Building on last week’s work, I focused on refining the emotional transition in the second part, especially the part before crashing into the castle. I also began composing for the third part, the nighttime scene, to create an atmosphere that reflects its subtle tension.
Improving the Second Part
In the second part, the suddenness of crash called for more depth in sound. To bring this out, I added a layer of tremolo in the strings over the piano arpeggios. This combination helped emphasize the shock and tension, with the tremolo adding to the piano’s crescendo, making the transition feel more intense and layered.
Creating the Third Part
The third part is a quiet nighttime scene, but the atmosphere is still unsettling, as the characters are resting in a space that isn’t entirely safe, hinted at by Howl’s return with injuries. I used bells as the main melody, interspersed in dissonant notes to suggest hidden danger. I also added soft string harmonics to contrast with the bells, building an undertone of tension beneath the peaceful surface. A key challenge here was balancing the dissonant notes in the bells. I wanted them to create an uneasy feeling without disrupting the overall harmony.
Reflection
This session deepened my understanding of emotional progression in scoring. The blend of piano and strings highlighted how different textures impact emotional expression, and using bells with controlled dissonance added layers to the mood. Although the piece still needs polishing, I’ve solidified the structure and direction and will continue refining the details in the next steps.
Leave a Reply