Sound Music and the Moving Image

Sound recording of the opening theme from Jaws (1975). Played on the tuba, composed by John Williams.

Excerpt from a performance of Hitchcock's Psycho Soundtrack by the City of Prague Philarmonic Orchestra, violin theme, uploaded to YouTube by seniorsomar

Sound recording of a human heartbeat. The sound of a heartbeat is sometimes used in horror movies, especially when all other sounds are absent. Moments when one can her one's own heartbeat are almost always the result of an unnerving silence.

Sound recording of a waterphone, played by Todd Barton. The waterphone is an instrument that was invented by Richard Waters. When played with a violin bow (as it is in this recording) it creates an eerie, otherworldly sound that is often used to create a sense of lurking danger in horror movies.

Sound recording of footsteps on a linoleum surface. Acousmatic footsteps are often used in horror movies to signify the approach of a killer/monster/demon/etc.