One characteristic is the use of themes. These are recurring musical ideas that can represent a character or an important element in the story. Another is the variation in dynamics. For example, soft music might be used when the story is in a calm or secretive part, while loud music can signal danger or a big event.
Yes. Richard Wagner's operas are also good examples. For instance, in 'The Ring Cycle', the music continuously unfolds the complex mythological stories. The music is so elaborate that it can bring the story to life, with leitmotifs representing different elements like characters, places, and ideas, guiding the listener through the narrative.
First, it often has a clear narrative arc. Just like in a book or a movie, there's a beginning, middle and end. For example, in 'Peter and the Wolf', it starts by introducing the characters, then there's a conflict when the wolf appears, and finally a resolution. Second, it uses musical elements to represent different elements in the story. Instruments can be used to represent characters, like the trumpet for a hero. Third, the tempo can change according to the mood of the story. A fast tempo might represent a chase or excitement, while a slow tempo could be for a sad or reflective moment.
One such piece is 'Scheherazade' by Rimsky - Korsakov. It's based on the tales from 'One Thousand and One Nights'. The music is like a journey through the stories, with a beautiful violin solo representing Scheherazade herself. The different themes and melodies in the piece bring to life the various characters and events from the stories.
Adding continuous music to a story isn't too hard. You could find royalty-free music online that fits, and then use software like Adobe Premiere Pro or iMovie to import and set it to play throughout. Just be careful with the licensing and make sure it enhances rather than distracts from the story.
Narrative music is also a term used for music that tells a story. This kind of music often has elements that can convey a plot, characters, or a series of events. For example, in some symphonic works, the composer might use different musical themes to represent different characters or situations in the story. Through changes in tempo, dynamics, and melody, the music unfolds the story much like a narrator would in a spoken tale.
Such music is often called 'narrative music' or 'program music'. It's designed to convey a specific story or theme through the combination of sounds and melodies.