Bad horror attempt, would like some advice

How do you make scarier sounding music? Any advice would be helpful, maybe some chord relationships that are scary or something

What are you trying to emulate?

15 hours ago, Monarcheon said:

What are you trying to emulate?

 

dramatic emotional thriller / horror, kind of one that leaves you conflicted. Like a hitchcock thriller. I think the answer might just be become a better composer, I get that you can't really give an answer to this question realistically looking back on it.

Not bad at all. You begin with a good frame (a layer at the top, another at the bottom) and more things in the middle. It starts with enough tension, afterwards it seems more a music for an action movie or something like that. Without images it's difficult to say.

Y would use some clusters or dissonant parts, and some eerie or odd instrument (theremin, for example).

You know what? I reckon you need to move the music from 0'01" to 0'08" to the end, and the third time you repeat it, at c 0'08" when the bass lifts a 3rd, do a similar thing with the strings - then you're ready for something nasty! 

It's usually tied to some visual tension - Fulci was really good at this in his time... the viewer knows someone is waiting in the shadows and....

Incidentally, Berg did something like this in the close of Lulu (when she's murdered) which until recently, was not directly shown in the Opera.

On 1/15/2020 at 12:16 PM, Luis Hernández said:

You begin with a good frame (a layer at the top, another at the bottom) and more things in the middle. It starts with enough tension, afterwards it seems more a music for an action movie or something like that. Without images it's difficult to say.

I agree with this. It sounds more like a fantasy-based soundtrack than a horror movie. That being said, it all depends on what kind of horror you are trying to convey. If it is a genuinely gut-wrenching sound you are going for, I don't think this serves the purpose. But if this is a theme for a character, let's say a vilain, in a movie that is not supposed to make viewers squirm in fear, than it might be pretty appropriate.

I find your harmonies are not very horror-like, as they allow the listener to "breathe". Perhaps it should be more claustrophobic, and a lot less tonal. 

Assuming you aren't using it, have a look at VSL's "Big Bang Orchestra" Black Eye. Looks just up your street, if you don't mind a bit of Lego-styled composing - readymade this and that which could save you huge amounts of time. I'm pretty sure it comes with VSL's synchron player which you'd have to learn to use. It also needs a Vienna License key.

There are several demos on the VSL site.

Edited January 22, 20206 yr by Quinn
thank God for an edit button.

On 1/14/2020 at 8:45 AM, Left Unexplained said:

Sounds great if you ask me!