maybe you'll find someone to help you?

vaders theme is a military march. marches come from snares pounding out constant beats to the rhythm of walking. the military uses the snare to keep the soldiers steps strictly in time. remember to the percussion simple and easy to follow or predict. its supposed keep things uniform. just thought id share that with you. also, john williams is my favorite composer, my close second is danny elfman... think batman. very memorable.

Quote: Original post by tonyg
I've been looking for pointers, tutorials, books and/or papers on how to make musical themes. More specifically what makes or defines that theme.
I'm interested in both character themes (Peter and the Wolf, Darth Vader) and 'genre' themes : Adventure, Comic Book Hero etc.
To my untrained ears the music for Star Wars, Superman and Raiders of the Lost Ark all seem to contain a familiar tune that could be termed 'dramatic' but there must some common format (chord changes, instruments used etc) which makes it that way.
I apologise for any vagueness in the query and admit to having no musical training or experience. I *AM* looking for shortcuts rather than having to study music. However, I'm looking to create some short songs that match a hobbyist computer game I am writing and would really like to have a go myself.

A lot of the memorable themes you mentioned, like Star Wars, for example, are memorable because of their use of leitmotifs, a concept popularized by Richard Wagner. The Star Wars music has those certain repeated phrases that seem to appear in some form (be it in a different key or a different tempo or whatever) in just about every song in the movies. Just give it a listen and you'll hear what I'm talking about.

Another example of this that I'd point to is Pirates of the Caribbean. Everything is sort of developed around that main theme which keeps reappearing. That is why you remember it. Therefore, I don't really think there is necessarily anything distinctly memorable about those themes, aside from the fact that they are used all over and easily remembered due to the repetition.

In general, stick to major chords for something really heroic, use minor chords for sadness, and think about the characters of the instruments you are using, as some may imply majesty while others may sound more comic.

i think the way star wars music was written has everything to do with its popularity. thats why it is used so much. because everyone knows the music from star wars. in fact, i think spielburg owes much of his success to john williams.