This is a pretty far reaching concept, because documentaries, culture and art can be of pretty much anything at all, but we've tried to put music in this area that you would expect to hear in documentaries about real world issues, as well as art and culture. The music in this area will be -background- music; music that is meant to just stay in the background, almost unnoticed, to provide a subtle atmosphere while the viewer concentrates on the matter discussed. Often used behind voiceover / narration and interviews, this music will not have any outstanding, loud, or attention grabbing melodies or effects. The music you find here should also go well with historical and cultural subjects.
A calm and warm Japanese koto piece, with mild electronic synthesizer elements and a laid back, grooving drum beat. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 57 BPM]
Hornpipe from the Water Music by George Frideric Hndel, recorded with a live string quartet.Arranged and recorded by the Allegro String Ensemble exclusively for Shockwave-Sound.com. Live performance. No computers, no samples. [Tempo: Medium / 100 BPM]
All live performed, genuine African drum ensemble. Recorded live in one take by the Shabani Jabiri Bakari ensemble from Bagamoyo, Tanzania. "Tembea" means Walk, and this music is inspired by the sound and feel of walking. [Tempo: Fast, Very fast / 175 BPM]
This track features a traditional ethnic African ensemble. It has a dancelike tribal quality and is festive in nature. Great for documentaries, nature and cultural themes. [Tempo: Medium / 107 BPM]
A traditional historical/heritage, medieval folk music dance that originated in Italy, and was popular in the 15th and 16th century all over Europe. Performed live in a studio setting by the Fleurdelis ensemble playing on authentic live instruments modeled on the actual instruments of the time. Percussion, renaissance recorder, bouzouki and Rabab Kashgar (a long-necked Lute instrument). The tempo picks up from about 00:55. [Tempo: Fast, Very fast / 88 BPM]
Ambient bells chime in fractal patterns. Relaxing and therapeutic. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 0 BPM]
A wonderfully exotic track mixing traditional sounds of Africa and its islands in the Indian Ocean with a light, contemporary beat. Features gambri, marimba, electric kalimba, upright bass, ethereal vocals and drums. [Tempo: Medium / 110 BPM]
Uplifting, exciting future bass music with Hip Hop influences and a subtle Oriental / Asian flavour. Strong punchy beats, layered tremolo synths, occasional guitar licks. Catchy hooks, builds, risers and ear candy effects such as sudden pauses, beat skipping or stutters. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 140 BPM]
Traditional Chinese music with traditional instruments create a folklike and lively picture. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 0 BPM]
A 15th century music dance that originated in France, and went on to be used in popular culture and danced at courts all over medieval and Renaissance Europe. Performed live in a studio by the Fleurdelis ensemble featuring real live instruments modeled on the actual instruments of the Medieval and Renaissance music times, including hand percussion, Renaissance Recorder, Hurdy Gurdy and Bouzouki. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 199 BPM]
An ambient dramatic track of strings, piano, and pads, reminiscent of the American Beauty and Road to Perdition soundtracks. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 68 BPM]
Melodic, spacious arpeggios, minimalistic and dreamy. Perfect for adding a contemplative atmosphere to film projects, documentaries, or vlogs. Cinematic / Contemplation / Soundtrack. [Tempo: Slow / 100 BPM]
A short Japanese Koto piece, with a mysterious vibe. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 0 BPM]
1812 Overture in Eb Major, Op. 49, by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Recorded exclusively for Shockwave-Sound.com by D Hamilton. [Tempo: Slow, Medium, Fast / 0 BPM]
An intense Japanese drum groove, with a strong sense of urgency and danger. [Tempo: Medium / 84 BPM]
Modern trance groove features authentic African percussion, kalimba and ram's horn. [Tempo: Fast / 126 BPM]
Extensive plains, horses, cows, ranches and an astonishing landscape from the Pampas. A deep expression from the heart of Argentina / South America folk music. 100% authentic & live performed. No computers, no samples. [Tempo: Medium / 160 BPM]
Festive and celebratory traditional African background music. Bright and uplifting. Available in several different mixes/versions with various instruments included or removed from the mix. [Tempo: Fast / 190 BPM]
Middle East, Ethnic, Choral, Intimate, Emotive, Melancholy Music. [Tempo: Slow / 120 BPM]
Gustav Holst: The Planets, Op. 32: 2. Venus, the bringer of peace. Adagio. Classical music performed and recorded exclusively for Lynne Publishing. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 0 BPM]
Relaxing, pulsing, mid-tempo track, with a remarkable flute melody and bouncing percussion, this is the perfect mix between excitement and relaxation. Suitable for presentations, commercials and other productions that require a soothing and uplifting soundscape. [Tempo: Medium / 104 BPM]
A music track that celebrates the diversity, the singularity and the joy of the different peoples, countries, and customs of the world. Motivating, optimistic and hopeful. Authentic & live performed. [Tempo: Medium / 100 BPM]
Ravel's Bolero (Excerpt) - Arranged and recorded by Bryan Chi. A simple melody accompanied by a light tapping snare drums. More instruments join as the pieces moves forward. [Tempo: Medium / 0 BPM]
A waltz featuring authentic style of Arabic / international feel, played in a minor key and accompanied with oriental percussion. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 106 BPM]
J. S. Bach: Air on a G String for orchestra with violin and harpsichord.Recorded exclusively for Shockwave-Sound.com by D Hamilton. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 0 BPM]
An earthy ambient track that will work for scenes of vast landscapes and eastern scenes. Available with or without the vocalizations. [Tempo: Medium / 120 BPM]
This track is created in documentary style. It features Acoustic Guitars, flute, indian percussion, mandolin, gamelan bells, strings, organ and drums. Suspense and mystery lead to a feeling of hopefulness and positive Himalayan Spirituality. Section three feels upbeat, positive and a feeling of finality. Plenty of underscore to work with. [Tempo: Slow, Medium, Fast / 110 BPM]
Mysterious, dark and ethereal soundscapes with a hypnotic, tribal influenced, repetitive drum beat. Dark / Eerie / Mystical. [Tempo: Slow / 0 BPM]
A peaceful, calm ambient track blending Japanese instruments (erhu, percussion) with strings, bass guitar and electronics. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 100 BPM]
Chinese pop music with a traditional edge. Features traditional Chinese instruments bawu and pipa with Western pop style bass and drums. Mysterious and haunting music. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 90 BPM]
Calm and meditative Chinese music featuring Bawu (wind) and Pipa (strins) accompanied by Daikos and gongs. Music suitable for travel and culture. [Tempo: Slow / 68 BPM]
Historically accurate, light and flavorful Medieval music, Middle Ages music, Irish / Celtic folk music style, to take you back in time featuring live frame drums, classical guitar and baglama. [Tempo: Medium / 214 BPM]
Dramatic and elegant strings mixed with a chilled, ambient Hip Hop beat with catchy synth hooks and deep sub bass. Great for creating a cool, modern yet sophisticated vibe [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 70 BPM]
An atmospheric, searching piece of music. Ethnic / World influence, combined with a magical, swirly, ethereal feel. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 120 BPM]
India or Arabia meets Rnb beat music, with cool Eastern / Oriental instruments, bouzouk, accordion, kanun and oriental percussion that reflects the essence of the orients. Groovy / Exotic / Positive. [Tempo: Medium / 100 BPM]
A light, positive and uplifting World / Africa track. Nice for documentaries, safari, discovery, travel and enjoyment. [Tempo: Medium / 125 BPM]
(Maurice Ravel) Valses Nobles et Sentimentales, Valse in G Major, M.61, I. Modéré, très franc. Performed and recorded by Abigail Mettry exclusively for Lynne Publishing. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 0 BPM]
Jupiter, from the Planets suite by Gustav Holst. Recorded exclusively for Shockwave-Sound.com by D Hamilton. [Tempo: Slow, Medium, Fast / 0 BPM]
Authentic Russian folk song / wedding song. Traditional ancient Russian folk music, arranged by Dmitriy Lukyanov, conducted and recorded by Evgeniy Kalyukin. [Tempo: Medium / 0 BPM]
A strong Chacarera ( Argentina Folk Music) with all the drive of the farms and the tradition of the gauchos of the pampa in Argentina. Ideal for use with travel images, field landscapes, and cultural documentaries. 100% authentic & live performed. No computers, no samples. [Tempo: Medium / 110 BPM]
Inspiring and positive Indian traditional music featuring santoor and tabla with shahnai accompanied by folk percussion such as ghatam and Iddaka. Great for culture and travel. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 112 BPM]
Spacey, dreamy,ethereal, trancey, exotic, beaty,dancey track with and Indian / Arabian vibe to it. Ethnic percussion fuses with atmospheric vocal samples to form a groovy & hypnotic ethno-pop. [Tempo: Medium / 122 BPM]
Beethoven's 5th Symphony, 1st movement. Recorded exclusively for Shockwave-Sound.com by D Hamilton. [Tempo: Slow, Medium, Fast / 0 BPM]
Dark, scary and mysterious Cinematic music track with deep and gloomy vibe. Great for trailers, films and documentaries in Drama and Sci-Fi genres. [Tempo: Slow / 55 BPM]
Joyful, exciting trip into the jungle. Uplifting african chants and instruments (cora, percussion, kalimba) mixed with strings, occasional guitar and flute. Upbeat and motivating. [Tempo: Fast / 133 BPM]
Traditional percussion instruments combine with an electronic flair and mysterious background vocal tracks to create this grooving piece. [Tempo: Medium / 106 BPM]
Authentic Javanese gamelan music with a touch of electronics. [Tempo: Medium / 112 BPM]
An exuberant, mystical, orchestral piece that relies on its own unpredictability and, after a wild tumult, finds itself in tranquil strings. [Tempo: Slow, Medium, Fast / 80 BPM]
Ethnic soundtrack in an electronic ambient style and mix genres featuring synth, SFX, bayan, balalayka, authentic Russian woman vocal in a middle part. Will work well as video background for travel, expeditions to a desert places, documentary film. Spatial, flowing, pensive, ethnic. [Tempo: Medium / 96 BPM]
Calm, exotic, peaceful, dancing, pretty & relaxing track mixing kalimba with beach percussion. Thoughtful, soothing, serene, simple, repetitive and full of tropical holiday / beach atmosphere. Would suit dramatic / romantic / documentary / travel type projects. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 77 BPM]
