Music Composition for the Media
Private Lessons with a Teacher 1-on-1 Online
Welcome to MusicTutorOnline, where the art of music composition meets the convenience of online learning!
Whether you're an aspiring film scorer, video game music enthusiast, or simply eager to explore the dynamic realm of music composition for the media, our expert tutors are here to guide you through every step.
Meet our Composition Tutors
Our media composition tutors are specialists in their field, all holding university degrees in composition. With years of teaching experience, they are dedicated to providing personalized guidance and support. They are committed to helping all students achieve their goals, fostering a nurturing environment that encourages creativity and growth. Trust in our expert tutors to elevate your composition to new heights.
Lesson Information - Altus Hendriks
Media Composition Lessons Online 1-on-1 with Altus Hendriks​
General Info
Our lessons with Altus Hendriks are available with complete flexibility, where all lessons are tailored to the specific needs and goals of each student.
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Furthermore, Altus Hendriks offers a set course in "Introduction to Film Scoring".
Flexible Lessons - Adjusted to your needs and goals.
Altus Hendriks offers online flexible tuition and mentorship tailored to each student’s goals and to the development of a distinct compositional voice. His one-on-one sessions ensure personalized attention and support, helping you achieve your goals effectively.
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​One-to-one composition tuition and portfolio mentoring.
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Guidance on developing harmonic, melodic, rhythmic, textural, and structural aspects of compositional craft.
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Orchestration, arranging, and score analysis.
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Film music coaching, emphasizing narrative function, genre analysis, and spotting/sync practice.
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Score engraving and notation best practice.
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Tuition in notation software. (Sibelius and MuseScore)
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Analysis.
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ABRSM: DipABRSM.
COURSE
Introduction to Film Scoring
Weeks 1–2 — Introduction to Film Scoring
Content
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A brief history of early film music.
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Core functions of film music (narrative support, mood, leitmotif, etc.).
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Weeks 3–4 — Film-music Languages
Content
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Five expressive “languages” of film music: love, fear, anger, magic, and humour.
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Analytical case studies: Erich Korngold and Max Steiner.
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Weeks 5–6 — Film Styles
Content
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Five cinematic styles: science fiction, fantasy, drama, action, and comedy.
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Score analysis: Dimitri Tiomkin and Miklós Rózsa.
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Weeks 7–8 — The Main Theme & Opening Credits
Content
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Crafting the main theme and scoring opening-credit sequences.
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Analytical case studies: Bernard Herrmann, Ennio Morricone, Henry Mancini, and Lalo Schifrin.
Final project briefing: sketching a main theme and an opening-credit cue.
Lesson Information - Kent Moussault
Media Composition Lessons Online 1-on-1 with Kent Moussault
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"Media composition is about musical storytelling."
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General Info
Media composition is based on the philosophy of enhancing storytelling with music. This can be for film, video games, commercials, library music, or staged performances. Media composition is about musical storytelling; what you do with it is up to you and your artistic collaborators.
During the lessons, we will be discussing how to get you up to speed to write creative and unique music to enhance your capabilities of musical storytelling.
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Software and Equipment
During the lessons, we will be working with two types of software.
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Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) such as Logic, Reaper (free), Cubase or even Garage band (free)
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Music notation software such as Dorico, Finale, and Musescore (free).
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My choice of DAW is Logic, and my choice of music notation software is Dorico, but all software would be able to do almost the same things.
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Furthermore, it is recommended to have a MIDI keyboard (a simple one is fine) connected and installed to your computer.
During the lessons, we can practice on examples of short films and game levels.
Below are some suggestions for topics to work on during lessons.
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Basic media composition topics
-how to start composing
-how to get your idea into your DAW or sheet music
-how to go from sketch to full orchestration
-basic orchestration ideas
-how does an orchestra score work
-basics of music theory and harmony
-basic of writing music for short film
-basic writing loops for games (with basic theory)
-how to get inspired when not inspired
-how to use sound libraries
-make a basic template in your DAW
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Advanced media composition topics
-classical orchestration techniques
-modern orchestration techniques incl. computer sounds
-how to incorporate live recordings
-basic counterpoint
-how to style copy
-finding your own style
-workarounds when you have no ideas/inspiration
-what can we learn from classical styles of musical storytelling such as Opera or Ballet?
-learn musical storytelling based on classic or modern films
-go from DAW to sheet music. (preparation for people to play your music)
-go from notation program to DAW
-make an advanced template in your DAW
How it Works
2. Learn
Join us today to experience personalized guidance, interactive lessons, and supportive and professional teachers.
MusicTutorOnline has a uniquely individual approach that supports the needs of every student. Your music learning experience is our utmost priority, and we look forward to providing you with an exciting musical journey.
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Robert Boer.
Founder and Director
An Overview of our Music Composition Offerings
Our online music composition lessons offer a world of opportunity for aspiring composers, from beginners to seasoned musicians and everyone in between.
