TLJ 17: Yoda’s Neapolitan Chord (Minutes 81-85 with Alex Robinson)

Star Wars Music Minute

Yoda comes bearing delicious Neapolitan and Lydian gifts! Joining me today is Star Wars Minute host Alex Robinson. We explore the harmony in this infamous scene, compare it to themes from other franchises, talk about digital technology's impact on film scoring, and discuss the artistic process.

Discussion topics/Highlights:

• The Force theme with a Neapolitan chord replacing the Major IV chord.
• Neapolitan chord may also be called IIb, flat two, flat II, Neapolitan 6th
• Neapolitan chords in Yoda's theme, Indiana Jones theme, Superman theme
• Marvel vs. Star Wars film scores
• trash compactor music from A New Hope
• Music as a manipulative narrative device
• The effects of digital technology on filmmaking, including film scoring
• Author's intent vs. audience interpretation
• The Imperial March within Young Anakin's theme
• The difficulty in defining artistic inspiration/process
• Puppets, Muppets, Miss Piggy, Dark Crystal
• Shoutouts to Pete the Retailer, Tony Thaxton, and the past week on Star Wars Minute

Themes Referenced (in order of appearance): Rey's theme, Force theme, Yoda's theme

Where we are in the soundtrack: 13. The Sacred Jedi Texts

Links Mentioned:

• YouTube playlist of Star Wars Minute's corresponding episodes talking about the same minutes: Last Jedi Minutes 81-85: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE4n8ygyS0MKwlklsCBX18zZRJDlvDa6R
• Star Wars Minute Rogue One Minute 101: Three Mountains: https://www.starwarsminute.com/2020/04/06/rogue-one-minute-101-three-mountains
• Trouble in the Trash Compactor with Unused Score: https://youtu.be/gtRD2Vfsigg
• I couldn't find a supercut of all the Luke/Ben flashbacks as they appear in the movie, but here's one with different music: https://youtu.be/LqPEPPytDzI (If anyone finds one with John Williams' music included, please send it my way!)

Alex Robinson:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ARobTwit
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arobtwit/
• Website: https://alexrobinson.fun
• Star Wars Minute: https://www.starwarsminute.com/
• Godfather Minute: https://godfatherminute.tumblr.com/
• Alphabeatical: https://www.alphabeatical.com/

Connect with Star Wars Music Minute:

• Watch us on YouTube: youtube.com/starwarsmusicminute
• Twitter: @StarWarsMusMin and @chrysanthetan
• Instagram: @starwarsmusicminute and @chrysanthetan
• Email [e-mail]

Want more? Check out Chrysanthe's Patreon for weekly practice/composing/music analysis livestreams.