Music and Sound

In the BBC series Sherlock music plays an important part in helping the audience experience Sherlock Holmes unique style of crime solving. The soundtrack is used to enhance the visuals for the audience and give them insight into Holmes mind.  The use of fast-paced music rhythmic music reflects his Sherlock's rapid thought process draws the audience into how he solves each case. The is clearly demonstrated in tense moments like when Sherlock rescues Watson from the Chinese criminals, the tense, dramatic music helps build suspense and allows the audience to feel the emotions of the scene.

Diegetic Sound in Sherlock

Diegetic sound is the sound that the actual characters can hear within the scene and helps to immerse the viewers into the story.  In episode 2, The Blind Banker, is a great example of diegetic sound during the circus scene.  As the characters watch, the sound of the drums and other traditional Chinese music can be heard by both the characters and the viewers.  This sound helps the audience know that the characters are currently viewing a Chinese performance giving them a better understanding of the scene.

Non-Diegetic Sound in Sherlock

Non-Diegetic sound on the other hand is music or sound effects that the characters cannot hear and is only heard by the audience.  This sound helps to add a layer of depth to the situation allowing for the audience to feel the emotion of the scene.  In Sherlock, non-diegetic music happens in times of danger or suspense, giving the audience clues about what is happening, even when the characters are not speaking the audience can follow the scene.

Music in Enola

The creators of the movie Enola also use a mix of diegetic and non-diegetic sound techniques to portray the events in the movie.

Music in this film helps to tell the story, it helps shape how the audience is feeling and what we notice in each scene.  The film uses light playful music during moments of discovery and intense, dramatic music when danger is close. 

A good example of this is the train scene where Enola tries to help Viscount Tewksbury escape from an assassin.  As the scene builds, the music becomes faster and more intense reflecting the danger and urgency.  Then the diegetic sounds, the turning of the wheels and the whistling of the train establish the setting for the audience.

Why Sound Matters in Crime Fiction

In both Sherlock and Enola Holmes, the use of sound helps the way the audience experiences the show.  The use of diegetic sounds the audience are placed inside the scene and the use of non-diegetic music that helps to build the scene with emotion, it helps us feel the suspense.