Hello,
I was listening to some game soundtracks.
The following is from Conker's Bad Fur Day: 13b-undead.mp3

What can you deduce from this track, analytically (in the realms of harmony, rhythm and instrumentation), that makes this track have this suspense it exudes - which in turn, will lead to the answer of: how can one reproduce such feelings with their original music?

How does our society build these musical references, and where can I find them out in a glossary or didactic form? (too good to be true, I'd say...)
Even though some people are illiterate in music writing, they can still understand the emotions certain compositions bring them.

[Edited by - Kryzon on November 10, 2010 7:11:58 PM]

I found this very useful...
Film scoring

Humans by their very nature like symmetry. When things are not symmetrical it can create a sense of unease. This symmetry can (and does) apply to harmonies, rhythms and instrumentation. Listening to this track there are long held notes that often create a degree of dissonance. Much of the Western music tradition since the Renaissance has used more symmetrical harmonies to imply happier, more calming moods. More dissonant harmonies are used to imply sadness, tension or anger. This track uses dissonance well as well as de-tuning elements that help create a dream-like quality. Add in the short note stabs, little children giggles and you've got yourself a spooky song!

So how to reproduce this in your own track?

1) Long notes that create dissonance with other elements in the song.

2) Un-even phrase lengths to keep the listener questioning what is going to happen next.

3) Highs vs. Lows. Another element of this piece not mentioned above is the use of low brass vs. high strings. In the mid range there's not a ton of activity. These extremes can create a foreboding mood.

4) Loud vs. Soft. The track you linked didn't do a ton of this but there were several quiet vs. loud moments. Think of the "jumping out and scary you" trick that friends often play on each other. This is the music doing the same thing. Often times it's scored with some big visual event but it can also be a nice misdirection to have a huge hit and nothing visually happening. Keeps the viewer guessing.

5) Tasteful use of repetition. I really like how this track uses the "tick tock" of the harp to keep movement happening.

The best thing you can do to get familiar with this style is to listen to a ton of it. Here are some other great tracks that create tension. (Note: some of these take other approaches that work equally as well.)

The Village:

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Signs:

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The Machinist:

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Listen, listen, listen. Then try and emulate. It's the best way to learn.

Thanks,

Nate

It is a nice track indeed, isn't it? David Wise sure did his best with the audio capabilities of the N64 with this game's soundtrack. I'm sure there is a lot more to pull out of the other tracks.

Great information in those posts, thank you both for being 'extremely helpful'!

Its all about wondering whats going to happen next. Long dischordant sections really boost up the suspense. Also off beat or syncopated rhythms that just tell your head 'something is not right'. Volume swells are another trick, especially on low instruments like synth strings.

See the soundtrack of inception, there are parts when some instruments are playing 3/4 and others 4/4. It makes you feel disoreinted while you're waiting for it to resolve into something normal.

All the musical conditioning we have from listening to 'standard' music tells us something is unsettling or "off" when we hear off-beat or dischordant sounds and it creates real tension.