Caladluin Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 I was wondering if you have suggestions on how to give a composition an "epic" feel, in general or more specifically with an orchestra. I know this is a very general vague question, I'm not exactly sure how to describe it better though.... Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgri Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 I'm guessing that you are meaning "epic" in the sense of Lord of the Rings/Harry Potter/Fantasy type movie music? In that case, my best suggestion would be to listen to Mahler. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xrsbit Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Aeolian minor triads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SYS65 Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 lots of horns, and progressions like Gm, Ebm, Bm, Dm, Bbm, F#m :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morivou Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Brass is always good. But, support it with some percussion beats (timpani maybe?) and some nice high strings. Also, if you make the high woodwinds do accent work with lots of flourishes, you will get an even more epic effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austenite Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Pretty much all of the above, esp. the massive amount of horns - I'd only add a fast-moving and rythmic bass line punctuated by timpani and bass drum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caladluin Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share Posted March 8, 2012 Thanks for your suggestions! It's really helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJS Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 I agree with much of what has been written, but I urge you to compose something epic rather than orchestrate something to sound epic, because more often than not "epic" music can just sound overblown, pompous, insincere, cheesy, and probably a few other pejoratives that are slipping my mind at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sascha Burckhardt Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 I can't stress the kind of drama that stupidly loud horns can bring, or so I've found. Also, trombone tight interval crescendos work well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.