Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 masterpiece, Psycho, is a landmark in cinema for many reasons, but its terrifying score by Bernard Herrmann has crossed from the movie into popular culture and ensured we'll never forget this slasher classic. The music of Psycho didn't just accompany the horror; it became an integral part of it, forever changing the way filmmakers use sound to manipulate emotions and build suspense.Today, I want to dive into that legacy. Let's unpack how the Psycho score changed movie music forever. Even if you haven't seen the movie, it feels like the score to Psycho is part of the cultural lexicon. We all know the shower scene and the screeching violins as the knife comes down. Herrmann's decision to use only strings for the entire score was a stroke of genius. It created a cold, unsettling, and nerve-wracking soundscape that perfectly mirrored the film's psychological horror.The audience is uneasy and disturbed. But the brilliance of Herrmann's score goes beyond the shower scene. The secret to his score was this thing called the "col legno," where the string players strike the strings with the wood of the bow. This creates a percussive, clicking sound that is eerie and permeates the film, so you never relax.Herrmann also repeats his musical motifs, increasing the tempo and intensity to heighten tension and create a sense of impending doom as the story goes onward. This technique keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, constantly anticipating the next shocking event.So, How Did This...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - 2 days ago