Discover a diverse array of tips covering all subjects related to becoming a professional media music composer. Our posts encompass small yet valuable tips on various theory subjects, orchestration techniques, DAW tricks, and even insights derived from our own experiences as we embarked on our journey towards becoming professional composers. All of this knowledge can be readily applied in real-world scenarios.
In the image above, the piano begins in the low-mid register with an ascending phrase using a few notes from the D Half-Whole Diminished Scale. With the sustain pedal down, one by one the notes accumulate into a harmony. The last note in the first measure (A♭) is a tritone away from the bass note … Read more
(Click here to view the part 1 of the series) Ostinato – Adding Instruments Ex. 1-1-C In Ex.1-1-C, we continue doubling to fortify the sound of our piece. Piano and viola double the cello ostinato, with the viola playing an octave higher. The sharp attack of the piano adds more bite to the staccato strings. Low … Read more
Characteristic Note of a Mode The characteristic note of a mode is a defining note that helps us distinguish one mode fromanother. Due to the ubiquitous use of major and minor keys in Western music, Western listeners are somewhat conditioned to the sounds of major and minor scales. Therefore, when we hear a mode, we … Read more
Click here to access the complete editions of music scores (PDF), score analyses (PDF), and HD music examples used on our website. This post was brought to you in collaboration with our partner site Behind the Score. Discover the Harmony Secrets of Modern Film and Video Games. Embracing Multiple Hats: The Modern Composer as Composer … Read more
Creating Orchestral Runs Made Simple In this episode, we demonstrate sketching transitional orchestral runs that can be used effectively in your piece. Click here to access the complete editions of music scores (PDF), score analyses (PDF), and HD music examples used on our website. This is an excerpt lesson taken from Behind the Score. Full video … Read more
When it comes to harmonizing your music, exploring captivating techniques can elevate your compositions to new heights. One such technique is the use of cluster voicings. These voicings can be employed effectively throughout an entire passage, especially in action-driven scores where they have a significant impact. Cluster voicings offer a rich and dense harmonic texture, … Read more
What is a quartal harmony? Quartal harmony involves building chords by stacking 4th intervals. This approach differs from the “tertian” harmony (building chords in 3rds) that is typical of traditional Western music. Quartal harmony tends to sound modern, often sidestepping the emotional connotations carried by major and minor chords. In addition, the notes of a quartal … Read more
Minor Major 7th Chord Ah, the Minor Major 7th chord. Although it has an unusual name, the Minor Major 7th chord is simply a minor chord with the 7th note raised a half-step. To clarify, the 7th is raised from how it appears in the natural minor scale to how it would appear in the … Read more
In this episode, we share tips for creating realistic legato strings using sampled instruments. Presented by our guest lecturer Robert Davis. CREATING REALISTIC LEGATO STRINGS Here we are mainly focusing on four different techniques. Each technique may not make a big difference to the overall sound, but when combined, you will be surprised at how … Read more
Explore the Best Free Synth VST Plugins for 2023: Our Top Picks and Recommendations
