Music in horror is vital - without it, the genre would not be half as frightening as it can get. Music creates necessary tension and provides build up for the elements of 'spooks' in horror productions. Some scenes, such as the iconic 'shark attack' in 'Jaws' would not be half as frightening if the sound was removed (without the minor chords in the background, the scene looks like some people swimming and suddenly being afraid).
As it is in most cases, there is science behind all the madness - and filmmakers know that very well. Humans have a certain sensitivity to the, so called, non-linear sounds and the production companies use them to unnerve the audiences. A great example is the legendary 'Psycho' by Alfred Hitchcock, where the strings and overwhelming brass are mimicking the sound of panic in nature we simply cannot help responding to. Even just listening to the music without any footage to go with it creates the feeling of danger and makes our hearts pump blood a little bit faster.
It is also confirmed that low frequency/minor sounds make us feel uncomfortable and create an unsettling atmosphere. That is probably why filmmakers just love them - sometimes, even if the production is low budget and not scary at all, the right use of sound can give it a boost. Even the greatest horrors would not be as effective if it wasn't for their soundtracks ( and sometimes the soundtracks become the most iconic thing about a film, such as the aforementioned 'Jaws' theme).
The sound in horror can also be used to exaggerate the action on screen; by synchronising certain movements or actions with the 'peaks' in the soundtracks or specific beats. For example: when a character is running and each time their foot hits the ground, a beat in the soundtrack occurs. That way filmmakers can put emphasis on the action and create more tension, as the audience subliminally feels the importance of what's going on in front of their eyes.
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