Blog 9 - Avatar vs. Na'vi

Though the music in the movie “Avatar” that is used as film score and the music known to the culture of Na’vi are very similar, there are differences that need to be noted. However, I must admit, these are not easily distinguished.

In order to see the difference, it is necessary to look deeper into the music than what is at the surface. For example, the reasoning behind the music of the Na’vi music opposes what the music in Avatar is used for. Na’vi music imitates natural noises that are heard, whether that may take place in the surrounding environment or in a person. The drums might mimic the beat of a heart, seeing as everyone living has a heartbeat. But as is seen in the music video below, it has a nature-feel to it, as if it might be played in the forest or outdoors somewhere.



In the case of this example of Na’vi music, there is a sort of drone that varies in pitch and is not as consistent as the type of drone that I am prone to think of when I think of a drone. However, it does exemplify how natural it is supposed to sound.



The music of the movie Avatar seems a bit more serious, and fittingly should, as it is centered around war and love. This song above does not seem as natural, but tends to have a bit more of what we know as classical music in it, at certain points, while still maintaining the natural feel as well.

Though the basis of the music in Avatar may have been from the Na’vi music culture, it is definitely still turned more towards its own purpose of having the serious-war feel, while the Na’vi keeps to the natural sounds of the world around them.