There are some iconic movie title cards out there, but perhaps none as monumental as that of THX, the Lucasfilm subsidiary whose logo accompanies that huge swelling sound you’ve definitely heard before. If you’re still not sure what I’m talking about, you will now:
That sound is known as “Deep Note,” and if you’ve ever wanted to perform your own version of it, you now have some sheet music to play along to, as THX has decided to share the score of its iconic theme. They tweeted out the sheet music, writing that it first appeared before Star WarsOpens in a new tab: Return Of The Jedi on May 25, 1983.
In 35 yrs we have NEVER shown this! View the never-before-seen score of #DeepNoteOpens in a new tab THX’s audio trademark 🔊 created by Dr. James A. Moorer a former employee of #LucasfilmOpens in a new tab. #DeepNoteOpens in a new tab debuted at the premiere of #ReturnOfTheJediOpens in a new tab on May 25th 1983 // 35yrs ago #THXLtdEntertainsAt35Opens in a new tab #RTOpens in a new tab pic.twitter.com/9LLF6Ul17mOpens in a new tab
— THX Ltd. (@THX) May 25, 2018Opens in a new tab
A few years ago, THX shared a behind the scenes video about a re-creation of “Deep Note” by Dr. Andy Moorer, who created the original one. In the clip, various people from THX talk about the genesis of the sound, and perhaps what’s most fascinating about it is it’s as much a feat in engineering and programming as it is in sound. Dr. Moorer also says about it, “The reaction that it’s gotten from the public… I’ve been astonished. I mean, I knew it would have an emotional impact, but I had no clue that it was going to grab hold of people the way that it did.”
Think you could play this on acoustic guitar? Do any of you plan to actually try re-creating “Deep Note?” Let us know what you think down in the comments!
Featured image: THX
