The ONE Chord That Made The Batman A Masterpiece 

Go see The Batman immediately and then go get 30% off (and maybe even a lil more...) at cornell.academy/epicflat6

I can't help, but hear Chopin's funeral march when you play the Batman theme.

Fun fact: the Joker's motif for The Dark Knight (composed by Hans Zimmer) is composed of only two "defined" notes - D and C. For DC Comics. Because it wouldn't be the Joker without that hint of terrifying meta-awareness. Zimmer himself referred to the long sliding whine from D to C that opens the track "Why So Serious" as just *The Note* when writing about that score. It's SO cool.

Gotta love that he always goes back to Star Wars to give great music examples

Even lord Chopin used this progression in his Funeral March

I really love how each composer for Batman focuses on one really interesting chord change that really solidifies the identity of the movie. Michael Giacchino, The Batman: i -> bVI Hans Zimmer, Dark Knight Trilogy: i -> VII Danny Elfman, Batman 1989: bvii -> I Each of these two chords are instantly recognizable and give each movie a dark, yet heroic feel.

The latest Batman main music theme is The Imperial March ' just unfinished! Plus , Michael Giacchino is the composer of Rogue 1 a Star Wars Story!

I loved all 2 notes of the Batman score

That flat 6 reminds me of The Phantom of the Opera theme. Not a superhero, but definitely epic.

Can you analyse John Powell’s scores for the “How to train your Dragon” series. It is very well known for its amazing scores.

I can't be the only guy who hears the Imperial March here am I?

Another example of that i-IVb from the same movie but a different "composer" is Nirvana's "Something in the Way". The song is literally just these two chords. I'm curious whether Michael Giacchino came up with his score before or after the song came into play, meaning was it a coincidence or did the song serve as an inspiration

The imperial March uses this too! And Vader has a very similar vibe to Batman too.

"Sonata in Darkness," which plays through the credits, is absolutely masterful. It takes the vibe of the main theme and fully expresses it.

I thought when he mentioned Star Wars he was going to compare it to the opening of Imperial March…they’re pretty similar, and darth vader and Batman are both scary dudes after all

I absolutely lost it when you busted out the Harry Potter trailer with the Voldemort giggle 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Giacchino's score was probably my favorite part of that film. His motif that he uses for batman (first thing played in the video, particularly the left hand) invokes Beethoven's 5th, Chopin funeral march, and Mars Bringer of War. I need to find the original sheet music to "Sonata in Darkness" to play it. Arguably Giacchino's best work.

The chords for Something in the Way by Nirvana (which is used in the film a couple times) contain a similar i-bVI motion, which I think he was drawing from when he made the score

I think it is important to mention that this harmony is also exactly inspired by Something in the Way. It is the same movement between minor I and major VI

09:56 come on, play the Imperial March already 😄

I love Giacchino's Batman score, especially the use of the flat 6 chord referencing the melody of Danny Elfman's iconic Batman theme.

@Charles Cornell Textually, yes the chord progression is the same, however, contextually, they're very different. In both pieces, the 1 -> flat6 feels like it is conveying a sense of something lying beneath the surface. The difference is that in The Batman theme, it's that same 1 -> flat6 on repeat, conjuring this image sonically similar to Chopin's Marche Funebre. The repetition drives home this feeling that beneath a thin veneer, this moribund, seedy, gothic noir hellscape never changes. Nor will Batman, he was baptized in this hell (i.e. the death of his parents), it has become him, they are one and the same, evidenced by his theme song sounding as hopeless as the constant state of his city. For The Avengers, that 1 -> flat6 also conveys a sense of something lying beneath the surface, but directly after those chords comes this highly recognizable brass chord progression that is synonymous with the heroic in western culture. It feels like it's a celebration of the heroic, the uncertainty of the first chords gives rise to comfort that these titans will save the day. While, in Gotham, unfortunately, Batman is just a single man fighting his inner demons as well as those who disturb the city's peace.

I also like to note that DC tends to take supers dealing with human issues, and Marvel tends to take supers excelling in spiteof the human elements. DC leans more into the triumph over internal issues with overpowered individuals, while Marvel delves more into the fantastical inspiring the mundane.

Throughout the whole film, I kept hearing the Imperial March so I’m glad you brought it back to Star Wars, even if it wasn’t the same song.

Pretty sure the same progression makes up the chorus of "You Know My Name" by Chris Cornell. The progression sounds epic and his vocals add so much to that too, by far my favourite Bond theme!

I’m currently writing my dissertation on the effectiveness of dissonant intervals on (horror) movie music! The nature vs nurture argument around how we perceive music is incredibly interesting! Great video as always!

I just wanna mention how cool the way you frame your videos is-the piano at the bottom flush with the edge of the screen and extending off to either side, it gives a subconscious vibe of the limitless opportunities of music and I just consciously realized why I sensed that vibe and had to comment

He lights up when the Star Wars theme gets to the “money chord.” ☺️

What’s even cooler about this is that Something in the way by Nirvana which was the main song used in the film also uses the same motion (Em to C)

Aww Charles I REALLY want you to talk about the whole The Batman theme, because there is SO much to it! I mean it’s very uplifting toward the middle I really wanted you to talk about the whole song as a whole not just that beginning.

HOW has no one talked about how good 3:38 sounds?! I want a full version of that on piano.

I love the way you break this stuff down. It doesn't ever feel like you're ruining anything mysterious but rather that you're opening up new possibilities by showing us the tools others have used.

I once wrote a song that had a brief change in the chord progressions which went from Gm - Ebm - Bb (i - vi - III) and it was always one of my favorite changes. The b6 is just powerful all around.

3:52 DOG!!!

Flat 6 chords and minor 4 chords are two of my absolute favourites. They sound SOO GOOOOD! I'm so glad you've made videos about both of them 🤩

11:53 was the same progression as the Spider-Man 3 ending when he says “I forgive you”. Such a moving piece

watching this man talk about music is like watching a kid talk about the new hobby he discovered like this is so wholesome

Must mention this chord progression was famously used first by Chopin in the Funeral March (Marche Funèbre). And, of-course, the Imperial March from Star Wars.

Funny how Something in the Way uses only those two chords as well. Also I love how it‘s done in the Dark Knight Trilogy with Batmans Theme being teased as only a simple move of a minor third at first, before finally revealing it as those chords.

i can't get enough of your content man. you express the knowledge you have in such a passionate way. i appreciate this so so much. you explain how i feel about music in the technical way i've always wanted to know. thank you from the very depths of my heart

It’s really interesting listening to you talk about music and nature, and how the chords themselves evoke emotion on top of conditioning, in context with the fact that I’m currently working on an essay for my Music History class in college about program vs absolute music.

Charles: *plays Avengers* Me: *instant Goosebumps* I dont know what it is about that song but its sooo good.

Great video! I really like how you show the emotions behind a chord. it would be really nice if you did the same with the neapolitan sixth. For example the indiana jones music uses that device!

love watching your videos! i always have to leave what i'm doing and go tinker around on the piano after watching. Thanks for constantly giving me the curiousity to keep tinkering around out the paino

I love your enthusiasm in every video

Hey Charles, I don't know if you'll ever read this but, my dad's a pianist, and luckily, his ability to appreciate complex chord progressions got passed on to me. But unfortunately, I never met anyone else who had that ability to appreciate those clever chord progressions in songs the way me and my dad did. That is until I found your page. You have no idea how much happiness this brings to me to be able to be a part of this community. It's something that I never realized I needed. Thank you so much Charles! :)

The Batman theme always reminded me of the Darth Vader theme - was really surpirsed when I heard it in theater!

been watching your vids for a long time now...THANK YOU so much for your knowledge and insight!!

Amazing Mr. Charles! This is the second video of yours giving me the understanding of what key I am in on a particular part of the same song I was also composing at the time of viewing your Pure Imagination video. ((I left a comment on that video also.)) It has everything to do with the flat 6. Thanks again!😊

Channels like this are literally going to shape the future of music. Imagine all the young people who come out of high school so excited about music, but with next to no practical knowledge of music theory. Charles teaches *practical* knowledge using examples that everyone recognizes and it must help aspiring performers and composers really *understand* the concepts so much better than the stodgy environment of a music theory class (or at least all of *my* music theory classes up til film/media comp). I hope the world continues to produce Charles Cornells and Adam Neelys far into the future.

A great use of the flat AND natural sixth is the whole of Shine on You Crazy Diamond by Pink Floyd take a look especially when it gets to the lyrical parts

3:52 mysterious dog timed perfectly with the music

I just love how exciting this guy is about music it's honestly inspiring.

I would love to hear your take on Brian Tyler's Formula 1 theme! Such an epic piece of music!

I actually really enjoy the way they used the chords for The Batman, and for some odd reason it reminds me of the score by Danny Elfman for the 1989 Batman film. For me it captures the same aura of that score. Now that I think of it I think it would be cool if you analyzed it to sort of compare and contrast it to the score of The Batman

Ixi, who analyses NIN mostly, has a 2 part segment on her favorite chord, the flat 6. She gets just as excited over these notes as you:) I think it’s mostly what you said, a Major over minor, Lydian vs minor.

Thanks Charles! Love your take on music. Very refreshing to hear your music theory teachings

you raise an interesting point with the 'nature versus nurture'. I had this thought with Star Trek recently when writing a theme for my son's student SF film. I just wrioe what felt 'right' before realising I'd been using C-Mixolydian (to give us the B Flat). The original Alexander Courage was Mixolydian, the Goldsmith one was too (and the Giacchino one was written as a counterpoint to the original Courage theme) so is it now nature that says any sort of SF or especially Trek them HAS to be Mixolydian to work? Probably not but it might only sound like proper Star Trek if it does.

I really enjoyed this video, and the Batman. I‘ve got a recommendation for another ost, that nobody could escape a few years ago: Persona. Most quality is probably Persona 5, but I like „A sky full of stars“, and „Heartbeat, Heartbreak“ from Persona 4 more than pretty much any track from 5 (although „sunset bridge“, „Butterfly kiss“, „Confession/Secret“, „Price“, and many vocal tracks come very close). The fan favorite soundtrack is Persona 3 (especially the fight theme), but apart from the opening I didn‘t listen to it very much.

Dang I love your vids I started sitting down at the piano while watching to follow alone and it blows my mind every time keep doing what your doing

I love how you make the it so accesible for me to engage on this content even when all my music theory Education come just from cool videos like these. By the end, I felt like I could detect the heroism in the Harry Potter there before you explain. Thanks for being an incredible teacher!!

It’s interesting to note the similarities between Giacchino, Zimmer and Elfman’s BTAS scores, in terms of progression.

me coming from guitar: oh yeah that Am F is really that exciting? (fair enough considered it's everywhere)

By far one of your favorite videos I have watched! I'm so interested in learning more about music theory and I'm especially a fan of cinematic scores. I also play jazz on my guitar and I love f1 :D.

The genius of Binary Sunset (a.k.a. the force theme) is the juxtaposition of that hopeful, yearning major IV chord (with a natural 6) and then letting us know that the journey is going to be filled with strange and epic moments by dropping that bVI chord on the way to the authentic cadence. It's a masterclass in melody and harmony in like 15 seconds.

I saw this a few days ago and thought it was enjoyable to listen to. Very ominous Also, I've played Doom Eternal a lot lately and have been obsessed with the music. I was already a big fan of Metal music and would love to see your take on its soundtrack. I wouldn't say it isn't straightforward, but it has its moments, particularly Urdak. Eary and interesting. It's so GOOD. I would love to see your take on it...

The 1 to flat 6 sounds a bit like Bond to me, namely Skyfall

It’s been a while since I’ve seen your channel. I always forget just how much I enjoy your videos!

This is easily one of my favourite videos of yours

Almost sounds like Something In The Way, which was used in the trailer for the film.

Could you do a video on the interval Jon Bon Jovi is now using in the melody of his live shows. Seems like an out of key flat 6 to me.

I like what you said about that movement feeling hopeful because it's moving from the minor to major, and I think that's perfect for Batman, because he's a dark figure that inspires just a little bit of hope.

This particular chord relationship was literally the very first chord relationship that I ever fell in love with. For me, it came out of classic metal. I started playing guitar when I was 11 years old in 1988 and for a few years there, I was listening to nothing but metal. Even though I didn’t have the language for it, I was definitely identifying these two cords and how they related to each other, regardless of key. To me, it was the central element to what made all the music I loved sounds so good. I’ve been deep into countless other styles of music since then and have come to understand the outer reaches of harmony to a good degree but still I love this chord relationship. It’s still the fire.

im just confused on how it’s moving from i->bVI without the use of any accidentals in the sheet music? at first i assumed it was just in a minor key, but the VI chord is already major in a minor key, and bringing the root of the sixth scale degree down a half step would make the chord augmented, not major. + in the binary suns example, the major four is used in a minor key, which should require an accidental, but i don’t see any accidentals in the sheet music i can find. im just starting to really deep dive into music theory, so im just legitimately confused here. overall a great vid!!

It sounds exactly like the darth vader theme song intro but slowed down a bunch. Surprised it isnt already mentioned in the comments

3:52 Yeah, good boy cameo😍

This is outstanding. I‘ve always struggled with music theory and still am, but the way you explain it and link it back to those examples is super helpful and entertaining. Is there an extended version of this on Nebula?

This video found me in the appropriate time😂

The Minor 6th -- also known as the "NOSTALGIA!" chord/interval, according to Adam Neely and his explanation of Celine Dion's arrangement of "All By Myself".

Another great video (that I will need to re-watch a dozen more times to get all of the points you make). "The sound" was one of the first things I remember recognizing on the keyboard in Chopin's "Death March", hence why it might sound so "ominous".

Loving the new content. Keep at it Charles.

Not even gonna lie, when you played the third chord of the Marvel theme I got a bit hyped. I think it is a mixture of nature and nurture. The color shift in the Eb after the bIV is just a bit too epic. Same thing with the star wars theme. The color shift is associated with the "Hero", so I think that part is nurture.

Someone correct me if I’m wrong but wouldn’t that be just be a i -> VI in the scale of Bb minor???

you should do transscriptions or piano tutorials or something like that because the way you play is just great

you're so talented and i love your content ❤️

I love how he’s going so In depth on the literature and terminology of the use of both major and relative minors, and it’s just called “la based minor” in choir because in solfège the 6 is la

starting with something "negative" and seeing the "positive" in it emotionally speaking might be what we feel like when we talk about overcoming something or to speak totally in traditional words the power of transformation (the dao comes to mind) ... pretty deep to make a minor sound major, maybe the kind of power a hero unlocks when overcoming their obstacle and living up to their potential.... some kind of musical foreshadowing maybe ? Of course enhanced by the nurture you describe. These videos keep getting more interesting!

It’s interesting that that’s also the relation between the chords in something in the way by nirvana that’s used in the beginning

I LOVE this score and the piano sonata that comes from it. I have no inside info, but can’t help but think the two-note motive and the Nirvana song are inextricably connected.

The opening two chords sounds like the opening of the Star Wars Imperial March prior to the main melody and your repetition of those chords on the piano definitely evokes Chopin's Marche Funèbre

IT IS INCREDIBLE!!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK❤️ YOU ARE AWESOME

One great thing about this is that it responds so well to changing the major/minor qualities, if you change them to all minor, it's a great villainous sound, and all but minor 1 major flat 6th sound kinda out there in their own way, almost like doing the same with a tritone rather than a flat 6th, which also responds so well to switching the chord qualities. And that's without even getting into dominants etc. etc., I think someone should do a scene where a ''hero'' had a motive over the 1 and flat 6 as well as an alternative tritone one for mysterious scenes etc., all major, then everything turns minor when it's revealed they're on the dark side.

Love this subject ! You should do more videos on film score chords and their functions. Your video on Ghibli music is one of my favourite video of yours :)

For me it's Aeolian brightening up to Dorian by raising the sixth. That i IV is the Dorian signature sound bc the IV has the nat6 in it. That's how I hear it is a darker sound brightening.

This is a thorough look into a composition device that we would not be able to spot or unpack. Great tools to add

Always great videos!

11:16 I spilled my entire coffee. Great content, as usual!

The outro is also so beautiful😭🤲🏽🤲🏽❤️

Love your commentary! Makes me appreciate the score that much more! As a follow up, in the movie they used Nirvana’s “something in the way” as a motif. Can you discuss (either in a video or here) two-chord songs like this one and the kind of impact they can have?

I got so hyped about this score