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Dies Irae — ancient spooky chant

Play the four-note medieval melody that composers from Berlioz to modern film scorers use to signal fate and the supernatural.

First notesTraditional 13th-century chant (quoted by Berlioz & Liszt) · Eight-bar Dorian chant theme · piano one handPiano · One hand · D minor (Dorian) · 4/4

76 beats per minute. Changing speed stops playback; press Play to start again.

Try it at the keyboard

  1. Notice the opening four notes (F–E–F–D): you have heard this motif in Symphonie fantastique, The Shining, Star Wars, and The Lion King.
  2. Place your right thumb on C4 and keep your fingers over D, E, F and G — every note stays under one hand position.
  3. Play with a mysterious, resonant tone.

About this score

Sets the opening phrases of the traditional chant into 4/4 bars on the white keys (D Dorian) for beginner piano.

Traditional 13th-century liturgical melody; rhythmic piano arrangement by NotePlayMusic. Public domain medieval melody. Teaching arrangement newly authored by NotePlayMusic.

Source notation · Source score & rights notice