Spooky Tunes Playlist

It’s spooky season! We’re here to help get you in the Halloween spirit with these haunting melodies, both old and new!

Titles marked with an * are playable on lever harp.

Toccata e Fuga

by J.S. Bach, arr. Floraleda Sacchi

Everyone knows this one from beat one of the piece. It is perhaps one of the spookiest melodies of all time, especially when it’s played in its original form on the organ. Although Bach probably did not intend this piece to be creepy, it has been used in dozens of thriller and horror films, making it a dramatic classic for the season. For an intermediate (and lever harp) version of this piece (without the fugue), see Rhett Barnwell’s arrangement.

Funeral March for a Marionette

by Gounod, arr. Mitch Landy

Another spooky Classical piece! As the name suggests, this piece depicts the funeral of a puppet and the melody has become a staple to hear in October.

*Swan Lake: Scene

by Tchaikovsky, arr. Angela Klöhn

Something about this well-loved Tchaikovsky melody has always been eerie to me. This very accessible arrangement allows you to bring the drama of the ballet to life at home. Aside from spooky season, it’s also great for weddings, background events, and more.

*Danse Macabre

by Saint-Saëns, arr. Keziah Thomas

This exciting, flashy arrangement of the beloved “dance of death” is perfect for any spooky-themed recital! Thomas has both a lever harp and pedal harp version available.

*Spooky Tunes

Mitch Landy

This collection of six original tunes is SO much fun! I honestly feel like I’m playing the score to a Halloween movie with this book—there’s spookiness, creepiness, mischief, playfulness and more in the melodies. These tunes will definitely get you into the Halloween spirit. (See below for Landy’s advanced-beginner book).

*Halloween: Spooky Little Tunes for Spooky Little Harpists

Mitch Landy

This collection has five original tunes for advanced beginners that are similar in Halloween spirit to the previous collection!

*The Ghost’s Ball

by Isabelle Frouvelle

This eerie melody is perfect for Halloween and other spooky-themed events. On the piece, composer Isabelle Frouvelle says “One cold night, in an old manor, on the edge of the woods, and quite far from the nearest deserted village, a ball is being hosted. It’s a ghost party for young people, murdered in strange circumstances a long time ago.” Spooky!

*The Bubbling Cauldron

by Liana Alpino

Advanced beginners can get in on the Halloween fun with this spirited and easily accessible piece. The playful left-hand staccatos and right-hand grace notes imitate the bubbling and popping sounds of a witch’s cauldron, bringing to life the magic brewing within.

*Ghost Tango

by Mitch Landy

Like all of Mitch Landy’s products, this is another fun addition to your spooky playlist! Add some variety with this rhythmic haunted tango.

*The Downstairs Spider

by Elizabeth Volpé Bligh

This spooky little piece tells the true tale of a spider encounter at the composer’s harp studio. Elizabeth Volpé Bligh uses many interesting harmonies and techniques to depict the spider crawling around, as well as the terror!

*Harping After Dark

by Anna Dunwoodie

This fun and festive collection includes eight original compositions in a range of keys and meters. The pieces include include lever changes, grace notes, harmonics and other fun harp effects.

A Bruxa

arr. Liana Alpino

Translating to “The Witch” from Galician, this beloved fiddle tune is perfect for your Halloween or spooky-themed playlist. The beautiful yet haunting melody is addictive to listen to and play.

*Garden of Shadows

by Ann M. Reddy

A wonderful addition to any October playlist—this piece adds just the right amount of drama and darkness without being overly spooky.

*Canzona

by Aiga Helmer

This short, one-page tune reminds me of a spooky music box in the best way. There’s something about a great minor melody during October. Chord symbols are provided, so it’s easy to build on the melody and you could even bring in another instrumentalist to play with you.

*Toccata

by Nadia Birkenstock

This upbeat, rhythmic dance has me imagining witches dancing around a cauldron, concocting up a spell. The dramatic minor melody is perfect for spooky season.

Lonely Shepherd

by Paul Schocker

This piece has a beautiful, haunting melody that rings out over the accompaniment. It is perfect to add to your gig setlists for the month of October and beyond.