How to Use Music in Magic Shows

Music hath charms to soothe the savage…audience member! Magicians use music to set the mood from the beginning to the end of their shows. Sometimes moods need to be expectant and invigorating, and sometimes moods need to be suspenseful and spell-binding.

1.  Select your music wisely.  Whether you are trying to create a peppy, energetic mood to warm up the audience and create excitement before you're announced, or whether you need a mysterious, dramatic tune for the big reveal, music you select will be a large reason whether you succeed or not.  Different songs mean different things to your audience members and even areas of the country may respond to certain songs differently. 

2.  Certain songs evoke certain images.  “Chariots of Fire” recalls slow motion action and “Mission: Impossible” suspenseful tension.  The volume will be important as well. You will want to avoid your audience singing along or humming with your background music during your show. 

3.  Mesh your magic routine with your music.  Try to keep the tempo and the tricks synchronized.

4.  Edit the music prior to the show. Keep the pieces short and timed so you can plan your moves accordingly. Music can even serve as a magician’s cue.  Access to professional equipment is helpful to retain superior sound quality. 

5.  Confirm your music is royalty-free before using it.  If you use a song still under copyright, you may be required to pay royalties to the owners of the intellectual properties of the song.  Some Internet sites offer CDs of royalty-free music specifically designed for magicians.