Copy My Frameworks for Writing with Orchestral VSTs
Epic ostinatos to intimate piano orchestrations.
Start FreeNote:
This course is not for complete beginners. It is best for producers who can get around their DAW and know at least the basics of music theory.
If you struggle with theory in the piano roll, consider Chord Control before or alongside this course.
I made this course because I had a lot of trouble learning to compose with orchestral VSTs.
I came from an electronic & pop background, and when I would try to study orchestral I saw so much sheet music and terminology that just felt like it was from another world (which it was.)
But I kept at it, and did a lot of transcription of tracks that inspired me into the piano roll.
And over time I saw similar patterns that were being used across compositions.
Here was three massive things I noticed:
1. Ostinatos: Simple repetitive motifs using 2-4 notes in quick, repeating sequences. They were so much simpler than I thought. But they contained incredible emotion and momentum. And they were used constantly as the anchor to compositions.
2. Chords as Independent Voices: When making electronic or pop music, often we think of chords like simple structures we can move around. But in orchestral composition, "chords" are better thought of as a few independent voices that are all melodies themselves. Those voices moving together IMPLY the chord. This can also be thought of as horizontal vs vertical composition.
3. Melodies as Themes with Longer Development Cycles: When making electronic & pop, a lot of times the melodies move quick with a tight, catchy cadence. But in orchestral, the melodies often are given much longer to breathe and develop. They aren't afraid to just sit on notes. This longer development allow you to appreciate all the movement around them from those moving chord voices and ostinatos.
In this course, I showcase a lot of these ideas and more as simple "follow these steps" frameworks you can immediately put to use.
No sheet music. No complicated terminology.
Just clear formulas to write with, built from the perspective of someone who struggled - to make it easier to start writing ideas that feel great in your orchestral VSTs.
If you have any questions send me a message.
Go inside these projects
Projects I'll walk you through in the Breakdowns section of the course.
Start a lesson
The first 6 minutes from the "Adventure Awaits" project breakdown.
Full course outline
-
Orchestral Quick Start
1 lesson- Orchestral Sketching: Building Worlds with a Simple Chord Progression
-
Setup & Foundations
8 lessons- Epic Orchestral Moods MIDI & Sample Pack
- Recommendations for VSTs / Sample Libraries - Free and Paid
- Making Your Template
- Navigating Sample Libraries & Articulations
- Dealing with Instrument Delay
- Hearing the Personality of Instruments
- Using Modulation & Expression
- Using Reference Tracks Properly
-
Music Theory & Sketch to Production Workflow [Bonus Lessons from Chord Control course]
7 lessons- Sketch to Production
- How to Write Chord Progressions
- Chord Voicing Tips
- What are Ostinatos?
- What are Arpeggios?
- Writing Melodies on Chords
- "Setup Vary Repeat Destroy" Melody Rule
-
Writing & Production Techniques
9 lessons- Orchestrating Chords & The Power of Layering
- How to Make Epic Ostinatos
- Adding Momentum with Staccato Strings
- Creating Scenes with Chords Orchestration
- Solo vs Ensemble
- Solo Piano to Orchestrated Concept
- Live Composing: Chord Progression to Orchestral Concept
- Student Session: Composing with Intention
- Student Session: Turning his MIDI into Orchestral Concepts
-
Percussion Techniques
2 lessons- How to Make Orchestral Percussion Patterns
- Percussion Production Techniques
-
Project Breakdowns
9 lessons- "Adventure Awaits" Epic Orchestral Breakdown
- Hans Zimmer - "Time"
- "Game Village Shop Theme" Sketch to Production
- "Hero Emerges" Breakdown
- Epic Hybrid Orchestral Trailer
- Action Trailer Composition
- "Hydra" - Rock Orchestral
- "Wurld" Breakdown
- "Devastation" Epic Hybrid
Included: Orchestral MIDI pack
Over 30 orchestral concepts in MIDI & WAV. Study them along with the course, or use them to start new compositions yourself.
MODERN ORCHESTRAL:
Practical Composition Workflows
Repeatable Writing Frameworks to Compose with Orchestral VSTs
- 30 structured lessons
- Orchestral MIDI pack
- Message support
- 30 day money back guarantee
Consider my course bundle to get all courses for a discount.
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