This creates an uneasy feeling of dissonance, which can be the feeling you want to create when choosing horror film music.Īnother way to describe the uneasy feeling you want in a horror movie music is consonance vs. You can take a piece composed in a major key and transcribe it to a minor key, changing the association of what may have been a happy piece into an ominous one. To some, it can even sound “off”, like something isn’t right. This gives off a more dark or sad emotion. A minor key on the other hand is a variation of the major key, usually lowered a few steps. A major key gives off a feeling of positivity and general happiness. In Westernized music, we compose music through keys that convey mood and emotion. From movies Hereditary to Get Out, audiences are being pulled into what the characters are feeling during those scary moments on screen. No other genre can manipulate its audience with sound design the way horror can.Įmotional horror is all the rage right now. But a horror film would be nothing without a creaking door, screeching violins, or a blood-curdling scream. Sure, a creepy mask or a terrifying chase scene gets the blood pumping. If you are a fan of the genre or have ever been scared by a horror flick, then you know horror film music is a crucial component that completes the art. It targets the basic human fears whether that’s rooted in the current cultural anxieties or provoking a person’s primal flight or fight response.Īt, we believe music is the language of emotion. The horror genre is about raw, visceral emotion. When paired with the right visuals, a filmmaker can influence and enhance what is shown on the screen and how a viewer feels about it. The music in a film is what moves the audience and enhances the emotional experience. We looked into the tactics used by audio experts that help turn a scary scene into a terrifying one. Finding the right jump scare sound effect to make audiences leap out of their seats can be more difficult than you think. Effective horror film music is not just about using a spooky film score that plays when the villain comes on screen.