Music supervisors play a vital role in shaping the emotional impact of film, television, and media by pairing the right music with the right visuals. This is more than just finding a good song or score—it’s about creating a sense of balance and harmony that resonates with audiences on a deep level. By understanding a few key principles from music and nature, supervisors can make decisions that feel natural and powerful, even if they can’t always explain why.
Let’s break down the big ideas that can help you, as a music supervisor, create better connections between music and visuals:
- Why balance matters in storytelling.
- How triads (three-note chords) in music work like storytelling tools.
- Why tuning matters (432Hz vs. 440Hz).
- How simple sound waves (sine waves) can guide your choices.
Why Balance Is the Secret Ingredient in Storytelling
Every story, whether told through visuals, sound, or both, has a natural flow. This flow is all about balance: the push and pull between tension and resolution, between highs and lows, and between moments of action and stillness. Great storytelling mirrors life—it feels real because it reflects how we experience the world.
This balance works like a triangle:
- The Past (Faith): What has happened before and how it sets up the story or scene.
- The Present (Structure): What’s happening right now—how the music and visuals interact in the moment.
- The Future (Resolution): What’s coming next and how the story moves forward.
For example: Imagine a romantic scene where two characters reconnect after years apart. The music should hint at their past (nostalgic tones), anchor the present (matching the pacing of their actions or dialogue), and nudge the audience toward the resolution (a swelling melody suggesting hope or love).
By thinking about this triangle—past, present, future—you can use music to guide the audience’s emotions without them even realizing it.
How Triads in Music Are Like Storytelling Tools
In music, triads are simple three-note chords, like building blocks for songs. These triads—major, minor, diminished, and augmented—create emotional responses.
- Major Triads: Bright, happy, and stable. Perfect for uplifting or victorious moments in a story.
- Minor Triads: Sad, introspective, or mysterious. Great for reflective or emotional scenes.
- Diminished Triads: Tense and unresolved. Use these when something feels off or when tension is building.
- Augmented Triads: Dreamy or otherworldly. Ideal for surreal or magical moments.
Think of triads like the emotions you want to match to a scene. If a scene is tense, using music with diminished chords will heighten that tension. If it’s a hopeful ending, a major triad will feel like the story has come full circle.
For example, in a horror movie, the soundtrack might lean on diminished triads during a suspenseful scene to keep the audience on edge. But when the hero escapes danger, switching to a major triad helps the audience feel relief and resolution.
432Hz vs. 440Hz: Does Tuning Really Matter?
Here’s a quick music secret: The way music is tuned might change how it feels.
Most modern music is tuned to 440Hz, which means the note “A” vibrates at 440 cycles per second. But some musicians and scientists believe tuning to 432Hz—a slightly lower frequency—feels more natural and harmonious.
- 440Hz (Modern Standard): It’s clear, bright, and sharp. Good for energetic or intense scenes.
- 432Hz (Natural Alternative): Feels warmer and more soothing. Great for emotional or reflective moments.
Why does this matter for music supervisors? Because the tuning of the music you choose might affect how the audience feels. For example, a documentary about nature might feel more relaxing and connected to the visuals with 432Hz music, while a fast-paced action sequence works best with 440Hz for its punchiness.
If you’re unsure, experiment by listening to music tuned to both frequencies. See which one feels right for the mood of your scene.
Sine Waves: The Building Blocks of Sound and Emotion
All sound is made of waves, and the simplest wave is a sine wave. It’s a pure tone, like a single “beep,” and it’s where all other sounds come from.
Why does this matter? Because sine waves show how sound naturally balances itself:
- Every sound has highs and lows (like waves in the ocean). When music works with these natural patterns, it feels smoother and more connected to the visuals.
- Simple sounds build complex emotions. A single tone can evoke calmness, while a mix of tones creates texture and depth.
For music supervisors, this means choosing sounds that match the “wave” of your visuals. For example, soft sine waves can create intimacy in a quiet scene, while layered, aggressive waves (like distorted guitar or heavy synths) bring energy to a fight or chase scene.
Bringing It All Together: Using Music to Elevate Visuals
By combining these principles, you can make better choices as a music supervisor:
Think in Threes:
Use the triangle of past, present, future to guide your music choices. Ask yourself:- What emotion or memory do I want to evoke from the past?
- How does the music match the pacing and structure of the current scene?
- Where is the story going, and how does the music help us get there?
Use Triads to Set the Mood:
Match the emotional tone of the scene with the right chord type:- Major for happy or resolved moments.
- Minor for sadness or mystery.
- Diminished for tension or unease.
- Augmented for dreamlike or magical scenes.
Consider Tuning:
If you’re working on an emotional or naturalistic project, experiment with music tuned to 432Hz. For modern, energetic projects, stick with 440Hz.Trust the Waves:
Listen for how the music “flows” with the visuals. Smooth, natural waves feel calming, while sharp, jagged waves add excitement or tension.
Practical Example: Syncing Music to a Scene
Imagine you’re working on a pivotal moment in a drama where a character decides to leave their hometown to start a new life.
- Past (Faith): Use soft strings or piano with minor triads to reflect the character’s sadness and nostalgia.
- Present (Law): As the character takes their final steps, introduce a steady rhythm, like a heartbeat, to ground the scene in the moment.
- Future (Grace): When the character looks out at the horizon, transition to a major triad, symbolizing hope and a fresh start.
By layering these elements, you create a musical journey that mirrors the character’s emotional arc, making the scene more impactful.
Why This Matters
As a music supervisor, you’re not just adding background noise—you’re shaping how the audience feels and remembers the story. By understanding the basics of balance, harmony, and sound, you can make choices that feel natural, powerful, and unforgettable.
Even if your audience doesn’t consciously notice these details, they’ll feel them. And that’s the magic of great music supervision: creating harmony between sound and visuals that resonates on every level.