Have you ever wondered what gives a musical that unmistakable sound? Whether you're a seasoned composer, a musical theater enthusiast, or just someone curious about the magic behind the music, understanding the elements that make up the sound of musical theater can be fascinating. In this post, I'll dive into some of the key musical techniques and patterns that are often found in musicals, giving them that distinct, larger-than-life feel.

1. The Minor iv (four) Chord
One of the hallmarks of musical theater is the use of the minor iv chord (“minor four”). This chord adds a bit of tension and a classic, jazzy flavor to the music. For example, the chord in the key of C-Major would be an F-minor (iv) chord. You can hear it in timeless shows like Anything Goes, where it gives that unmistakable swing to the title song of the same name.

This chord isn’t limited to the golden age of Broadway. You can also spot it in modern works, like Green Day's American Idiot and A Chorus Line. The minor iv chord is a staple that brings a touch of nostalgia and sophistication to the score.

2. Augmented Fifths
Another common compositional element used in musical theater is the augmented fifths. This interval is all about building anticipation. A perfect example can be found in the song "Maybe This Time" from Cabaret, where the augmented fifth keeps climbing, adding emotional depth and tension.

The augmented fifth is a powerful tool for composers, often used to lead into a climactic moment or to emphasize a character's inner turmoil while feeling like the accompaniment is ascending and moving in an upward direction.

3. The Walking Bass Line
A walking bass line is a driving force in many musical numbers. It propels the song forward with a steady, rhythmic movement, often creating a sense of momentum and excitement. This technique is particularly common in uptempo numbers and is a key ingredient in creating that show-stopping energy that musical theater is known for.

4. Boom-Chuck Accompaniment
The "boom-chuck" accompaniment is another signature sound in musical theater. It's simple yet effective: the bass (boom) on the strong beats and chords (chuck) on the off-beats. A style that is derivative of ragtime, swing, and honkey-tonk boogie-woogie music. It can also be a close cousin to Polka music giving the song it’s embedded in the feeling of “oom-pah.” This style is a backbone for many musical numbers and first appeared around the time of Oliver!, providing a rhythmic foundation that supports the melody and drives the song forward.

5. Chug Chords
Chug chords are another frequent player in the musical theater soundscape, and similar to the “boom-chuck.” with a non down-up motion. These are repetitive chords, often in the right hand, that create a rhythmic, almost hypnotic pulse. They're used to build energy and can be found in countless musical theater songs, adding a sense of urgency or excitement. A good example of this is the entire opening of Into the Woods where the right hand is playing nothing but quarter notes for the majority of the opening.

6. The Double Time
One of the most exhilarating shifts in musical theater is going into double time. This technique doubles the speed of the accompaniment while keeping the vocals at the same pace as earlier sections of the song. This illusion of speeding up creates a burst of energy and often leads to a climactic moment in the song. It's a surefire way to grab the audience's attention and heighten the drama. It adds a sense of urgency and feelings of having the character journeying somewhere in a quick amount of time. A great example of this is “I Am What I Am” from La Cage aux Folles.

7. Sus Chords and Their Variations
Suspended (sus) chords add a unique, unresolved openness and tension to the music. It’s an omission of the 3rd of the chord and can be a suspended 4th or 2nd, and sometimes both configurations at once! In the key of C-Major, the Csus2 chord would be spelled C-D-G. A Csus4 chord would be C-F-G. The combination of the two is also very common. They're often used to create a sense of anticipation and a desire for resolution. Whether it's the gentle yearning of "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Misérables or the more modern angst in Dear Evan Hansen's "Waving Through a Window," sus chords are versatile tools that enrich the emotional landscape of a song.

8. The Big Pullback
The big pullback is a moment where the tempo of the music dramatically and suddenly slows down. This technique is often used to highlight a pivotal moment in the story, emphasize a key lyric, or set up a key change and big finish! A great example is at the end of “A Musical” from Something Rotten, where they perform a “big pullback” before the final chorus of the song. Often, the big pullback is followed by a quick snap back to the original tempo before the big pullback feel. This gives the song an almost rubber banding effect where the slower tempo is the tension on a pulled back rubber band and the release snaps the song forward to a climactic finish!

9. Hits on Beats Two and Four
Ending a musical number with hits on beats two and four is a common technique that adds a punchy, definitive conclusion to a song. These hits create a sense of finality and often come with a "button," a strong ending note that signals the end of the number. You can hear this at the end of the chorus sections in “Not for the Life of Me” from Thoroughly Modern Millie. The accompaniment on beats 1 and 3 contain rests so Millie can sing by herself in the open. The band accents beats 2 and 4 making for a stronger impact for the actor and audience.

10. The Button!
Speaking of buttons, no discussion of musical theater would be complete without mentioning this compositional, overused, chestnut! A button is that final chord, bump, or note that gives the audience a clear signal that the song has ended. It's a theatrical nuance that provides a satisfying conclusion to a musical number. Think of it like a musical period at the end of a sentence. Listen to any musical album and you’ll be sure to hear a button or hit on the very last note!

These are just a few of the musical techniques that give Broadway its unique sound. Whether you're writing your own musical or just enjoying one from the audience, keep an ear out for these elements—they're the building blocks of the magical world of musical theater.

So, the next time you're at a show, see if you can spot some of these techniques. Who knows? You might find yourself appreciating the music on a whole new level. Until next time, keep enjoying the music, and check out the video version of this blog post below!