Do you want to make music that sounds mysterious?
First, how dark and scary would you like the music to sound? Mystery can be anything from dark and ominous, to magical and enchanting.
If you want the dark mystery vibe you want to use more of:
- Minor 2nds (chromatic steps)
- Tritones (the devil’s interval)
- Diminished Chords (triad or diminished 7th)
However, if you want to make mysterious music without having it be too dark and creepy, here are guidelines you can use:
7 Tips on How to make Mysterious Music
- Choose a Slower Tempo (BPM)
- Write Arpeggios (beyond triads)
- Add Minor 6th (works on both major/minor chords)
- Long Intervals (especially with glissandos)
- Complex Chords (ex: min/Maj or Maj/min)
- Non Diatonic Surprises (chords and melody)
- Unusual Scale or Time Signature (feels “strange)
Sounds for Mysterious Music
If you course you can use any instrument to create mysterious music, because it mainly depends on harmony, playing technique and how you use the instrument and sounds.
However, there are some that are very suited for created a sense of mystery:
- Tremolo on Strings (example violins)
- High Harmonics (it sounds otherworldly)
- Minor 2nd Trills (mainly on strings)
- Dark Pads (especially long drone sounds)
- Lonely Piano (minimal arrangement)
- Deep Winds (bass flutes, clarinets etc)
- Low Brass (softer dynamics as it sounds menacing)