Royalty Free Drones Music

The drone, in this situation, isn't typically a pleasing sound, and the uncertainty of when it ends is what creates anxiety.

It's that feeling of knowing something is going to happen but not knowing when, which means you can't relax.

It's such a simple technique, but it's so effective. One of the earliest examples of drone music being used in this way is 1931s Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde.

As an example of how long a drone can be sustained, we can look at some of the master classical composers.

For example, Richard Wagner was known to include sustained notes up to 15 minutes long in his works.

A Lighter Side

We mentioned already that melodies and other notes could change the harmonic quality of a drone.

That means it doesn't need to be about anxiety and tension. It could instead focus on peacefulness and resolution.

If we try to imagine how that translates into a movie scene, it could be something like the sun rising to signify a new day and perhaps a change of fortune.

It could also be something less cheesy, but you get the idea.

In musical terms, what we are talking about is the difference in the interval between the drone and the note above.

A low sustained note with a major 7th above, or even a major 7th and 9th, can change something that was dark and gloomy to something bright and hopeful.

Have a Break

We used Richard Wagner as an example of drones lasting for very long times, but it doesn't have to.

Think of a ship's distress call; you'd think of that as a drone, right?

But it's not constant; it has short pauses between droning.

Using a drone this way doesn't just create tension and anxiety; it gives the feeling of motion like something is coming.

Sometimes, those short little breaks just make it more terrifying.