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Trauma Main Title Theme

Posted by Bear McCreary on October 4th, 2009

Tonight’s second episode of Trauma will actually be the first one to feature my original “Trauma Main Title Theme.”

As far as I know, this is the only new series this fall with a theme song in 7/4.  Come to think of it, this TV show theme is the only one in 7/4 I can think of!  Is there one I’m forgetting about?  Mission: Impossible is the most famous example of a TV theme in 5/4, but surely there have to be some others in 7 out there, right?  Help me out here…

Speaking of wacky meters, the first scene has a great action cue in 5/4, and the big set piece of this episode is scored to another cool 7/4 groove, built from the chopped helicopter samples and rhythm section.  However, the weirdest meter so far was probably the groove in 13 I used for the big action cues in the pilot.

This episode is a really good one, and I think next week’s is even better.  I hope you guys tune in, and especially that you enjoy the Main Title!

No “Trauma” Sign Off Yet,
-Bear

Posted by Bear McCreary on Sunday, October 4th, 2009 at 10:51 pm.

62 Responses to This Blog Entry:

PS: Mal_27 reminded me to remind you guys about a new online petition to get a T:TSCC soundtrack second volume released. Not sure if the higher ups ever look at things like this, but it can’t hurt! Here it is!

Left by Bear McCreary on October 4th, 2009

Oh my goodness, can you post a 30 second sample clip or something so I can listen to the theme? :)

Left by Noah on October 4th, 2009

Oh you slave driver! The only time I ever ran into 7/4 was a John Rutter choir piece. I was in the choir at first but switched to 2nd clarinet when they were short of people for the orchestra. The 1st clarinet was from the local symphony, so I gladly took 2nd chair. She reached over and whispered “Have you ever seen 7/4?”

Uhoh, time to show that clarinet ain’t exactly my major instrument. I decided to tell the truth and said no. She looked relieved and said neither had she.

But our relief turned to horror as the entire orchestra began to notice – he was directing in 4/4.

I never noticed it in the choir because.. well, we just watched him for the gait anyway.

Hilarity almost ensued, but it still turned out great. :-)

And there Bear is, putting funky time signatures all over tonight’s score. I swear I’d stomach 7/8 over 7/4. :-)

Left by plainsong on October 4th, 2009

Isn’t Pink Floyd’s “Money” written in 7/4? Maybe it was used as a theme for something somewhere in the world!

BTW, each time I see several SFFD ambulances in a row zoom by (aside from this past weekend’s Love festival, chockful of OD’d club kids), I keep thinking Trauma is shooting scenes nearby.

aaand as a very random aside, I’m taking the first of several exams to qualify for the SFFD this week. Please send some luck my way?

Left by Olivia Spencer on October 5th, 2009

Hi Bear,

I’m a big fan of you music (of course), I would love to hear the new theme. Do you know if the show is being streamed anywhere?

Left by brad yarhouse on October 5th, 2009

“Come to think of it, this TV show theme is the only one in 7/4 I can think of! Is there one I’m forgetting about?”

I’ve got a vague feeling that there is, but if so, I’m forgetting what it is as well.

The only thing I can come up with readily is Todd Rundgren’s arrangement of “Cool Jerk,” (from “A Wizard, A True Star”) which is either in 7/4 or in alternating measures of 4/4 and 3/4.

- M. \”/

Left by Meowlin on October 5th, 2009

Scratch that – alternating measures of 8/8 and 7/8.

- \”/

Left by Meowlin on October 5th, 2009

I don’t know what 7/4 means, but I look forward to finding out tonight :D.

Bear, is there any reason you would have trouble getting an OK for a TSCC Season 2 soundtrack? Money speaks louder than a petition… it would be interesting if La La Land could set up some sort of pre-order escrow so fans could commit funds. Hardware geeks do similar things all the time to group-order stuff that can only be obtained cheaply in bulk.

Btw, is the battlestar@ email still working? I sent an important email there last week that can’t go in comments, but have not got any response.

Left by cory on October 5th, 2009

I can’t wait to hear this theme tune, and I think it is pretty much the only theme tune out there in 7/4 time.

@cory… 7/4 is a time signature, it means that there’s 7 quarter note beats to each bar of music.

Left by jonathondezlalour on October 5th, 2009

Gang…

Someone may upload it tonight, but the place to hear it will be on TV tonight. :)

plainsong… “And there Bear is, putting funky time signatures all over tonight’s score. I swear I’d stomach 7/8 over 7/4. :-)”

7/8 rocks too. Honestly, I use weird meters all over the place.

Olivia Spencer… “Isn’t Pink Floyd’s “Money” written in 7/4? Maybe it was used as a theme for something somewhere in the world!”

Yes, it is. That song is probably the most mainstream pop hit to ever use 7/4. Best of luck with the SFFD exams!

Cory… “Bear, is there any reason you would have trouble getting an OK for a TSCC Season 2 soundtrack? Money speaks louder than a petition.”

Agreed. But, honestly this has nothing to do with La La or $ or me even. WB controls the rights and isn’t interested in pursuing a soundtrack CD right now, especially because the show isn’t on anymore. So, the WB execs are the ones who’d need to see the petition, not La La.

“Btw, is the battlestar@ email still working?”

No, that’s not working anymore. Send it to my staff email address on the contact page. Thanks!

-Bear

Left by Bear McCreary on October 5th, 2009

Well I am glad that I mentioned Warner Bros in the petition.. I honestly didn’t know that they were the ones who would make the decision. That’s good to know…

Left by Mal_27 on October 5th, 2009

Indeed, perhaps we can call WB, need to find the numbers though.

Left by cory on October 5th, 2009

Just heard the Main Title Theme, and it sounded it awesome. I just wish it were a bit longer… Hopefully the soundtrack release will be longer?

Left by Ankur on October 5th, 2009

I tuned in just now via Hulu and watched the first episode. Definitely not something I”d normally tune into, but was pleasantly surprised. I might give it a few more episodes just to hear your stuff and see if the writing keeps me in. I hope they give you the creative freedom you seemed to enjoy on BSG and Terminator… your score transformed those shows, and I hope your new bosses recognize that! Good luck.

Left by adamczar on October 5th, 2009

Ankur… you must be East Coast! I don’t get to see the episode for a few more hours.

-Bear

Left by Bear McCreary on October 5th, 2009

Hi,

I’m a big fan of your music, I was wondering if I could get hold of music notes for the song, Prelude to War, i would like to try and play my violin to it. please let me know.

Left by helpmaster on October 5th, 2009

Loved the Main Title theme Bear, I rewound it on the DVR 4 times to listen to it, lol. Awesome job!

Overall, this was a great episode. You were definitely right about it being a good one. Very intense and emotional. And the action cues were awesome too. I think I’m hooked already.

Going start spreading the word about this one. Now I gotta go listen to this title theme again. :)

Left by MattH on October 5th, 2009

I wish I had dvr because now I have to wait until tomorrow to listen to the theme on hulu! I’m sure it will be worth the wait.

I also can’t wait to se if WB reconsiders a T:TSCC soundtrack #2.

Left by Adam on October 5th, 2009

I just heard the theme song for Trauma, nice work Bear! It is very different from your BSG work, and I love it. The drums are exquisite (as usual) is that MB playing?

Looking forward to the soundtrack!

Left by SueN on October 5th, 2009

I liked the new intro but it seemed to have a very narrow soundstage, was a little off-putting.

Left by cory on October 6th, 2009

Still blanking on an earlier TV theme in 7/4, but there’s a cue on the score for “Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome” (Maurice Jarre) that sounds like it’s in 7/something. Not sure of the title of the track – maybe “Bartertown” – that would make sense, as it’s the cue played when Max first arrives at Bartertown.

Not sure if I’m counting this right, but it sounds to me like you shift into 4/4 for the last couple of measures of the Trauma theme.

- M. \”/

Left by Meowlin on October 6th, 2009

helpmaster… “I was wondering if I could get hold of music notes for the song, Prelude to War”

I don’t have anything available yet, but in the next few months I’m hoping to change that. In the meantime, check out the notated sections I have here on the blog.

-Bear

Left by Bear McCreary on October 6th, 2009

SueN… “It is very different from your BSG work, and I love it. The drums are exquisite (as usual) is that MB playing?”

Actually, yes, that was MB on drums for that piece. Very different than the taikos!

Cory… “I liked the new intro but it seemed to have a very narrow soundstage, was a little off-putting.”

Yeah, I agree. They really messed with it after I delivered it. It sounds like it is almost mono now and sounds really small and wimpy. I’m hoping in the next few episodes I can re-mix it and make it sound better. But, we’ll see what happens. Sometimes, people change stuff after I’m done with it and there’s little to be done. However, musically, I’m pretty pleased with it and think the album version (should we ever do an album) will be killer.

-Bear

Left by Bear McCreary on October 6th, 2009

Bear… “However, musically, I’m pretty pleased with it and think the album version (should we ever do an album) will be killer.”

You should, you should! :)

Left by ieatglue528 on October 6th, 2009

I read somewhere last week that the TT:SCC creators were still interested in continuing the story in some way or another. But as it would be very unlikely to bring it as a series, a sequel film might be among the possibilities; just like what happened with Firefly and Serenity. If only the community keeps nagging WB enough about it! :) Now *that* would be worth creating another score for.

Oh, and I ain’t planning on watching the series, unfortunately, as hospital shows aren’t really my thing. I’m looking forward to hearing some excerpts on your blog, though!

Best regards,
Maxime

Left by Rian on October 6th, 2009

Here’s a link to the latest episode on NBC’s website. You can watch it online and hear Bear’s new music!

http://www.nbc.com/trauma/video/episodes/?apl=true#vid=1163649

Left by MattH on October 6th, 2009

And hey, they let you do your thing in this episode without a ton of pop tracks to work around!

But then they messed with your title song mix – because we all know how much dialogue it was getting in the way of. :(

I love the title though – it’s like you’re announcing “We are about to kick all sorts of ass right about now.” :-)

Now then, thinking ahead into the future, should a BSG alum ever guest on the show, you need to sneak their theme in, in such a way that only we pick up on it. Meta musical jokes are cool. Or someone from Eureka-land, but wow would that be difficult.

The show is already getting better with the 2nd episode, so I wonder if we don’t already have our ER replacement. Time will tell, but whatever happens, at least it’ll sound good!

Left by plainsong on October 7th, 2009

plainsong said: “Now then, thinking ahead into the future, should a BSG alum ever guest on the show, you need to sneak their theme in, in such a way that only we pick up on it.”

Haha, YES…that would be incredibly awesome.

Left by MattH on October 7th, 2009

Yeah! With Jamie Bamber’s sister starring and maybe being able to pull some strings, I could totally see Jamie entering the stage accompanied by some subtle bagpipes and the Adama family theme (hey, it’s already been in two different series, why not a third?)

Left by Boreez on October 7th, 2009

Rian… “I read somewhere last week that the TT:SCC creators were still interested in continuing the story in some way or another. But as it would be very unlikely to bring it as a series, a sequel film might be among the possibilities; just like what happened with Firefly and Serenity.”

It would be awesome, yes, although I’ve not heard anything suggesting that the possibility is still out there. I’m still keeping my hopes up, though. The louder us fans are, the better the odds become.

Plainsong… “Now then, thinking ahead into the future, should a BSG alum ever guest on the show, you need to sneak their theme in, in such a way that only we pick up on it. ”

That’s a very funny idea. Actually, Tricia Helfer guest stars in the “Human Target” pilot and it took EVERY OUNCE of my restraint to not quote the Number 6 Theme every single frame she was on screen!

-Bear

Left by Bear McCreary on October 7th, 2009

Hey, long time lurker here. :)

I know of only one other TV series theme tune that’s in 7/4, the original theme for The Bill from the 1980s: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzvjqlieFdk The “middle eight” section’s in 4/4 though.

Unfortunately, they changed the arrangement to 4/4 a while ago. I like Bill Bailey’s reasoning for why: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uAo2rqWB08 :)

Left by Zaarin on October 9th, 2009

Zaarin…

Yes! I knew someone would find one in 7/4. Thanks. I hadn’t heard of this series, but the theme song rules. Love those synths, especially the arpeggiated ones in the middle 4/4 section. So awesome.

As for the permanent change to 4/4, thanks for including the link to Bill explaining the change. That was really entertaining. I think he was probably correct when he was saying why they changed it, although I’d argue that the ARRANGEMENT felt jazzy more than the actual meter 7/4 does. Certainly, I’ve heard plenty of Tool songs in 7 that don’t sound like jazz.

Still, sad that the theme song had to change. Thanks for the links!

-Bear

Left by Bear McCreary on October 10th, 2009

Glad you liked the links!

Yeah, I prefer the original one from the 1980s. I think they even changed the theme to a different song in the past few years. Haven’t been watching in ages…

Left by Zaarin on October 10th, 2009

Good find on “The Bill” theme, and the vid on the explanation of the change to totally 4/4.

I had a (quasi?) jazz station on the radio in the car a while back, and they played a cover of Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five” that had been re-arranged into 4/4.
WTFrak? Isn’t the point of “Take Five” that it’s in 5? Queso Luisa!

- M. \”/

Left by Meowlin on October 11th, 2009

I love Michael Giaccino’s The Incredibles score.

It drives me bonkers when a simplified arrangement is written of the end credits with it in 4 instead of 5. The whole thing that makes it groove for me is the odd meter.

Left by musicpaladin2007 on October 11th, 2009

… remember when the Tom Cruise MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE first came out and the dudes from U2 did that cover version of the theme? That was frakkin’ annoying, because it starts off in 5/4 (where it should be) but then switches to 4/4 and this lame techno beat. What a disappointment. The meter can make such a huge impact on a piece of music. Why change it?

Ok, venting is now over. :)

-Bear

Left by Bear McCreary on October 13th, 2009

Bear, I totally agree. I actually had an entire rant brewing earlier, but decided not to post it. Sometimes I wish there was more respect for artist’s intent. Why do people feel a need to change things for no reason?

Left by Jonny Boy on October 13th, 2009

“We’re sorry, but the clip you selected isn’t available from your location. Please select another clip.”

Yeah… did I mention how fun it is NOT to live in the US? Isn’t there any way I can listen to the Trauma soundtrack? Anyone out there has a link that even Swiss chicks can use?

Left by Sandra on October 15th, 2009

Whoa! I was just flipping through channels and happened upon the Main Title sequence for a kids show called “Yu-Gi-Oh 5D’s” (sounds like a porno title somehow, doesn’t it?) Anyway, I had to stop flipping for a second when I heard that the tune was in 7/8. I kept listening, and it was the chorus section of the tune. So, there it is: another TV theme song with a section in 7. Cool…

Left by Bear McCreary on October 17th, 2009

” remember when the Tom Cruise MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE first came out and the dudes from U2 did that cover version of the theme?

Gods, yes.

“remember when the Tom Cruise MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE first came out and the dudes from U2 did that cover version of the theme?”

So frakkin’ say we all.

- M. \”/

Left by Meowlin on October 18th, 2009

Queso, Luisa – nothing like pasting the wrong quote the second time.

” it starts off in 5/4 (where it should be) but then switches to 4/4 and this lame techno beat. What a disappointment.”

SFSWA.

- \”/

Left by Meowlin on October 18th, 2009

Hey Bear, just wanted to drop in and say I’m still enjoying your Trauma score each week.
I still wish they would turn up the volume on your score during the action scenes. It did seem like maybe the last episode or 2 it was louder.

Its turning out to be a really cool show!
I really hope the show survives and we can get a soundtrack in the future, because so far you’ve composed some really great stuff.

Left by MattH on October 20th, 2009

MattH… “I still wish they would turn up the volume on your score during the action scenes. It did seem like maybe the last episode or 2 it was louder.”

Yeah, the volume is starting to get a little louder on the score. Cool. There are some cool cues coming up. They finally let me write one of the big songs at the end of the episode or the one that aired tonight.

And yes, a soundtrack would be very fun!

-Bear

Left by Bear McCreary on October 26th, 2009

Bear said…
” There are some cool cues coming up. They finally let me write one of the big songs at the end of the episode or the one that aired tonight.”

Awesome! I didn’t get to see it last night but I have it on my DVR. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to watch it tonight.

Left by MattH on October 27th, 2009

Mom said she read that it was just canceled. That’s a shame, I guess you only get a few episodes now to develop your characters. :(

The news I read is that it’s pretty sure to be canceled. Sometimes she jumps to the next logical step, but let’s hope not. It does have this problem of really bad medical procedures (according to EMT friends) that would kill you, and being too hip for its own good, and we haven’t really gotten to know the characters so well…

But this stuff is solvable. And the music is there, no problems on our front. :) Let’s hope NBC gives it the time it needs to blossom.

Left by plainsong on October 28th, 2009

To be honest, Trauma didn’t do much character development. Rabbit got a bit and that’s pretty much it.

The series had potential, but they really needed to do more with the characters.

Left by Steve on October 28th, 2009

Well, it looks pretty official now. I was skimming IMDB News and stumbled across this: TRAUMA will not be getting picked up for the rest of the season.

http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/10/nbc-cancels-trauma-.html

It’s a real bummer because the characters were really getting interesting and the scores I’ve been writing lately have been freakin’ awesome. I certainly hope they let us finish the 13 episodes we’ve been working on.

Frak.

-Bear

Left by Bear McCreary on October 28th, 2009

If the episodes get aired, then maybe we can still have that soundtrack. If the episodes get shelved… then maybe the soundtrack could be called Trauma B-Sides. :(

Left by plainsong on October 29th, 2009

Bear said…
“Well, it looks pretty official now. I was skimming IMDB News and stumbled across this: TRAUMA will not be getting picked up for the rest of the season.
…
Frak.”

Exactly what I said, “Frak”.
I was afraid of this after the responses about the show I’ve been seeing on the internet. I was starting to really enjoy the show. I’ll admit, the only reason I watched it initially was for the score, and I probably would have continued watching just for that reason.

Sorry to hear that though.

Left by MattH on October 29th, 2009

Yeah, I came for the score, I stayed mostly for Rabbit. I’m sure he’ll be glad to know that thanks to the show, one more person, mom, was educated as to who the Maori are.

Left by plainsong on October 29th, 2009

…and I stayed for the score too of course, I mean come on, that goes without saying. Even if I just said it. I think the problems were minor and totally could have sorted themselves out. Ah well, it was a potential ER.

Left by plainsong on October 29th, 2009

plainsong… “If the episodes get aired, then maybe we can still have that soundtrack. If the episodes get shelved… then maybe the soundtrack could be called Trauma B-Sides. :(”

Not a bad idea. I’m sure I could scrape some sort of soundtrack together, if its something people want to hear. There are some really cool cues in there.

-Bear

Left by Bear McCreary on November 1st, 2009

Bear…”Not a bad idea. I’m sure I could scrape some sort of soundtrack together, if its something people want to hear. There are some really cool cues in there.”

I’m always in for a Bear McCreary soundtrack regardless of how successful the show was.

Left by MattH on November 1st, 2009

Yeah, the show is the show, but the music is the music. :-)

/is done with her part of the Eurozone report. “The euro is good, but it is also bad. I like it a lot. Some people don’t. The end.”

Left by plainsong on November 1st, 2009

THIS JUST IN: TRAUMA ISN’T CANCELLED… YET.

Just spoke with some insiders who told me that the Hollywood Reporter article jumped to some early conclusions. Trauma hasn’t been cancelled. NBC ordered 13 episodes and we’re still making and airing 13 episodes. The timeslots we’re “losing” were never ours in the first place, we were always scheduled to take a break.

Its true, NBC has not yet elected to pick up the rest of season 1… but they have not decided against it either. So, literally, nothing has happened at all.

That’s all I know.

-Bear

Left by Bear McCreary on November 2nd, 2009

Well, that’s good news!

I’m getting kind of tired of these “informed” analysts jumping to conclusions about series and their futures. I’ve even seen some go so far as to conclude that shows like Caprica and V have been cancelled even before they have premiered… we haven’t even seen anything of the show in the case of V! So stupid.

Left by musicpaladin2007 on November 2nd, 2009

I tried to make a musical joke earlier tonight while watching Trauma with my husband. He deadpanned that he doesn’t get musical jokes, so I’ll try my material here. :/

We were watching the Halloween episode, and when the kid gets wheeled past the doctor wearing the fairy costume, all we heard from our crappy speakers was what I’ll just call a pedal point.

I just had to fill it before it went off into its own musical thing with something I can’t have been the only one to think of:

Omnia illa et ante fiebant….

(sorry if my Latin spelling is bad, I only took 3 years in high school.)

And that was as far as I got before getting told my joke went nowhere. :( No, Trauma does NOT sound like BSG, but hey, if the religious theme is going to go somewhere it may as well have gone there. :)

Left by plainsong on November 6th, 2009

I like your theme for Trauma and am wondering if it’s a full song or just a short intro. If it’s a full song, is there an mp3 available?

Thanks

Left by amkaplan on November 16th, 2009

Oh! Oh! Bear Bear Bear! Look!

http://www.deadline.com/hollywood/nbc-picks-up-ratings-troubled-trauma/

Left by GungaDin on November 19th, 2009

GungaDin…

Thanks for the heads up. I hadn’t seen that yet. While that was a rumor at the time it has been confirmed that NBC has picked up an additional 3 episodes. We’ll get a second chance by running the final 6 episodes after the Olympics, hopefully with a new day and time slot. I’m thrilled that NBC sees the potential in this series, because it just keeps getting better and better.

-Bear

Left by Bear McCreary on November 21st, 2009

amkaplan… “I like your theme for Trauma and am wondering if it’s a full song or just a short intro.”

Its basically just a short piece, but I have so many alternate versions of it that I think if there’s ever a soundtrack album, I can create a nice longer version of it.

-Bear

Left by Bear McCreary on November 21st, 2009

Is it just me or is the opening credits from this week’s episode longer than it usually is?

Left by jonathondezlalour on December 1st, 2009

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