Research : The Importance Of Sound In Horror Films

The reason that people get scared during horror films is the music and sound effects that help create tension. If these audio features were not used during horror films, they would simply not be as scary. If you were to turn the volume down when you are watching a horror film you would realise the significance of well-composed music and sound effects that help create a truly terrifying experience. 

Music plays a key role in a horror film because it immediately sets the tone. It also helps the director to set the mood of the scene and film. There is many ways to build up if something is going to happen here is some examples. A long eerie musical buildup suggests that a big event is just around the corner. A rapid sequence might suggest stress or panic, making the audience feel anxious.Music may progressively build to signify that a dramatic event is about to happen or it may be upbeat to lighten the mood. Music is the biggest contributor to getting the viewer’s adrenaline pumping. The viewer can feel scared before any events transpire based on how effectively and artistically music is being played in the background. A horror film with no music or the wrong music can not scare the viewer at all in-fact it could even make it funny or just boring to watch. 

 If you click on this link and watch these seven horror films without the music they are completely different. Music is a key role in a horror film or even any film because it immediately sets the tone. Even before the actor says anything the audience knows what their fate is going to be based on the type of music that is playing in the background. Music completes the experience of a horror film


Even though there are alot of diverse range in the music that has been used throughout different horror films, some of these common conventions include:
*Isolated instruments are often used just before a key event occurs which helps link the idea of vulnerability, to the audience.
*Long suspenseful notes often help contrast with short sharp notes to help shock the audience
*Extreme but intentional changes of pitch tones. For example low long brass notes which suddenly change to very fast high pitched notes to make the audience feel immediately tense.