Music and the Media

Music has always been a vital part of what we watch on television. It can be used in adverts, to help sell a product. It can be used in TV programmes and films either to set the scene for a programme or to influence our feelings as we watch.

Theme music identifies a programme; the music belongs only to that programme and when we hear it we know our favourite programme is about to start.

For example-

Music and the Media

Here are some ways in which music can be used on television.  As an ADVERT jingle Theme music for a film or TV programme Background music, setting the scene for the action

     Now complete the worksheet.

Music and the Media

WHY USE MUSIC IN ADVERTS?   One reason is that the music entertains the viewer and makes the advert enjoyable to

watch.More importantly, it identifies the product being advertised; when we hear the music, we

remember the product.

Just like theme music, it is important to have the right sort of music for the advert. Music used to sell washing powder will be different from music used to sell a box of chocolates. The music creates the right mood for the advert.

 JINGLES Advertisers show the same advert night after night. In this way, they hope the advert will stick in your mind and make you more likely to buy that product.   Music added to the advert drives the message home and helps us to remember the

advert and product.

Look at the following examples of the most successful TV adverts.Look at the following examples of the most successful TV adverts.

Music and the Media – Guess the Theme Tune

Listen to the following theme tunes and identify the TV programme or advert each one belongs to. Answer on your worksheet.

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Music and the Media – Guess the Theme TuneANSWERS

1. Ford Focus2. Desperate Housewives3. Grease4. Honda Civic5. Cadbury’s – the monkey one!6. Indiana Jones7. Deal or No Deal8. Star Wars9. The Simpsons10. Blue Peter11. Harry Potter12. Diet Coke13. The Apprentice14. A Question of Sport15. Grandstand16. The 10 O'clock News

Music and the Media – FILM MUSIC

Very often when we watch a film the main title theme can be the most memorable part of the

experience. Many of the most famous films in recent years have had a title theme that is just

as famous as the film itself. Here are a few. Robin Hood,Prince of Thieves Everything I Do Bryan Adams The Bodyguard I Will Always Love You WhitneyHouston Titanic My Heart Will Go On Celine Dion 

In your worksheet, write down as many famous film themes as you can remember.

Music and the Media – FILM MUSIC

As you know, composers write music for the entire film and they have to make sure that what

they write is appropriate to what is happening on the screen.Composers use music very effectively to influence how we feel at particular points in the

drama.These are just a few examples.