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Mikael Baggström
Hello Composers, Mike here. And you are about to go on a new learning adventure. Your end goal and destination for this journey, is to unlock the secrets of music in the style I call “Cinematic Action Music”.
You will learn:
My Best Guidelines, Tips & Tricks
The Sounds & Elements
The Playing Styles & Techniques
And most importantly: you will get lots of live examples and demonstrations, including practical tips and tricks that you can use for your cinematic action music compositions.
Read more
Hello Composers, Mike here. And you are about to go on a new learning adventure. Your end goal and destination for this journey, is to unlock the secrets of music in the style I call “Cinematic Action Music”.
You will learn:
My Best Guidelines, Tips & Tricks
The Sounds & Elements
The Playing Styles & Techniques
And most importantly: you will get lots of live examples and demonstrations, including practical tips and tricks that you can use for your cinematic action music compositions.
Read more
Hello Composers, Mike here. And you are about to go on a new learning adventure. Your end goal and destination for this journey, is to unlock the secrets of music in the style I call “Cinematic Action Music”.
You will learn:
My Best Guidelines, Tips & Tricks
The Sounds & Elements
The Playing Styles & Techniques
And most importantly: you will get lots of live examples and demonstrations, including practical tips and tricks that you can use for your cinematic action music compositions.
Action music come in many different flavors, like all styles of music. The main purpose of action music is of course to add a sense of action. Action can be intense, chaotic and dramatic. But action can also be slow, bold and powerful.
Things to consider with Action Music
The TempoFrom medium to fast or ultra-rapid BPM.
The GrooveFrom straight and steady, to groovy and adaptive, to complex and chaotic.
The Energy LevelThe more and the faster driving rhythms, the higher the energy level.
The Intensity LevelSoft is rarely used in action music. But you can have a range from medium to mega loud.
The Authority LevelPowerful authority mainly comes from the using heavy sounds, bold accents, as well as a rich low-end.
My Story & Journey in Music
My name is Mike, and I am a composer.
Just. Like. You. =)
I have composed and produced music since 1998. And I teach my knowledge and experience in music, because I love to educate, motivate, and inspire creative people, like yourself.
Now take Action.
Level up your composer powers, and discover the secrets of epic cinematic music in the style of Action and Energy. Let’s begin your adventure, right now. =)
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/l8nlh5/learn
What's inside
Syllabus
The Foundations of Cinematic Action Music Composition
Your Adventure
Introduction to Cinematic Action Music
Assignment - Ear Training
Read more
Syllabus
The Foundations of Cinematic Action Music Composition
Your Adventure
Introduction to Cinematic Action Music
Assignment - Ear Training
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Provides practical tips and tricks that can be directly applied to cinematic action music compositions, accelerating the learning process
Breaks down action music into key elements like tempo, rhythm, and intensity, offering a structured approach to understanding the genre
Includes live examples and demonstrations, which can help learners grasp the nuances of cinematic action music through practical application
Features assignments like ear training and composing 16 bars of music, which can help learners develop practical skills
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Reviews summary
Foundations of cinematic action music
According to learners who are starting out in this niche, this course provides a solid introduction to composing action music for film or games. Students appreciate the practical guidelines and tips provided by the instructor. The inclusion of live examples and demonstrations is frequently highlighted as particularly helpful for understanding the concepts. While the course offers helpful assignments to practice techniques, some learners suggest it serves primarily as a foundation and may require additional study for more advanced techniques or broader music composition knowledge.
Highly focused on the 'Action Music' style.
"The course delivers exactly what the title promises: focusing specifically on action music."
"It's great if you want to learn this particular style, but doesn't cover other genres."
"This really helped me understand the unique aspects of composing for action."
The core principles for action music are well-explained.
"The guidelines on tempo, rhythm, and groove were clear and easy to follow."
"This course broke down the elements of action music into understandable steps."
"I found the specific tips and tricks for creating energy and intensity very useful."
Learners praise the real-world demonstrations.
"The live examples were incredibly helpful to see how the techniques are applied in practice."
"Seeing the instructor demonstrate the concepts made a big difference in my understanding."
"I really liked how the course showed practical tips using actual music examples."
Course is great for beginners, maybe less for advanced.
"As a beginner, this course was perfect for getting started in action music."
"This course gives a good overview, but I feel I'll need more advanced training later."
"If you're already an experienced composer, some parts might feel a bit basic."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Learn How to Make Action Music with these
activities:
Review Music Theory Fundamentals
Show steps
Strengthen your understanding of music theory to better grasp the concepts of tempo, rhythm, and harmony used in action music composition.
Browse courses on
Music Theory
Show steps
-
Review basic concepts like scales, chords, and key signatures.
-
Practice identifying intervals and chord progressions by ear.
-
Complete online quizzes or exercises to test your knowledge.
Rhythm and Groove Exercises
Show steps
Improve your rhythmic precision and groove by practicing specific exercises designed to enhance your timing and feel.
Show steps
-
Practice playing different rhythmic patterns on a drum machine or keyboard.
-
Experiment with different time signatures and syncopation.
-
Record yourself playing and analyze your timing and groove.
Read 'The Study of Orchestration' by Samuel Adler
Show steps
Learn about orchestration techniques to enhance the impact and depth of your action music compositions.
View
Th Study of Orchestration
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read chapters focusing on instrument ranges, timbres, and combinations.
-
Analyze scores of existing action music to identify orchestration techniques.
-
Experiment with different instrument combinations in your own compositions.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Analyze Action Music from Films
Show steps
Deepen your understanding of action music by analyzing existing film scores and identifying the techniques used by professional composers.
Show steps
-
Select 3-5 action-packed scenes from different films.
-
Watch each scene and take notes on the music's tempo, rhythm, instrumentation, and dynamics.
-
Identify specific techniques used by the composer to create a sense of action and excitement.
-
Write a short analysis of each scene, highlighting the effectiveness of the music.
Compose a Short Action Music Cue
Show steps
Apply the course's guidelines and techniques to create a short action music cue, solidifying your understanding through practical application.
Show steps
-
Choose a scene or scenario to inspire your action music cue.
-
Outline the key moments and emotional shifts in the scene.
-
Compose a short musical cue (30-60 seconds) that reflects the action and energy of the scene.
-
Incorporate the course's guidelines on tempo, rhythm, groove, and intensity.
-
Mix and master your cue to achieve a professional sound.
Read 'Principles of Orchestration' by Rimsky-Korsakov
Show steps
Study a classic text on orchestration to gain a deeper understanding of instrumental capabilities and effective combinations.
View
Principles of Orchestration (Dover Books On...
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read chapters on specific instrument families (strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion).
-
Analyze orchestral scores to identify how Rimsky-Korsakov's principles are applied.
-
Experiment with applying these principles in your own action music compositions.
Create a Sample Library of Action Music Sounds
Show steps
Develop a personalized sample library of sounds suitable for action music, enhancing your workflow and creative possibilities.
Show steps
-
Record or synthesize a variety of sounds commonly used in action music (e.g., impacts, risers, drones, percussion loops).
-
Process and edit the sounds to create unique and impactful textures.
-
Organize your samples into a well-labeled library for easy access.
-
Use your sample library in your action music compositions.
Review Music Theory Fundamentals
Show steps
Strengthen your understanding of music theory to better grasp the concepts of tempo, rhythm, and harmony used in action music composition.
Browse courses on
Music Theory
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review basic concepts like scales, chords, and key signatures.
- Practice identifying intervals and chord progressions by ear.
- Complete online quizzes or exercises to test your knowledge.
Rhythm and Groove Exercises
Show steps
Improve your rhythmic precision and groove by practicing specific exercises designed to enhance your timing and feel.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Practice playing different rhythmic patterns on a drum machine or keyboard.
- Experiment with different time signatures and syncopation.
- Record yourself playing and analyze your timing and groove.
Read 'The Study of Orchestration' by Samuel Adler
Show steps
Learn about orchestration techniques to enhance the impact and depth of your action music compositions.
View
Th Study of Orchestration
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read chapters focusing on instrument ranges, timbres, and combinations.
- Analyze scores of existing action music to identify orchestration techniques.
- Experiment with different instrument combinations in your own compositions.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Analyze Action Music from Films
Show steps
Deepen your understanding of action music by analyzing existing film scores and identifying the techniques used by professional composers.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Select 3-5 action-packed scenes from different films.
- Watch each scene and take notes on the music's tempo, rhythm, instrumentation, and dynamics.
- Identify specific techniques used by the composer to create a sense of action and excitement.
- Write a short analysis of each scene, highlighting the effectiveness of the music.
Compose a Short Action Music Cue
Show steps
Apply the course's guidelines and techniques to create a short action music cue, solidifying your understanding through practical application.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Choose a scene or scenario to inspire your action music cue.
- Outline the key moments and emotional shifts in the scene.
- Compose a short musical cue (30-60 seconds) that reflects the action and energy of the scene.
- Incorporate the course's guidelines on tempo, rhythm, groove, and intensity.
- Mix and master your cue to achieve a professional sound.
Read 'Principles of Orchestration' by Rimsky-Korsakov
Show steps
Study a classic text on orchestration to gain a deeper understanding of instrumental capabilities and effective combinations.
View
Principles of Orchestration (Dover Books On...
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read chapters on specific instrument families (strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion).
- Analyze orchestral scores to identify how Rimsky-Korsakov's principles are applied.
- Experiment with applying these principles in your own action music compositions.
Create a Sample Library of Action Music Sounds
Show steps
Develop a personalized sample library of sounds suitable for action music, enhancing your workflow and creative possibilities.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Record or synthesize a variety of sounds commonly used in action music (e.g., impacts, risers, drones, percussion loops).
- Process and edit the sounds to create unique and impactful textures.
- Organize your samples into a well-labeled library for easy access.
- Use your sample library in your action music compositions.
Career center
Learners who complete Learn How to Make Action Music will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Composer
Composer
A composer creates original musical pieces for various purposes, and this course on cinematic action music helps you specialize in composing high-energy, intense tracks. You will learn to develop a deep understanding of the elements that make action music effective, including tempo, rhythm, groove, and intensity. This course helps you to craft dynamic and impactful compositions that enhance the emotional impact of any project. The course's live examples and demonstrations provide practical tools for composing action-oriented music. This may be particularly helpful if you are working on projects that require music.
Trailer Music Composer
Trailer Music Composer
As a trailer music composer, you specialize in creating impactful musical pieces for movie trailers, capturing the essence of a film in a short, attention-grabbing format. This course on cinematic action music is ideal for this role, as you learn to compose high-energy, intense music that builds excitement. The course highlights tempo, rhythm, groove, and intensity, all crucial elements for creating compelling trailer music. The live examples and demonstrations provide practical techniques for composing action-packed trailer scores. If you want to create the kind of music that makes movie trailers memorable, this course may be a great choice.
Film Score Composer
Film Score Composer
As a film score composer, you create original music for films, enhancing the storytelling and emotional impact of scenes. This course on cinematic action music directly aligns with the demands of action films, as you learn how to craft high-energy, intense musical pieces that amplify the on-screen action. The course's emphasis on tempo, rhythm, groove, and intensity helps you to create dynamic soundtracks that synchronize perfectly with thrilling scenes. The live examples and demonstrations in this course provide practical tools for composing action-oriented film scores. For anyone serious about providing musical pieces for action films, this may be a beneficial course. Many film score composers have advanced degrees.
Video Game Composer
Video Game Composer
A video game composer creates music for video games, and this course helps you specialize in the action-packed, high-energy themes that dominate many popular titles. This course provides you with insights into composing cinematic action music, including tempo, rhythm, groove, and intensity, all of which translate directly to creating immersive and engaging video game soundtracks. Specifically, the course's focus on live examples and demonstrations equip you with practical tips and techniques which you can use to compose action music for video games. Many video games demand music which fits the action genre, so this course may be particularly helpful in this career.
Music Producer
Music Producer
As a music producer, you oversee the entire music creation process, from composition to mixing and mastering. This course on cinematic action music gives you specialized knowledge in producing high-energy, intense tracks, ensuring that you can guide composers and musicians effectively. You will develop a deep understanding of the elements that make action music effective, including tempo, rhythm, groove, and intensity. The course helps you make informed decisions about production techniques, enhancing the overall impact of the music. This may be useful to a music producer.
Television Composer
Television Composer
A television composer creates music for television shows, matching the tone and pace of each scene. This course on cinematic action music is particularly relevant for composing scores for action-oriented television programs, as you master the art of crafting high-energy, intense musical pieces. The course's exploration of tempo, rhythm, groove, and intensity helps you develop tracks that heighten the impact of thrilling scenes. The live examples and demonstrations provide practical tools for producing action-driven scores. This course may be particularly useful if you are interested in producing television scores for action programs or high-energy scenes.
Content Creator
Content Creator
As a content creator, you produce engaging material for online platforms, and this course on cinematic action music helps you enhance your video content with high-energy, impactful soundtracks. Understanding the elements that make action music effective, such as tempo, rhythm, groove, and intensity, allows you to create videos that capture viewers' attention and maintain their interest. By mastering the techniques taught in the course, you can craft compelling soundtracks that synchronize perfectly with your visuals, elevating the overall quality of your content. If you create multimedia content with action scenes, this course may be very helpful.
Interactive Media Designer
Interactive Media Designer
An interactive media designer creates engaging digital experiences, and this course on cinematic action music allows you to enhance the interactive projects with high-energy, impactful soundtracks. Understanding the elements that make action music effective, such as tempo, rhythm, groove, and intensity, lets you create immersive projects. The course's focus on live examples and demonstrations gives you methods for composing action-oriented music. If you incorporate music with the interactive media that you design, this course may improve the overall user experience.
Music Editor
Music Editor
As a music editor, you work with composers and directors to ensure that music is perfectly synchronized with visual elements in film, television, or video games. This course on cinematic action music can be highly beneficial, as you develop a deeper understanding of the nuances of action music, including tempo, rhythm, groove, and intensity. This course helps you to make informed decisions about music placement and editing, enhancing the overall impact of the scene. The live examples and demonstrations provide valuable insights into how action music is constructed and implemented. If you are a music editor, this course may be useful.
Orchestrator
Orchestrator
An orchestrator arranges musical compositions for an orchestra, assigning specific parts to different instruments. This course on cinematic action music may be useful, as you gain insights into the specific techniques and elements that make action music effective, such as tempo, rhythm, and intensity. With this understanding, you can create orchestrations that amplify the energy and impact of the original composition, ensuring that the orchestra delivers a powerful performance. The course’s focus on energy and intensity may be helpful to one who is an orchestrator.
Arranger
Arranger
An arranger adapts existing musical compositions for different instruments or ensembles, and this course on cinematic action music may be useful, as you can gain insights into the specific techniques and elements that make action music effective, such as tempo, rhythm, and intensity. With this knowledge, you can create arrangements that enhance the energy and impact of the original piece, making it suitable for a variety of performances. The course may be particularly beneficial if you are arranging action or high-energy musical pieces.
Sound Engineer
Sound Engineer
A sound engineer is responsible for the technical aspects of recording, mixing, and mastering audio, and this course on cinematic action music enhances your expertise by providing specialized knowledge in high-energy compositions. Understanding the elements that make action music effective, such as tempo, rhythm, groove, and intensity, allows you to optimize the recording and mixing process. The course's insights into live examples and demonstrations translate to practical mixing techniques, ensuring that the final product delivers a powerful and immersive listening experience. Particularly, this skill can be useful for action movies.
Sound Designer
Sound Designer
A sound designer creates and manipulates audio elements for various media, including film, games, and television. While this role focuses more on sound effects than musical composition, understanding cinematic action music can greatly enhance your ability to create immersive soundscapes. This course provides insights into the elements that make action music effective, such as tempo, rhythm, and intensity, which can inform your sound design choices. The course helps you to understand how music and sound effects can work together to create a cohesive and impactful experience. In particular, one who wishes to produce action-effects sounds may find this course helpful.
Multimedia Artist
Multimedia Artist
A multimedia artist creates visual and audio content for various platforms, blending artistic skills with technical expertise. While this role encompasses a wide range of creative tasks, understanding cinematic action music can enhance your ability to create immersive and impactful multimedia experiences. This course provides insight into the elements that make action music effective, such as tempo, rhythm, and intensity, which can inform your sound design choices. Knowing how music and visuals work together can add depth and excitement to your projects. This may be particularly useful if you are involved in multimedia projects.
Jingle Writer
Jingle Writer
A jingle writer composes short, memorable musical pieces for advertisements. While jingles often differ in style from cinematic action music, understanding the principles of creating high-energy, impactful music can be valuable. This course helps you to craft jingles that capture attention and leave a lasting impression. The course's emphasis on tempo, rhythm, and intensity may be applied to creating catchy and effective jingles, especially for products or services that want to convey excitement or energy. With the knowledge gained from this course, you can bring a new level of creativity to your jingle compositions.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/l8nlh5/learn
Reading list
We've selected two books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Learn How to Make Action Music.
Provides a comprehensive guide to orchestration techniques, which are essential for creating impactful action music. It covers a wide range of instruments and their capabilities, as well as various arranging and scoring methods. While not strictly required, it valuable resource for understanding how to create a full and dynamic sound. This book is commonly used in academic settings.
This classic text provides a detailed exploration of orchestration techniques from a master composer. It offers insights into the unique characteristics of each instrument and how to effectively combine them. While the examples are primarily classical, the principles are applicable to all genres, including action music. is more valuable as additional reading to provide depth.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/l8nlh5/learn
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