I am 73 years old retired architect, I was trying to get into this kind of composing orchestral music and Sir you have inspired me, thank you.

To study music, we must learn the rules. To create music, we must break them. - Nadia Boulanger

Dear everyone who plays brass: You are the chocolately middle.

This is honestly one of the greatest explanations of how an orchestra moves together. I've learned so much. I'd take an entire masterclass from this guy.

When brass gets loud it becomes brassy -Christian

I always felt like an outcast for having virtually almost no formal music education. Back in the day, I thought only people who had been classically trained could ever aspire to become professional musicians. You are an inspiration.

"Poor violas. They get to play the boring part."

Clicked on this by accident. All of the sudden - 20 minutes later. Going straight to day 2.

Yes! As someone who taught conservatory counterpoint, harmony and composition and who studied orchestral performance with Bernstein and Celibidache I thought "what!? How could you claim 'not knowing' is a good thing?" But you know what? So much of what we have been teaching in "music theory" has no value. We're so caught up in learning what the names of things are that we rarely get around to understanding why music works the way does, and more importantly, how to create compelling musical experiences. By ignoring that and focusing on what you hear, what you imagine, and what you want, you get to the heart of the matter. Now, of course there might be some babies in that bath water we're throwing out! Understanding how harmonic, linear and rhythmic energy works to create musical motion is absolutely crucial to making music that goes beyond merely "sounding like" (orchestral) music. You may get that understanding from playing and singing and listening to music, or you may get it from a more explicit study of some kind. Either way, if you have that understanding, and can combine it with the astoundingly expressive tools and techniques Spitfire and others provide, you absolutely can create musical magic. It would be great to see you show a bit more how consonance, dissonance, modulation, line, rhythm, meter and orchestration, variation, contrast, are able to build and release musical energy. That's something that is not part of any musical technology (digital or analog), but is essential to all music, regardless of style or genre. So, it makes a huge difference! Thanks so much for taking the time to share you knowledge and experience!

Do another one?? We want another hundred. Sunday afternoon, coffee, mince pie & a half hour orchestral masterclass from CH - bliss.

It really is as simple and easy as that (Disclaimer: 35 years composing experience sold separately)

OMG. I absolutely cannot state enough how great this is. As an old man who has been making music for over half a century, all my (well, midi) life I've wanted a tutorial like this. I haven't even finished day one (about 15 minutes in, but I'm going to watch and rewatch this MANY times) and already I've learned more than years of musical training (I'm classically trained) and reading dozens of books on both composition, arranging and orchestration, and musical theory. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I don't know if you do more than just these two but I'll follow you anywhere (and buy anything you're selling).

I've been doing this work for about 15 years now and have never been so in awe of a company who really thrives on bettering the community. Christian and Paul, hats off to you, really. You never cease to amaze me with your earnest sincerity behind these videos, hoping each one of us can extract a sliver or two of knowledge and improve our craft as a result. A big YES to a Day 2 and so forth. You're doing something really great here, even greater than all your excellent sound libraries combined. The world is a better place because of Spitfire.

I recently started to make music again. After 30 years rallying in Business and life, now it is time. My time. Your Video and your spirit is absolutely pure Inspiration. Please make more days! So will I.

Tears and snot would be an epic title for a modern-day orchestral masterpiece.

this was such an amazing watch, thank you!

i hear british accent, i feel authenticity

"I decided to call my girlfriend up. Crying. Tears and snot. She left me 2 weeks later."

Thanks a lot for taking your time for this!!

I loved this. Thanks for taking the time to do it. More please.

Absolutely fantastic work and education! Please make a day two!

Every time i sit at my desk with my DAW open, i feel so powerless, i mean, there is an entire endless world in front of me, finding a place to start is so difficoult. Anyway, rhank you very much for your suggestions and i'd love to watch a day two.

This was a joy to watch. Thank you.

This tutorial is just what i have been looking for - thank you!

I keep The Study of Orchestration by Sam Adler on my desk. It's truly one of the greatest references that I believe every composer should own. You don't need to read it front to back (though I have and it's wonderful), but definitely a handy tool. Also, thanks Christian, I hope you keep these Orchestral Programming series coming. It's always very helpful to have someone bring it back to the basics for us all.

Definitely a whole series! Thanks!

Brilliant, thanks so much for this Spitfire and Christian!

this is wonderful. thank you for making it

I swear you guys are in my head at the moment, every time I’ve wanted to learn something recently up pops one of your videos covering it 😁 Thanks so much, looking forward to more.

love it, christian. I've also been mostly self-taught my whole life, and its always instructive/inspiring to learn how other people approach musical problems.

Great, love to see and listen to more of this. Thx

Hugely encouraging. Thank you for putting this out there, Christian.

This is incredible. We need more tutorials like this becaude this is exactly what I needed to know about producing orchestral pieces. And it is so inspiring to know that we come from the humbling beginnings. I also can't read music and I have had those days that I was in tears with no hope. So watching this makes my outlook on producing so much better. Thank you Spitfire. 🙏❤

This was the video where I truly started to understand how to write and program orchestra music. One can imagine it’s only been that long since as well. Thank you, Christian and Spitfire team.......have a drink for me drink!

Fantastic! Very instructive and just the inspiration and encouragement I needed. Thanks!

Amazing! Thanks for doing this Christian. I learned so much.

You're honestly so inspirational. The way you explain things is very authentic, articulate and powerful. It was a great tutorial and I loved every second of it!

This has got to be the most informative, positive and enjoyable tutorial i've seen in a very long time. I've gained knowledge here that i've been wracking my head for ages about, and it's crazy that Christian Henson makes it looks and sound so easy and fearless. Cheers to Spitfire Audio for this series, thank you very much.

Fascinating process. Great explanation and demo!

brilliant video, one I keep coming back to!

Just stumbled on this after entering the Westwood scoring competition, and am absolutely loving it ... wish I'd found it sooner. Will be watching more of your videos (and no doubt investing in your libraries) - inspirational stuff, especially for self-taught musicians who find orchestration a bit overwhelming!

Phenomenal lesson. Thank u so much. That was absolutely fantastic to watch, listen and learn.

Top job, this made my day. Thank you for sharing.

What's a wonderful video, thank you Christian Henson !

I just started composing orchestral music and this is the best tutorial I’ve seen so far. You have a calming way about you. Please do another one, it was amazing.

Essential viewing for anyone who wants to write orchestral music- Particularly those without compositional training- Well done christian - lets have number 2 please! 5 stars

Thanks for sharing some knowledge! Appreciate it

I was looking for a video like this. Thank you VERY MUCH Christian Henson & Splitfire Audio!! Also very good advices from Christian!

Yes please .. day 2!

OMG! So useful video!!! Thank you very much! I would pay for tutorials like this one. Christian Henson explained everything so well to understand!

Amazing! Thanks for the reassurance and class info, just what I needed!

I'm really glad you shared this. Thank you soo much, you've really inspired me to try new things.

His body language really shows how much he enjoys what he is doing. It's an incredibly inspiring video especially for someone like me who has bought some orchestral instruments on a whim but never got to learn the "classic" music theory.

Thank you Christian, I am where you were at the start of your journey. I am no longer afraid!

Thank you so much for this wonderful information.

This was amazing to watch. Learned so much. Thank you.

Please do.. Day two, three, four.. week five, six, seven.. This is absolutely brilliant. Thank you!

Kudos on a great tutorial, and here's another vote for a Day Two. ...and Three, Four, Five etc...

What an inspiration this video was. With gratitude and respect, thank you!

Brilliant - infinite gratitude to you, sir!

Great stuff! As a composer who has studied theory, harmony, counterpoint I can appreciate not having to know this, because when I started composing I just did it by ear. That being said, theory, Harmony etc... has gotten me out of a pickle many times! But ultimately it’s about the ears and the music came before the theory! Cheers brother!

I have always strugled with Traditional learning enviroments due to dsylexia and ADHD+. I was on the edge of giving up until I watched this vid. Thank you thank you thank you! I will send you my first Kompleet compastion when I'm done.

Thank you so much! Great video and improvisation

Fantastic Video. I Appreciate everyone involved in getting this video posted.

i have a theory in my life and it says: when someone makes it look too easy, know he's a legend. sir.. this left me jaw dropped !! hats off

Christian, thank you for making this inspiring video. I love that you were self taught and instead of thinking of it as a negative or a weakness, you think of it as a strength and make a very valid point that you can find your own voice more easier. I am self taught as well. Also, your girlfriend at the time for leaving you when you cried in front of her shows that she was not a keeper actually and did a favor for leaving you. You don't want someone who you can't fully express yourself. Lovely piece!

Great video with much originality, thanks!

This is amazing, thank you so much!

As well as fantastic musician, you are a phenomenal tutor too! I love how you explain clearly why certain techniques are used and how to go about creating realistic-sounding results. I'm looking forward to watching many more of your videos like this!

I'm not musical in the slightest. Love hearing it, cannot play though. I think your enthusiasm and explanations for your process are infectious, especially the 'brass just sounds mental'. I don't know how I got here but I think I'll stay a while.

Absolutely Excellent!!! Thank you for sharing this great video!!

Very comprehensive and very nice. Would love to see this continuing! Thanks

22:13 The white-covered orchestration book which remained unmentioned is the "Orchestration" by Walter Piston. I agree that Adler's book accompanied by audio-visual material is the bible of orchestration but since Piston's book appeared on screen, I thought it has to be mentioned. I also recommend "Instrumentation/Orchestration" by Alfred Blatter which is more focused on full capacity of individual instruments rather than orchestral sections and conventional orchestral applications.

"never fear orchestral music" day 2 please! thanks for the inspiration!

Excellent tutorial. Thank you so much.

Outstanding! Very helpful.Thank you!

I'm late to the party, but damn, I love this. Thank you, Christian, just fantastic. Subbed and diggin it! Btw & FYI, Rick Beato sent me here.

Day two and beyond please 😄

Thank you for this, so informative!

This was so good. Thank you so much for sharing your insight, knowledge, experience and heart with us. Just brilliant!

Thanks for "showing your work," as maths teachers would say: I really appreciate seeing how the process can work, particularly using ensemble patches. While I'm not aiming at scoring for actual humans to perform, I do appreciate the need to have empathy / imagination for the performers (like not writing a drumkit part requiring five limbs!).

I'm also a proud owner of a S.Adler Orchestration manual. Definitely helps.

this is wonderful, i genuinely cant thank you enough for making this turtorial.

Awesome video! Very inspirational! Great insights and a lot of concrete tips. First time commenting on youtube, but I just had to drop a thank you for making this one! :)

Christian- I just wanted to really really thank you for making this video. For me it is absolutely priceless and you have inspired and encouraged me to dig deep and dedicate more time to doing what I love so much....music. I was able to follow your template and compose a piece that when I listen back to I am like....wait a second....I wrote that? so thank you, thank you , thank you . I will be watching as many of your videos as time allows. Brilliant!

Sounds like something straight out of the Starbound soundtrack, very nice. my only regret is that I don't have $500 to blow on sound library lol. In fact all the VSTs I dooo own came complimentary with my native-instruments midi keyboard controller so I actually have all the prerequisite software to run this. just not the prerequisite wallet XD

You make it sounds so easy, it's stunning... Thank you so much for sharing.

That was a great introduction, thank you so much 😊

Brilliant. This is worth 3 semesters at university.

Every time Christian Henson says he is self taught, that never went to a music school and begins to play the piano I experience opposite feelings. The way he positions his hands on the keyboard says otherwise.

Thanks a lot Christian for this Tutorial!

Great job, thanks for the tremendous information.

"The brah-ss sounds MENTAL" I love this guy so much.

"Violins don't inherently sound very nice when you play them." Agreed.

brilliant video. Thank you, Sir.

Brilliant tutorial. Thank you so much Christian.

"Here are the two reference books that Christian recommends to have gather dust at the back of your studio" :D Awesome!

What piano is he used on the first track? So intimate. Love it!

just thank you for this video... quite inspiring to get the idea of recording this style with some know how... thanks again.

That's just brilliant Christian. Thanks a lot for that. I am subscribing and look forward to more!