György Ligeti’s ‘Musica Ricercata’: Is It Possible to Compose with Just One Note?
We look at Ligeti’s famous composition in order to decide how much, or how little, the use of music’s foundational parameters really matter in composing.
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What Ever Happened to the Summer Blockbuster Movie Theme Song?
A little complaining could go a long way to help us get our summer blockbuster mega-hits back. That’s why we called cultural whiner Jon Chattman in.
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The 13 Most Important Composers of the 21st Century So Far
This list profiles the most influential composers of the current century. But these artists are linked by more than just their accolades. Read on!
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5 Important Works That Call for a Theremin Soloist
You may know the theremin as the sci-fi sound of aliens and robots, but it’s been used by composers all over the world in concert music too. Let’s explore!
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2019’s Oscar Nominated Film Scores Loved Their Chords
And the winner is…. Chords! This year’s Oscar nominees for Best Score put a ton of stock into creating lush chord textures over other attributes.
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How Do You Make an Audience Feel Nostalgic with Music?
Writing music for a show or film? Check out this beginner’s lesson on creating a sense of nostalgia in your music to fit the narrative.
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Talking Points: Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alva Noto Explain Working with Images and Sound
In this edition of “Talking Points,” composers and electronic artists Ryuichi Sakamoto and Alva Noto discuss the nature of collaboration and improvisation.
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How Jonny Greenwood Uses Materiality, Clusters, and Aleatoricism in His Film Music
We break down a handful of composer Jonny Greenwood’s go-to techniques in examples from his scores to Phantom Thread and There Will Be Blood.
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How Thomas Newman’s “American Beauty” Score Flipped the Script on Film Music
Almost 20 years later, Thomas Newman’s score to “American Beauty” still enchants us with its refreshing approach and seductive sonics. Here’s why.
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How to Get Your Music to the Top of the Pile When Submitting It for Licensing
Submitting your music to sync placements, but not getting the call back? Here are some helpful pieces of advice to get your music to the top of the pile.
