How to Write Music for Orchestra [with the FREE BBC SO Discover]

Рет қаралды 301,983

Күн бұрын

A beginner's guide to writing your first piece of orchestral music using a wonderful free VST library. Composer Guy Michelmore shows you how to create a satisfying piece of orchestral music from scratch using a completely FREE orchestral library from Spitfire Audio, BBC SO Discover. He will talk you through a simple technique for visualizing, and then realizing an orchestral score and then show you how it works in practice. But things don't go entirely to plan! Watch out for the complete disaster.
Want an extended edition of the video tutorial, download the Cubase project file, midi or audio stems, a Logic and Cubase BBC SO Discover template, and a PDF guide to orchestral composition, then click here:
thinkspaceeducation.com/signu...
0:00 Start
0:55. A Free orchestral sound library
2:26 Building a simple template
3:45 Simple approach to orchestral composition
4:45 The writing process
5:15 Sketch before you orchestrate
6;54 Melody and accompaniment
7:30 String section doing everything
8:20 Woodwind + Brass
11:25 Woodwind Dovetailing
13:34 French horns and trombones
15:10 Strings in octaves
15:40 Building emotion and answering voices
19:00 Disaster!!!
21:15 Instrumental combinations
24:05 Piano ostinato
28:10 Summary and Conclusion

Пікірлер: 666

@ThinkSpaceEducation 2 жыл бұрын

Want an extended edition of the video tutorial, download the Cubase project file, midi or audio stems, a Logic and Cubase BBC SO Discover template, and a PDF guide to orchestral composition, then click here: thinkspaceeducation.com/signup/music-for-orchestra/

@yaoguangtang1759 2 жыл бұрын

Hi , which LAB-Piano library do you use ?

@MorrisChannel4 2 жыл бұрын

thank you for the heads up on this plugin, i signed up and got it today. will try to check it out and start working on some old works with it! so glad i found this channel.

@dubaisensei 2 жыл бұрын

best video and teacher ever ,man i just started but i feel i will enjoy this video ,im an early student

@jedigarrett142 Жыл бұрын

the link doesnt work for signing up

@user-qr2mq5rb4u 2 жыл бұрын

I am a 70-year-old Japanese who recently started DTM. I'm going to make a symphonic poem about Kyoto. Right now, I'm making small pieces with Western-style tunes to learn DTM, but I'm fighting to make what I want to make while I'm alive. Always thank you for your inspiration

@bobrobertsNotUrBob 2 жыл бұрын

best of luck

@craia25 2 жыл бұрын

hope we can hear the result... ;-)

@bychances7835 2 жыл бұрын

応援しますよー

@MamaSymphonia 2 жыл бұрын

Please let us know when that symphonic poem is done, we'd love to hear it!

@bobrobertsNotUrBob 2 жыл бұрын

@@MamaSymphonia orchestral rap?

@DeepFocusPomodoro Жыл бұрын

I feel like I am getting 4 years of musical education in only 30 minutes. You are a great teacher!

@quadrolaserbeam 8 ай бұрын

Definitely looks like orchestrastrion course within 5 minutes

@qiqi2692 7 ай бұрын

I have the same feeling ! The teacher is a bit manic , but that’s just passion overflow , but the metronome pecks in my brain . But all in all marvelous !

@ProAudioIQ 7 ай бұрын

Guy makes it look so simple. He’s quite a genius musician. So glad he’s so generous with his craft!

@hian 2 жыл бұрын

As a self-taught composer, there's a great sense of satisfaction found in watching a vid like this and finding it's basically the way I'm been doing it all along lol. Thanks for that.

@gulagwarlord 2 жыл бұрын

Same here... I'm self taught and just tried my hand at orchestral cinematic music (you can check my channel for recent uploads)... halfway into this video and it's pretty much how I've been working/thinking the past week since giving it a go. I come from a metal/edm backgroud fwiw.

@kutchutozov Жыл бұрын

Agree but,,, I'm not sure I can call myself "self-taught" anymore as I've watched the big "Guy" since almost day 1 of this crazy journey, and I think of him as my unbeknownst mentor if that makes sense... I was producing mostly dance and hip hip for 20 years but Covid lockdown gave me a chance to explore a new world I'd always craved to see, with Guy and the BBC SO funnily enough. Upgraded to BBC CORE now and loving it!

@staffski Жыл бұрын

Agreed

@yesthatsam 2 жыл бұрын

I want that fridge !

@YuiHisaishi Жыл бұрын

It's better than any Smart Fridge out in the market!!

@zoharkiaav Жыл бұрын

Me too 😂🎉

@raul0ca 3 ай бұрын

Their playing leaves me...cold

@leesnelson7094 2 жыл бұрын

As a woman about to slide into my golden years ( I'll be sixty in September ) I have recently set up my retirement recording studio based around the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol s61 and numerous other gear picked up over the years. Although I have played, performed and recorded music most of my life on a part time basis, I long to be able to finish work and just noodle around in my studio on a daily basis doing the thing I love the most. Creating ! Anyhow on to the point ! Guy your videos are an amazing source of inspiration and learning for me, your easy sense of explaining the do's and dont's of creating great orchestral music are very much appreciated and valued. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and skills with us all, it does not go unnoticed.

@macdaddybender Жыл бұрын

That's great. I'm ten years younger and I do have a little studio set up already but I struggle to find the time. Like you, making music like this is my retirement dream. I hope you're having fun

@rmilan08 3 ай бұрын

I laughed so hard. First you were failing to explain counter point and then are to hell with it, ill show you! Then, the computer crashes, this belongs in a comedy sitcom 😂

@hotz25 Жыл бұрын

I normally watch videos and move on without commenting, but I'm so appreciative to Guy for not only doing this video (and others I'll be getting to), but allowing his personality to shine through as it brings levity to what can be "stuffy music" lectures. His passion, joy, everything makes watching this an enjoyable experience, and not only that, is inspiring. Thank you, Guy!

@MamaSymphonia 2 жыл бұрын

Was excited when they announced this was now free with no wait :D I've been a BBCSO user since the original came out (before there were versions) and I'm so happy people all over the world finally have access to this amazing tool no matter what their situation. Kudos to Spitfire!

@lucadipaolo1997 2 жыл бұрын

I've already decided for myself, whenever I'm able to buy any music libraries, it'll definitely be something Spitfire; probably their Epic Woodwinds/Brass or their new Choir for 29 dollarydoos.

@MamaSymphonia 2 жыл бұрын

@@lucadipaolo1997 Yep, their Originals series is a great place to start! Love, LOVE the Intimate Strings

@Scoresbyhassan 10 ай бұрын

Spitfire is awesome

@Mansardian 2 жыл бұрын

These videos are exactly what we need. I love you playing around, Guy, but this is really really helpful. Explain the Whys and Hows.

@jloiben12 2 жыл бұрын

This is such a great video. In a short 32 minute section there is so much that is discussed. This is a video I need to save and just come back to from time to time because there are so many concepts and ideas all in one short bite

@LennonJCihak 2 жыл бұрын

Agreed. I love the way Guy explains things too. No wasting time, just straight to the point with some fun. Orchestral music boggles my mind, so watering the idea of an entire orchestra was helpful.

@johnscott2964 9 ай бұрын

Brilliant!! And this is coming from a 70 year old professional trumpet player with degrees from top universities and experience with major symphony orchestras. I cannot thank you enough Guy!!!!!!!

@stevem-h3562 2 жыл бұрын

It was you who turned me onto Discover a couple of years ago. What a wonderfully useful writing and composition tool. I dont normally write orchestral music, but having a soundset like this at my disposal for composition of the type of material that I do write - absolutely invaluable. Seriously considering an upgrade to Core as I"m that happy with it.

@MattKidMusic 17 күн бұрын

After watching this I downloaded the vst and a template for Reaper and started my own composition. It's been so much fun and a great learning experience to break out harmony into different intstruments.

@desoconnor7445 2 жыл бұрын

This was one of my first Spitfire libraries, I found it inspirational and sonically super useful . The related graphics and tutorials educated me in relation to orchestral instrument placement in the stereo field . Sonically , it is still a superb compositional resource ,therefore a significant introduction to orchestral composition at zero cost.. What a gift as Guy demonstrates, What a community 🙏🏿🙏👏👏🎩

@ferfrant4425 2 жыл бұрын

One of the best ways to learn is having fun. Thanks for that spark you have to get us there. This time you made me laugh out loud with your random occurrences and also got many nuggets all along. Awesome!

@sprkymrt 2 жыл бұрын

Years ago we had a copy of Rossini's Semiramide Overture and I always liked how the melody and instruments went back and forth to one another.and you could enjoy all the tone colors.

@itsruiguerreiro Жыл бұрын

Only 4 minutes in, and I had to stop to say how much this made me happy! Thank you, sir! You are the man.

@swatforce3309 Жыл бұрын

Thank you soooo much! I've been composing orchestral music for the past several years, and since I'm still young I haven't got much money to spend on expensive libraries. This library will hopefully make my songs more realistic and emotional. Thank you very much!

@danilokb 2 жыл бұрын

Nice to see you back Mr. Michelmore. I hope everything is good with you.

@andespenser3017 2 жыл бұрын

Guy, you are such a darling. I have been around music most of my life, but during quarantine I just got back into it and decided over the next 2 years to go for it professionally. I'm 52 and scored my first short film last weekend. I have learned so much from your videos. Thank you for providing really good Information and some laughs. I am now beginning to be able to make the music I've always heard in my head. You are precious and appreciated. 💙💙💙

@Ornamentmountain Жыл бұрын

Could you share it with us?

@philipford6183 2 жыл бұрын

Great video. I can't read music, but much of this is what I've been doing instinctively in my ventures into orchestral music (I've found my grasp of chords is extremely useful!). Really good to hear you explaining it all in such an accessible and humorous way. Thanks for the video!

@drarf2225 Жыл бұрын

You're an absolute legend for creating such a helpful guide like this! You've THROWN me onto my next stepping stone of writing orchestral music !

@graemedavy-watts7867 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Guy for all of your videos.Your enthusiasm is infectious. I even ended up using BBCSO Discover on my first studio recording.

@LindaMissad 2 жыл бұрын

It's great to start out a Friday with a video from you again, Guy. Thanks so much. So many great tips in here. Hope all is well. Take care

@orderd29 2 жыл бұрын

Superb video. The ability to take a subject that can be so overwhelming and make it understandable is quite a rare gift.

@StephSancia 2 жыл бұрын

I'm *NOT* a Musician but I Live for Music and I thoroughly enjoy watching your videos *BUT* you've stated this video is for all Musicians as if it's an Exclusive Club and you've put the whole Genre in a Box. I'm guessing there will be a few music TINKERERS watching but creating my own music has ALWAYS been a dream but I'm not there ... yet. I'll watch it via my VPN then I won't be spotted as a Gate Crasher ! ✌️ Have a blessed weekend Guy and thanks for the tutorials

@magnusjakobsson7925 Жыл бұрын

Just getting started trying to compose little pieces and this tutorial is just phenomenal ❤. Like someone else commented, it feels like I just got years of teachings in minutes. Thank you!

@shadowfiremusic 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Guy. I love BBCSO discovery. I put it in all my songs which are heavy metal but having orchestral accompaniments is awesome. You're the best, Guy.

@marcellonoia9418 2 жыл бұрын

Many thanks, you're able to explain things with a bit of humor that makes them more easy to understand, instead of a boring lesson "I speak, you learn"

@infinitcomedy2196 9 ай бұрын

You are an incredible teacher!! Your super high energy, sense of humor, and kindness brings this often intimidating skill available to people who are self taught like us. Thank you so much for your incredible gift to the world!

@getoproductions8356 2 жыл бұрын

This is by far the greatest tutorial you’ve made so far. I learned a lot Guy. Thank you

@KerryonBass 11 ай бұрын

I had the idea of treating my eurorack modular as an orchestra and this has just helped me immensely with how to approach composition. Thank you so much Guy for this awesome contribution for us dabblers who are not formally trained in music.

@deadly.deadpan 4 ай бұрын

Only halfway through and this already is the most informative video I've seen on orchestral composition. Thank you very much!

@o.cgabriel 11 ай бұрын

I love this teacher. His humorous approach to teaching makes it even more interesting to learn ❤❤❤

@stillsoundnl 2 жыл бұрын

fouund your channel a few years back by accident when I was trying to get better at music production and composing for tv/film and for my own metal music and have to say I love all the little bits of tips and information you have given since I found your channel

@arthurmee 2 жыл бұрын

Crying out for a lyric: "Do not forsake oh my darling. . ." 😇 seriously, thank you for a marvellous summary of writing orchestral music.

@anatomicallymodernhuman5175 2 жыл бұрын

thinking same

@kailin98 Жыл бұрын

Such a great video. The hymns from services around UK for the late Queen have suddenly reminded me of this love for classical, and hope I will be able to come up with something for the ones that really inspired me

@MasonTorrey 2 жыл бұрын

I've been writing for orchestra since 1998 when I got my hands on a score writing program called Encore at my school. I've never been professionally trained and I didn't even take music class at school because of the fact that I don't sight read music and so I thought I wasn't good enough. Oh how I wish I had taken music. Anyway, when I first read the title of this video "How to write music for orchestra", my first thought was, "write however you want. There are no rules." Awesome video though, as always. Love your channel and I regularly come here because you've taught me so much in regards to fine tuning my orchestration skills. You have a very thorough yet enjoyable way of teaching.

@ThinkSpaceEducation 2 жыл бұрын

I remember Encore! Try Dorico its a revelation

@smoothpicker Жыл бұрын

I played cello in my high school orchestra and fell in love with it. Wasn't popular with my friends lol. I also took guitar lessons. I've been playing both now for 30 years and write duets for the two and have been happy with that. I want to learn more about composing and this is the video I've been searching for. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Definitely inspired me!!

@lancewilson9274 2 жыл бұрын

I used that exact 1st melody statement in college! Your treatment is soooo much better. Looking forward to watching more.

@timmiethedog 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks as ever for making an educational video so damned enjoyable! Leaving in your "blue-screen tribulations" was a stroke of genius

@Bhauda 2 жыл бұрын

Just want to say how I love every video that you do! It's so uplifting and energetic. Every time I watch a video of yours, it always gets me motivated..... So thank you ☺️

@mrawi5055 Жыл бұрын

This guy is such a mood and a great teacher

@High-Tech-Geek 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely brilliant. The amount of just plain useful info in this video is rare indeed. Thank you.

@romanokoenmusic 2 жыл бұрын

Hi. Great video. I parted with the 50 and still think it's worth it. The fact that it's free now is amazing! Once again Spitfire Audio have empowered composers with some incredible product.

@lee9953 2 жыл бұрын

This is so generous of you, thank you very much! I'm looking forward to putting this gift to work in my humble little converted-bedroom studio. So exciting! Thanks again!

@bamboofstillmorning5996 Жыл бұрын

How incredibly generous of you to make these videos! And I found this video to be extremely useful. Thank you!

@bassManDavis1953 2 жыл бұрын

Brilliant thank you so much Guy, I have only just decided this weekend to start my first attempt at an orchestral piece and BOOM! along comes the master, thank you so much for giving so much inspiration x Your work is done, love it

@raymondspagnuolo8222 Жыл бұрын

Hi Guy! This was sooo helpful! I look forward to more videos whenever you feel so moved! Thanks for all you do. You have helped me so much!

@Narikami931 Жыл бұрын

I loved your spontaneity and authenticity in how you explain things and how you talk in general! I also found it funny how you made comments on your own decisions, actions and explanations 🤣 I liked the "short seminar" type of the video instead of a quick step-by-step guide that promises quick and easy results like most videos out there... This video is a gem, thank you! Learned a lot! Cheers!

@DirectLinden 6 ай бұрын

Wow! So concise, easy to understand, and all in 30 minutes. Thank you SO much, Guy.

@mystic22222 Жыл бұрын

I like your category of instrument cost - eye watering. Here's a few more that I've seen: Bleeding; Kidney Deleting; Firstborn Relieving.

@musicfairyjamie Жыл бұрын

17:40 had me dying! 😂😭 this video so far has been soooo informative and authentic! this is coming from someone who’s only recently decided to delve their musicianship into composition, your teaching and especially energy + charisma are such a charm. thank you for making this video, it makes me really excited to venture into this new medium :) ❤

@peterlepahin 2 жыл бұрын

Hello Guy, I just wanted to say a huge thank you - your channel, as well as Spitfire's BBCSO were the two main reasons I started my journey in composing in 2020. Today, I compose production music and working on a video game soundtrack (both as a side job). Your encouraging, simple, funny yet deep videos (like this one) gave me a lot of hope and enthusiasm. So once again - thank you! And yes, please do that video about ostinati!

@lynnehull8608 8 ай бұрын

I’m so happy to have found your channel, this is so helpful! You explain a lot of concepts I’ve been trying to learn for quite some time but I haven’t found many people who break everything down in an easy to understand way like this. (Also I love how creative and entertaining the way you put together your videos are, they’re so fun - have watched through a couple today and can’t wait to check out more of them.)

@swtdata Жыл бұрын

What a great video! I’ve not composed anything since high school and this has given me a taste for it. Thank you ☺️

@midnightwind8067 2 жыл бұрын

One of the most coherent videos I have ever seen you do. Wonderful. This was what I always hoped You Tube would be like. This one went to 11. Thank You.

@BaraMatahariPagi 2 жыл бұрын

Great to see you back, Guy! BBCSO Discover was my first ever orchestral library and it got me into orchestral writing, thank you for the video and thank you Spitfire for providing this library for free! :)

@ThinkSpaceEducation 2 жыл бұрын

Ive been scoring a 2 part wildlife documentary with a big live orchestra so Ive been a bit busy for the last couple of months

@philipp.hermann 2 жыл бұрын

@@ThinkSpaceEducation When is it coming out? Would love to hear your work in action!

@BadViola Жыл бұрын

This was an absolute joy to watch. It's a brilliant, brilliant explanation of composition and your counterpoint meltdown was super funny and charming. 😆

@joshrainbow-IceTenor Жыл бұрын

I absolutely love your videos. You bring it in such an easy to follow way married with a lot of fun. Thank you for sharing the love and knowledge with us all

@area51audio 2 жыл бұрын

Dan...from Michigan here. Absolutely LOVE this Guy's teaching style.

@tommilindfors 3 ай бұрын

I've been writing rock and metal music mainly with guitar for about three decades with bands and on my own and I just hit a wall where I was thinking if my sources of inspiration had run dry. I've always loved strings and orchestras in popular music and of course many immortal movie scores have amazing compositions. I downloaded the BBC SO Discover and started to play around with it last night on my 25 key midikeyboard. Within an hour I had a lovely piece of music on my screen and I must say that the library truly sounds incredible. Now, what comes to Guy's way of teaching these fundamentals of a classical orchestra I think I haven't been this inspired in years! And many of those Guy's teachings can be applied on a piece of modern music too. I don't know how to read scores but Guy's way of opening different meanings and the ways of how arrangements work really keeps me wanting to learn more. And yeah, Guy seems like a super nice fellow so that doesn't hurt either.

@darthraspberry9607 Жыл бұрын

I applaud you Sir!!! I can't honestly thank you enough for this... Lots of love from Croatia!

@DrProgNerd Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video. I recently started playing around with orchestra plugins. There are times when I feel like a cook lobbing spices into a pot and hoping for the best. Lol !!! I love that you shared what instruments compliment each other - and what range they are the 'happiest' in. Breaking it down to four elements is extremely helpful. Subscribed.

@cutefairy297 4 ай бұрын

You are amazing, thank you for this uplifting and high-quality content. Not just super useful and easy to understand but also very fun. Love your videos

@Cam-dh3iy Жыл бұрын

Dude you are absolutely amazing to watch! I really appreciate your passion and your ability to laugh when you make a mistake. Some people try to put on a fake face when doing videos, but you, you just go for it! Thanks for this, and I am definitely subscribing and turning on notifications!

@jeffb1886 2 жыл бұрын

Great tutorial, thanks!!! As a beginner, this is a big help showing me how to get started with even the simplest melody line and working logically thru the sections!!

@sharynbrand967 Жыл бұрын

lol. Thanks... you are such a joy to watch and listen to. Infectious joy and education!

@chromofonic 2 жыл бұрын

Brilliant! Very nice 32 minutes! Packed with useful ideas. I apply these concepts using my self-designed virtual instruments. These ideas are not only applicable to orchestral sounds [i.e. Spitfire Audio's free orchestral library].

@jonathanpittock1447 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Guy, a really helpful and informative video. I've been dabbling with discover for a while and it is quite overwhelming where to start (being from a band!!!). The functions of the different sections etc. Can't wait to get stuck back in.

@olumuyiwaajayi5136 4 ай бұрын

You have helped me greatly in writing and composing strings. Thank you so much.

@alaincoppejans6399 Жыл бұрын

Very nice video tutorial! Thanks for this! I started using this Free BBC SO Discover about 1 month ago and tried to make a 1st movie score of a Bridgerton scene with this plugin for Spitfire Audio. I never studied music and can not read any music, but like to hear, listen and search for the right chords. Now that i tried to do this movie score competition i fell in love with classical instruments and symphonic orchestras. Keep up the great work and time you are spending to make this fantistic tutorials. Alain

@ellymearly Жыл бұрын

i feel so motivated after watching this. THANK YOU ❤

@leanderperera8467 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed watching the video and am learning quite a bit on composing.

@GreasyDaddy 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely wonderful. Always a pleasure to watch you work.

@gitano9001 Ай бұрын

You are an amazing teacher and musician . Thank you so much for your videos!

@mcguffinsoundstudios1524 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you again for all you do! Brilliant as always- smiling and inspired.

@MrArtist1971 11 ай бұрын

Thanks Guy! You're the best, sir.

@MrTsetso 2 жыл бұрын

This is so sweet. I'm sure even Beethoven after writing his 9th symphony didn't know how exactly to write music for Orchestra! Thanks God, we have Guy here to tell us! Cheap confection!

@jesusberlin 2 жыл бұрын

Jesus…finally somebody answering one of my big (music-related) questions. Thanks a bunch and keep up the good work, Guy!

@wyshwood 2 жыл бұрын

Love this sort of explanation. Marvelous viewing. Thank you.

@dcsabi1 Жыл бұрын

simply brilliant video, well worth every sec of it...

@silversulu 2 жыл бұрын

Guy you finally outdid yourself w this penultimate tutorial . Superior!

@AlanGagiev Жыл бұрын

I love your videos so much, sir! Thank you very much

@mikemurphy8744 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Guy! and yes I'd like to see a video covering ostinatos - programming them, use of, etc. 🙂

@Hoekstes Жыл бұрын

Its things like these that make the world a better place. Thank you thank you thank you!

@jaymond80 2 жыл бұрын

Guy! I’ve been watching my feed waiting to see you post a new video. Truly hope all is well. Thanks for the great video!

@kennstuff 3 ай бұрын

Jeez, that was a fricking great video. It didn't even feel like half an hour. Thanks a lot!

@jasonbensonmusic Жыл бұрын

This video was a refreshing reminder of your genius. I'm deeply grateful for your service🙏☀

@JesseHargrove-xq7js 6 ай бұрын

Hey man, just know that you have just helped me start one of the greatest musical compositions of my life (and I've been writing music for a while now) Thank You

@JesseHargrove-xq7js 6 ай бұрын

Annnnnnnd my thing just crashed. Guess I gotta start over. Curse that blue screen

@nigeltedbury5805 2 жыл бұрын

Great video, thanks. I'm sure I'll watch this again and again as there are so many great tips.

@edmundpotrzeba6094 Ай бұрын

Iv just come across your channel and youv no idea how pleased I am , 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍❤️

@TheCrazyLunatic8 2 жыл бұрын

Man... I remember when I got BBSCO Discover when I first started producing music. I was so bad at it XD It's nice to see you teach people how to make good music with this!