Would a saxophone work in this kind of context or no?

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ironpony
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06 Sep 2020, 3:05 am

I am scoring a film project which is a crime thriller, where a character is seeking revenge for being raped. One instrument like the sound of is the tenor sax, but since it's been used for 70s porn and erotica, will it be a huge mistake to use an instrument that can be associated with that, for a project dealing with rape?

It's a strange question to ask but it's in my head as to whether or not I should use it for trhat reason. But I do nevertheless, like the sound of it a lot, so it's a tough call. What do you think?



naturalplastic
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06 Sep 2020, 6:57 am

You go by what serves the story. Not by whether or not you're a fan of the sound.

If you were scoring a movie set in ancient Egypt, say, you wouldnt fill the soundtrack with Elvis vocals just because you're an Elvis fan. Elvis would be a nonsequitar to the movie.



Last edited by naturalplastic on 06 Sep 2020, 7:41 am, edited 2 times in total.

auntblabby
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06 Sep 2020, 7:28 am

ironpony wrote:
I am scoring a film project which is a crime thriller, where a character is seeking revenge for being raped. One instrument like the sound of is the tenor sax, but since it's been used for 70s porn and erotica, will it be a huge mistake to use an instrument that can be associated with that, for a project dealing with rape?

It's a strange question to ask but it's in my head as to whether or not I should use it for trhat reason. But I do nevertheless, like the sound of it a lot, so it's a tough call. What do you think?

why not use strident violins and violas instead? you know, like in "Psycho"?



ironpony
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06 Sep 2020, 1:14 pm

Yeah for sure, I would definitely use those in some sections, such as the more suspenseful parts, where I want a real strident sound.

But when it comes to the more mellow parts, I am wondering if I should use a sax or not. I was going for something like this, and was inspired by how the sax is played here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcQlCxY ... 4E6B5f8lTg

It sounds dark, and thought it might fit since this is a dark story. But since the sax has been associated with erotica in movies, would it be a mistake to use it for a story involving a rape crime, even if it's used in a dark context like in this type of music example?



auntblabby
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07 Sep 2020, 12:36 am

judgment call. i'd use a trumpet or cornet.



ironpony
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07 Sep 2020, 12:39 am

Oh okay, why would you say the sax is the incorrect choice?



auntblabby
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07 Sep 2020, 12:57 am

not incorrect, just not 100% the best, that is why i said "judgment call."



ironpony
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07 Sep 2020, 1:12 am

Oh okay, but why not 100 percent the best in your opinion?



auntblabby
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07 Sep 2020, 1:31 am

ironpony wrote:
Oh okay, but why not 100 percent the best in your opinion?

where there are darker emotions, you want something that subjectively seems more "soulful" for want of a better term. something darker-sounding without associations with other things to dilute the impact. a cornet would be a good substitute.



vermontsavant
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07 Sep 2020, 6:40 am

I hope this doesn't sound rude in anyway if anything it's sort of a compliment.

Let me get this straight,your that good of a composer that you have been commissioned for a film score.

You are then asking advice on a non music composition specific website on instrumentation.

I would go to a music composition website or composer subreddit at the very least.

I would email the person you studied composition with an ask them.

If you were commissioned for a film score you would have to have studied at a conservatory.Otherwise no film maker would give you the time of day.
I would call your old professor and talk with him.

No one on WP would know orchestration better than you.If you have doubts,email a professional.

I write music myself but I won't give you advice because I don't do film scores so I'm not qualified for this question.


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auntblabby
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07 Sep 2020, 6:54 am

i suggest watching the type of movie you wish to score, to see what they did.



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07 Sep 2020, 6:57 am

vermontsavant wrote:
I hope this doesn't sound rude in anyway if anything it's sort of a compliment.

Let me get this straight,your that good of a composer that you have been commissioned for a film score.

You are then asking advice on a non music composition specific website on instrumentation.

I would go to a music composition website or composer subreddit at the very least.

I would email the person you studied composition with an ask them.

If you were commissioned for a film score you would have to have studied at a conservatory.Otherwise no film maker would give you the time of day.
I would call your old professor and talk with him.

No one on WP would know orchestration better than you.If you have doubts,email a professional.

I write music myself but I won't give you advice because I don't do film scores so I'm not qualified for this question.

I think the op is asking not for music advice but for 'avoiding a social mistake' advice.

I think a sax is fine; they are associated with many things not just old porn and have been used in many films. However auntblabby's point is interesting something darker and more soulful might be even better. Nothing wrong with the sax though.



fluffysaurus
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07 Sep 2020, 6:59 am

I love a cello; and they can make very jarring notes if you have anything jarring in the film as well as being very sensitive.



fluffysaurus
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Wolfram87
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07 Sep 2020, 7:11 am

I think it could be made to work. Think of "Requiem for a Dream"; they intentially picked the violins because they're traditionally the go to instrument for soft and soothing, but made the soundtrack itself discordant and disturbing to create a contrasting juxtaposition.


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fluffysaurus
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