American Theatre: How We Know Aaron Burr Is Stuck – It’s in the Music
Teh Musical Language of Aaron Burr in Hamilton: A Descent into Darkness
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Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton isn’t just a revolutionary retelling of American history; it’s a masterclass in musical storytelling. Every note,chord,and melodic contour serves a purpose,deepening our understanding of the characters and their motivations. Nowhere is this more evident than in the musical characterization of Aaron Burr. While Hamilton bursts with upward-moving melodies and major chords, Burr’s musical world is defined by a intentional descent, mirroring his cautious nature and ultimately, his tragic trajectory.
The Descending Scale: A Musical Signifier of Grief and restraint
One of the most striking musical motifs associated with Burr is the use of descending scales.Just as a musical scale can ascend to create a feeling of hope or excitement (“do re mi fa so la ti do”), it can also descend, evoking a sense of sadness, resignation, or even despair (“do ti la so fa mi re do”). Miranda leverages this established musical association to subtly,yet powerfully,shape our perception of Burr.This isn’t merely a random choice. The downward scale acts as a descending bassline, a technique with deep roots in music history often employed to convey grief or despair. It’s a musical shorthand that resonates with audiences on a subconscious level. As Howard Ho, a playwright, composer, and YouTuber behind the popular series “How Hamilton Works,” explains, Burr’s musical journey is fundamentally downward. This foreshadows his ultimate fate and highlights his contrasting path to Hamilton’s relentless ascent.
From Major to Minor: The Chordal Landscape of Burr’s Ambition
The descending melodic lines are further reinforced by Burr’s harmonic landscape. Miranda deliberately shifts Burr’s musical chords from positive-sounding major chords (like C major) to more somber minor chords (A minor and E minor). While the interpretation of major and minor chords can be nuanced – a major chord isn’t always happy, and a minor chord isn’t always sad – composers frequently enough rely on the ingrained associations we have with these chord qualities.
Miranda is acutely aware of this. He doesn’t just use these chords; he plays into our expectations. Downward movement generally feels negative, minor chords generally feel negative, and Burr’s music embodies both. This musical alignment perfectly reflects Burr’s character as an antihero, a man who readily admits, even in the opening number, “I’m the damn fool that shot him.” He’s a character defined by regret and a calculated, yet ultimately destructive, ambition.
Burr as Foil: Musical Contrast and Dramatic Impact
Miranda understood that to maximize the dramatic impact of Hamilton, Burr couldn’t simply be different from Hamilton; he needed to be his diametric opposite.This is a classic storytelling technique known as creating a foil – a character designed to highlight the qualities of the protagonist through contrast.
The differences are stark and deliberate. Burr speaks less, while Hamilton needs to “holler” to be heard. Burr waits patiently, while Hamilton is constantly in motion. burr enjoys privilege and wealth, while Hamilton rises from humble, immigrant beginnings. These contrasting characteristics are mirrored in the music.
By assigning Burr a minor chord trajectory, Miranda creates a sonic distinction that immediately sets him apart. This allows Hamilton the space to shine with his optimistic, upward-bound “I want” song, “My Shot.” The musical contrast isn’t accidental; it’s a carefully crafted element of the storytelling, emphasizing the essential differences between these two pivotal figures and driving the narrative forward. The musical language of Hamilton doesn’t just accompany the story; it is the story, revealing the inner lives and destinies of its characters with breathtaking precision.
*Howard Ho is a playwright and composer based in New York City. His published plays include Reset, End of the Line and beethoven’s Third*. He is also the YouTuber behind the popular series “How Hamilton Works,” featured on his channel Howard Ho Music where his many video essays analyzing musical theater songwriting have garnered him more than 130,00