As Halloween creeps nearer, let's look at some theory which can make your music darker and more 'evil':
(We carved this pumpkin back in 2021 of a spooky tritone!)
'Diabolus in musica' - the Tritone
The tritone, otherwise known as the 'diabolus in music' (literally meaning 'Satan in music', named by the Renaissance), is the interval of a diminished 5th (or augmented 4th), or 6 semitones. For example, take C and Gb and play those either as a chord or one after the other. This interval creates a daunting, dissonant and foreboding sound. It is used across classical, rock and metal music.
Minor 9th
The minor 9th is another interval (a minor 2nd + octave in between). The distance of the octave draws your ear to listen out for that satisfying perfect 8th interval, but instead lands on a semitone above the octave note, creating a spooky and dissatisfying sound.
Atonal music
Music doesn't necessarily have to have a strict key signature, according to composers including Schoenberg, Webern, Berg and even Debussy. Atonality is when a piece of music doesn't have a prescribed key signature, and there is no center note or central triad to which to refer to and listen out for. Atonal music is very odd, story-like and completely unpredictable.
Alternative Modes and Scales
Consider the following scales and modes to enhance your music's 'horror' element:
Harmonic Minor Scale
Harmonic Minor Scale with added b5
Phrygian Mode
Locrian Mode
Phrygian Dominant
Octatonic Scale (starting with semitone)
Octatonic Scale (starting with tone, otherwise known as the Diminished Scale)
Dorian #4 Mode
Nicol River
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