harmonica

I'm scoring a film project of mine, which is a crime thriller, and I want a low bass instrument to be used for suspense and also for dark comedy in some sections.

I could use both, or I could just choose one for more consistency in the bass sound. But if I do choose just one, what should it be for suspense and dark comedy in other parts?

Frownland

You should use double bass for most of it, but you should add some tuba moments during the funny bits like *womp womp*

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At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed.

harmonica

Oh okay. Yeah that's what others say to, to use the tuba for comedy, but can't a tuba be played seriously as well, such as some movie soundtracks such as Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) or The Punisher (1989)?

Frownland

Yep, low brass drones can build suspense pretty well.

__________________

At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed.

harmonica

Oh okay. Well if a tuba can also produce suspense when being played that way, then is their any reason to go with a double bass instead, that you cannot get with a tuba?

Frownland

I just think it'd sound nice and you wouldn't have to incorporate extended techniques to be more dynamic. They both could work and only you can say if the context of the rest of the instrumentation is appropriate.

__________________

At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed.

harmonica

Oh okay thanks. What if you can only choose one between the viola and the french horn for a score in a more crime thriller tone? Which would you rather have and why?