First class Analysis by Nicholas Ni

“First class” is a soundtrack by British composer Henry Jackman, released on June 6, 2011 for the Superhero movie X-Men: First Class. The track “First class” is the theme and motif of the movie, as the same melody and chord is seen in “X-Training”, another soundtrack in the movie X-Men: First Class as a more exciting variation with a faster tempo.

“First class” by Henry Jackman uses 4 chords in its pattern: C minor, E major, F major, A flat major. It had a bass added in 0:17, main melody in 0:35,  new melody in 1:26, variation with drums in 1:42 to the end with 2 more being 6 variations in total and an ending in C minor. 

During the piece, strings are mainly used in chord progression and melody, drums being used to increase noise and tension, brass instruments for melody. Overall, the sounds are less complex than pieces like “Rey’s theme” by John Willimas and used less synths compared to pieces by Hans Zimmer like “Flight”, however it does sound really epic and fits a superhero theme in my opinion.