Theme and Variation - how to bring a simple orchestral idea to life

Orchestral Composition Bootcamp is back! Term starts 3rd June. Limited places available.
thinkspace.ac.uk/
Today lets explore how you arrange a simple theme several diffent ways using the full sections of the orchestra. Composer Guy Michelmore sets out to complete a short theme and variations in half an hour. So can you follow the different uses of the orchestra, the textures, the ways of presenting the theme? Check it out in this tutorial.
0:00 start
1:15 the basic theme
1:45 Adding spicato strings
2:20 adding some woodwind
3:49 The big uplifting variation
14:35 The quiet mysterious variation
26:30 the end section

[@DarkSideofSynth]

Sweet. he's back.I've just seen him abducted by Spitfire aliens a minute ago...

[@wolfblaide]

Wonderful stuff Guy. It's these simple kind of demonstrations that I get the most out of... I think they are one of the best insights into how to write. Thanks!

[@LoveGuitar63277]

As a rock guitarist (previously a drummer), I've always had a fascination with more intricate genres of music. As a kid (teen), I'd bewilder my friends and bandmates with my love for artists like Steeley Dan, Camel, and other lesser-known-to-them musicians. When it comes to translating my experimental ideas onto my keyboard, I've faced some challenges. I do NOT play piano, but I still enjoy giving it a try. Your ability to showcase the flaws and provide guidance on how to fix and enhance them is much appreciated. It gives me hope that I can finally complete those unfinished musical pieces on my computer!

[@dilzaaaa]

Signed up for your bootcamp this morning. Hopefully it's as much fun as your regular videos. 🎉🎉🥳

[@gilesmoss5860]

Nice, I also really love those low brass, they fill it out beautifully. It also wouldn't have occurred to me to change textures so quickly and so often, that's the dreaded "being stuck in a 4 bar loop" mentality not really belonging in this style of orchestral music.

[@keithgardner8000]

Am doing a piece just now (very legato) and this has helped me enormously. Absolutely LOVE that bottom brass…takes me back to when I played bass trombone…brilliant stuff so please keep it up Guy 😁

[@Rhinehardos]

Hallo Herr Michelmore, vielen Dank für Ihren Content! Es ist immer etwas dabei, das mich weiter bringt 😎👍 Grüße aus Deutschland 🙋 Ps: und ja, ich schreibe absichtlich in deutsch :o)

[@spriggan3935]

At 4:05 the theme that results is "Fort Troop" by Bill Lava! 🙂

[@rabahatmani6925]

Great composition! probably it will take me a year to do something half of it,🙏

[@davenichollsmusiclife]

You need an 'n' in your title, otherwise you will sound like you have a cold! Sniff!!! 😁

[@C_F_M]

or it's about sending bad music to the brig to think about its harmony

[@guitarbrad]

After 4 mins anyone else hear the theme from F-Troop? (The Western sitcom from the mid 1960s.)

[@SimonePhoenix]

Yup, sure can!

[@antonekholm2634]

Oh wow, the headset/radio mic is back! Lovely! 😁

[@Multi_ToBi]

It's always such a pleasure to see you working! How you follow your motif and put your musical notions into an arrangement... I see and hear years of practice and honed taste to make these musical miniatures. You always give me inspiration to try out ideas. Thank you for that!

[@spartacusjonesmusic]

I love watching you work. I learn a HUGE amount just from that. Turns out, I may not be an idiot after all!

[@tolisgamer]

You are great composer!!!❤

[@DanteS-119]

I’m fkn stoked to watch this

[@LeeGee]

Lovely! Thank you!

[@michaeltablet8577]

Thank you so very much! Your passion is contagious! You are a great teacher!

[@abdulkerimgur]

There is a lot to learn from you. Bless your heart...

[@edbuller4435]

Love watching your vid's. learn so much

[@leandropugin1904]

Very good video! Thanks for sharing!

[@MrSamfonseca]

Wonderful!

[@davenesbitt7716]

Speaking as a newbie to music and DAW's, that was amazing and inspiring. Thanks

[@ranradd]

Thanks Guy, that was fantastic to watch and listen to.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ironmanbatman686]

Nice piece !

[@samuraiflamenco]

Hi Guy! Recently bought the How to Write Music class and its a blast. Audio quality in your vids has come a long way since that class. Great work as always!

[@Autumnspiano]

This is great information!! Thanks! I am composing orchestrals all the time and sometimes feel stuck and need inspo. I just started my channel a week ago and hope to get more subs and views soon! Your videos have been very helpful in getting ready to post music and feel comfortable knowing I have good quality music!

[@Bashanvibe]

I’m always on journey when you composing

[@lntl808]

Hey Guy, I noticed that you switched from the NI S88 MK3 to Arturia? I‘m a fan of both but would like to know why? Especially if the NI a newer unit. Regards Gene

[@paulysguitarjournal]

This is my thing! Woo hoo!

[@mush3938]

You make it look so easy OMG, I wish I can do that😢❤

[@JonasDenolf]

Thx a lot!

[@paulembleton1733]

Not going to put my orchestra in a brig! But I’ll watch anyway because simple orchestra music is the best I might be able to do.

[@davenichollsmusiclife]

Fab video thanks ..... I know I should probably know this but what happened to your Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88? 😊

[@raffaelem2005]

awesome i was looking for some orchestration recourses anything free you have available?

[@kc-mq3cx]

great video, as usual. the only thing i might suggest that would help someone like me a bit more, is sometimes adding the 'why' when you do things. for example, why did you choose to change keys so quickly at the beginning. was that just to make this piece move faster for this video? or is that solid writing advice in general? that said, always happy to to sit down and view these. very helpful to see how you write stuff.

[@michaelironstone]

You spelt bring "brig" in the vid title fyi! Great video!!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Yes! Thank you!

[@dravetch]

What library are you using with SB Brass? Thank you. Love your videos.

[@brentmarquez9057]

Just started following your videos because I'd like to get into orchestral composition using the current software. I'm trying to figure out what kind of machine I need an what specs are sufficient. Would a Macbook Pro with a M3 chip, 36 Gigs of Unified Memory and 2TB SSD do the trick? Not looking to do this professionally, but do have ambitious personal projects planned with full orchestra - probably using BBCSO Core (still learning about options). Would these specs suffice for a "serious" hobbyist/amateur? Apple M3 Pro chip with 12‑core CPU, 18‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine 36GB unified memory 2TB SSD storage

[@DocBambs]

What a fantastic arrangement. I did wonder why you didn't put a little piano in at the end, as you'd used it to introduce the theme at the beginning.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Good idea

[@CeeTee64]

Hi. Can you share your template? Thanks, Love the vids, learning a lot!

[@paulcooper9981]

17:07 D to Ab. The dreaded tritone. Courageous? Changing gear without the clutch 😂. But sounds effective with appropriate orchestration.

[@willormesher4746]

You can tell guy scores a lot of animation

[@davestone2792]

…“Bring” 😜

[@kennethstavis9953]

Hi. Would you explain how your computer is configured? How much memory? Do you use external hard disk drives.

[@chrismoule7242]

17:11 - "Robinson Crusoe".

[@vredeopaardeinc.3521]

I like the strings with the name Aro. What is the company name of those strings?

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Abbey road from spitfire

[@vredeopaardeinc.3521]

@@ThinkSpaceEducation Tnank you. Very nice music too!

[@vredeopaardeinc.3521]

Abbey Road One Orchestral Foundations ?

[@lahattec]

More triangle!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Coming up

[@annastephenson-knight6048]

:)

[@omarsowan4780]

Running "bootcamp" on my dictionary, it says: "a prison for young offenders, run on military lines!" .. 😮

[@BellsCuriosityShop]

I think the meaning he's going for is, as Brittanica puts it, "a short but very difficult training program : a program or situation that helps people become much better at doing something in a short period of time." I haven't taken a Thinkspace bootcamp, but their short courses provide you with a lot to chew on.

[@music_creator_capable]

Hey!

[@High-Tech-Geek]

Do you offer scholarships or financial aid?