Orchestrating Soaring Strings like John Williams

In this video, I discuss how to orchestrate strings to achieve a soaring, expressive sound that is so common in the music of John Williams.
All audio examples were produced using VSL Synchron Strings Pro in Dorico 4.
For more information about my music, or to inquire about private composition lessons, please visit www.alexheppelmann.com/

[@DigitalPiece]

I really appreciate that you take the time to providing the piano roll as well! I'm still learning to read notes quicker.

[@AlexHeppelmann]

You're welcome!

[@partitayu]

Thanks for your excellent video. It’s has really great content with detailed explanations and I really appreciate that! 😊❤

[@lavozdelcovenant1699]

I've learn a lot, thank you very much! ❤

[@winknotes]

Great video Alex. Thank you!

[@AlexHeppelmann]

You're welcome!

[@hittjett]

Nice job! Great examples.

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Thanks, Jett! Hope you're doing well!

[@stevenlamarmooremooremusic4611]

Great video Alex! Very informative

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Thanks!!

[@christiankjrbl8397]

Nice - can't wait for the follow-up.

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Thanks for watching!

[@tomkirchhoff4672]

Very cool I'm using musical sampling soaring strings plug in its unbelievable

[@DavideBonfantino]

Thank you for the video alex! Love this series.
May i ask a video about action cues? William style: dual of the fates, battle of the heroes etc.
Thanks 🙏🏻

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Definitely! I'll try to make a video on each 'category' of Williams cue

[@rubenmolino1480]

EXCELENT ¡¡¡....An interesting topic Master, it could be dealing with the problems of the macroform, to achieve a balance of the sound body, not always easy, much less in a work of several minutes!

[@VFXCommander]

Can you do a video on the ways of orchestrating the chords below the melody? How high and open the chords should be and how much distance should they keep from the main line?

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Yeah, sounds like a plan!

[@johnnmusic]

Your work is excellent, the visuals are such a great touch, thank you for putting all of this together.
I had a question but not enough theory to know on my own, does the overtone series play a role in a melody's ability to "soar"? In other words, do you see orchestrators being conscious of the overtone series in their choices? If so, is there a good example to study?

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Interesting question -- while certainly the harmonic series is relevant to every musical topic, especially anything harmonically orchestrationally, I think a soaring melody has more to do with the expansive range, the leaps, and the configuration of strings across octaves. But I suppose it's such a subjective thing!

[@johnnmusic]

@@AlexHeppelmann Agree, love your input! Any reading recommendations to get a more solid grasp on the overtone series? I like simple examples to grow a conceptual base, and right now I feel like I'm starting at 0.

[@brandtbecker1810]

"Can You Read My Mind" was basically stolen - uhh, I mean BORROWED - from R Strauss' "Death and Transfiguration".