by When you think of beginner tunes to play on the piano, what do you think of?
For many people, it’s renditions of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, and Mary Had a Little Lamb. Of course, if you are a fan of horror movies, these may not be the kind of tunes that will get you excited about learning to play any instrument.
There is something that can be undoubtedly eerie about the piano, and even if you are new to learning it, there are some simple tunes from horror movies that you can learn.
Eager to learn which ones? Read on!
Halloween Theme Tune from Halloween
Composed by legendary writer John Carpenter, this famous tune will be a surefire way to get a chill at a Halloween party!
It may seem a bit more advanced than what you would play using piano sheet music for beginners, but there are some key features of this tune that make it ideal for those who are newer to playing the piano.
- The melody is simple – it focuses on just a few keys and is repetitive.
- You only need one hand to play the tune well. Even without the use of the left hand on the minor keys, it’s eerie!
- Single-handed play makes it adaptable for beginners, and there is the option to use two hands as you become more confident in your abilities.
Tubular Bells, The Exorcist
Another recognizable horror tune, this will be sure to put the creep into any piano practice that you may be doing at home! Written by Mike Oldfield, this tune is the perfect mix of simple and easy, even if you have never played the piano.
- The melody is stepwise, meaning the player needs to move left or right with the white keys without jumping. This reduces the chance of making errors and makes it simple to play.
- It has a steady pace, and it allows you to practice your timing and pressure on the keys.
Jaws Theme
OK, so a movie about a shark is not up there with a movie about a girl who does the entire 360 degrees with her head! However, this tune is instantly recognized and is the perfect mixture of musical anticipation and horror.
- The two-note motif (E and F) is repetitive, allowing you to speed up the pace and build the tension.
- This tune relies more on volume changes than the complexity of the notes, allowing you to experiment with pressure and timing when hitting the keys.
The Addams Family Theme
For all the lovers of Wednesday, Gomez, Morticia, Pugsley and Uncle Fester, the Addams Family is the perfect mix of cooky and spooky! It’s also a great way to get your guest clicking their fingers.
- This melody is playful, but it involves short, repetitive phrases that are easy to remember.
- You do need two hands, but the left hand chords (or right) are simple, staying at one or two chords. You won’t need Thing to help you here!
- It is an example of staccato playing and involves swift but precise finger coordination.
