The Waterphone & Other Creepy Instruments

*Trigger warning, some links contain scary horror scenes.Viewer discretion is advised 🎃

Halloween is upon us and while you perfect your costume, there’s one element you can’t forget—sound.

The unsettling sounds in horror movies play a huge role in amplifying fear, and some of the creepiest sounds come from instruments designed to make your skin crawl.

Let’s dive into the world of spine-chilling instruments that add a perfect eerie touch to your favourite horror moments.

The Waterphone

Meet the Waterphone, the “ocean harp” of horror soundscapes.

Created by Richard Waters in the 1960s, this eerie instrument mimics the mournful wail of a whale or a lost soul. It’s featured in classics like Poltergeist and Aliens, and even The Matrix, and X-files.

Played with bows or mallets, it creates everything from soft, whispery echoes to unsettling dissonance.

Want to feel the chills for yourself? Listen to a Waterphone performance and get ready for shivers.

2. The Apprehension Engine

Picture an instrument built to summon pure dread. That’s the Apprehension Engine, a monstrous creation of composer Mark Korven. Packed with metal rulers, rods, and springs, it generates unpredictable sounds that tap directly into our most primal fears.

Used in the score of The Witch, the Apprehension Engine is the sound of nightmares made real. It’s no wonder filmmakers use it to keep audiences on edge.

Catch a performance of the Apprehension Engine and see why just a few strokes can turn peace into panic. Listen

3. The Blaster Beam

If sci-fi horror is your thing, you’ve heard the Blaster Beam’s ominous hum.

This gigantic 12-foot beam—yep, it’s as big as it sounds—uses electric guitar pickups to create its signature metallic drone.

It’s been featured in Star Trek, 10 Cloverfield Lane, and even Wonder Woman.

With its deep, resonant tones, it creates a sense of looming doom that’s hard to escape.

Curious about how it sounds? Dive into this Blaster Beam clip and brace yourself for its otherworldly power.

4. Ondes Martenot

Not all spooky sounds come from metal and springs—sometimes, the spookiest are electronic.

The Ondes Martenot, an early electronic instrument from 1928, uses radio tubes to create ghostly, wavelike sounds. Think of it as the more haunting cousin of the Theremin.

Used in Ghostbusters and The Matrix, its ethereal notes are perfect for conjuring supernatural atmospheres.

Want to try your hand at creating these sounds? Check out DIY instruments to make your own spooky sounds from scratch.

5. The Trongos

Similar to the Waterphone, the Trongos is another bizarre creation by Richard Waters.

It’s made of water drums and produces sounds that feel like they’re bubbling up from the depths of the ocean.

While it’s not as famous, it’s perfect for adding an eerie, underwater touch to any spooky scene.

Why Do These Instruments Freak Us Out?

What makes these sounds so terrifying? It’s the dissonance and unpredictability.

Our brains crave harmony, and when we don’t get it, we feel uneasy.

These instruments play on that instinct, creating unsettling, inharmonic sounds that put us on edge before the visual scares even appear.

Create Your Own Creepy Soundtrack

Feeling inspired? Why not create your own horror soundscape!

You can follow a DIY guide to craft a Waterphone or experiment with metal rods to recreate the Apprehension Engine’s eerie sounds. Link

Not into DIY? Grab a Waterphone on Etsy or check out other spooky instruments to get your hands on your very own piece of horror history.

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