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.
Edgy, driven, busy, frenetic, hectic, mad, fevered, excited, crazy and tension filled track using piano, synths & mental drums. Frantic, rhythmic, thrilling & stimulating. [Tempo: Fast, Very fast / 204 BPM]
Chinese pop music with a traditional edge. Features traditional Chinese instruments bawu and pipa. Happy and uplifting music. [Tempo: Medium / 120 BPM]
Beautiful and evocative melody played on bansuri and dilruba accompanied by Indian percussion. This track has a very rural and folklike feel to it. Travel and culture. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 86 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]
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]
A short Japanese Koto piece, with a mysterious vibe. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 0 BPM]
Indian / Oriental sounds and melodies in fusion with a Western / contemporary chill-out beat. World fusion / Bollywood / India pop. [Tempo: Medium / 100 BPM]
Jupiter, from the Planets suite by Gustav Holst. Recorded exclusively for Shockwave-Sound.com by D Hamilton. [Tempo: Slow, Medium, Fast / 0 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 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]
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]
Middle East, Ethnic, Choral, Intimate, Emotive, Melancholy Music. [Tempo: Slow / 120 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]
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]
A collection of 3 short Oriental / Japanese style stingers/jingles. Koto, strings, ethnic percussion elements. [Tempo: Medium / 100 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]
Symphonie fantastique in G minor, Op. 14 IV. Marche au supplice (March to the Scaffold), by Hector Berlioz. Recorded exclusively for Shockwave-Sound.com by D Hamilton. [Tempo: Slow, Medium, Fast / 0 BPM]
A peaceful, calm ambient track blending Japanese instruments (erhu, percussion) with strings, bass guitar and electronics. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 100 BPM]
A polish renaissance music dance, danced at the court of 16th century Krakow. Performed live in studio by the Fleurdelis ensemble of soprano recorder, flute, authentic drums of the time, Irish Bouzouki and Rabab Kashgar (a long-necked Lute). [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 95 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]
A traditional orchestral arrangement of the British national anthem 'God Save the Queen'. Arr. Lee Pritchard. This instrumental orchestral arrangement is reminiscent of the BBC's version used in association with The Proms, which is an annual celebration in British culture that encompasses many Classical music performances over a number of events. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 73 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]
This track starts with a dreamy flute and saz instrument. The scales & harmonies, which are used widely in all of the middle eastern region from Iran to Lebanon, are called "hijaz tune" and is very familiar to all that region. [Tempo: Medium / 105 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]
Joyful and picaresque, fun and nice Latin music. This song played with bandoneon and guitars evokes landscapes and costumes of the country people in Argentina. 100% authentic & live performed. No computers, no samples. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 155 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]
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]
India, modern meets traditional. Corporate, technology, with tabla, percussion and orchestra. [Tempo: Fast / 119 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]
An atmospheric, searching piece of music. Ethnic / World influence, combined with a magical, swirly, ethereal feel. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 120 BPM]
A medieval music / song and accompanying dance, originating in Provence, popular between the 12th and 14th centuries in France, Italy, England, and Spain. Performed live in studio by Fleurdelis, featuring traditional percussion, renaissance recorders, Lyre and Hurdy Gurdy. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 79 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]
Mysterious, dark and ethereal soundscapes with a hypnotic, tribal influenced, repetitive drum beat. Dark / Eerie / Mystical. [Tempo: Slow / 0 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]
Beethoven's 5th Symphony, 1st movement. Recorded exclusively for Shockwave-Sound.com by D Hamilton. [Tempo: Slow, Medium, Fast / 0 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]
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]
Peaceful traditional Chinese / Far Eastern / Oriental music with a lilting walt like quality. Bawu and Dizi carry the lead along with guzheng, gongs and Daiko to accompany. [Tempo: Slow / 54 BPM]
An original piece of music, stylized as a medieval funeral march song or torchlight dance. Medieval / Early music / Vikings / Irish Celtic / English / Historical music. Performed live in a studio on Bagpipes, Hurdy Gurdy and Percussion, by the Fleurdelis ensemble. [Tempo: Medium / 188 BPM]
Calm and relaxing, this track features traditional Chinese instruments in a light and airy setting. Perfect for travel, culture or history. Meditative and noble. [Tempo: Slow / 60 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]
A 16th century renaissance music dance that originated in France; originally composed by Claude Gervaise (1525–1583). Danced at courts all over Renaissance Europe. Performed live in studio by Fleurdelis, featuring traditional percussion, Rabab Kashgar (An Arabic long-necked Lute), bagpipe and renaissance recorders. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 102 BPM]
Peaceful, calm ambient track blending japanese instruments (koto, erhu, shakuhachi, percussion) with electronics. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 100 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]
Traditional Chinese music with a moderately serious edge. Good for culture and nature or documentaries. [Tempo: Slow / 57 BPM]
Calm and positive music featuring traditional Japanese / Oriental instruments. Meditative and cultural. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 58 BPM]
Traditional Indian instruments combine with an electronic flair to create this adventurous, grooving Middle Eastern piece. [Tempo: Medium / 104 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]
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]
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]
