A study on themes songs for Taiwan period drama series

• Main Authors: LING, CIAN-MEI, 凌千媚
• Other Authors: SUN, CHU-YU
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2019
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/m2cewg

碩士 === 國立高雄師範大學 === 表演藝術碩士學位學程 === 107 === 　　Period dramas are based on specific historical events, and usually presented with clothing, scenes and props especially designed for the time setting. The lifestyle and the values the time represent are interpreted by the characters in the dramas. Recently, this trend of period dramas has arisen. Theme songs of this drama genre convey the feeling of being trapped and helpless in the time setting societies. They are composed with lyrics covering plots and special music arrangements. The dramas connect with audiences through the songs which comparing to other songs in general carry on deeper meanings and values. Therefore, the cultural connotation they carry is worth discussing. 　　In this study, the term "period drama" is defined firstly, and then three standards－time period, content selection and musical perspective－ are set as the criteria to select theme songs from 17 period dramas with the same background of Taiwan under Japanese colonial rule to be analyzed further explicitly. This study is divided into two major parts. The first part provides the analysis of lyrics from the theme songs. It explains the history and social profile during Japanese colonial period, and outlines the lifestyle and ideology of people in that era. Through the lyrics, how the plots and the characters’ emotions are connected are analyzed and able to be comprehended. The second part is to analyze tunes of the theme songs, including the subjects, the musical texture and instrumentation. For subjects, time signatures, speed forms as well as musical texture, tonalities, melodies and rhythm are discussed. The conclusion of the study summarizes the commonalities in musical language within these theme songs. 　　The reason why a song is moving is due to the combination of two elements, the cognitive aspect of lyrics and the emotional experience listening to music. By analyzing the theme songs of period dramas, this study attempts to explain how the two elements operate separately and at the same time complement each other. The findings of the study may bring a broader perspective for relevant studies in the future.