7 Ways to Use Music to Create Mood and Meaning

Sound, whether a sound effect, piece of music or a whole score, is extremely effective in creating mood in live theatre.  Drama performances increasingly incorporate “soundscapes” created by the designer.  In the old days, sound effects of bells ringing and doors creaking were often used to designate an action, but now those sounds, along with scores and background music, are being used to create a mode or tone to the whole production.  With the advent of the internet and mobile recording device, the options available to the sound designer are unlimited.

Read the article on “7 Ways to Use Music to Create Mood and Meaning” to get a sense of the various ways designers use music and sound in their design.

• locate a song, soundtrack or major sound effect from a film, television show, or theatre production
• using that example, show how the song or sound effect helps to create a sense of mood and meaning (DO NOT use one of the examples from the article)
• include a link to your source or, if applicable, the actual song or effect, if creating the journal as an audio file

Create your response, in the Assignment submission box below (not in the Comments field), as a journal or diary entry.  This response will not be read by your fellow classmates.  The journal should be 1-2 pages long, approximately 400-500 words minimum.  Be careful of spelling, grammar, capitalization, and punctuation…proofread and edit your work as necessary.  Please cite your sources, including the sound or sound effect resource (or links).  As this journal involves sound, audio and/or video files can also be submitted (instead of the traditional Word or Powerpoint formats). This journal will be assessed to the Journal Rubric.