How to Develop an Ear for Trailer Music: Key Elements for Impactful Soundtracks
Hello Friends,
Over the years, I’ve come to realize that selecting or creating the right music for a trailer is more art than science. Trailers have such a specific job, they need to instantly grab attention, evoke emotion, and leave a lasting impression, all within a short span of time. The music plays a huge role in that. It has to complement the visuals perfectly while maintaining its own arc, and getting that balance right requires a good ear.
At first, I thought there might be some universal formula for what makes great trailer music, but the reality is, it changes depending on the tone, style of the project, and most importantly… The client you are working with. Whether it’s an action-packed blockbuster or a quiet, heartfelt story, the music has to match the vibe, or juxtapose it when the client wants to go for something different. Even with that variety, though, I’ve found three elements that seem to always matter: build, variety, and finality.
Build: Creating Momentum
Trailer music needs to have movement, it should build in intensity, whether gradually or suddenly, to create momentum. The idea is to mirror the emotional arc of the trailer. This doesn’t mean every track has to end in a loud, epic climax, instead, it should feel like a journey, with the end being more impactful than the beginning.
I wanted to share a quick example of some work my team at Rareform Audio and Black Sheep Music collaborated on: the trailer for Deadpool and Wolverine. It’s a fun blend of action, humor, and drama, featuring two of Marvel’s most iconic characters. The trailer includes Savages To Heroes from our Black Sheep Music’s album The Great Frontier. What really set this project apart was the approach taken by the editorial team, they did a musical mashup, pairing the robust percussion bed of Savages To Heroes with Madonna’s Like A Prayer.
Creating music for trailers is about more than just composing a great track; it's about understanding how your music can contribute to a larger creative vision, where you, as a composer, are one part of a cohesive team. This trailer is an example of how music can work in unexpected combinations to enhance tone and pacing. Developing a good ear means not just focusing on what you create, but paying attention to how your music can support and elevate the story in ways you might not have expected.
Variety: Keeping It Engaging
Even if a track builds well, it also needs variety to keep it interesting. Without moments of contrast, whether they’re shifts in tone, instrumentation, or pacing, the music can feel repetitive. Variety helps give editors flexibility, too, allowing them to cut to moments in the music that match key beats in the trailer.
That said, it’s a fine balance. Too much variety can make the track feel scattered, while too little can make it predictable. The best cues find a middle ground, keeping things fresh while still feeling cohesive.
One great example of variety in a trailer score is the music used in the Avengers: Endgame official trailer. The track balances moments of tension, hope, and triumph, using shifts in tone and instrumentation to reflect the emotional journey of the characters. The build starts with a somber, minimalist tone, piano and strings highlighting the stakes, before transitioning into a sweeping orchestral arrangement with bold brass and percussion, driving the energy forward.
This dynamic progression doesn’t feel chaotic because the shifts are deliberate, matching the pacing of the trailer. It gives editors the flexibility to cut to quiet, reflective beats or explosive action moments, depending on what’s on screen. The result? A track that stays engaging from start to finish without feeling repetitive or scattered.
Point being, variety keeps the audience hooked while giving storytellers the tools they need to captivate viewers.
Finality: Providing a Satisfying Ending
A good trailer needs a strong finish, and so does the music. Without a proper ending, a track can leave the audience feeling unresolved. Whether it’s a soft fade-out or a bold final note, it should give the sense that the journey is complete.
Sometimes, especially when using existing game or film music, there’s no clear ending. In those cases, it’s often necessary for the creative team to work with the composer to create a new version that ends in a more satisfying way. Trailer music isn’t meant to loop indefinitely, it’s meant to tell a complete story in a couple of minutes, and live up to the standards of the current trailer landscape.
At the end of the day, trailer music is about creating a feeling. Whether that feeling is excitement, awe, suspense, or even a sense of wonder, the music has to support the narrative without overpowering it. These three elements—build, variety, and finality—are what I’ve found to be the foundation of great trailer music.
Thanks for reading. Until next post!
-Nathan
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