One of the many reasons I write with music in the background is to help me feel outside of myself. To clarify: if there’s a feeling I’m going for in a scene, it helps to sense that feeling elsewhere than in my brain. If I hear music that reflects the feeling, I am better able to relate the feeling with language. This goes for music that lifts up as well as music that drags down.
Today, I want to focus on the “lift up” part. Mychael Danna, the unshakeable rock of my movie score library, both drags and lifts with Little Miss Sunshine. The story itself—a dysfunctional family coming together to help the young girl reach a beauty pageant—calls for such pendulum swings in mood. The genius here is that the music seems to symbolize the dysfunction: one hears some strings, but not many, drums, a squeezebox, a tuba and trumpet. Some other little percussion odds and ends, like a xylophone. These are not the instruments one hears together often, save for, hmm, a polka party? But then strings are not usually involved… ANYWAY. You have an eclectic batch of instruments with their own very unique sounds, but together, they not only create harmony, but a genuine song.
And what a song. “We’re Gonna Make It” builds as more instruments join, and while the sounds are so very different, the melodies played by each instrument are very much the same. Add to this the percussion, which builds up the rhythms with a little help from the tuba, and you’ve got a song that runs through the dirt, leaps into the air, and soars.
Help your characters see that, though odd ducks they may be, they are better as a unit than apart. Give them the hope and determination they need to rise over the conflict. Danna’s got just the wings for the flight.
Jean Lee's World 
I love music, but when I write, it’s too much of a distraction, even if it’s playing softly in the background.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Understood. I’ve learned that music is not everyone’s cup of tea where writing is concerned. In my case, music provides me focus. Without it, my ears strain to listen for the children, even when they sleep, and THAT is a real distraction. Thank you for reading!
LikeLike
Music helps me too. I can listen to the same piece of music many times. It is like digging deeper and deeper. If I am lucky I find a missing thought 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
You read my mind! (and my piece–thanks for that!) But yes…I love listening to a piece on repeat because otherwise, how can one fully appreciate the balance in sound and melodies? Let alone the precision on the various instruments’ entrances and exits. So glad you enjoyed it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
To be honest, I haven’t seen the movie, but the music is so good! I love the way you write about music – with expertise, but the same time with admiration and affection.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you kindly! I didn’t see the movie, either, but I feel like I already get a unique story through Danna’s score. It’s a fun, passionate listen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It truly is. Thank you for this post! I listened a few more pieces in Youtube and it made my day 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad I could make your day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reminds me of Yann Tiersen and Ennio Morricone. But then accordions and trumpets often do.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Quite true. I think it’s high time I put some Morricone on here….
LikeLike