Learning paths · Intermediate

Horror and suspense music

What makes horror music work, the techniques for suspense and dread, and full walkthroughs of real horror cues, plus a free sample pack to practise with.

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Stage 1

How fear works in music

  1. 1 5 Things That Make Great Horror Music (And None of Them Are Just Scary Sounds) 4 min
  2. 2 5 Easy Ways to Create Suspense (without Chords) 3 min
  3. 3 How To Make Terrifying Horror Music 9 min

Want this stage taught in full? Dark Thriller: Learn the sound design, writing and production behind my dark thriller tracks, from recording your own signature sounds to a finished, tense trailer cue.

Stage 2

Make some noise

Grab the free sounds, then use them.

  1. 4 Free Horror Music Sample Pack 3 min
  2. 5 9 Ways To Create Drones That Make Your Music More Awesome 9 min

Want this stage taught in full? Building Drones: Learn to design evolving drones that build in sync with a trailer, with a walkthrough of my track used on Nobody and Your Honor.

Stage 3

Watch it come together

  1. 6 My Process for Composing Horror Music for an Abandoned Asylum 4 min
  2. 7 How to Write Horror Music Without Pooping Yourself - Part 2 1 min
  3. 8 How I Wrote The Pale Blue Eye Trailer Music 5 min
  4. 9 How to Score a Haunted House (and Other Small Miracles) 3 min

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