Composing for Orchestra | First Steps

[@AlexHeppelmann]

What are your first steps when composing for orchestra??

[@rubenmolino1480]

I see that you cannot have a unique method, which would be a solution, but the imagination conjugates different mechanisms, which force a change of strategies, in my case I start with no more than 2 bars, as motive axes, and then I develop as sketches ,different rhythmic fields dependent on the sketch in the manner of stravinsky,... this assures me a vertical and horizontal idea, to speculate about the possible orchestration,,,and I consider that the rhythmic element is the most important to develop any coherent movement in time, and adjusts the shape much more easily.

[@polkmusic]

I am old school in this regard. I like to write things out on staff paper to start out. But I am working in Cubase in a template which helps the process immensely. It usually starts out a simple fragment of an idea then stringing those ideas together. Listening to great composers and studying scores is a great way to learn as well. I am currently working on my second orchestral work. I have the main melody down but working the middle section. I need an intro and an ending but I will probably pull this from my main melody.

[@VFXCommander]

Glad to see you still uploading! :)

[@nilovankralingen1489]

Wow my man. Conservatory level lessons up for grabs on youtube (can confirm being a conservatory student). People are sleeping on your videos!

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Thanks so much!

[@johnnydayzstudios2208]

Wow. This was so helpful. Thank you for taking the time to do this. I look forward to the series.

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Glad it was helpful!

[@henrik5284]

This is just super helpful for me, Alex. Thank you!

[@polkmusic]

Thanks for sharing your process. I like the idea of just playing in some ideas. I already do this myself.

[@MIsweetshadow]

I find that type of content very engaging. It's always super interesting to see someone's process. I'm definitely looking forward for the next video. Thanks Alex 👍

[@AlexHeppelmann]

You're welcome!!

[@karim0302]

I really enjoy watching this approach to composition, so please continue this series!!

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Will do! Thanks for watching!

[@winknotes]

Fantastic video Alex. Thank you for sharing. It's very helpful to see this sort of thing.

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Thanks, Steve!

[@henryopitz3254]

Extremley helpful and informative video!

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Thanks!!

[@edbuller4435]

Great stuff. Many thanks ed

[@AlexHeppelmann]

You're welcome, Ed. Hope you're well!

[@rubenmolino386]

excelent !

[@jade8538]

Great content as usual, Alex. Your 3 'First Steps' have given me food for thought regarding ways to kick off a project. The one big cog in my workflow is that piano is not my primary instrument, so sitting down at the midi keyboard and improvising freely and productively is not currently in my skillset. I'm practicing piano everyday, but I'm a ways off from being able to generate meaty, usable material via improv. Until then, I'm using whatever workaround I can develop. Looking fwd to your next next vid in this series! ~ Kevin J.

[@AlexHeppelmann]

I know many composers who aren't pianists, but still write amazing music. I sometimes even record myself singing rhythmic and melodic ideas into my phone!

[@Dave-nm8uk]

Very interesting start. I liked the fact that you didn't just go straight in and start writing, either in notation or in a DAW, but thought about your purpose first. I'll be interested to see how you develop your piece from the recorded fragments.

[@julienm1841]

Thanks a lot, good stuff. What kind of harmonc techniques did you use for your piano's snippet? As many of us are pianists, we should start by what we wanage thé best i.e playing piano !

[@franciscoaragao9672]

Muito bem. Obrigado.

[@AlexHeppelmann]

You're very welcome!

[@rubenmolino1480]

yes exactly...once i read that josef sawinul,...improvised and recorded for an hour on the piano,...,then he listened and saved the best moments to develop and compose.

[@AlexHeppelmann]

I've been using this process for about 15 years! We'll see how I end up using the ideas that I generated from this session.

[@VFXCommander]

I hope you would still consider doing a class on Alan Menken's music from the 90s and his collaboration with the orchestrator, Danny Troobs.

[@AlexHeppelmann]

I'll keep that in mind for the future. In the meantime, you should check out Christopher Siu's channel -- lots of Menken content there I believe!

[@andrewosano7486]

Alternatively, instead of rendering the midi as audio, you can change the midi track's setting from musical mode to time based mode that way when you use time warp, you can line things up with the midi notes instead of trying to find transients.

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Excellent advice, thanks!