Course · Piano & strings
Neoclassical Strings
Cool, classy, realistic string music for dramas, documentaries and Oscar nominees.
- 17 lessons
- 3.1 hours of video
- Intermediate
- Lifetime access
- Watch online, any time
You know the sound. Elegant, slightly restless strings under a period drama or a serious documentary. You want to write it, but your strings come out robotic and monotonous, you can’t find the “right” library, and a good mix always seems just out of reach.
Neoclassical string music has been very good to me. My pieces have been used on the campaigns for Glass Onion, The Lost King, A Very British Scandal and the final season of Succession.
In this course I show you every decision I make. Choosing chord progressions, developing ideas, shaping the structure and adding the cinematic flourishes. I go behind the scenes on my most successful tracks and show you how they came together.
We also cover something people often skip: hiring real string players. It’s more affordable than you’d think, and the results can be incredible.
Then I write two tracks from scratch. One is a tense, building drama cue. The other is an emotional solo string piece, recorded with a live brief and real feedback from the publisher, so you see exactly what that process looks like.
By the end, you’ll be able to
- Write neoclassical string music that sounds authentic, not robotic
- Create a complete track from scratch
- Understand what makes a successful neoclassical string track
- Write simple, memorable string arrangements for trailers
- Keep the intensity up without leaning on trailer "effects"
- Hire real string players affordably and get the most from your budget
At a glance
Techniques you’ll learn
- three-act structure
- arpeggio development and inversion
- free tempo opening sections
- layered string overdubs
- pedal-tone driven patterns
- live recording workflow during composition
- idiomatic string writing for playability
- dynamic entrance control
- compression and reverb processing for strings
- low-cut EQ on violin recordings
- score annotation and PDF export
- tape saturation for warmth
Write music for
- Oscar trailer underscore
- drama film trailer
- TV drama title sequence
- prestige TV teaser
- award season campaign trailer
- emotional montage
Influences we look at
A Very British Scandal · Richard Schrieber · M83
Proof it works
What composers say
Richard's teachings will open a whole new world of creative possibilities for you!
What’s inside
- Introduction to Neoclassical Strings
Getting to know the style, with plenty of musical references so you can hear what makes it authentic.
- My most popular pieces & how I wrote them
Behind the scenes on my most successful neoclassical tracks, from first idea to finished piece.
- Neoclassical Progressions
The most common chord progressions in the genre, and how to use them as starting points.
- Writing simple, memorable string arrangements
The tips and tricks I use to turn a simple idea into something that stands out. My favourite is the hot potato.
- Writing for different moods
How versatile the genre is, and how to write for different moods so your tracks suit more placements.
- Hiring string players
My process for hiring string players, the players I've used, and how to get the most from your budget.
- Writing a dramatic neoclassical string track from scratch
A complete track from start to finish, aimed at tense, building dramas, with every decision explained.
- Writing an emotional solo string track from scratch
Recorded with a live brief and feedback from the publisher, so you see the whole process of producing for a publisher.
This is for you if…
- Your strings sound robotic, monotonous or just not "right"
- You can't find the right string libraries, or a good mix always seems out of reach
- You want to write for period dramas, hard-hitting documentaries and prestige films
It’s not for you if…
- You want huge hybrid hits and braaams. Try Hybrid Trailer Music instead
- You don't have a DAW yet, or don't know how to use one
Who’s teaching
I’ve written music for ads since 2007 and movie trailers since 2011, and went full time in 2014. My music has been used on over 100 campaigns, including Captain America: Civil War, Glass Onion, WandaVision and The Conjuring 2, and I’ve won eight awards along the way. Since 2017 I’ve taught thousands of composers how to do the same. More about me.
Questions before you buy? Email hello@richardpryn.com.
Questions
Do I need to be able to use a DAW?
Yes. You need to be able to use a DAW so you can follow along with the videos.
Do I have to use Logic?
No. Use whichever DAW you like, as long as you know how to use it.
How much music theory do I need to know?
Very little. I steer clear of deep theory in all my courses. Knowing how to harmonise the major and minor scales is plenty.
How long is the course?
Over 5 hours of video, including walkthroughs of 3 tracks used on trailers.
Can you guarantee I will get a placement?
Of course not. The composers who get work are the ones who put the hours in. They also happen to be very nice people (industry secret).
How long do I have access?
Forever. It's a one-time payment, not a membership, and you get all future updates and new lessons free.
What if it's not for me?
Within 30 days of registering you can ask for a full refund, as long as you haven't accessed more than 30% of the course (not counting anything public or in the Welcome module).
Neoclassical Strings
Learn every decision I make writing and producing neoclassical string tracks, from chord progressions to hiring real players, with walkthroughs of tracks used on trailers.
Not ready yet? Start with the free path
The free learning paths cover the same ground in article form. Work through one first and come back when you want the full walkthrough.
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