Using Effects to get a Dark Piano Sound?

[CapitalistPig]

Hello, everyone! I am new to FL Studio and honestly music in general. I am trying to do a lot of catching up as quick as possible, but while I have all these ideas for songs and music, I don't have the knowledge to bring them to life. It can be quite discouraging... I've already figured out many of the basics about the structure and using my senses to find what sounds good. I learned a lot of fl-studio features and am ready to put together my first song. The main features I want to hit in the song for practicing purposes are automation, effects (i.e. properly using reverb, distortion or whatever effect is necessary), a good but simple melody with beat and get some basic recorded vocals. I have made some melodies and beats already so the next thing to do, I think is to put everything I learned into one, but I can't get the sound I want.

So here's what I want to do:

I have a song started where it begins with a faint, irregular heartbeat and by the end has a pronounced, strong heartbeat. That's the beat for the song, but under that I wanted a dark, faded piano. Something haunting, but that sounded like it was in the distance. It's a pretty simple song, but I can't get the piano to sound dark. I'm using fl keys and played with some effects, but I don't know which ones to use, if any. It just sounds peppy and upbeat with a lowered pitch right now.

If you have any help on this or any beginners advice (like even about chords or melodies or whatever, I know nothing) it is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

CapitalistPig

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