The spelling of the phrase "incidental musics," referring to background music in a theatrical or film production, is relatively straightforward when broken down phonetically. The stress is on the second syllable of "incidental," pronounced /ɪn.səˈdɛn.təl/, while "musics" has a short u sound as in "hut," pronounced /ˈmju.zɪks/. There is also no final -e in "musics," which is often mistakenly added due to the singular form being "music." When spelled correctly, "incidental musics" is a concise and descriptive term.
Incidental music refers to the musical compositions specifically created to accompany and enhance non-musical performances or events, such as plays, films, television shows, or other types of performances. It is also commonly known as underscore or background music.
The main purpose of incidental music is to support the action, mood, or atmosphere of a particular scene, helping to evoke emotions or emphasize specific moments within the performance. It may include various musical elements, such as melodies, harmonies, rhythms, and textures, typically designed to blend seamlessly with the overall production. Incidental music can range from subtle and minimalistic compositions to more prominent and expressive pieces, depending on the needs of the scene or performance.
The compositions for incidental music are usually written by composers who specialize in this genre, as they possess the expertise to understand the dynamics of working collaboratively with other artists and aligning the music with the visual elements of the performance. They work closely with directors, producers, and other members of the creative team to ensure that the music enhances the overall artistic vision.
Incidental music plays a crucial role in creating a captivating and immersive experience, enhancing the storytelling and capturing the audience's attention. It is deemed incidental because it is not the primary focus of the performance but rather an essential component that completes and enriches the overall production.
The word "incidental" originates from the Latin word "incidentalis", which is derived from the verb "incidere", meaning "to fall upon". The term originally referred to something that falls upon or happens as a byproduct of something else. Over time, it developed the sense of something happening by chance or occurring as an accompanying result.
The term "music" has roots in the Greek word "mousike", which encompasses all forms of artistic and intellectual activity involving the Muses, who were the goddesses of inspiration in Greek mythology. From there, it evolved into the Latin word "musica", referring specifically to the art and science of music.
The addition of the plural suffix "-s" to "music" creates the term "musics", indicating multiple instances or types of music.