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!
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!
@@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 :)
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!
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
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.
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.
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!
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!!
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.
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.
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.
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
Your videos are really helpful and the simple direct to the point explanations are worth analyzing and learning. Thanks for sharing that precious knowledge.
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
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.
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 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
Great stuff! Thank you so much - I found this really useful. One small suggestion: maybe drop out the background music while you're talking. It's very distracting and messes with my tonal memory of what I've just heard. Thanks!
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
Hey Ryan! I only just discovered your channel two weeks ago, but the videos have been so enlightening that I've found myself drinking through most of them! Thanks for the lessons and the comprehensive way you provide us young urn with the info✌️😅. The example in the first 13 seconds of this particular video had me hooked immediately, and actually pushed me to try my hand at trying to expand one of my favourite pieces into an orchestral version of itself. It's slow going (I don't have much in the way of formal music training, and taught myself most of what little I know) but it's actually going 😄 Wish you could give your opinion on my attempt so far (fingers crossed on a response). But seriously, thanks for your content⭐
