The Scariest + Creepiest Chords AND How to Use Them

What are the scariest chords? Creepiest chords? Well, it’s certainly subjective. But this is a quick list of spooky chords and some advice on how to use them. You’ll notice that the majority of these revolve around a minor triad, and that shouldn’t be a surprise. Minor has a tendency to skew to the evil…

The intro song I made uses every chord I mentioned, in order, with the exception of the AugMaj7 chord. So the progression is Em - EmAdd9 - EmM7 - Emb6 - Em - Bbm - Bclusterf***

Theory Note: An E Augmented Triad is composed of a root, a major third, and an augmented 5th. The 5th of E is B, and to augment it would make it a B#. This is enharmonically equivalent to C. The correct spelling of E Aug is E G# B#. Call me a bad instructor, but I intentionally avoid enharmonic confusion when possible. I can honestly care less if a musician spells a chord incorrectly, as I am not a professor and do not care about students passing tests, I care about them making music easily and efficiently. As long as the instructor gives them a footnote to explore further (as I am doing here).
SORRY THEORY NERDS!

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Table of Contents:
00:00 Intro
00:44 Minor b6 Chords
01:55 Minor Add9/Add2 Chords
03:32 Minor Major 7
04:06 Augmented Major 7
05:08 i - bv Chord Progressions
06:33 Cluster Chords
07:36 Wrapping Up

[de-b]

Most disturbing sound I've ever heard in my life was hearing my little sister try and play 3 blind mice on the violin and sing along with it. I thought she was possessed.

[adampotter]

6:06 is hands down the best look of horror I have ever seen this deserves an oscar

[timeforachange]

Associating chords and emotions is something you do very well.

[El_Pimpin_Shizz]

Minor b6 - 0:50
Minor Add 9 - 1:55
Minor Add 2 - 2:24
Minor Major 7th - 3:32
Augmented Major 7th - 4:07
i-bV Chord Change- 5:08
Cluster Chords - 6:33
Explaining The Feelings And Sounds Of The Chords - 7:36
Tips And Advice - 8:05
Support For Patreon Or Channel
- 9:07

[robranney-blake]

Ukuleles not scary? Then why do my friends and family run away when I play?
Happy Halloween.

[SerpentStar_]

What's crazy about music, you hear something and INSTANTLY paints a picture in your head of something it relates to. That "Detective chord" is perfect example 🔍

[whoeverofhowevermany]

"It's like endless possibilities, but none of the possibilities are really that good." Poetry.

[arthurriley]

I love how he looks scared to death yet he is the one creating the scary music. Truly a very funny and talented person.

[brettbirge]

You called the Minor Major 7th chord the "Detective Chord." I like it.

[StarDarkAshes]

I love the part in the Beatles Julia where there’s a walking down beneath the E minor chord for a brief part of the progression. And that song goes through so many different feelings and places and for a moment you’re in this very dreamy sort of dark place

[raulcaldeiramusic]

I'm a jazz guy so none of the chords above sound creepy because I'm already used with dissonance, but cluster chords do the job for horror movies scare scenes

[henkdevries]

“...taken me to places i wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemies.” r/Guitar 😂😂

[genatzvalee]

7:57 this minor maj7 is in Pink Floyd song "Us and Them", I love it a lot, so mysterious and cool.

[kentkacs]

Thanks for this Hallowe'en treat! The look on your face at 6:06 elevates this video to a whole new level.

[vincentjakeescolar]

Been playing these creepy chords for years after playing metal songs. I love playing them after a jam session 'cause it makes me feel calm.

[auralfixxation]

I'm so glad you started with a reference to Twin Peaks. The music is what really drew people in back then and many I think, didn't realize it was the soundtrack that put the flame to the pipe. And they all wanted.., another hit.

[williamerickson]

That first theremin part (6:08) legitimately gave me chills. That's not easy to do. Congrats!



Addendum: I think that the speed of the melody also plays a large part of the spookyness.

[multrufio]

Thank you to everyone who donates to Jake so we can get this amazing content for free

[babylemonade]

That Eminor to B flat minor is pure opeth. The song off the storm corrosion album called drag ropes has some creepy chords in it. Steven Wilson and Mikael Akerfeldt made it and it’s brilliant if you haven’t heard it. Wish they’d make another one

[Ryan_Perrin]

The Silent Hill 3 soundtrack has always had some of the most haunting songs on it. Granted, some of them just invoke a feeling of depression for me more than fear. But some are down right creepy