Music to Story comparisons

What follows is a very straightforward answer to the question, “If you put Music and Story side by side, what would be their parallels?”

This kind of exercise really helps me think through my art form (Story). I’ve done it with UX design (my profession) and painting, but for those Ifocused on process rather than the forms themselves.

Today I wanted to look at how the elements of Music might shine light on how the elements of Story fit together. From first grade through high school, I took music lessons and performed in various school and friend bands. My core art form has always been Story, but since story lessons aren’t exactly a thing (or if the exist, it’s either in college or through an expensive course or coaching program), I don’t feel as comfortable with my core art form as I do with one I haven’t done anything with in two decades.

Specifically, I’ve always wanted to figure out the Story equivalent of chord progressions, which have a powerful ability to affect emotions. I know it doesn’t add up perfectly, and even while I’m writing this I realize there are further insights that aren’t included, but I hope it helps you make your own connections and have your own insights about the art form of Story.

Notes = Archetypal Element

• Note: A single sound at a single pitch. There are 12 x 8.
• Archetypal Element: A single element of a certain kind (character, setting, plot, theme, tone). There are many more than 12.

Character Archetype examples:

• Innocent Hero: Luke Skywalker, Frodo, Dorothy
• Wise Old Mentor: Gandalf, Obi-wan, Dumbledore, Glinda
• Worldly Warrior: Han Solo, Val Kilmer in Willow, Indiana Jones, James Bond
• Worldly Princess: Leia, Redhead in Willow, Trinity, Marion in Indian Jones
• Villain: Sauron, Voldemort, Darth Vader, Wicked Witch of the West
• Henchmen: Black Riders, Stormtroopers, Flying Monkeys
• Monster: Troll in Harry Potter 1, Cave Troll in Fellowship of the Ring

Setting Archetype examples:

• Home/Original World: Shire, Kansas
• Special World: broader Middle Earth, Oz, Hogwarts
• Ruffian Bar: Mos Eisley Cantina, Prancing Pony, Leaky Cauldron

Plot Archetype examples:

• Adventure (characters travel from one place to another to accomplish an external goal): Frodo and company take the Ring to Mordor
• Romance (two characters fall in love): Romeo and Juliet, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy
• Self-Realization (a character goes from a potential trait to a realized trait): Luke being strong in the Force, Willow being able to do magic
• Trait Switch (a character goes from one trait to its opposite): Han Solo’s loyalty goes from himself to his friends / cynical to sincere, Anakin goes from good to evil

Theme Archetype examples:

• Good vs Evil / Good triumphs over Evil: Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings
• Cynicism vs Sincerity / Cynicism is a false bandage over a past emotional wound and is externally unhelpful; while Sincerity is emotionally healing and externally rewarding: Han Solo in Star Wars

Tone Archetype examples:

• Peril: Escaping the Death Star, Helm’s Deep, Mines of Moria, running from Agents
• Humor: Pippen and Merry, Weasley Twins, Han Solo remarks
• Sweeping: Arrakis and Middle Earth landscape shots
• Warm: Hogwarts at Christmas, Rivendell
• Horror: Dementors, Trolls

Chord = Story Beat, involves a Group of Archetypes

• Chord: Multiple Notes that sound good together (part of a Chord Progression)
• Arc Beat / Archetype Groups: Multiple Archetypes that feel good together (part of a larger Arc)

Arc Beat / Archetype Group examples:

• Introduction to Innocent Hero in Original World.
• Wise Old Mentor has Innocent Hero go on an Adventure to stop a Villain.
• Introduction to Special World.
• Worldly Warrior and Worldly Princess meet and react strongly to each other.
• Innocent Hero harnesses his Self-Realization and defeats the Villain.

Chord Progression = Arc

• Chord Progression: Chords in an order that creates and releases Tension
• Arc: Groups of Archetypes in an order that creates and releases Tension

Arc examples:

• Wise Old Mentor has Innocent Hero go on an Adventure to stop a Villain. Innocent Hero leaves Home/Ordinary World and goes into Special World. He meets Worldly Warrior at Ruffian Bar. (Tension:) Villain’s Henchmen try to stop them. (Release:) They escape and continue on their journey.
• (Tension:) Worldly Warrior shallowly likes the Worldly Princess, but she feels abrasive towards him. Worldly Warrior has a Trait Switch from cynical to sincere. His feelings deepen from shallow to real. His sincerity softens her heart toward him. (Release:) They get together.

Section = Act

• Section: A part of the Song that uses a single Chord Progression
• Act: A part of an Arc

Section examples: Intro, Verse, Chorus, Bridge, Outro

Act examples: Exposition, Rising Action, Danger Mounts, Climax, Denouement

Song = Story

• Song: Combination of Notes played over time (within Sections) resulting in an experience of Tension and Release.
• Story: Combination of Elements told over time (within Acts) resulting in an experience of Tension and Release (and ideally Truths Conveyed).

Key = Genre

• Key: A full set of Notes that sound good together.
• Genre: A full set of Archetypal Elements that feel good together.

Genre examples:

• Fantasy Adventure
• Romantic Drama
• Horror Comedy

Well there you have it. There are many more connections to make, and I’m aware that the Key-Genre comparison is odd, but I think it’s a decent framework. Please feel free to comment with your own insights and corrections.