Arts >> Theater >> Drama

How does john Williams create tension in jaws?

Use of Leitmotifs

- Associating the shark's presence with ominous and repetitive musical phrases

Tempos and Dynamics

- Slow, ominous tempos build suspense and dread

- Sudden increases in tempo and volume create heart-pounding moments of terror

Sound Effects

- Eerie aquatic sounds add to the underwater atmosphere and magnify the shark's looming presence

Syncopation and Rhythmic Irregularity

- Unpredictable rhythms mimic the shark's erratic movements and unpredictable attacks

Use of Silence

- Sudden pauses and silences heightens anticipation, creating an unsettling atmosphere of waiting and anxiety

Drama

Related Categories