Royalty-Free Music

Title: Unpromised
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 1:53
Instrumentation: Vocalist, Harp, Flute, Percussion

Thin piece with surprising chordal structures in the second A section. 036 Eerie, Relaxed, Somber 2009

Title: Long Road Ahead
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 2:27
Instrumentation: Choir. Strings, Brass, Percussion
Tempo: 74

Very simple folk melody. Like the aftermath of a battle between good and evil. Major triumphant section for the final third of the piece. 003 Epic, Mystical, Somber 2009

Title: Private Reflection
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 1:13
Instrumentation: Choir, Harp
Tempo: 53

Epic myth. Part of the hero's journey. Starts with a solo soprano, and later mixes a full choir. Ends assuming you'll mix it into another piece. 043 Dark, Eerie, Epic, Intense, Somber, Unnerving 2009

Title: Wounded
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 3:21
Instrumentation: Piano, Strings
Tempo: 50

It is rain outside the window on the day of your husband's funeral. maybe not exactly that... but there's death involved somehow. 013 Dark, Somber, Unnerving 2009

Title: Atlantean Twilight
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 2:51
Instrumentation: Piano

Time ticks away in a far away place in this little new-age piece. 016 Mystical, Somber 2005

Title: Lamentation
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 3:18
Instrumentation: Harp

Slow solo harp piece. 036 Somber 2009

Title: Long Road Ahead B
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 1:44
Instrumentation: Choir. Strings, Brass, Percussion
Tempo: 74

Same as "Long Road Ahead", but without the final triumphant section. 003 Epic, Mystical, Somber 2009

Title: Schmetterling
Genre: Classical
Length: 1:03
Instrumentation: Pipe Organ, Choir

A giant cavernous mix of pipe organ and classical choir. German. 043 Dark, Eerie, Intense, Somber 2009

Title: Soporific
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 4:50
Instrumentation: Electric Piano, Bells, Percussion
Tempo: 84

A laid-back chill, and chilling piece. 007 Dark, Grooving, Relaxed, Somber 2009

Title: Quinn's Song: The Dance Begins
Genre: Horror
Length: 0:46
Instrumentation: Piano, Strings
Tempo: 56

This piece takes its main theme from Chopin, completely reharmonizes it, and gives it a different setting. One of three pieces with this theme. 035 Dark, Mysterious, Somber 2009

Title: Quinn's Song: A New Man
Genre: Horror
Length: 1:45
Instrumentation: Piano, Strings, Choir, Tympani
Tempo: 55

This piece starts with piano, and ends with tymp. It uses a reharmonized theme taken from Chopin. One of 3 pieces with this theme. 038 Dark, Mysterious, Somber 2009

Title: Quinn's Song: First Night
Genre: Horror
Length: 5:12
Instrumentation: Synths, Piano
Tempo: 58

This piece contains 2 themes, one in 7/4 time, and another borrowed from Chopin - and set among very disturbing chords. 038 Dark, Mysterious, Somber 2009

Title: Blue Paint
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 2:11
Instrumentation: Piano

Calm piano solo centered around a repeating Ab motive. 20 seconds before end the motive expands slightly with an added harmony. 020 Calming, Relaxed, Somber 2009

Title: Ominous
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 0:34
Instrumentation: Strings, Bassoon, Oboe, Clarinet

Uneven foreboding short cue, winds play opposite strings. 040 Dark, Mysterious, Somber, Unnerving 2009

Title: Smoother Move
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 4:38
Instrumentation: PIano

013 Calming, Somber 2009

Title: Greta Sting
Genre: Stings
Length: 0:15
Instrumentation: Orchestral Strings
Tempo: 66

A somber orchestral sting with a gentle rising motion. Calming, Eerie, Relaxed, Somber 2009

Title: Comfortable Mystery 2
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 0:54
Instrumentation: Electric Piano
Tempo: 65

Gentle electric piano chords and descending arpeggi are featured in this calming piece. 041 Calming, Mystical, Relaxed, Somber 2009

Title: Comfortable Mystery 3
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 1:07
Instrumentation: Electric Piano
Tempo: 65

Gentle Electric Piano with a descending arpeggiated motive. The ending gradually slows. 041 Calming, Eerie, Mysterious, Somber 2009

Title: Comfortable Mystery 4
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 1:16
Instrumentation: Electric Piano
Tempo: 65

Gentle Electric Piano featuring light chords and a descending arpeggiated motive. 041 Calming, Eerie, Mysterious, Somber 2009

Title: Blue Feather
Genre: Classical
Length: 4:38
Instrumentation: Piano

Somber Solo Piano, with repetitive descending arpeggio motive. Contains uplifting moments, but generally sparse and mysterious. Calming, Dark, Eerie, Mysterious, Relaxed, Somber, Unnerving 2008

Title: Laconic Granny
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 0:33
Instrumentation: Tuba, Baritone, Clarinet, Kit
Tempo: 131

Lumbering tuba-driven tune with heavy back beat appropriate for character underscore. Ends Abruptly. 034 Bouncy, Dark, Humorous, Mysterious, Somber 2008

Title: One Sly Move
Genre: Electronica
Length: 2:42
Instrumentation: EP, Kit, Synths, Guitar
Tempo: 95

A slow, relaxed, electronic piece. This piece heavily uses EP and Synths. From 1:01 to 1:20 all goes silent except the EP. Mainly a synth and EP piece, guitar and kit in the background. 007 Grooving, Mysterious, Relaxed, Somber 2008

Title: On the Passing of Time
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 3:45
Instrumentation: Piano

A slow somber piano piece. Small amount of reverb to the notes. Ends early, last 20 seconds dedicated to a fadeout. 013 Calming, Mystical, Somber 2008

Title: Danse of Questionable Tuning
Genre: Unclassifiable
Length: 2:06
Instrumentation: Piano, Cello,

Interesting piano and cello piece. As title suggests, there is some questionable tuning. Piece begins with piano, brings in cello around 00:05, both continue until the end of the piece. 021 Bouncy, Grooving, Somber 2008

Title: DD Groove
Genre: Blues
Length: 3:41
Instrumentation: Guitars, Kit, Bass, Organ
Tempo: 96

Very laid-back piece that may be indicative of a loss, or possibly carelessness. 011 Calming, Relaxed, Somber 2008

Title: Memory Lane
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 1:51
Instrumentation: Piano

Casual, quiet piano solo for those introspective moments. 3/4 020 Calming, Dark, Relaxed, Somber 2008

Title: Dissappointment
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 1:58
Instrumentation: Bass Clarinet, Basses, Cellos

Very slow piece featuring bass clarinet with a couple of backing double basses. 036 Somber 2008

Title: Long Note Four
Genre: Horror
Length: 10:00
Instrumentation: Piano, Choir, Violins, Basses, Percussion, Synths

A fairly intense beginning with a small piano part I pulled from a thing I wrote last week (Trio for Piano Violin and Viola), followed by a very long section of not moving much. 037 Dark, Eerie, Mystical, Somber 2008

Title: Dark Walk
Genre: Horror
Length: 1:26
Instrumentation: Piano, Organ, Strings, Synths

Simple motive countered by several striking dissonances. 035 Dark, Eerie, Somber, Unnerving 2008

Title: Ritual
Genre: World
Length: 4:24
Instrumentation: Alto Flute, Bass Flute, Synths, Percussion

Very very slow piece featuring the alto flute. 030 Dark, Mysterious, Mystical, Somber 2008

Title: Trio for Piano Violin and Viola
Genre: Classical
Length: 1:09
Instrumentation: Piano, Violin, Viola
Tempo: 104

An unfinished trio in 2 main parts. Dark, Relaxed, Somber 2008

Title: Impromptu in Quarter Comma Meantone
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 2:33
Instrumentation: Piano

Impromptu performed on a Steinway Model D tuned to Quarter Comma Meantone. This gives a very rich feel to the base chords, but leaves a couple of "wolf notes" in the gaps (most notably in the Ab). 2 minutes in, it lingers on the most out-of tune part of the scales. Calming, Eerie, Somber 2008

Title: End of the Era
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 3:33
Instrumentation: Brass, Winds, Strings, Tympani
Tempo: 42

Alto Flute along with the low brass in the beginning, switching to strings. Final sounds are more harsh than the beginning. Ends with a tiny flourish. 036 Calming, Somber, Unnerving 2008

Title: News of Sorrow
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 0:53
Instrumentation: Percussion, Trombones, Basses, Violins, Tuba
Tempo: 50

African-influenced short piece with continuous accelerando. 036 Dark, Intense, Somber, Suspenseful 2008

Title: Myst
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 3:05
Instrumentation: Oboe, Trombones, Clarinet, Percussion, Strings, Choir, Flute
Tempo: 85

Theme from "AngloZulu" expanded on, but in a more relaxed sense. 040 Dark, Mystical, Somber 2008

Title: Ignosi
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 3:04
Instrumentation: Trombones, Basses, Flutes, Clarinet, Marimba, Percussion, Horn, Violins, Violas
Tempo: 79

Starts without percussion, then adds in a groove later on. 042 Dark, Epic, Intense, Somber, Unnerving 2008

Title: A Little Faith
Genre: Classical
Length: 1:28
Instrumentation: Trombones, French Horn, Clarinet, Flute, Basses

Woodwinds enter 53 seconds in, and the tone changes from outright depressing to somewhat hopeful. 036 Dark, Somber 2008

Title: Mourning Song
Genre: Classical
Length: 1:32
Instrumentation: Basses, Cellos, Oboe

Long broad notes with a solo oboe. 036 Dark, Somber, Unnerving 2008

Title: Plans in Motion
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 2:30
Instrumentation: Violin, Snare, Basses, Tympani, Flute, French Horn
Tempo: 134

Major feel change at 1:15. It loses the highly disjointed theme, and takes on a smoother note. 033 Action, Aggressive, Dark, Driving, Intense, Somber, Unnerving 2008

Title: Majestic Hills
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 3:19
Instrumentation: Brass, Strings, Winds, Percussion

Several feel, tempo, and instrumentation changes throughout this orchestral piece. 043 Dark, Epic, Somber 2008

Title: Long Note Three
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 3:12
Instrumentation: Strings, Synths

A very long dark note. Use under dialog, or to kill site noise. 037 Dark, Mysterious, Somber, Suspenseful 2008

Title: Dreamlike
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 1:39
Instrumentation: Piano, Basses, Oboe, Synth Bells
Tempo: 110

Dark, creepy theme with a modulation about 2/3 of the way in. 030 Dark, Eerie, Mysterious, Somber, Unnerving 2008

Title: Stages of Grief
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 1:48
Instrumentation: Piano, Basses, Violin

That sort of "I'm kind of 'ok', but I'm still standing out in the rain feel". Pretty depressing for being in a major key. 043 Calming, Relaxed, Somber 2008

Title: Lone Harvest
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 1:00
Instrumentation: Piano, Harp, Violin, Basses, Clarinet, Flute
Tempo: 66

It looks like an uncommon mix of descriptive words, but this simple piece does a good job of displaying complex emotion. 035 Calming, Dark, Somber, Unnerving, Uplifting 2008

Title: Gnarled Situation
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 1:25
Instrumentation: Xylophone, Choir, Organ, Strings, Percussion, Flutes

Builds with a climax, then calm ending in flutes. 006 Dark, Eerie, Intense, Mysterious, Somber 2008

Title: Reign
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 2:42
Instrumentation: Piano, Basses, French Horn, Kit, Guitar, Choir

A piece in two parts. Slow piano intro, and then a giant power section at 1 minute 50 seconds in. Written for an animation piece. 042 Calming, Epic, Somber, Uplifting 2007

Title: Rumination
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 2:52
Instrumentation: Piano, Orchestra

After everything is said and done and you have time to look back, this piece unfolds like one's mind coming to terms with situations of gravity. 043 Somber, Uplifting 2007

Title: Martian Cowboy
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 2:58
Instrumentation: Synths, Acoustic Bass, Glockenspiel
Tempo: 69

Slow-moving synth textures. Glock starts at about 1:20, and the bass at 1:50 035 Dark, Eerie, Epic, Somber, Unnerving 2007

Title: Phantasm
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 3:39
Instrumentation: Bells, Dulcimer, Synth, English Horn, Percussion, Flute
Tempo: 80

This piece stars a super-low bass line that physically unnerves. The bells and other melodies offer enough complexity to offset the simple repetitive lines. 035 Dark, Eerie, Mysterious, Somber, Unnerving 2007

Title: Lasting Hope
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 2:23
Instrumentation: Synth, Percussion, Choir, Harp
Tempo: 100

Minimal percussion gives a subtle edge to the smooth synth line. 045 Dark, Eerie, Mystical, Relaxed, Intense, Somber 2007

Title: Sonatina in C Minor
Genre: Classical
Length: 1:18
Instrumentation: Piano, Violin
Tempo: 75

While not quite a sonatina - it is closer than anything else. Forte violin with nice double stops. Dark, Mysterious, Somber 2007

Title: Grave Matters
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 1:34
Instrumentation: Strings

Methodical and depressing short piece. Written as a quick composition study with only strings. 036 Dark, Somber 2007

Title: Trio for Piano, Cello, and Clarinet
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 2:39
Instrumentation: Piano, Cello, Clarinet
Tempo: 56

More contemplative than outright depressing. Tempo is highly variable, so don't count on it if you have to synch to something. I didn't know there was a tradition of writing for this instrumentation. It works very well. 036 Relaxed, Calming, Somber 2007

Title: A Turn for the Worse
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 1:05
Instrumentation: Violin, Piano, Chimes, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Contrabass Clarinet, Alto Flute
Tempo: 70

Description pending. 036 Dark, Mysterious, Somber 2007

Title: Earnest
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 1:37
Instrumentation: Piano
Tempo: 48

6/8 apreggiations with a thin high melody. 013 Dark, Somber, Mysterious 2007

Title: Heartbreaking
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 1:36
Instrumentation: Piano
Tempo: 72

Disappointment from hope. 013 Calming, Somber 2007

Title: Reaching Out
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 1:01
Instrumentation: Piano
Tempo: 109

Rubato. 013 Calming, Somber 2007

Title: Promising Relationship
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 1:48
Instrumentation: Piano, Strings
Tempo: 56

A striking chordal change keeps the first and second halves different. 036 Dark, Mysterious, Somber 2007

Title: Cryptic Sorrow
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 8:00
Instrumentation: Piano

Sad solo piano with a "reality" feel. Uneven meters. 013 Eerie, Somber, Dark 2006

Title: Awaiting Return
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 1:45
Instrumentation: Piano

Piano derivative of Holst's "Thaxted". 016 Relaxed, Somber, Uplifting 2006

Title: March of the Mind
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 2:47
Instrumentation: Piano

Slightly disconcerting, while retaining some lightness. 020 Somber, Unnerving, Eerie, Mystical 2006

Title: The Reveal
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 0:57
Instrumentation: Orchestral - Cello, Horn, English Horn, Clarinet, Contratuba

Starts with cellos, adds horn, clarinet, English horn, contra-tuba - to a final sustained chord. Slow. Thin yet satisfying. 035 Dark, Somber, Calming 2006

Title: Canon in D Major
Genre: Classical
Length: 5:55
Instrumentation: Orchestral - Bass, Violin, Harp

Pachelbel's Canon in D Major. Bass continuo with three violins. Harp duet doubling the parts. 008 Relaxed, Somber, Uplifting 2006

Title: Pride
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 5:49
Instrumentation: Piano, Flute, Bass

028 Relaxed, Somber, Uplifting 2006

Title: Sad Trio
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 4:11
Instrumentation: Piano, Cello, English Horn

013 Somber, Dark, Calming 2006

Title: Touching Moments One - Pulse
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 1:42
Instrumentation: Piano

Open and airy. A classic "touching moment" style. Performance imperfections are exaggerated to give a more "choked up" feel. 028 Relaxed, Somber 2006

Title: Touching Moments Two - Higher
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 1:24
Instrumentation: Piano

Only notes from the very highest registers of the piano are used in this. It can cut through ambient noise and still provide a presence. 028 Relaxed, Somber 2006

Title: Touching Moments Three - Deeper
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 3:27
Instrumentation: Piano

A more 'gutsy' piece that explores more of the keyboard, and provides a more grounded and open feel. 028 Dark, Somber 2006

Title: Touching Moments Four - Melody
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 1:49
Instrumentation: Piano

More melodic than most of the pieces presented here - can be distracting, or can be just what you're looking for. Famous from the Sad Fairy Dress-up game. 028 Relaxed, Somber, Uplifting 2006

Title: Midnight Meeting
Genre: Horror
Length: 0:50
Instrumentation: Organ

Pipe organ mini-fuge. 044 Dark, Somber, Mysterious 2006

Title: Time Passes
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 1:10

Bittersweet and somewhat dark; ends brightly on an open major chord. 036 Dark, Somber, Calming, Mysterious 2006

Title: Laendler in C Minor (Hess 68)
Genre: Classical
Length: 0:49
Instrumentation: Piano

Thanks to the Unheard Beethoven people for their great work on uncovering these lost pieces! This piece is ca. 1803. 008 Dark, Somber 2005

Title: Seven Off
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 0:55
Instrumentation: Orchestral - Full

Lots of strings, a couple of winds carry the interest offset by a glockenspiel. 7-4 time. Slow and unnerving. 036 Unnerving, Eerie, Mystical, Mysterious, Suspenseful, Somber 2005

Title: Love Song
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 3:00
Instrumentation: Orchestral - Flute, Alto Flute, Bass Flute, Piano, Harp, Horn

Plaintive and hopeful. Originally written for a musical, this piece got cut. 036 Relaxed, Somber, Eerie, Mysterious 2005

Title: Serene
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 2:10
Instrumentation: Orchestral - Full

A slow, very calm piece featuring English horn, piano, and bass. Center section also has brass ensemble and strings. 036 Relaxed, Somber, Dark 2005

Title: Ghost Processional
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 1:45
Instrumentation: Orchestral - Bass, Cello, Violin, Celesta, Bells

Scant few cellos and bassists play pizzicato under celesta, bells, and violins in this slow and careful piece. The extra string tag on the end is not intended as part of the piece, it is included for use stand-alone in foreshadowing in video editing. 006 Somber, Unnerving, Eerie, Mystical 2005

Title: Ghost Processional (digitally processed)
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 1:45
Instrumentation: Orchestral - Bass, Cello, Violin, Celesta, Bells, Wind, Cymbal

Scant few cellos and bassists play pizzicato under celesta, bells, and violins in this slow and careful piece. The extra string tag on the end is not intended as part of the piece, it is included for use stand-alone in foreshadowing in video editing. 006 Somber, Unnerving, Eerie, Mystical 2005

Title: Just As Soon
Genre: Jazz
Length: 3:48
Instrumentation: Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Brushed Kit, EP, Tenor Sax

Slow 6/8. Did you ever get up in the middle of the night and wonder what would happen if you took a Spanish guitar player, tell them to do a ballad, and give them a tasteful jazz quartet? I did. 014 Dark, Somber, Calming 2005

Title: Night on the Docks - Sax
Genre: Jazz
Length: 2:54
Instrumentation: EP, Tenor Sax

Sad and smooth; Think 1950's detective film. 041 Dark, Somber, Relaxed 2005

Title: Night on the Docks - Piano
Genre: Jazz
Length: 2:54
Instrumentation: EP

Sad and smooth; Think 1950's detective film. 041 Dark, Somber, Relaxed 2005

Title: Night on the Docks - Trumpet
Genre: Jazz
Length: 2:54
Instrumentation: EP, Trumpet

Sad and smooth; Think 1950's detective film. 041 Dark, Somber, Relaxed 2005

Title: Distant Tension
Genre: Horror
Length: 3:47
Instrumentation: Strings,Glock, Synth, Viola

Background horror music. Symphonic with some digital processing. Some tremolo basses in the beginning are meant to be removed and integrated on their own. 037 Unnerving, Somber, Eerie 2005

Title: Fantastic Dim Bar
Genre: Soundtrack
Length: 3:06

I knew I'd find a use for the subtle demonic piano! Short impromptu, dim and dark. 038 Dark, Unnerving, Eerie, Somber 2005

Title: Loss
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 2:13
Instrumentation: Piano

Dirge. Very slow, quiet, depressing. Occasionally punctuated with ornaments. 013 Dark, Somber, Unnerving 2002

Title: With the Sea
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 2:43
Instrumentation: Piano

Darker, slow and contemplative impromptu. 013 Relaxed, Somber 2000

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All pieces © 2001-2008 Kevin MacLeod.