For a beginning composer/orchestrator like me, that was eye-poppingly insightful, Zach. I've been watching many videos by you, Mattia, Anne Dern, Ryan Leach, etc., and studying from textbooks, but it's often difficult to stitch it all together in a coherent way. This video really laid out a rudimentary, understandable process to go from piano sketch to a fuller orchestration. I've considered signing on to your Patreon before, but never did it ... this video has convinced me that it's worth checking out. Thx again for sharing your knowledge -- for a newbie like me this material is invaluable. Pls do more along these lines.
I think watching this made me realize part john Powell's genius when he makes some of his scores, It shows me pretty much on how much of a creative man he is, even at the beginning of his career with face/off (even though his music in that movie sounds like hans Zimmer's broken arrow soundtrack)
Honestly a 10/10 video. You explained everything in such a good way, I never felt confused but still learnt alot and I feel so much inspiration after watching this! ❤
"you can always test it by singing individual parts" .... no chance, I am better off just imagining it inside my head. I still get shocked myself how incapable I am at hitting any notes with my larynx, despite having a "very good ear" (which just makes it all the more painful to listen) 😅😅
Starting with the piano does help create the separation for natural bowing on what could be easily an overly long unnatural sustain. Very helpful for non-string players.
Sounds phenomenal at the end! Will refer to this when I write my next piece and see if it improves my strings sound. Love how it brightened up after doubling everything! Very helpful thanks a lot 🎶🎶
This is a fantastic journey and adventure through sound and teaching. I am so blown away by the talent and simple creations that turn into masterpieces. Thank you brother. 🦁🙏🏽👑❤️
Glad to know that you also like the soundtracks/pieces from HTTYD 2. I've done some studies on how he does it, and you've covered almost everything i've missed. I've noticed he uses fast triplet violin runs to add movement and energy without sounding too powerful, especially in Flying with Mother. Thanks, I really needed this video!
Thank you very much for your orchestration turorials. For me these made the difference between all the instruments playing the chord and just creating mush and dissecting a chord to create air for the individual elements. A video from you was enough to internalize and implement it. This gave me the ability to create really beautiful arrangements. Kind regards from Bremen, Germany...Kamu
Finally, an unpretentious and honest content from a good channel. I am actually not up to this level but listening to him, I can kinda understand what I need to figure out first before coming back to this video. Unlike most of the other videos, I was just completely lost and did not even know what to ask
Really enjoyed this tutorial! I've been doing most of these things without thinking about the 'why' part. Thanks! I've smashed all the smashers! Salutations from astonishingly grey & chilly Ireland! ☘☮🤘🏽🤠👍🏽☮☘
Hey, playlist idea: each section of a new piece you write is a single video, and in each video, you fully flesh out each section giving tips and tricks throughout. Show all the small details for each section and then build upon it with each new video until the final video where you stitch it all together and complete the piece.
The part where everything is doubled and suddenly becomes beautiful reminds me of the organ. It’s really comon to add the same familly of stops octaves higher, like flute 8’ + 4’ and 2’. Which a bit like you show here, is litterally just adding octaves. That’s why I think the organ can also sound easily full and "magical"
Whoa, this was an awesome video! Feels like the video I needed for a while; funnily enough this is something that gets me stuck alot even as my main instrument: making the orchestral arrangement fit instead of being a copy/paste from the piano roll. Often times I end up making a separate piano section to accompany the strings ... 😅 definitely going to keep this in mind for when I just want that emotional soaring solo strings performance. Thanks Zach! 😄
Very helpful video! I've learned that it's fine to start composing with chords but as soon as the basic structure is there, each voice should be allowed to develop it's own melody while remaining harmonious.
Very nicely done. I'm new to orchestration and I wonder what library I should buy. I'm thinking to buy BBC Pro on spitfire site. I'm a professional composer, did some music for TV and film. I decided to learn orchestration for a personnel dream.. and never know it could open doors.
OMG bro youre like a lifesaver i thought i was going to have a hard time finding someone on youtube who knows what they're talking about and is talking my language lol its funny cause one of my favorite Film Score is by John Powell From how to train a dragon "Test Drive"! wanted to ask you though for someone who's learned music by ear most of his life but learned how to read and play music at a young age where do you think i should start if i want to take music composing more serious also appreciate that sponsorship they're usually no helpful around youtube but for once when i watched thru your's for cinemagic i was shook
Very thorough and helpful video - I am, however, confused on how to go from step 5 to step 6 - how do you decide on which instruments take on which phrase and when do you decide, if they should switch from a voice to another?
I agree, voicing the middle register like violin 2 and viola is hard. Maybe just experiment in the piano like zach did and then copy paste to the instruments?
This! It's dependent on the register of the idea you've written, and where each line speaks best for each instrument. It's a matter of experimentation and some orchestration experience that was a little too in-depth for this video.
Hey Zach - amazing content as ever. 1 question: I know you use CSS, which has , I believe, 10 first Vlns and 7 second Vlns. Does that mean then, when you create a second Kontakt instance for example when you double in octaves, there are 20 first violins and 14 second violins? Is this a 'faux pas' in programming strings as it's not 'realistic'? Even if it sound amazing?
Nice explanation. I always try not to place the orchestration on the 1 of the bar all the time. At some point this scheme becomes very predictable and not very innovative. Usually less is more, but variety and unity is an extremely important dynamic when it comes to creating stunning and unique compositions and music harmonies.
Btw, why always use the piano for these sketches? I get that historically it was the ideal instrument for orchestral sketching, technically, but now we can choose anything. As much as I love the piano as an instrument itself, it has never really worked as a sketcher. I always actually start with (shitty) strings and then work them into better strings, etc. First of all I seem find more inspiration starting with strings and also, I feel I have a much clearer picture where it's all headed.... just curious if I am the only one?
For me personally I start off each composition as improvisation on my piano then translate that to orchestra, maybe he does the same and used piano in the video to show exactly what it was he came up with originally so there's a better contrast to the final product
If you're interested in composing music effectively, consider enrolling in a music theory course. Such courses cover essentials like notes, intervals, chords, scales, and harmony. Earning a degree in music theory is not only cost-effective but also equips you with formal qualifications. If you wish to go beyond the basics, you might want to take a specialized course in cinematic music production taught by a qualified instructor. This could expand your abilities far beyond writing just a couple of songs. But of course, this is just my personal perspective.
Thanks for this tutorial. I would find it a lot easier to follow if you showed the music notation rather than lines with Lego blocks. Is that an option?
Oof, looks like I've not been doing my orchestral parts as efficiently as this. I think I just kept doing my bad habits over and over again. Funny thing is that I favor piano to begin with, so I don't know why I did it "the other way around" to begin with.
Hi Zach and many thanks for this videos. I am watching from Nigeria I have been trying to join your Patreon page but for some reason I don’t know, it hasn’t been connecting me to the page. Kindly help
Loved the progression from piano to the end product. However, when you do the 'add octaves' step, aren't you doubling your orchestra size? 2 cello sections, 2 Bass sections, etc etc? If you wanted to write this for an actual orchestra, would you then have to do it divisi?
Thanks for this lesson! I've just started some months ago trying to do this with a piece I like. I'm not quite happy yet (WIP) but I believe I already use some of your advice. ruclips.net/video/Q1RprJ-92_M/видео.html
In my opinion the final string arrangement is beeing played way to fast. It sounds just not alive and it misses modulation/ vibrato etc. The intention is great - but the result isn`t yet. Thanks anyway!
Here's the "Secret to Masterful Orchestration" video!
ruclips.net/video/45fiQjfzM98/видео.html
This is one of those golden gem videos that's inched me forward farther in less than 10m than hours upon hours of other stuff. Thank you!
For a beginning composer/orchestrator like me, that was eye-poppingly insightful, Zach. I've been watching many videos by you, Mattia, Anne Dern, Ryan Leach, etc., and studying from textbooks, but it's often difficult to stitch it all together in a coherent way. This video really laid out a rudimentary, understandable process to go from piano sketch to a fuller orchestration. I've considered signing on to your Patreon before, but never did it ... this video has convinced me that it's worth checking out. Thx again for sharing your knowledge -- for a newbie like me this material is invaluable. Pls do more along these lines.
So glad to hear it, and thank you!
I think watching this made me realize part john Powell's genius when he makes some of his scores, It shows me pretty much on how much of a creative man he is, even at the beginning of his career with face/off (even though his music in that movie sounds like hans Zimmer's broken arrow soundtrack)
Honestly a 10/10 video. You explained everything in such a good way, I never felt confused but still learnt alot and I feel so much inspiration after watching this! ❤
Zach, I love those inner voicings and bass movement enhancements you added at 3:17 !
"you can always test it by singing individual parts" .... no chance, I am better off just imagining it inside my head. I still get shocked myself how incapable I am at hitting any notes with my larynx, despite having a "very good ear" (which just makes it all the more painful to listen) 😅😅
I'm using your tips, very basically and now beginning to understand layers far more than before. Thanks for doing all this!
Starting with the piano does help create the separation for natural bowing on what could be easily an overly long unnatural sustain. Very helpful for non-string players.
Sounds phenomenal at the end! Will refer to this when I write my next piece and see if it improves my strings sound. Love how it brightened up after doubling everything! Very helpful thanks a lot 🎶🎶
Really Nice chord pattern. sounds amazing
This is a fantastic journey and adventure through sound and teaching. I am so blown away by the talent and simple creations that turn into masterpieces. Thank you brother. 🦁🙏🏽👑❤️
Super fun! Thanks for sharing!
Glad to know that you also like the soundtracks/pieces from HTTYD 2. I've done some studies on how he does it, and you've covered almost everything i've missed. I've noticed he uses fast triplet violin runs to add movement and energy without sounding too powerful, especially in Flying with Mother. Thanks, I really needed this video!
Beautiful...loved the way you explained the steps....did sound great as you proceeded.
Thank you very much for your orchestration turorials. For me these made the difference between all the instruments playing the chord and just creating mush and dissecting a chord to create air for the individual elements. A video from you was enough to internalize and implement it. This gave me the ability to create really beautiful arrangements.
Kind regards from Bremen, Germany...Kamu
Finally, an unpretentious and honest content from a good channel. I am actually not up to this level but listening to him, I can kinda understand what I need to figure out first before coming back to this video. Unlike most of the other videos, I was just completely lost and did not even know what to ask
Outstanding lesson. Thanks.
Zach. You're some kinda musical wizard. You never cease to amaze and inspire me!
Amazing work Mr. Heyde
You are amazing the way that you explain to us. Thank you so much.
very helpful ! thanks Zach !😀
Absolutely AMAZING!!!!! 😊
Enormously helpful!
Really enjoyed this tutorial! I've been doing most of these things without thinking about the 'why' part. Thanks! I've smashed all the smashers!
Salutations from astonishingly grey & chilly Ireland! ☘☮🤘🏽🤠👍🏽☮☘
Hey, playlist idea: each section of a new piece you write is a single video, and in each video, you fully flesh out each section giving tips and tricks throughout. Show all the small details for each section and then build upon it with each new video until the final video where you stitch it all together and complete the piece.
Thanks for these amazing tips Zach
i like the part of adding interest and movement!
As always, concise and educational. Brilliant.
This is amazing! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Wow! Thanks. So excited to have found this channel.
Thank you!
The part where everything is doubled and suddenly becomes beautiful reminds me of the organ. It’s really comon to add the same familly of stops octaves higher, like flute 8’ + 4’ and 2’. Which a bit like you show here, is litterally just adding octaves. That’s why I think the organ can also sound easily full and "magical"
Excellent presentation and gives me inspiration to create string parts for songs I've done. New subscriber.
Whoa, this was an awesome video!
Feels like the video I needed for a while; funnily enough this is something that gets me stuck alot even as my main instrument: making the orchestral arrangement fit instead of being a copy/paste from the piano roll. Often times I end up making a separate piano section to accompany the strings ... 😅 definitely going to keep this in mind for when I just want that emotional soaring solo strings performance.
Thanks Zach! 😄
Love your work, Zach! 😊
What A Video Sirjee 😊
Great video, very usefuil stuff!
Things became really interesting by the time you got us to step three. Nice tutorial.
Really nice! 🎉
Very helpful video! I've learned that it's fine to start composing with chords but as soon as the basic structure is there, each voice should be allowed to develop it's own melody while remaining harmonious.
Awsome🧿
Nice, good stuff.
Awesome
indeed a nice video and very tempting to join your patreo as the basic concept i understand but your last magic step i want to dive deeper into ;)
Very nicely done. I'm new to orchestration and I wonder what library I should buy. I'm thinking to buy BBC Pro on spitfire site. I'm a professional composer, did some music for TV and film. I decided to learn orchestration for a personnel dream.. and never know it could open doors.
OMG bro youre like a lifesaver i thought i was going to have a hard time finding someone on youtube who knows what they're talking about and is talking my language lol its funny cause one of my favorite Film Score is by John Powell From how to train a dragon "Test Drive"! wanted to ask you though for someone who's learned music by ear most of his life but learned how to read and play music at a young age where do you think i should start if i want to take music composing more serious also appreciate that sponsorship they're usually no helpful around youtube but for once when i watched thru your's for cinemagic i was shook
Wow!
Thanks for another great video. I'd definitely train my dragon to those strings.
Zach,you are a natura-lborn teacher.Hope one day to see you creating from the melody to the whole orchestra.
Thank you Eduard!!
I'm curious, what string library are you using?
Thanks for watching! All VSTs are listed in my gear list:
bit.ly/zhfreebie
What is the horizontal black key piano roll at the bottom of your screen?
What have played the orchestra, in that short part of the video, you introduced that program?
Zach,which books have you read to arrange from piano tomstring and from piano to the orchestra?
There's actually a great book called From Piano to Strings I recommend checking out!
Very thorough and helpful video - I am, however, confused on how to go from step 5 to step 6 - how do you decide on which instruments take on which phrase and when do you decide, if they should switch from a voice to another?
I agree, voicing the middle register like violin 2 and viola is hard. Maybe just experiment in the piano like zach did and then copy paste to the instruments?
This! It's dependent on the register of the idea you've written, and where each line speaks best for each instrument. It's a matter of experimentation and some orchestration experience that was a little too in-depth for this video.
Thank you very much for the quick response - I get it now. It makes sense
Hello man , Nice tutoriel, can you tell us the names of your sound choice for strings and brass . Thanks for all
Thanks! Listed in my gear list:
bit.ly/zhfreebie
Hey Zach - amazing content as ever. 1 question: I know you use CSS, which has , I believe, 10 first Vlns and 7 second Vlns. Does that mean then, when you create a second Kontakt instance for example when you double in octaves, there are 20 first violins and 14 second violins? Is this a 'faux pas' in programming strings as it's not 'realistic'? Even if it sound amazing?
Zach what vst do you use for violins?
You can find everything I use in my gear list! 👍🏻
www.zachheyde.com/resources
Where is that harpsichord color midi piano came from
Nice explanation.
I always try not to place the orchestration on the 1 of the bar all the time. At some point this scheme becomes very predictable and not very innovative. Usually less is more, but variety and unity is an extremely important dynamic when it comes to creating stunning and unique compositions and music harmonies.
what does the modulation do underneath the midi notes
controls the dynamics. (loud and soft)
Btw, why always use the piano for these sketches? I get that historically it was the ideal instrument for orchestral sketching, technically, but now we can choose anything. As much as I love the piano as an instrument itself, it has never really worked as a sketcher. I always actually start with (shitty) strings and then work them into better strings, etc. First of all I seem find more inspiration starting with strings and also, I feel I have a much clearer picture where it's all headed.... just curious if I am the only one?
For me personally I start off each composition as improvisation on my piano then translate that to orchestra, maybe he does the same and used piano in the video to show exactly what it was he came up with originally so there's a better contrast to the final product
2:42 I don't see any link, could someone help me? :D
Here you go!
ruclips.net/video/45fiQjfzM98/видео.html
If you're interested in composing music effectively, consider enrolling in a music theory course. Such courses cover essentials like notes, intervals, chords, scales, and harmony. Earning a degree in music theory is not only cost-effective but also equips you with formal qualifications. If you wish to go beyond the basics, you might want to take a specialized course in cinematic music production taught by a qualified instructor. This could expand your abilities far beyond writing just a couple of songs. But of course, this is just my personal perspective.
Can you recommend an affordable degree program?
Man if you popped in that basic blocky piano part in at the end it would sound good too
So essentially you made a lead sheet of piano notes & expanded in leveling it up several times
Thanks for this tutorial.
I would find it a lot easier to follow if you showed the music notation rather than lines with Lego blocks. Is that an option?
You are basically explaining Bach to a new generation- very nice
Oof, looks like I've not been doing my orchestral parts as efficiently as this. I think I just kept doing my bad habits over and over again. Funny thing is that I favor piano to begin with, so I don't know why I did it "the other way around" to begin with.
Ugh! Melodies are a huge weakness of mine... 😔 Love your videos Zach!!
Hi Zach and many thanks for this videos.
I am watching from Nigeria
I have been trying to join your Patreon page but for some reason I don’t know, it hasn’t been connecting me to the page.
Kindly help
YOU MAKE A HELLUVA BOSS SOUNDTACK EP 6 PLICE ❤
HELLO 👋
Loved the progression from piano to the end product. However, when you do the 'add octaves' step, aren't you doubling your orchestra size? 2 cello sections, 2 Bass sections, etc etc? If you wanted to write this for an actual orchestra, would you then have to do it divisi?
Great question, and yes, this would be divisi! The sound would be thinner as a result, but more dense in terms of the voicing 👍🏻
HI
"Start with basic chord progression"....cool, just need a few more years to learn how that works.
Thanks for this lesson! I've just started some months ago trying to do this with a piece I like. I'm not quite happy yet (WIP) but I believe I already use some of your advice. ruclips.net/video/Q1RprJ-92_M/видео.html
In my opinion the final string arrangement is beeing played way to fast. It sounds just not alive and it misses modulation/ vibrato etc. The intention is great - but the result isn`t yet. Thanks anyway!
@zac do you take paid jobs? Or you got too much money now. 😂
Commissions are still open 🙂 Check out my website to touch base!