xylophones - sneaky stealth stuff is happening or tech bros are planning something complicated
strings - somebody died
saxophone - city scene in the rain
any others?
2 Likes
gunshot - someone has fired a gun
19 Likes
Slide whistle - trousers falling down/tits
9 Likes
Plinky plonk pizzicato strings = something ‘quirky’
4 Likes
theme tune - the show is starting
theme tune - the show has ended
8 Likes
gong - martial arts fight begins
2 Likes
In trailers for comedy films
Record scratch signifies the moment the inciting incident occurs - eg hero realised they’ve been turned into a dog or something
3 Likes
Main theme tune is played in a pseudo “Asian” style - looks like we’re in Chinatown
4 Likes
Wah-wah guitars = 70s film car chase
2 Likes
Trombone - hapless accident or slapstick injury is set to unfold
1 Like
Wilhelm scream: a sound editor is feeling very pleased with themself
12 Likes
Slap bass: early 90s stand-up
1 Like
15 Likes
People singing ‘Happy Birthday’ - it’s someone’s birthday.
8 Likes
Computers making morse code-y clicking and/or soft beeps when there’s hacking or some sort of technical surveillance going on despite this absolutely not being a thing in real life
6 Likes
Backwards and forwards on a harp = flashback
9 Likes
Wah-wah guitar - sexy time is about to happen
Something is happening, but will you ever know what it is (possibly, probably not)
1 Like
Mouth organ
Somebody is in jail / trapped somewhere.
4 Likes
2 Likes