History Main / PlayingtheHeartStrings

* Music/TheCruxshadows use an electric violin in many of their songs.

[[AC:For the best reading experience, play "[[https://youtu.be/_TCIKfWiUSQ?t=7 Hearts and Strings]]" or the "[[https://youtu.be/08wg9S_elHY Pay Your Respects]]" theme from ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamCity'' while reading.]]

Subtrope of SimpleScoreOfSadness. Compare with OneWomanWail, which is often used in the same way. See also LonelyPianoPiece. See MoodMotif.

* Creator/CirqueDuSoleil's ''Theatre/{{Volta}}'' has a major TearJerker example during "The Bee and the Wind", in which the Woman in White performs an electric violin solo, adding a OneWomanWail in the last third, while a BMX flatland rider and a ballet dancer re-enact Waz's childhood memories of bicycling with his mom.

* This trope pops up every now and then in the ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'' soundtrack: such as the intro to [[http://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/chorale-for-jaspers-2 "Chorale For Jaspers"]] (the opening of which has been quoted in many other songs) and an Asian-themed variation in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm1r294qQrk&feature=related "Even in Death"]].

A string section plays a mournful piece, usually built around subtle chord progression. A solo string can also apply. The peaceful yet haunting sound provides dissonance with the image, and yet this dissonance echoes the conflict on the screen. Often used to accompany a dramatic death, or a climactic battle, especially if the fighting is between people who should normally be friends. It can also be used for romantic or intense moments. Though it is often used as just plain background music, this trope is often lampshaded and parodied by the presence of an actual violinist(s) [[LeftTheBackgroundMusicOn who happens to be behind our protagonists]] during their moment of tragedy.

* ''Anime/{{Bleach}}'': Renji's soliloquy after he [[spoiler: is defeated by Ichigo]] has very sad background music accompanying it featuring violins prominently. This theme shows up a few other times in the show.

* "[[http://jessevalentinemusic.bandcamp.com/track/tragedy Tragedy]]", which [[MoodMotif plays during sad scenes]] in ''VideoGame/NoOneHasToDie''. Especially prevalent in [[spoiler:the final level]], where it plays in place of the normal background music.

%%** The World 1 background music from ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy2''. - ZCE; Weblinks are not Examples

%%* The background music to Yormgen from ''VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia''. - ZCE

* ''VideoGame/TheHouseInFataMorgana'' features several tracks in which the strings highlight the tragedies the characters suffer from. Among them is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hoiKTvLXSY "A Noble Death"]], in which the violins' lament hammer down the heart-wrenching scenes unfolding before your very eyes.

* In ''VideoGame/Omori'', the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W766EABGHe8 OMORI track]] is used to an heart-wrenching effect during the [[spoiler:final fight of the Sunny route]], as the violins, instruments which we didn't hear in the game so far [[spoiler:and for good reasons, as Sunny discarded his instrument a long time ago]], take up the stage, soar and cry, in a emotionally devastating performance, as [[spoiler:Sunny confronts Omori, the personification of his self-hatred and desire to take his own life, armed with the very same object central to his sister's death.]]

* ''Videogame/BluePlanet: War in Heaven'' cuts the sound effects and plays a mournful viola and cello piece when [[spoiler:the [=UEFg=] ''Yangtze'' makes its last, suicidal stand against the GTD ''Imperieuse'']].

* In ''VideoGame/OriAndTheBlindForest'', prior to the restoration of the Element of Waters, the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1eA4MK6VXw Thornfelt Swamp]] has a somber cello soundtrack along with [[LonelyPianoPiece lonely piano]].

** In the episode "Something Wall-Mart This Way Comes," when Mr. Farkle tells the boys that he has to close his shop because he can't compete with Wall-Mart, Cartman pulls out a little violin and starts playing. Kyle tells him to stop, but Cartman insists he [[SorryILeftTheBGMOn just felt like playing the violin]]. A little later, when Kyle starts talking about all the other people who have lost their jobs due to Wall-Mart, Cartman pulls it out again. This time, Kyle pulls it out of his hands and breaks it, but Cartman is unphased, saying he can get another one at Wall-Mart for five bucks.
** In the episode "Something Wall Mart This Way Comes", Cartman pulls out a violin and starts mockingly playing a sad tune all while a retail shop owner bemoans the fact that he has to close down his business due to Wallmart being around the corner. You can watch the scene [[http://pixa.club/en/south-park-uncensored/season-8/episode-9-something-wall-mart-this-way-comes?start=222 here]] at 4:50.

[[AC:For the best reading experience, play the music from [[https://youtu.be/08wg9S_elHY]] while reading.]]

A string section plays a mournful piece, usually built around subtle chord progression. The peaceful yet haunting sound provides dissonance with the image, and yet this dissonance echoes the conflict on the screen. Often used to accompany a dramatic death, or a climactic battle, especially if the fighting is between people who should normally be friends.

* ''Film/{{Platoon}}''. Sgt. Elias' death scene used Samuel Barber's ''Adagio for Strings''. See it on [=YouTube=], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue8VS-bcj88 starting at 2:00]]. The piece is used at several other points in the film.
* ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings'' features this on a Norwegian fiddle, especially when the riders of Rohan join a battle.

* In ''Film/SherlockHolmes2009'', Watson gets one of these when [[spoiler:caught in an explosion]].
* Used in the first ''Film/SpiderMan1'' movie when Peter comes home to Aunt May after [[spoiler:Uncle Ben's death]].
* ''Film/TheDeparted'' [[spoiler:as Queenan is tossed off the building in slow-motion]].
* ''Film/StarTrek2009'': [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-7c0U9t9oc This]] is the music that plays during the opening CurbStompBattle / HeroicSacrifice.
* In ''Film/ThreeKingdoms'', Phoenix Heights battle between the Zhao and Cao's top commanders, the dramatic strings with bass beats are diegetic; Cao Ying herself plays the zither while her soldiers beat the drums. A few other times Cao plays to unnerve the defenders, and it works, since even Zhao finds her sinister.

* Used several times in Casualties of War. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4wf-RDgRz4 This is the best example]] (starts around the halfway mark).

* The climax of ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'' features [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aep6kkAvnU4 I Feel You]], full of bittersweet splendor, when [[spoiler:Vision allows a tearful Wanda to destroy the Mind Stone keeping him alive as a last-ditch HeroicSacrifice to stop [[BigBad Thanos]]]], all while the rest of the Avengers desperately try to HoldTheLine.

* ''Film/SunsetBoulevard'': During "Final Scene", a slow, somber, instrumental string version of "Sunset Boulevard" plays as a dirge to [[spoiler:the fallen Joe Gillis]].

* The awakening and death of Edge's parents in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'', after they had been turned into mindless monsters by MadScientist Lugae.
* [[ItWasHisSled Aerith's death]] in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'', and the battle against JENOVA immediately after, are set to Aerith's Theme.

* The World 1 background music from ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy2''.
** Also, "Ghostly Galaxy" theme from the first ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy'' and ''VideoGame/SuperMario3DLand''.
* The intro of ''VideoGame/{{Castlevania 64}}''.
* The background music to Yormgen from ''VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia''.
* ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' plays somber Ennio Morricone-style strings near Goodsprings, Crimson Caravan Company, and a few other locations, as well as the during [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzAePefXPXM the credits]].
* "[[http://jessevalentinemusic.bandcamp.com/track/tragedy Tragedy]]", which [[MoodMotif plays during sad scenes]] in ''VideoGame/NoOneHasToDie''. Especially prevalent in [[spoiler:the final level]], where it plays in place of the normal background music.
* The ending theme of ''VideoGame/IMissTheSunrise'', "[[http://tindeck.com/listen/vqxf Everything]]", which plays uninterrupted throughout the entire ending sequence.

* ''VideoGame/MaxPayne 2: The Fall of Max Payne'' and ''Max Payne 3'' both feature [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZfaSNoZ6L0 a melancholy strings arrangement]] of the first game's main theme.
* Shows up several times in ''VideoGame/TheLastOfUs'', most notably during [[spoiler: the sequence after Joel has grabbed Ellie and is trying to escape the hospital. The particular piece of score used is found in the last minute and a half of All Gone (No Escape)]].
* ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamCity'': [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHRCseft5N8 "A Rose for Respect"]], played when you look at the rose and pause for a few minutes of silence, uninterrupted.
** Combined with OminousLatinChanting: the last part of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej8RILZ9dTo "It's Not Even Breakfast"]], [[spoiler:played when [[PietaPlagiarism Batman carries the Joker's lifeless body]] out of the Monarch Theatre and Arkham City to the shock of everyone.]]
** ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamOrigins'': "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1G251NNRko I Have Left Enough Life in Him for Some Final Words... If You Hurry]]". [[spoiler:Named after the ExactWords spoken by Bane after he has mortally wounded Alfred in the Batcave, and it is played while Batman's on a frantic search for the latter.]] This is followed, close enough, by "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lER0rqEKy8s Allies]]".
* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII2'': Serah's Theme becomes this ([[LonelyPianoPiece after a solo-piano opening]]). It plays many times, but most notable is the scene where she and Lightning reunite, [[spoiler:right after Serah dies]]. It's almost entirely silent except for the music and [[spoiler:Serah's pleas for Lightning to remember her]].
* ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedIVBlackFlag'': Drowns out most of the sounds while a slow, tearful melody plays when you swim back to your ship after [[spoiler:Blackbeard's]] death.
* ''Videogame/BluePlanet: War in Heaven'' cuts the sound effects and plays a mournful viola and cello piece when [[spoiler:the [=UEFg=] ''Yangtze'' makes its last, suicidal stand against the GTD ''Imperieuse'']].
* ''Videogame/SkiesOfArcadia'': [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3k0hWdEk04 Legend]], which gradually builds up to a rearrangement of part of the main theme
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVDh-qAaipg Ending of the Starry Sky]] from ''VideoGame/SilhouetteMirage''.
* In ''VideoGame/OriAndTheBlindForest'', prior to the restoration of the Element of Waters, the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1eA4MK6VXw Thornfelt Swamp]] has a somber cello soundtrack along with [[LonelyPianoPiece lonely piano]].
* "Hero of the Past" from ''VideoGame/BionicCommando 2009'' is a [[DarkReprise sad strings arrangement]] of "Heat Wave" (Area 5) from the NES game and its remake.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6IPtRIDzoA Aurora's theme]] from ''VideoGame/ChildOfLight''.
* ''VideoGame/HollowKnight'' uses a strings-focused DarkReprise of its main theme during the [[spoiler:final phase of the battle with the eponymous [[TragicMonster Hollow Knight]]]]. This arrangement is also used for the [[MeaningfulName aptly-named]] [[BrutalBonusLevel Path of Pain]] added with the ''Grimm Troupe'' expansion.
* Used in the final cutscene of ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006'' -- which is actually a string version of Princess Elise's theme "My Destiny" -- when [[spoiler:Elise realises that she must blow out the Flame of Solaris, preventing the villain from ever existing... but also preventing her from ever meeting Sonic and causing the entire plot of the game to have never happened. This is used to signify Elise's heartbreak from having to lose her friend/[[InterspeciesRomance one-sided love interest]], to save the world.]]
* In ''VideoGame/{{Celeste}}'', the Farewell DLC chapter features a solemn strings {{leitmotif}}, first introduced in [[https://youtu.be/9wob-o9k7l0 "Fear of the Unknown"]].

** ''VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved''[='s=] "Dust & Echoes" / ''Halo 3''[='s=] "Wake Me When you Need Me"

[[AC:For the best reading experience, play the music from [[https://youtu.be/eHRCseft5N8?t=85 this video]] while reading.]]

[[folder:Films -- Animated]]

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]

* The Granada adaptation of the ''Literature/SherlockHolmes'' adventure "The Final Problem" has a sorrowful violin piece accompanying Holmes and Moriarty's plunge into Reichenbach Falls. That said, this whole series made good use of violins in the opening theme and the rest of the soundtrack, since Holmes plays the violin himself.

** As the Doctor is [[spoiler: dragged into [[Recap/DoctorWhoS31E12ThePandoricaOpens the Pandorica]], struggling and terrified]], only the [[SoundtrackDissonance triumphant strings]] can be heard.
** Way back in series 2, they decided to subvert this in favour of the OneWomanWail. Lampshaded on Doctor Who Confidential.

* Abed and Shirley's outro in ''Series/{{Community}}'' episode [[Recap/CommunityS1E23ModernWarfare Modern Warfare]].
* In Season 9 of Series/HowIMetYourMother, Barber's Adagio for Strings plays when Marshall nearly delivers the seventh slap onto Barney, in slow motion.
** Season 5's "Jenkins" uses the same piece when Robin turns the tables on Ted's class's drinking game, and during the resulting hangover.

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* ''VideoGame/HollowKnight'' uses a strings-focused DarkReprise of its main theme during the final phase of the battle with the eponymous [[TragicMonster Hollow Knight]]. This arrangement is also used for the [[MeaningfulName aptly-named]] [[BrutalBonusLevel Path of Pain]] added with the ''Grimm Troupe'' expansion.

* Creator/CirqueDuSoleil's ''Theatre/{{Volta}}'' has a major TearJerker example during "The Bee and the Wind", in which the WomanInWhite performs an electric violin solo, adding a OneWomanWail in the last third, while a BMX flatland rider and a ballet dancer re-enact Waz's childhood memories of bicycling with his mom.

* Used in the final cutscene of ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006'' -- which is actually a string version of Elise's theme "My Destiny" -- when [[spoiler:Elise realises that she must blow out the Flame of Solaris, preventing the villain from ever existing... but also preventing her from ever meeting Sonic and causing the entire plot of the game to have never happened. This is used to signify Elise's heartbreak from having to lose her friend/[[InterspeciesRomance one-sided love interest]], to save the world.]]

* Used in the final cutscene of ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006'' when [[spoiler:Elise blows out the Flame of Solaris, preventing the villain from ever existing -- but also preventing her from meeting Sonic and the entire plot of the game ever happening. This is used to signify Elise's heartbreak from having to lose her friend to save the world.]]