I have been absolutely loving these videos. I’ve been playing folk and jazz music for most of my life, but never felt qualified to write in a more “classical” style. You do such a great job of demystifying orchestral music so I finally have the confidence to start writing down my ideas. Thank you thank you!
I really, really (seriously) enjoy the fact that you took the time to make short and sectioned videos that are focused on specific techniques. I have seen countless "Cinematic Strings" videos that drag on for an hour and is basically a livestream recording. Your videos are dense and concise on the other hand. THANK YOU RYAN!
Back when I was playing violin in an orchestra for years, I just focused on playing my part and had no idea what everyone else was doing. I wish I had gotten just a simple 5 minute lesson on this sort of thing early on, exactly like this, and it would have given me such a better understanding of music and my role in the sound. For a brief time as a kid I thought it would be cool to be a composer but I just never got any education that would help me on that way.
i also think that its great to have the cellos play the melody is that most orchestras have the cellos on the opposite of the violins. giving it this effect of being wrapped up in the melody and really solidifies it as the melody
So today I was busy with a string section for a song I am working on and it just sounded all too ... flat and empty. So I listened to Across the Stars to find some idea or inspiration to guide me. Then your video just popped up explaining how to orchestrate better, fuller string sections using Across the Stars as an example. What a coincidence!
@@RyanLeach Well you have my admiration. I have tried to play DB and I discovered that my fingers were not strong enough. It's an awesome instrument. The best I can manage is noodling around on a baritone sax :)
@@Lufade I have to say bari sax is the most fun to play of any instrument I've tried. And yes it can be surprisingly lyrical as well as grumpy grouchy :)
As a violinist and violist who's played in orchestras for years and is now studying voicing and harmony so as to get into arranging, this was useful. subscribing.
The mention of parallel octaves set me back 13 years when I’d receive my harmony homework with red parallel lines all over it. Our teacher really didn’t want us playing it back on the piano to check our work, but looking back on it, I think I would have figured out how to practically apply what I learned in class if I hadn’t followed that guidance.
I've always struggled with writing orchestral works classified as "classical" but they never sound classical nor did they achieve the effect I want. This lesson on strings truly brought the entire level of the work up an octave. Thanks Ryan!
I only play the piano, but it's interesting to see how much that enables me to read an orchestral score, or understand how a piano score would balloon into an orchestral one.
Every video I play from your channel, I immediately hit the like button because I know I'm about to receive some incredibly helpful information. Thanks a ton, Ryan.
Amazing I got more understanding. It’s funny by hear I was already doing most this because it sounded better to me just never knew the principle was actually something that can be done.
Thanks so much for these linked lessons, this is the only one i knew most of already, but needed a review, together they fill out a big picture of things just sitting right
Ryan, just....thank you. Your videos have had a noticeable impact on my work in a very short period of time. I just put together a 9 voice section in strings (using the beastly method B), and I'm a little blown away by how powerful it's sounding. Exactly what I needed this part to be! I've just become a Patron and I'll be looking to your content here and there quite frequently from now on. Thanks!!
Just stumbled upon this video. It's a very decent one. I do like the way Ryan puts together the orchestra by introducing them one by one, group by group in relation to each other. Excellent job! If he could use a little bit better sampling libraries, the audio examples he provides would sound way better in my opinion, but it is not that important. Thanks for sharing.
Your videos are really helpful and the simple direct to the point explanations are worth analyzing and learning. Thanks for sharing that precious knowledge.
Absolutely incredible explanation! Exactly what I needed! Question, what would the brass and winds do during a passage like this? Do you have any videos or resources on that?
I think for a love theme the last one works best because the cello and the violins are singing in unison...as are the lovers..you can hear the male and female voice on the same page as it where...(I'm sure there are ways for writing for different combination other than male and female love matches off course...just the one I'm personally more interested in
Hi, Ryan. Can you explain, please, why at stage of creating four voice harmony we care so much about voice leading, correct tone doubling, spacing between alto and tenor (I mean close and wide chord position)? But at the stage of orchestration it looks like that all is not still so important, and any chord tone is doubled several times in any octave. Are there still some rules, which of voices and when can be doubled? Maybe some special cases for 6 and 6/4 chords? What if chord is 7, can we double seventh of this chord in octave as well in some other instrument?
I have developed an interest for composition over the last two years, so I really appreciate videos like yours. What software do you use, here for example? 0:10
While extended divisi is cool, lots of 'epic' string orchestration in a cinematic context is just two 'lines' in octaves, the melody and the bass. For example: vln 1, vln 2, vla on melody in two or even three octaves & vlc, and cb on the bass in octaves. For variation, the violas and cellos could fulfill rhythm or counterline duties. Either way, the brass and woodwinds fill out the rest of the chords & rhythms.
Hey, Ryan! Are you planning on doing a video about mixing symphonic music? I’m having a hell of a time working with orchestral plug-ins in Logic Pro X. Is there a video that you’ve already done that you can recommend? By the way, your videos have revitalized my creativity. I’ve been learning so much about orchestration from you. Thanks for the great work!
Probably not in the near future, but I would suggest you check out the recent livestream we did with Joel Dollie as well as his YT channel and course on Master the Score
Your channel is great man..very informative and articulate..Thanks for the knowledge I have a question though..for the very last scenario of the 9 voices where would the Tenor voice (in its original register) go ? Now that we placed the soprano down an octave for cello 2..would we just omit the Tenor ? Thanks again for your amazing work !
For that last 9 voice version from top to bottom it's this, so the original tenor line ends up on the violas. Soprano 8va Alto 8va Tenor 8va Soprano Alto Tenor Soprano 8vb Bass Bass 8vb
I was hoping you'd end on 3 octaves of melody. That is quite a lush sound. A caution though - if you're using live string players, be sure at LEAST 3 players are on each divisi part. So you'd need at minimum 12 violins, 6 violas and 6 celli, and preferably more than that. One way to make this even more lush and gorgeous without spoiling the character is to add a pad in the horns/trombones and double the melody's 3 octaves in flute oboe and bassoon.
🎻 Without This Your Orchestration Sounds Thin th-cam.com/video/m9A5nwkHECA/w-d-xo.html
I have been absolutely loving these videos. I’ve been playing folk and jazz music for most of my life, but never felt qualified to write in a more “classical” style. You do such a great job of demystifying orchestral music so I finally have the confidence to start writing down my ideas. Thank you thank you!
Thank you, glad it was helpful!
if you would write proper Jazz, im sorry but you could write basically anything..
I really, really (seriously) enjoy the fact that you took the time to make short and sectioned videos that are focused on specific techniques. I have seen countless "Cinematic Strings" videos that drag on for an hour and is basically a livestream recording. Your videos are dense and concise on the other hand. THANK YOU RYAN!
Oh my god, that's a GREAT lesson. Thank you!
Thanks!
Not once in years of music school was a concept illustrated so well like this, well done!
This man just giving away the big secrets like candy
Haha it's all in the books I just read them
Back when I was playing violin in an orchestra for years, I just focused on playing my part and had no idea what everyone else was doing. I wish I had gotten just a simple 5 minute lesson on this sort of thing early on, exactly like this, and it would have given me such a better understanding of music and my role in the sound. For a brief time as a kid I thought it would be cool to be a composer but I just never got any education that would help me on that way.
i also think that its great to have the cellos play the melody is that most orchestras have the cellos on the opposite of the violins. giving it this effect of being wrapped up in the melody and really solidifies it as the melody
So today I was busy with a string section for a song I am working on and it just sounded all too ... flat and empty. So I listened to Across the Stars to find some idea or inspiration to guide me. Then your video just popped up explaining how to orchestrate better, fuller string sections using Across the Stars as an example. What a coincidence!
Terrific lesson, thank you. For me the step that had the most impact was adding in the grumpy double basses
Thanks, yea as someone who played double bass in high school I have a fondness for those bears as well
@@RyanLeach Well you have my admiration. I have tried to play DB and I discovered that my fingers were not strong enough. It's an awesome instrument. The best I can manage is noodling around on a baritone sax :)
Double bass player here! I absolutely love playing John Williams’s music - it’s so well orchestrated and powerful!
@@simongross3122 Ohhh the buttery tone you can get with a bari sax though!!!
@@Lufade I have to say bari sax is the most fun to play of any instrument I've tried. And yes it can be surprisingly lyrical as well as grumpy grouchy :)
As a violinist and violist who's played in orchestras for years and is now studying voicing and harmony so as to get into arranging, this was useful. subscribing.
The mention of parallel octaves set me back 13 years when I’d receive my harmony homework with red parallel lines all over it. Our teacher really didn’t want us playing it back on the piano to check our work, but looking back on it, I think I would have figured out how to practically apply what I learned in class if I hadn’t followed that guidance.
Confused by this. Parallel octaves are all over the place in classical music through history, parallel fifths are not.
Maybe the best 6 min i've spent on a video for my knowledge. Man that's good !
great !!
This was a good way to describe without getting into the harmonic series!
Absolutely love these videos. I'm a flutist and clarinetist.
I've always struggled with writing orchestral works classified as "classical" but they never sound classical nor did they achieve the effect I want. This lesson on strings truly brought the entire level of the work up an octave. Thanks Ryan!
Thank you for sharing this video. It will help in my compositions for my album. This gave me a new idea.🎶🎸🎵🎶💕
Another fantastic tutorial thank you for making Ryan! You are an asset to the composing community 👏👏
I only play the piano, but it's interesting to see how much that enables me to read an orchestral score, or understand how a piano score would balloon into an orchestral one.
Every video I play from your channel, I immediately hit the like button because I know I'm about to receive some incredibly helpful information. Thanks a ton, Ryan.
Super-quick and the colored string lines really helped illustrate the point. Earned a sub.
Amazing I got more understanding. It’s funny by hear I was already doing most this because it sounded better to me just never knew the principle was actually something that can be done.
This is such a great lesson! Please do more of these.
Literally the best channel on this platform.
Thanks so much for these linked lessons, this is the only one i knew most of already, but needed a review, together they fill out a big picture of things just sitting right
This is increadible
thats wild how much it sounded more and more like the movie with each expansion
This is what I was looking for to complete my midi-orchestration self learning....😢😢😢🥇💯
Hello Ryan,
I have never seen such a comprehensible explanation.
Thank you for this detailed video.
Ryan, just....thank you. Your videos have had a noticeable impact on my work in a very short period of time. I just put together a 9 voice section in strings (using the beastly method B), and I'm a little blown away by how powerful it's sounding. Exactly what I needed this part to be! I've just become a Patron and I'll be looking to your content here and there quite frequently from now on. Thanks!!
That's so great to hear, thank you
Thank You Very Much Sir!
🙂🙏
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!!!!!!
You are my angel bro❤ Th very very very much .God bless you
Would you please make a video how to have a rich combination of the woodwinds and strings?
Just stumbled upon this video. It's a very decent one. I do like the way Ryan puts together the orchestra by introducing them one by one, group by group in relation to each other. Excellent job! If he could use a little bit better sampling libraries, the audio examples he provides would sound way better in my opinion, but it is not that important. Thanks for sharing.
What a great video, very helpful and handy. Thanks Ryan
this is abbbsoluuuute epic
Спасибо! Очень полезно)
И Очень доступно доносите материал!))
Fantastic work!
This opens up my eyes to how an iterative approach is used for writing music. Thank you very much!
Thank you very much, I just made a composition for a short film and the strings ended up sounding great. I Love your videos
Really interesting and informative video! I knew exactly what theme this was as soon as that first chord hit.
Short and sweet nevertheless massive info. Vielen Dank 🙏
Really liked this one, Ryan!
Soooo great!! Thank you so much for the videos!!!
Super helpful! Please do more videos like this!
OMG! Ryan, your channel is a real revelation for me! 😍
This channel is an absolute goldmine!
Danke! Thank you so much!
Your videos are really helpful and the simple direct to the point explanations are worth analyzing and learning. Thanks for sharing that precious knowledge.
Love this! So happy that i have found this channel. Great work!
Great video! Thanks for doing this stuff! My orch teacher used to call the filler the "hidden harmony".
Nice, that's a great term!
VERY NICE... CAN WE HAVE MORE EXPLATION ON DOIN FILLER NOTES plzz tq soo much
Awesome video! Cheers from Argentina!
Do you have a lesson on writing in Choral Style? I'm struggling with coming up with the core parts.
Thanks Ryan nicely taught
Thanks for crating ^ ^
Thank you so much
Extraordinary. Thank you so much, gentleman. ♥️
Thank you so much 🙏🏻💜
Hi Ryan. Great video!
What would be great is if you’d showed each individual voice at the end, so we would have an idea what each voice sounded like
Amazing as always Ryan 👏
Thank you!
This is amazingly helpful! Are these different breakdowns also applied to the brass and woodwind sections of an orchestra?
thank you!
very helpful indeed
Wow. So beautiful
Thanks!
Great lesson.
The filler line is very interesting as a concept!
Thanks! I agree, and outside of this obscure book I’m not sure I’ve seen it talked about
Love your tutorials Ryan
Thanks I appreciate it!
Very helpful! Thanks.
No worries!
Absolutely incredible explanation! Exactly what I needed!
Question, what would the brass and winds do during a passage like this? Do you have any videos or resources on that?
Very nice orchestration, if you have enough players per section to go into division though...
Very nice video. Thanks!
I really like your lessons! Very clear and concise!
Great Lesson !!!
I think for a love theme the last one works best because the cello and the violins are singing in unison...as are the lovers..you can hear the male and female voice on the same page as it where...(I'm sure there are ways for writing for different combination other than male and female love matches off course...just the one I'm personally more interested in
Thank you for sharing!
This helps....Massively
YES
Wow!
Such an amazing Channel
Hi, Ryan. Can you explain, please, why at stage of creating four voice harmony we care so much about voice leading, correct tone doubling, spacing between alto and tenor (I mean close and wide chord position)? But at the stage of orchestration it looks like that all is not still so important, and any chord tone is doubled several times in any octave. Are there still some rules, which of voices and when can be doubled? Maybe some special cases for 6 and 6/4 chords? What if chord is 7, can we double seventh of this chord in octave as well in some other instrument?
I have developed an interest for composition over the last two years, so I really appreciate videos like yours.
What software do you use, here for example? 0:10
Sublime stuff
So helpful. Thanks. What SAW are you using in this video?
for a DAW I use Logic
Вот это алгоритмы ютуба выдали ! Райан, спасибо за годную информацию, лайк, подписка))
Awesome. Do you have any thoughts, guidelines or interesting examples around extending this approach to incorporate brass, woodwind and/or percussion?
Very useful!!
While extended divisi is cool, lots of 'epic' string orchestration in a cinematic context is just two 'lines' in octaves, the melody and the bass. For example: vln 1, vln 2, vla on melody in two or even three octaves & vlc, and cb on the bass in octaves.
For variation, the violas and cellos could fulfill rhythm or counterline duties. Either way, the brass and woodwinds fill out the rest of the chords & rhythms.
Can you teach us how to compose a symphony and then turn piano into orchestra in FL studio? Thx
We'll get there, one video at a time! No idea how to use FL studio though.
Hey, Ryan! Are you planning on doing a video about mixing symphonic music? I’m having a hell of a time working with orchestral plug-ins in Logic Pro X. Is there a video that you’ve already done that you can recommend?
By the way, your videos have revitalized my creativity. I’ve been learning so much about orchestration from you. Thanks for the great work!
Probably not in the near future, but I would suggest you check out the recent livestream we did with Joel Dollie as well as his YT channel and course on Master the Score
Your channel is great man..very informative and articulate..Thanks for the knowledge
I have a question though..for the very last scenario of the 9 voices where would the Tenor voice (in its original register) go ? Now that we placed the soprano down an octave for cello 2..would we just omit the Tenor ?
Thanks again for your amazing work !
For that last 9 voice version from top to bottom it's this, so the original tenor line ends up on the violas.
Soprano 8va
Alto 8va
Tenor 8va
Soprano
Alto
Tenor
Soprano 8vb
Bass
Bass 8vb
@@RyanLeach
Thank you so much !
Beautiful video!
Music at 2:09
All of that is really nice. Would love to hear the full composition
Here it is: th-cam.com/video/7wMiMDBHnJ0/w-d-xo.html
@@RyanLeach sweet thank you
@@RyanLeach it wasn’t John Williams music
It was the background music that’s was underneath you
ha oh whoops. I think it's this one: open.spotify.com/track/6Marmee2WT50icMbZP31EU
@@RyanLeach thanks man that’s it! Thanks for the videos
I compose music mostly classical and movie scores. New subscriber!
Great content man!!!
Fantastic.
This content is really really useful! Thank you for your efforts and for sharing your knowledge!
amazing.
This is really useful. Thank you!
I was hoping you'd end on 3 octaves of melody. That is quite a lush sound. A caution though - if you're using live string players, be sure at LEAST 3 players are on each divisi part. So you'd need at minimum 12 violins, 6 violas and 6 celli, and preferably more than that.
One way to make this even more lush and gorgeous without spoiling the character is to add a pad in the horns/trombones and double the melody's 3 octaves in flute oboe and bassoon.