The Magic of Harry Potter’s Hedwig’s Theme
If there is one sound that makes people holler “Harry Potter!,” it is Hedwig’s Theme. In other words, if your TV was on and you were in another room when you heard this music, you would know – without a doubt – that a Harry Potter movie was playing on your TV. It is that recognizable. One can confidently claim that it has become one of the most recognizable scores of all time. Let’s talk about Harry Potter’s Hedwig’s Theme and the magic behind the music.
A Breakdown of the Musical Score
First things first, if you want to learn to play this piece of music, then you have to invest in the sheet music and look at it in-depth. This score that is named after Harry’s pet snow owl captures everything magical about the entire story. Its sense of wonder is captured in notes on a page.
While we are not going to do a deep analysis of the piece, we can take a look at all the important musical features that make Hedwig’s Theme so magical.
Orchestration
There are a couple of different parts within this piece of music that come together to make it so special. For instance, the 16-measure solo sounds like taps on a metal bar (played on the piano-like instrument, the celesta).
The unusual celesta combined with electronic sounds in various other places adds to the beauty of it as a whole.
Meter and Rhythm
This piece is set in a three-beat meter which gives it a feeling of elegance and power. It moves with confidence in a waltz-like tempo. In turn, it relates to who wizards are and how – with the flick of the wrist (and wand) – they can get themselves out of sticky situations.
The way it moves keeps this level of empowerment at high levels throughout. Especially with its airy ways that make one thing of wizards flying through the air.
Harmony
Set in the Key of E Minor, Hedwig’s Theme pushes the limits of this key. In fact, some of the chords he uses are not even typical chords used within this key – or any key for that matter. But, they work. One could say it is a bit like magic.
Throughout the entire score, it is hard to anticipate what is coming next with the harmonic chords as they are all so different from other more ordinary pieces of music.
Melody
All the strange tones and intervals were not used up in the harmony, but rather work with the melody, as well. They are what add to the airy mystery and magic of the overall piece. And, because it is surely worth noting, the melody uses all twelve notes of the chromatic scale.
5 Things You Didn’t Know About Hedwig’s Theme
You know when you hear a composition as good as Harry Potter’s Hedwig’s Theme that has become an iconic part of a series of untouchable movies, there are going to be some backstories or other tidbits of trivia that you did not know but one day wish you did.
Here are 5 things you didn’t know about Hedwig’s Theme.
1. The composer, John Williams, was famous way before Harry Potter.
John Williams has been composing masterpieces for years. He has composed for films such as Star Wars, Jaws, Superman, E.T., Home Alone, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, and Schindler’s List – in addition to the Harry Potter films. That’s quite the repertoire.
2. Hedwig’s Theme was initially just a piece played in the soundtrack’s prologue – in the end credits.
That’s right – Hedwig’s Theme was never intended to become the Harry Potter theme song. It first appeared in the 3rd movie of the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. After all its attention, Hedwig’sTheme went on to be incorporated into every subsequent movie released. One should note that previous films were altered to also include this theme in them.
3. The composition has been used everywhere as the official theme of Harry Potter.
After being released in all the films, 1 through 8, and becoming so well-known, this composition has found its way into all sorts of things, such as video games, ring tones, and other types of media. It’s reached a high level of pop-culture status.
Hedwig’s Theme has also made its way into the Harry Potter spinoff movie, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
4. Fans believe there is a hidden message throughout the composition.
Fans feel that secret messages come in the form of music and how it is strategically placed in the movies. They believe it relates to foreshadowing the plot and the emotional states or aspects of each of the characters.
Depending on the movie, fans think that it may be used to signal safety or it could suggest danger.
5. This difficult piece has been broken down for all to enjoy musically, regardless of instrument or ability.
As we mentioned, Hedwig’s Theme includes all 12 notes of the chromatic scale. That’s not something that happens very often at all. There are chords that are unheard of and Williams stretches the musical imagination to bring this piece together. Many may run from the sheet music, believing it to be too hard. However, arrangements have been made that allow everyone from all different levels to attempt this unforgettable theme.
The Magic of Harry Potter’s Hedwig’s Theme
Harry Potter’s Hedwig’s Theme composed by John Williams is one of the most musically intricate pieces while also one of the most basic. People of all ages have heard it, they recognize it, and most are able to hum or whistle the simple tune.
To take a slow, suspenseful piece that was never intended to be more than a small part of the prologue and turn it into an anthem for all the Harry Potter movies – and the spinoff – says a lot. Perhaps that is why it is so magical.
Indulge yourself in the mystical world of Harry Potter by learning to play Hedwig’s Theme. Whether you play the piano, the saxophone, the french horn, or the xylophone, there is sheet music out there for you to put into practice. You may just find yourself carried away to Hogwarts.