# Horror music that creeps in

> Make horror background music for games, videos and stories: low drones, a heartbeat, cold strings. Describe the scene and change it by asking.

Describe the scene, like "a dark hallway, something is behind the door". Shawarma makes music for it: a low drone, a slow heartbeat, strings that do not resolve.

Then make it worse. Ask for more silence, a louder heartbeat, or a sudden hit when the door opens.

The hallway

60 BPM, a low drone and a heartbeat

1. **Something is wrong** drone, heart
2. **It is in the house** drone, heart, strings, bell

[Open this song in Shawarma](https://shawarma.studio/open?example=made-horror-hallway)

## Two more to be afraid of

- The chase: 150 BPM, toms and sharp string stabs: [Make it yours](https://shawarma.studio/open?example=made-horror-chase)
- The music box: 72 BPM, a music box in an empty room: [Make it yours](https://shawarma.studio/open?example=made-horror-music-box)

## Then ask for *changes*

Once your song plays, type what it needs. It changes while it plays, and you keep only what you like.

- You add a sudden hit at the end
- You slower and quieter
- You make the heartbeat faster
- You add a music box
- You more silence between the notes

## Made to scare

- Tension that builds: Start with a drone and a heartbeat, then ask for more: strings, a bell, a hit.
- Silence is a sound too: Ask for gaps, a slower pulse or one part alone. Fear needs room.
- Yours to use: You own what you make and can use it in your videos and games. Some built-in sounds ask for a credit; the list is on the Terms page.

**See the code of “The hallway”**

```
setcpm(15) // 60 BPM, a dark hallway

const drone = note("<[c2,c#2] [c2,d2]>").s("sawtooth").lpf(300).attack(1).release(2).gain(.22)
const heart = s("bd ~ bd ~ ~ ~ ~ ~").lpf(400).gain(.5)
const strings = note("<[c4,f#4] [b3,f4] [c4,g4] [c#4,g4]>").s("gm_string_ensemble_1").attack(1).release(2).gain(.18)
const bell = note("<[~ ~ c6 ~] [~ ~ ~ ~] [~ f#5 ~ ~] [~ ~ ~ ~]>").s("glockenspiel").room(.9).delay(.5).gain(.1)

arrange(
  [4, stack(drone, heart)],                  // something is wrong
  [8, stack(drone, heart, strings, bell)],   // it is in the house
)
```

## Questions

**Is it free?**

Yes. Your first song needs no sign-up, and making, editing and sharing songs is free.

**Can I use it in my horror game or video?**

You own what you make and can use it in your videos and games. Some built-in sounds ask for a credit; the list is on the Terms page.

**Can it loop under a scene?**

Yes. Each part is whole bars long, so it loops cleanly. Ask for a longer song with several parts if it should not repeat too much.

The sounds that ask for a credit: [Sound credits on the Terms page](https://shawarma.studio/terms#sound-credits).

## Make your own horror music

A dark scene is already typed in. Describe yours, or press the button.

Free. No sign-up for your first song.

Have an account? [Continue with Google](https://shawarma.studio/auth/google)

By continuing you agree to the [Terms](https://shawarma.studio/terms) and the [Privacy policy](https://shawarma.studio/privacy).

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The page: https://shawarma.studio/make/horror-music