Creating fast paced Epic/Trailer music

Hey everyone.

I'm trying to write an epic piece, but it's really not working.

I was wondering if any of you would be kind enough to share some knowlege and tell me what factors need to be in the typical epic piece. The other problem is instrumentalising it IE: what the second strings should be doing while the first ones perform the melody?

Thanks a lot.

-Phil

When I think of like epic or action trailer music, I think of booming low brass, ostinatos in the strings, a fast paced groove with big percussion (taikos etc.), and full choirs. Listen to Two Steps from Hell and Audiomachine's trailer works and you'll see what I mean. I actually wrote a trailer piece myself in a similar style not too long ago if you want to check it out, too.

When I think of like epic or action trailer music, I think of booming low brass, ostinatos in the strings, a fast paced groove with big percussion (taikos etc.), and full choirs. Listen to Two Steps from Hell and Audiomachine's trailer works and you'll see what I mean. I actually wrote a trailer piece myself in a similar style not too long ago if you want to check it out, too.

Mathematicians were actually able to put it into a concise formula in recent years:

-Taikos+short strings+choir swells+brass stabs and or fluttered swells

On a more serious note: we can't tell you 'what to do with the 2nd violins while the 1st have the melody'. If you are completely unsure as to how to utilize the elements, maybe you should focus on composition first (i.e. not writing music for large ensemble). Although writing for trailers and those sort of things tend to be more forgiving towards naivete, approaching them already with skills in your bag certainly gives you an upper hand.

Thanks to you both for your replies. I'll be sure to take your advice and put it to soe good use

-Phil

Well, best advice is to listen to some music that is similar to what you want to write. You're hardly find scores for trailer music, but listening to a lot of the similar stuff will help. There is no one thing that second violins must be doing if the first are playing the melody, there is thousands of techniques you can apply. Listen and learn!