Nothing quite says “spooky Halloween songs” like a lone, slightly out of tune violin. Classical music is full of some really macabre pieces, but trying to find some that sound good on a solo violin is…well…not an easy walk in the graveyard. However, I’ve scoured the classical music repertoire for 5 spooky violin songs that are perfect for Halloween. I wish I could call these songs “easy” Halloween violin songs, but alas, all creepy songs are in minor keys. That’s just the way of life. And minor being slightly more torturous than major keys, these spooky songs can get tricky.

If you’re struggling with minor keys, check out my scales course here where I explain minor keys in detail!

Unfortunately, some of my favorite Halloween pieces from classical music couldn’t make it on to my list of Halloween violin songs. Simply because they were a nightmare to transcribe. But please listen to these wonderfully macabre pieces from the classical music world. No Halloween playlist is complete without them.

Mussorgsky: Night on Bald Mountain: Classic creepy Halloween song that will make you harken back to Disney’s “Fantasia.”
Verdi’s Dies Irae.
Mozart’s Dies Irae. Mozart’s entire Requiem (his final composition) is worth a listening to, especially on a dark, stormy night.
Berlioz’s Dream of a Witches’ Sabbath from Symphonie Fantastique. One of my favorites. Complete with tolling church bells. Epic.

Okay, let’s start off with the easiest Halloween song for Violin!

While I love creating these violin arrangements, they do take a considerable amount of time to notate, arrange, edit, test-play, and upload. If you want to download and print all of this music (and much more), you can with my Online Studio Membership, where you’ll get access to all of my courses and my Sheet Music Library (a collection of over 200 easy, intermediate, and advanced violin songs). Learn more about becoming part of my online studio here!

1. Theme from Mahler Symphony No. 1 (Free Violin Sheet Music)

This theme is like a twisted, sinister version of Frere Jacques. During the real symphony, it’s played by a bass solo and it is EPIC! Listen to the entire movement—it’s both ominous and beautiful!

I transposed this spooky violin song to E minor to be easier to play on the violin. Like Frere Jacques, it can be played as a round, so grab your fellow ghouls and have a grand time. Just have the second person always start two measures behind the first person.

2. In the Hall of the Mountain King Free Violin Sheet Music

Our next Halloween violin song is a classic creepy tune. We’re in E minor again so enjoy LOTS of D sharps! What is that weird little marking on the second to last measure, you say? That’s tremolo. It means play right at the tip of your bow and make your hand tremble like you’ve just seen a ghost. Voila! Tremolo!

3. Toccata and Fugue in D Minor Violin Music

Okay, let’s face it. Bach’s famous organ piece, Toccata and Fugue in D minor is not exactly what I would call an “easy” Halloween song for violin. Take one look at an organ’s gaping mouth of keys and pedals waiting to devour you and you’ll realize there is no possible way to easily transcribe an organ piece for violin. However, I have tried, my faithful followers. I have tried.

This is an abridged version, if that’s not obvious. We’re in D minor now….I can’t believe I just typed that. Of course we’re in D minor! You don’t need me to tell you that!

The good news about this spooky song is that it is free-flowing and rhapsodic. Think crazed maniac in a cape pounding on the organ at midnight and you’ll get the right vibe. So take your time and enjoy!

4. Montagues and Capulets Violin Sheet Music

This piece has to be one of my absolute favorites in classical music. It’s deliciously sinister. A single violin can’t really match the grandeur and power of this piece when played by a whole symphony. So please, listen to the real version and crank up the speakers.

I’ve transposed this into E minor for ease of playing on the violin. I also had to bump some of the notes down an octave to keep it in first position. However, if you’re ready for third position and a little more challenging music, I’ll give you the “expanded” edition of this piece as well.

5. Danse Macabre Easy Violin Sheet Music

No list of Halloween songs for violin would be complete without this wonderfully creepy violin piece by Saint-Saens. Unfortunately, I had to keep it in the key of G minor, so you’re going to have to deal with two flats.

Danse Macabre means “Dance of Death” and as you’re playing it you may feel like that’s exactly what you’re doing. Let me talk you through this madness.

I’ve divided the song into different sections. This piece is also rhapsodic, so pick and choose which ones you want to play. If some are harder than others, just leave them out.

The A section has a lot of open strings. If playing double stops is bothering you, just play the top notes.

The B section is definitely the hardest. Take your time. You’ll have lots of “low 1s” for the B flats and “high 3s” for the G sharps.

C section is easier and more like a demented little waltz. I love this part. Lots of accidentals, but nothing too paranormal.

The D part is the final section and it pretty much recaps the A section.

The good news about this Halloween song for violin is that, even if it’s slightly out of tune, that just adds to the spooky vibe. So enjoy those slightly out-of-tune notes!