Open Your Next Scene with These Royalty Free Tracks

These evocative, scene-setting royalty-free tracks will effortlessly add impact to your establishing shots.

Establishing shots are vital components of most video and film projects. They help to orient the audience by providing a wealth of information about the scene to come. For example, take a simple shot of a city skyline at night. In a single shot, the filmmakers introduce both location and time without a single line of dialogue. Beyond the basics, a well thought-out shot can also establish mood and atmosphere.

We’ve covered establishing shots on The Beat before. We’ve even created an in-depth guide on how to film your perfect one. But what we haven’t dived into yet is the importance of choosing appropriate music.

Whether your soundtrack operates on a subconscious level or is more in-your-face, music can help sell your opening scene. Try bringing your scene’s setting to life by using a musical style that’s rooted to your specific location. This can even mean using a track that incorporates subtle local textures too, like how the sound of a duduk can enhance a shot of a desert landscape.

Image via Shutterstock.

The type of the establishing music you choose can act as a form of story foreshadowing too. Think about the tone of your scene to come. Is it romantic, tense, fast-paced? Your music should give viewers a heads-up about what they can expect.

We asked our music experts to curate a selection of royalty free tracks specifically for opening  scenes. It features a diverse mix of both location-specific and mood-setting tracks. And because establishing shots are often aerials, many of these selections make a perfect match for high-flying footage. Take a listen to the collection below and find the track to open your story.

And, if you ever need great establishing footage, check out this handpicked collection from Shutterstock.