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.
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]
Authentic Javanese gamelan music with a touch of electronics. [Tempo: Medium / 112 BPM]
Jupiter, from the Planets suite by Gustav Holst. Recorded exclusively for Shockwave-Sound.com by D Hamilton. [Tempo: Slow, Medium, Fast / 0 BPM]
Passionate Latin music composition with authentic acoustic guitars, percussion, bass and drums. Great for films and videos, exotic dance, music for holiday and vacation, travel and fun. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 108 BPM]
Combining stylistic elements of traditional Indian music and western film music, this colourful and textured track gradually builds up to an emotional yet resolute and satisfying climax. [Tempo: Medium / 105 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]
Mysterious, dark and ethereal soundscapes with a hypnotic, tribal influenced, repetitive drum beat. Dark / Eerie / Mystical. [Tempo: Slow / 0 BPM]
Dramatic and dark solo piano composition. Tragic but beautiful music full of nostalgia and dramatism about the memories of the past, reminscence of lost loved ones. This emotional composition can greatly enhance dramatic trailers, films, documentaries and videos. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 62 BPM]
An eerie voice calls from a distance, drum hits keep us on our toes. A shadowy figure moves through the desert like a ghost; forsaken, alone. Would work great leading up to a military conflict in a middle east setting. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 72 BPM]
Cool piano, marimba, bass, and drums in the style of American Beauty give a feeling of sophistication, drama, movement and determination. Energy builds to a tight ending and a reflective coda. [Tempo: Medium / 96 BPM]
Inspired by the Salburun Eagle Hunting Festival of Kyrgyzstan, this music track begins solemnly but has a lively mid section that feel like a true celebration of the festival and all that surrounds it. Oriental / World / Travel Music. [Tempo: Slow, Fast / 96 BPM]
Suspenseful, dramatic, ethereal, epic, spacious, moody, atmospheric cinematic rock track that gradually builds in intensity. Starts with dhol drums & various synths join in as it goes. Exciting, tense, thrilling, rhythmically hypnotic & climactic. Would suit action / thriller / sports / combat / crime type projects. [Tempo: Medium / 119 BPM]
An intense Japanese drum groove, with a strong sense of urgency and danger. [Tempo: Medium / 84 BPM]
Nostalgic and intense. Deep and Honest. The Milonga is a Latin musical genre that originated in the Rio de la Plata areas of Argentina and Uruguay and represents in a reliable way the feeling of the people in those lands. 100% authentic & live performed. No computers, no samples. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 67 BPM]
Modern trance groove features authentic African percussion, kalimba and ram's horn. [Tempo: Fast / 126 BPM]
A classic Bedouin mood combined with more modern variety of sounds and instruments. Sincere and loving, nostalgic mood from the ancient world of the Orient / Gulf region. The quarter tones have been replaces with normal minor/major chords, the kanun and flute define the emotional parts. Eastern beauty and grace. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 85 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]
Indian / Oriental sounds and melodies in fusion with a Western / contemporary chill-out beat. World fusion / Bollywood / India pop. [Tempo: Medium / 100 BPM]
A Renaissance court music dance that originated in Renaissance England and was popular throughout Europe. One of several country dance tunes taken from The Dancing Master by John Playford (1623-1686). Performed live in a studio by the Fleurdelis ensemble using authentic live instruments modeled on the instruments of the original era. Hand percussion, renaissance recorder, Irish Bouzouki and Rabab Kashgar (a long-necked Lute instrument). [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 135 BPM]
Ambient, atmospheric track with a World / Middle East / Egyptian atmosphere. Mystical and mysterious, great for exploration, perhaps ancient Egypt, discovery, adventure, mystery. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 0 BPM]
An original composition stylized as a medieval battle song. Performed live in a studio by the Fleurdelis ensemble featuring authentic, live performed instruments modeled on the instruments of medieval music times: Bouzouki, Rabab Kashgar (A long-necked Lute instrument) and percussion. [Tempo: Fast / 130 BPM]
An original piece stylized as a medieval era Eastern European folk music dance. Performed live in a studio by the Fleurdelis ensemble featuring authentic instruments of the time; the Hurdy-Gurdy, Bouzouki, Recorder and percussion instruments. Excited, busy, happy, celebratory. Early music / Medieval music. [Tempo: Fast, Very fast / 130 BPM]
Jazzy, Latin-flavored, cheerful mid-tempo track, with lively percussion and an outstanding melodica melody. Suitable for positive, upbeat, happy scenes or sequences and for productions that require a rhythmic, musical soundscape. Great for commercials, movies, and other projects. [Tempo: Medium / 96 BPM]
Emotional and Dramatic Cinematic music piece great for films, trailers and documentaries in the drama genre. Featuring instruments like solo Cello, Orchestral Strings, Acoustic guitar and Piano. [Tempo: Slow / 90 BPM]
Relaxed and laid back traditional African music with a contemporary mood and feel. Great for festive moments, culture and travel. Lots of mbiras [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 83 BPM]
A live performed recording of this traditional Celtic / Irish folk tune. Medieval / Pirate / Ballad Music. [Tempo: Fast / 114 BPM]
An intense Japanese piece. Heavy, grooving percussion combines with traditional wind and string instruments to create a dark, adventurous, and dangerous overall vibe. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 70 BPM]
A live performed recording of this traditional Celtic / Irish folk tune. Old Town / Medieval Village / Tavern Music. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 118 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]
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]
Mid-tempo track, with a strong Middle-Eastern flavor, this is a hypnotic, meditative, relaxing soundscape for your production. Suitable for films and documentaries set in the Middle-Easter or about related subjects. Also great for pensive, quiet, exotic backdrop for other productions. [Tempo: Slow / 88 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]
An exotic and passionate World fusion / Eastern / Greek / Mediterranean / Gulf / Oriental music track. Features a live performed Greek Bouzouki instrument. Great music for culture and travel, holiday and vacations, exploring and enjoying new countries and cultures. [Tempo: Medium / 96 BPM]
A folk pop/sea shanty song that draws upon vivid imagery. Available as a vocal version and an instrumental version. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 80 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]
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]
Picture a sleepy town in Mexico, it’s hot, the sun is high in the sky, and the Spanish girl walking by is beautiful, romance is in the air. Nylon Guitars strum, piano melody plays, percussion elements glide in the background. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 112 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]
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]
Moritz Moszkowski Etude No. 6 in F Major, Op. 72, Presto. Performed and recorded by Abigail Mettry exclusively for Shockwave-Sound.com. [Tempo: Fast / 0 BPM]
Live piano music performance of the classical Beethoven piece. Movement 2. [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]
Chinese pop music with a traditional edge. Features traditional Chinese instruments bawu and pipa. Happy and uplifting music. [Tempo: Medium / 120 BPM]
This track features traditional African instruments along with bass guitar. It has a positive and uplifting vibe and can work in both traditional African and modern African settings. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 110 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]
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]
Beethoven Symphony No.5, Op.67 in C minor, 1. allegro con brio (Excerpt). Arranged and recorded by Bryan Chi. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 0 BPM]
Traditional Chinese music with traditional instruments create a folklike and lively picture. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 0 BPM]
Calm and positive music featuring traditional Japanese / Oriental instruments. Meditative and cultural. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 58 BPM]
A peaceful, calm ambient track blending Japanese instruments (erhu, percussion) with strings, bass guitar and electronics. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 100 BPM]
