Best Halloween songs to learn and play on piano

Some sounds just mean Halloween: two creeping notes from “Jaws,” the lopsided five-beat pulse of John Carpenter’s “Halloween Theme,” a church organ thundering out Bach. Learning a few Halloween piano songs is one of the most fun ways to get into the spooky season, whether you want to set the mood for a party, play along with the kids or simply give your practice routine a seasonal twist.

We’ve grouped these spooky piano songs into five styles, from horror themes and classical Halloween piano music to party hits and easy Halloween piano songs for kids, and tagged each one by difficulty, so you can quickly match it to your piano skill level. Every song comes with a quick “how to play it” card with an interactive keyboard: press Start to hear the notes and watch them light up in green. Where we have one, there’s a video lesson too. At the end, you’ll also learn the simple tricks composers use to make piano music sound scary.

If you’d like step-by-step guidance, Skoove’s piano learning app listens as you play and gives you real-time feedback, so you can learn at your own pace. Let’s get started, if you dare!

Horror movie and TV themes on piano

A lot of what makes horror films frightening is the music, and some of the most iconic piano songs from movies were written to make audiences jump. The good news for learners: these themes are usually built on tiny, repeating patterns, which is exactly why they’re so approachable at the keyboard.

“Halloween Theme” by John Carpenter

Key: TBC  |  Meter: 5/4  |  Composer: John Carpenter Beginner

If you’ve ever wondered what the Michael Myers piano song is called, this is it: the main theme John Carpenter wrote for his 1978 film Halloween. It’s one of the most searched-for Halloween piano songs, and for good reason. A short pattern repeats over and over in the right hand while the left hand holds low notes underneath, so it sounds far scarier than it is to play.

The tricky part is the rhythm. Of all the time signatures you’ll meet, 5/4 is one of the most unusual: each bar has five beats instead of the usual four, and that slightly lopsided pulse is what makes it feel so unsettling. Count out loud, “1-2-3-4-5,” and it clicks quickly.

“Jaws” by John Williams

Key: E minor  |  Meter: 4/4  |  Composer: John Williams Beginner

One of the easiest scary songs to play on piano is John Williams’ theme from “Jaws.” It’s built on just two notes a minor second apart, played slowly at first and then faster and faster as the shark closes in. That simple idea shows how much tension tempo alone can build, and it’s a perfect way to practise dynamics in music, from a whisper to a roar. In the Skoove lesson, you also get to play along with accompaniment in the final part.

“Stranger Things Theme” by Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein

Key: C major  |  Meter: 4/4  |  Composer: Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein Beginner

The opening titles of Netflix’s Stranger Things are a modern classic of spooky music. Written by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein of the synth band S U R V I V E, the theme is built around an arpeggiated C major 7 chord, one of the most atmospheric seventh chords, that cycles hypnotically while the music slowly swells.

Originally played on vintage synthesizers, it translates neatly to piano. Once you can play arpeggios on piano smoothly and evenly, you’re most of the way there, which makes this a great pick for beginners who want something that sounds cool right away.

“The Phantom of the Opera” by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Key: D minor  |  Meter: 4/4  |  Composer: Andrew Lloyd Webber Intermediate

Few openings are as dramatic as the thundering organ in the title song from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1986 musical. Based on Gaston Leroux’s novel about a masked figure haunting the Paris Opera House, “The Phantom of the Opera” is gothic, grand and perfect for Halloween.

On piano, the challenge is power and control: big minor chords played in both hands, often jumping between registers. It’s a great intermediate piece for building confidence with full, heavy chords.

Classical Halloween piano music

Long before horror films existed, composers were writing music about skeletons, trolls and midnight. These classical piano songs have become the unofficial soundtrack of Halloween, and simplified arrangements make them playable even if you’re just starting out.

“Funeral March” by Frédéric Chopin

Key: B♭ minor  |  Meter: 4/4  |  Composer: Frédéric Chopin Beginner

Chopin’s “Funeral March” is the third movement of his Piano Sonata No. 2, one of the most famous Chopin piano pieces, and it was played at his own funeral. Its slow, heavy tread and gloomy chords make it ideal Halloween piano music for setting the mood at a spooky gathering.

Because the tempo is slow and the main pattern repeats, it’s more approachable than its reputation suggests. Focus on keeping the left hand steady, like footsteps.

“Toccata and Fugue in D Minor” by Johann Sebastian Bach

Key: D minor  |  Meter: 4/4  |  Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach Intermediate

If anyone asks what the classical Halloween song is, this is usually the answer. The opening flourish of the “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor” is instantly recognisable as the music of mad scientists and haunted castles. It was written for organ and is one of the best-known Bach compositions, though some scholars debate whether he really wrote it. Playing it at the piano is also a fun way to hear the organ vs piano difference for yourself.

The famous opening is surprisingly short: a quick ornament on A, then a descending run down to D. Learning just those first few bars is enough to give any room goosebumps.

“In the Hall of the Mountain King” by Edvard Grieg

Key: B minor  |  Meter: 4/4  |  Composer: Edvard Grieg Intermediate

No piece of Edvard Grieg’s music has been referenced in pop culture as often as “In the Hall of the Mountain King.” Written in 1875 as music for the play Peer Gynt, it depicts the hero sneaking into the hall of the troll king. From films to video games, it has become a true trademark of Halloween music.

The piece starts slowly and quietly, then gets faster and louder until it explodes. The Skoove lesson gives you a friendly, approachable arrangement, and it’s a fantastic way to practise accelerating smoothly. When you’re ready for the full piece, grab the In the Hall of the Mountain King piano sheet music.

“Danse Macabre” by Camille Saint-Saëns

Key: G minor  |  Meter: 3/4  |  Composer: Camille Saint-Saëns Intermediate

In Saint-Saëns’ 1874 Danse Macabre, Death appears in a graveyard at midnight and plays his violin while skeletons dance until dawn. It opens with twelve repeated notes, the clock striking midnight, followed by a solo violin playing the tritone, an interval long nicknamed “the devil’s interval.”

The full piece is a showstopper (Liszt’s transcription is among the most demanding Franz Liszt piano pieces), but its opening ideas are simple enough to play right away and make a perfect spooky party trick.

“Symphony No. 5” by Ludwig van Beethoven

Key: C minor  |  Meter: 2/4  |  Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven Intermediate

Although it isn’t a Halloween piece, the opening of Beethoven’s Fifth is one of the most dramatic moments in all music, and it belongs on any list of famous Beethoven songs. Those four notes, short-short-short-long, sound like fate knocking at the door, and they set a menacing tone for any Halloween movie night.

On piano, it’s an excellent piece for practising strong, confident attacks and sudden contrasts between loud and soft.

Dark and creepy piano songs

Not every scary piano song needs to jump out at you. These slower, darker pieces creep in quietly, and they’re excellent for practising soft touch, control and how to use the piano pedals. If you’re after creepy piano songs to play late at night with the lights down, start here.

“Moonlight Sonata (1st movement)” by Ludwig van Beethoven

Key: C♯ minor (original)  |  Meter: 4/4  |  Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven Beginner

The first movement of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 14, one of the most famous piano sonatas ever written, isn’t technically scary, but it’s one of the darkest and most atmospheric pieces ever written for piano. Beethoven never called it “Moonlight”; that nickname came from a critic after his death, inspired by the image of moonlight on a lake.

A steady triplet pattern rolls underneath a slow, haunting melody. It’s a rite of passage for pianists and a beautiful way to build piano hand independence. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see how to play Moonlight Sonata.

“Mad World” by Tears for Fears

Key: A minor  |  Meter: 4/4  |  Composer: Roland Orzabal Intermediate

Originally a 1982 synth-pop hit for Tears for Fears, “Mad World” became one of the most haunting piano songs of the century when Michael Andrews and Gary Jules recorded their stripped-back version for the cult film Donnie Darko. The cold, lonely mood makes it perfect for a chilly autumn night.

It belongs among the best-known sad chord progressions in pop, and because it repeats, it’s easy to learn, while the emotional weight comes from dynamics and phrasing. You can learn the full song with this Mad World easy piano tutorial.

“Gnossienne No. 1” by Erik Satie

Key: F minor  |  Meter: Free (no bar lines)  |  Composer: Erik Satie Intermediate

Written in 1890 by Erik Satie, the composer of Gymnopédie No. 1 (if you’ve learned the Gymnopédie No. 1 sheet music, you’ll recognise his style), “Gnossienne No. 1” is quietly unsettling. It has no bar lines at all, and instead of normal performance directions, Satie wrote odd instructions into the score, such as “questioning” and “from the end of the thought.” The winding, exotic-sounding melody never quite settles where you expect it to.

The left hand is wonderfully simple, alternating between a low bass note and a chord, which leaves you free to focus on the strange, floating melody on top.

Halloween party songs: pop, rock and oldies

For a Halloween party, nothing beats a song everybody can sing along to. These spooky songs for adults cover the most iconic Halloween hits, from 1950s and 60s oldies to classic 80s piano songs, and they translate surprisingly well to piano.

“Monster Mash” by Bobby “Boris” Pickett

Key: TBC  |  Meter: 4/4  |  Composer: Bobby Pickett & Leonard Capizzi Beginner

“Monster Mash” has been a Halloween favourite since 1962, when Bobby “Boris” Pickett’s Boris Karloff impression took it to number one. Its campy lyrics and danceable beat make it an exciting tune to learn, and a great one to try if you want to sing and play piano at the same time. You might even get people dancing.

Musically, it’s classic early-60s doo-wop, with simple chords cycling in a loop, so it’s a fun way for beginners to get comfortable with chord progressions on piano.

“Werewolves of London” by Warren Zevon

Key: TBC  |  Meter: 4/4  |  Composer: Warren Zevon, LeRoy Marinell & Waddy Wachtel Beginner

With its howling chorus and tongue-in-cheek lyrics, Warren Zevon’s 1978 hit had to make our list. Better still for pianists, the whole song is driven by a rolling piano riff, which makes it one of the most fun 70s piano songs to play, and a guaranteed Halloween sing-along.

The riff circles around just three chords, so once your hands know the pattern, you can play the entire song.

“Thriller” by Michael Jackson

Key: C♯ minor  |  Meter: 4/4  |  Composer: Rod Temperton Intermediate

Ask people for the most iconic Halloween song, and “Thriller” is almost always the answer. Written by Rod Temperton for Michael Jackson’s 1982 album, it combines a funky groove, spooky sound effects and Vincent Price’s unforgettable narration. It’s a must-know for any piano player looking to impress at a Halloween party.

The groove lives in the bass line, so the left hand does a lot of the work here. Get it bouncing and the rest of the song falls into place.

“I Put a Spell on You” by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins

Key: TBC  |  Meter: 6/8  |  Composer: Screamin’ Jay Hawkins Intermediate

Screamin’ Jay Hawkins recorded “I Put a Spell on You” in 1956 and turned it into pure theatre, famously rising out of a coffin on stage. The dramatic harmony and bluesy chords make it ideal for piano (if you know the piano blues scale, try a few fills of your own), and its more sophisticated style makes it one of the best Halloween songs for adults.

The song moves in 6/8, so you’ll feel two big beats per bar, each split into three. Lean into that slow, swaying feel.

“Hells Bells” by AC/DC

Key: TBC  |  Meter: 4/4  |  Composer: Angus Young, Malcolm Young & Brian Johnson Intermediate

Although “Hells Bells” wasn’t written as a Halloween song, it has all the hallmarks. The opening track of AC/DC’s 1980 album Back in Black begins with a slow, tolling bell before the band crashes in with heavy, dramatic chords.

On piano, you can recreate that bell with low, ringing notes and the sustain pedal, then switch to powerful chords for the riff, just like many of the best rock piano songs.

“Paint It Black” by The Rolling Stones

Key: TBC  |  Meter: 4/4  |  Composer: Mick Jagger & Keith Richards Intermediate

The Rolling Stones’ 1966 hit “Paint It Black” has a dark, driving energy that has kept it popular for decades, and a whole new generation discovered it through the cello version in Netflix’s Wednesday. Its exotic-sounding melody was originally played on a sitar, but it works brilliantly on piano.

It’s an intermediate pick that’s great for practising minor piano scales and keeping a relentless, driving rhythm.

Easy Halloween songs for kids and families

These easy Halloween piano songs are more playful than scary, with catchy tunes that kids already know and love. Most of them repeat short patterns, so younger players feel successful quickly, and they’re just as much fun for adults to play together with the family. If your little ones love them, there are plenty more easy piano songs for kids to try after Halloween.

“This Is Halloween” by Danny Elfman

Key: TBC  |  Meter: 4/4  |  Composer: Danny Elfman Beginner

From Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), “This Is Halloween” is a standout Halloween piano song and a treat to play at a family movie night, alongside your other favourite movie soundtracks. With its playful rhythms and eerie lyrics, you can’t help but get into the Halloween spirit.

“The Addams Family Theme” by Vic Mizzy

Key: TBC  |  Meter: 4/4  |  Composer: Vic Mizzy Beginner

Let’s get clicking! Vic Mizzy’s theme for the 1964 TV series The Addams Family is a staple of TV music and Halloween itself. The finger snaps and catchy, climbing melody make it an easy, fun choice for kids, and getting the whole family to snap along is half the fun.

“Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr.

Key: TBC  |  Meter: 4/4  |  Composer: Ray Parker Jr. Beginner

“Who you gonna call?” Ray Parker Jr.’s 1984 theme is instantly recognisable and works brilliantly on piano. The film is loved by adults and kids alike, and the riff is a fun introduction to syncopation in music. Its call-and-response lyrics make it a great choice for playing with younger learners.

“Spooky Scary Skeletons” by Andrew Gold

Key: TBC  |  Meter: 4/4  |  Composer: Andrew Gold Beginner

“Spooky Scary Skeletons” started life as a novelty song on Andrew Gold’s 1996 Halloween album before becoming an internet favourite. Its jaunty melody and silly lyrics make it a great piano song to learn for all ages. Play it with short, bouncy staccato notes for a rattling-bones feel, a great way to explore articulation in music.

“Hedwig’s Theme” by John Williams

Key: E minor  |  Meter: 3/8  |  Composer: John Williams Beginner

The magical, slightly eerie theme from the Harry Potter films has become a seasonal favourite. Its twinkling opening was written for the celesta, a bell-like keyboard instrument, and it sounds just as enchanting on piano.

Most of the piece is built from short, manageable phrases, so it’s a great way to bring some movie magic to your Halloween repertoire. Once you’ve got the opening, try the full Hedwig’s Theme piano sheet music.

Hedwig’s Theme piano tutorial

How to play it

Right hand: B · E · G · F♯ · A · D (minor-key motif)

Left hand: Simple supporting bass

Watch for: Keep the opening light and mysterious

Learn the full song →

“The Great Pumpkin Waltz” by Vince Guaraldi

Key: TBC  |  Meter: 3/4  |  Composer: Vince Guaraldi Intermediate

From the 1966 TV special It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, Vince Guaraldi’s gentle jazz waltz is the cosiest piece on this list. It’s not scary at all, but it’s a Halloween tradition in many homes and a lovely introduction to jazz chords on piano.

The left hand keeps a classic waltz pattern going, a bass note followed by two chords, while the right hand plays a light, swinging melody.

How to make piano music sound spooky

Once you’ve played a few of these pieces, you’ll start to notice the same tricks coming up again and again. Here are four simple ways composers make piano music sound creepy, and you can try every one of them right now.

Use minor keys

Almost every song on this list is in a minor key. The difference between major and minor chords can be as small as one note: lower the middle note of a major chord by a half step and a bright, happy sound instantly turns dark and uneasy.

Try the whole-tone scale

The whole-tone scale moves only in whole steps, so it has no clear “home” note. That floating, dreamlike sound is a favourite for magic and mystery in film music. Skoove’s Mystical Moments lesson teaches you to play it and use it to create your own spooky atmosphere.

The tritone: “the devil’s interval”

Of all the piano intervals, the tritone is the most unsettling: six half steps, for example from C to F♯. It sounds tense and unresolved, which is why it was nicknamed “the devil’s interval” and why Saint-Saëns used it in Danse Macabre.

Creep up with chromatic lines

A chromatic line moves by half steps like the chromatic scale, using every white and black key in a row. Played slowly, it sounds like something sneaking up behind you, a trick used everywhere from horror films to The Addams Family.

No tricks, just more piano treats with Skoove

That’s our list of the best Halloween piano songs, from horror themes and classical classics to party hits and easy tunes for the kids. Whichever song from the list you pick first, the quickest way to learn it is one step at a time. Skoove’s interactive lessons listen as you play and give you real-time feedback, so you always know what to work on next. Once the spooky season is over, these easy piano songs for beginners are a great next step, or you can stretch yourself with some intermediate piano songs. And when the pumpkins are packed away, Christmas piano songs are just around the corner. Have a spooky holiday season and happy practising!

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