Music for film noir has a number of distinctive characteristics. The following are all typical elements of a film noir score EXCEPT:

Question

Music for film noir has a number of distinctive characteristics.  The following are all typical elements of a film noir score EXCEPT:

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

When evaluating music for film noir, several characteristic features come to mind, and each option should be weighed against those norms.
Option 1: 'harsh dissonant harmonies' — This aligns well with film noir scoring, which frequently employs tense, dissonant harmony to evoke unease and moral ambiguity. The use of dissonance is a hallmark of the style, so this option would be considered typical rather than atypical.
Option 2: 'Lyrical, conjunct melodies' — Lyrical melodies that move by step (conjunct) tend to sound smooth and singable, which contrasts with the often angular, jagged, or atonal lines common in noir scores. This makes the statement atypical for film noir, serving as the correct choice for the EXCEPT scenario.
Option 3: 'orchestration for small ensembles' — Noir scores frequently rely on intimate textures, with small ensembles like a chamber-sized group or a sparse brass plus strings setup to create claustrophobic or intimate moods. This is a typical feature rather than an exception.
Option 4: 'one prevailing mood, generally dark and pessimistic' — A unifying, grim mood is a staple in film noir scoring, where music tends to reinforce themes of noir pessimism and danger. This is also typical rather than exceptional.
In summary, each option is assessed against common film noir practices: the first and third and fourth options describe standard noir traits, while the second option describes a more melodic, smooth approach that is not characteristic of the genre’s typical score cues. Therefore, the statement about 'Lyrical, conjunct melodies' stands out as the exception.

Film Music SP 25 Chapter 13 Quiz

Music for film noir has a number of distinctive characteristics. The following are all typical elements of a film noir score EXCEPT:

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