One key to creating a memorable and exciting ambiance for your murder mystery party is to select music that ties in with your theme. You can use sound effects and period music played at low volume to create the illusion of another era, recreate an exotic locale or instill a sense of urgency and thrill for your guests. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Select the Perfect Music for Your Murder Mystery Party
1. Select a game kit for your party at a website like Night of Mystery (see Resources below).
2. Read through the storyline to familiarize yourself with the time period and any sound effects required by the script (for example boat whistles, screams or bells).
3. Write a list of sound effects you need and styles of music appropriate for the game. For a game set in the 1920s, for example, you might choose well-known jazz standards from that era, while a for a game located in Morocco, you might want traditional middle-eastern music.
4. Visit your local library or (if your budget permits) book or CD shop for music compilations and sound effects records, or download individual songs from the Internet.
5. Look for movie soundtracks, which employ a great deal of emotive background music, to enhance the murder mystery atmosphere.
6. Create separate playlists for songs and sound effects to minimize timing difficulties.
7. Use instrumental music, which interferes less with conversation.
8. Incorporate sound effects sparingly to maximize their impact. Too many sound effects can cause your guests to tune them out, making them less effective.
9. Mix your tape or CD with no pauses between songs for a flowing background ambiance.
10. Blend upbeat music with slower, more menacing tones for an ideal party atmosphere.
11. Signal your guests with aural clues by using noticeably different music styles before, during and after game play. You might choose fast-tempo, upbeat music before the game starts, period music during play and slower, relaxing music after the game ends.
Tags: sound effects, your guests, after game, might choose, murder mystery, Murder Mystery Party, Mystery Party