How to write ACTION MUSIC in 60 minutes

Learn how to write action music! It's one of the most intense styles of composition and makes big demands on the composer. In this tutorial, composer Guy Michelmore shows you how it's done. So follow him through every step of the way from scratch to finished cue.

Composer Guy Michelmore brings you another real-time scoring demonstration so you can watch a piece of music take shape before your eyes. The Youtube version is edited but the real-time version is available on the link above. If you're already on our mailing list then you will be receiving the link automatically. Enjoy!

I love this Tyrolean harp and use it all the time. Check it out.

Guy is not paid or sponsored to make videos or use products. He only uses stuff he likes. Sample library developers often send him free software, but he only uses it on the channel if he would recommend it to a friend.

[evanlane]

Hey! I was just watching your BBC Orchestra Discover video for like the tenth time and this notification popped up. Thank you SO MUCH for the content you produce. I'm a hobbyist and I would never have been able connect the dots to get to get into symphonic composition without your work. A ton of YouTube is the blind leading the blind, or just DAW tech tutorials. Having a real composer teach every aspect of music creation has helped me a ton. It helps you're a bit off your rocker too. LOVE the energy you bring to your work and teaching. Thanks Guy!

[raymondspagnuolo]

@ 20:52 - "You get the money, the drugs ...the fluffy toys...." You almost had me rolling on the floor!!!! Oh, Guy... Thank you, thank you, thank you for being you and making videos so we can learn and laugh at the same time!!!

[sabrinakingsoundworks]

Omg, you remind of me! Lol! "50 micro-thingies", "Jason, did you hear a noise behind the shed?"...the internal dialogue. So upbeat and playful. Super educational and informative. Love it! I want to create with the wonderful tools you have shown! I love film scoring...and more! Great job! Thank you for the giggles here and there!

[ChristopherSiu]

Lovely work as usual, Guy! Just wanted to encourage you to keep it up, you're doing amazing things!

[striverfor]

0:29 Get the full version of this video
0:44 Start
1:04 Template
1:35 The tempo
2:37 Time signature
3:29 Couple of instances of Kontakt
4:10 Percussion
4:57 Action prep
5:30 Track delay
6:10 Adding low moving stuff
6:53 Tyrolean Harp
8:37 A little extra something. Col legno
9:21 Something really low and dull
10:28 Building on percussion
11:05 Diddley-Ump
12:16 Add reverb
13:45 Picking up the action. Changing time signature
15:00 Add low strings
16:00 Velocity
16:57 Adding brass
18:10 Low cello
19:00 Word from sponsor
19:43 Brass
20:36 Violins
21:00 Adding piano
22:48 More percussion
23:58 Section 2, step time
25:35 Keep the pulse up
27:44 Up a minor 3rd
29:10 Bring brass back in
30:20 Timpani
30:35 Violins / Harp
31:43 Back to 4/4
32:00 Muted brass
32:35 Basses
33:00 Performance
35:23 Points to take away

[Soulonos]

You are one bad man!!! You wake up that creative part of my brain every time I watch your videos. Thanks for the content!

[mageprometheus]

36 mins of joy on a dull windy afternoon in Brum 😃

[kurttomlinsoncompositions]

27:22 - this is such a great tip that I never even thought of. I often find that the deeper into writing a track, the balance of each section can become very confusing and messy and simply rendering but to audio and increasing my volume or compression rate is such a simple way of allowing an instrument to stand out in certain parts of the cue!

[nightnoodler]

I like the term you used "Density of the piece" very interesting way of putting it..always a pleasure to wach and listen to you Guy Thank you.

[joshgiesbrecht]

Sometimes learning this stuff can be tedious, if not boring at times. I struggle to get in the mood to learn more often then not. But with your personality and the way you approach music, the utter chaos it turns into, the hilarious remarks, the fact you have conversations with your virtual instruments... It makes it all so easily digestable and fun. I've been binging your channel as much as possible. Learning a lot and having a blast. Thank you for the vids!

[WayneParker]

I'm truly hooked on all your videos. You instruct/compose in such a way the is super easy is to follow and emulate. Thank you for what you do! :D

[dannyboyblue]

Thank you so much for the content you produce. I’ve wanted to dabble for so long but never had the confidence. My 12 year old son has written a mini script he wants to film with his friends and he’s asked me to write a score for it 😰 with the teachings of Guy I may just stand a chance!!

[Pergamenttv]

Thank you for letting me share your ideas again, your perspective, your way of understanding music, how you motivate people. And all that, in an extremely likeable way. More, please. Thanks Guy.

[savvysounds]

These tutorials are amazing, thank you so much! As a self-taught hobbyist composer I get into writing slumps very often. Your tutorials are so helpful and inspiring.

[kurttomlinsoncompositions]

I have a suggestion guy,

It’s be cool if you could do a small video on counting irregular time signatures like 7/8 etc

[menacerisamir]

it is so comfortable to learn with this master that it quite difficult to change it, and by the way this guy named Guy make you happy each time because you are sure that you will learn something new without complications, less is more

[HarshRyan]

I'm really thankful for these tutorials sir. You are sharing top industry level musical knowledge. Watching people like you motivates me and pushes me to learn and create more music sir. THANK YOU SIR :)

[R-Official]

These videos are so helpful and funny. When I say hello to my mixer he eventually answers "drop out";-). But very useful hints of making the workflow getting better and better.

[electrifyingct]

Playing some Competitive Overwatch games while listening to this video... much action... and I must say... my team won both games during the length of this video lol very inspiring

[Superduperond]

Thank you for once again creating great content.
You and Christian at spitfire audio are the ones who opened my eyes for realistic and fun orchestral programing. So inspirational!
I'm just a hobbyist who program music for the fun of it, but your videos are a huge inspiration for me. Thanks!