How to compose Cinematic Music (in 7 easy steps)

in this video i'll show you how to write some cinematic music from scratch in seven easy steps just like this [Music] also be sure to check out my free beginner's guide to writing cinematic music ebook a link of which is in the description below i've decided to write in the key of c minor so i'm going to begin by listing all of the chords that are found in the key of c minor next i'm going to pick four of these chords from the list to begin with i'm going to choose c minor a flat major b flat major and a flat major for the first four bars as we want our piece to take the listener on an emotional journey i'm going to start the piece with a delicate feel which will give it room to grow and expand as the piece progresses i'm going to start by playing the chords on the piano using an open voicing like this to create the cinematic feel [Music] to help set the emotional tone from the beginning i've also used this low boom sound a reverse piano pattern and a low draw underneath which helps to fill out the texture next i'm going to extend this opening to an 8 bar chord progression choosing a slightly different order of chords for the second lot of four bars [Music] let's introduce a new element to start progressing the music along for the next section have a go at bringing in some long sustained strings underneath the piano playing chords i've changed the chord progression in these next eight bars slightly to help add some variation but you can use the same chords as your previous 8 bars if you wish [Music] notice that i've carried the reverse piano pattern over to help give some continuity between the first and second sections i've also layered the string sounds from a couple of libraries together to achieve a thicker sound these long strings from omnisphere and the strings ensemble patch from cinematic studio strings start ramping up the emotional intensity of the piece let's add some movement to the next section using osternatos repeating patterns played by shorts piccato strings is an easy way to achieve this begin by copying the chord progression you had in the previous 8 bars along with the long strings and piano part remember if you want to add some variation try changing one of the chords like i've done here once you've got your chords start by experimenting with a short pattern which only uses the notes found in each chord for each bar's ostinato so here in bar 17 i'm using the notes of e flat g c and g which are all found in the chord of c minor when the harmony changes to the a flat major chord keep the same shape or pattern of notes but change the actual pitches so that you include an a flat c and e flat [Music] if you want some different examples of osternantes check out my video eight cinematic ostanatos now let's write a melody for the piece i think i want to start the melody at the same time as those piccata strings come in start by coming up with a 2 bar motif this will be the building block of your 8 bar melody try to begin using the notes which are found in each chord as a starting point you can then add additional notes filling in the gaps to connect your notes together moving by step or using consecutive notes which are next to each other is a great way to compose a strong melody [Music] once you have your first two bars try to copy the rhythm for your next two bars but changing the actual notes used by copying elements such as the rhythm you're giving your melody continuity while still developing the music as it progresses [Music] for the second half of the 8 bar melody you could try using the same rhythm from the first two bars although it's okay to modify this a little if you feel it needs the variation right also think about the shape or contour of your overall melody as well having the highest note in the second half of the 8 bar melody will help to give your tune an emotional arc [Music] once you've got your melody experiment with the orchestration of it the violins are a great starting point and you can see here i've given the melody to the violins and the piano in these eight bars to give some extra weight to the violins i've layered them using a total of three different sample libraries spitfire's album one the legato violins from their chamber strings and violins from metropolis arc 1 by orchestral tools other instruments which work well for emotional melodies in cinematic music include the french horns trumpets and cellos [Music] now you've got your 8 bar melody have a go at repeating it to form the next section but with some extra development in the form of a counter melody counter melodies can be great as helping to propel the music forward and they also help to give an extra layer of emotion to the music here you can see i've written a counter melody in the french horns when writing your counter melody try to keep it independent from the main tune having it play at points where the main melody either has sustained notes or even rests [Music] as these eight bars will be the climax of the piece i want to add some extra detail in the orchestration to help give some more emotional impact an effective way of achieving this is to double the melody on additional instruments such as here where i now have the violins and cellos playing the melody in unison during the second half of the section to ramp up even more i also have the violins and piano playing in octaves giving a wider range to the notes i've also added a pulsing bass synth part playing in the background which helps to give it an extra push in the bottom end as well [Music] [Music] so [Music] having an effective structure is a vital element of a good piece and the trick i often use is to end the piece in the same way that it began here i've copied over the first eight bars from the piano at the beginning and tagged it on to the end after the loud crescendo which has just come before returning to the familiar karma mood from the beginning helps to end the piece making it feel more final let's take a listen to the whole track from beginning to end [Music] so [Music] so [Music] [Music] you

Channel: Composing Academy

Views: 374,929

Keywords: Cinematic Music Tutorial, Cinematic Music Production, How to compose cinematic music, How to write cinematic music, How to compose a melody, How to write a melody, How to compose your first song, How to compose your first piece, composing music, Compose music for beginners, composing for beginners, How to write music, How to compose music, Music composition lesson, how to write a melody, Composing, Composing for beginners, how to compose a melody, learn to compose music

Id: LF4yNpzSARQ

Length: 12min 8sec (728 seconds)

Published: Thu Jan 06 2022