Trailer music, from first cue to first placement

Before you write a note, know what a trailer editor needs from a track and why trailer music is built the way it is.

1. 1 The Ultimate Guide to Trailer Music 7 min
2. 2 How to Make Trailer Music 12 min
3. 3 TMCP 003: The Five Rules of Trailer Music Episode
4. 4 How to structure your trailer music for the win 6 min

Want this stage taught in full? Trailer Music for Beginners: Everything you need to start writing trailer music, from what a trailer cue actually is to sketching, finishing and mixing your first track, using only free tools.

Most trailer cues are three acts (sometimes a fourth). Get each one working on its own and the track takes care of itself.

1. 5 The 7 Rules of an Amazing Act 1 5 min
2. 6 5 Simple Steps to a Better Act 2 5 min
3. 7 How to Make your Act 3 Sound MASSIVE 6 min
4. 8 Act 4 - WTF!? 2 min

Want this stage taught in full? Trailer Music Essentials: The foundations every trailer composer needs. Bring MIDI to life, build tension and dynamics, and turn a simple chord sequence into a full track.

Hits, braaams, risers, stopdowns and drones are the punctuation of trailer music. Learn what each one is for.

1. 9 The Ultimate Guide to Trailer Hits & Impacts 13 min
2. 10 BRAAAMS - How To Use The Sound That Everyone Knows 4 min
3. 11 Risers: The Easiest Way to Create Tension in Your Music 10 min
4. 12 Stopdowns: Why they make your trailer music better 5 min
5. 13 9 Ways To Create Drones That Make Your Music More Awesome 9 min
6. 14 How To Write Epic Percussion: In 7 Simple Steps 4 min

Want this stage taught in full? Action Sound Design: Learn to build explosive action sound design cues from scratch, with pings, risers, braaams and action drums, then see a demo become a published track.

The difference between a demo and a placement is usually template, realism and delivery.

1. 15 How to Create an Orchestral Template 5 min
2. 16 13 Ways To Make Your Orchestra Sound Real 14 min
3. 17 Signature Sounds In Trailer Music 4 min
4. 18 Sketch a Trailer Music Track in Minutes 5 min
5. 19 How To Write Trailer Music Quickly & Easily 7 min
6. 20 What are Stems in Music Production? 5 min

Want this stage taught in full? Hybrid Trailer Music: Almost 17 hours on hybrid trailer music. Build your sound palette, write a full cue from scratch, then mix it in a masterclass with Taz Mattar.

How I wrote tracks that ended up in real trailers, from the first sketch to the final mix.

1. 21 How I Wrote The Glass Onion Trailer Music 3 min
2. 22 How I Wrote The Pale Blue Eye Trailer Music 5 min
3. 23 How I Wrote The Lost Ark Trailer Music 8 min
4. 24 Secret Invasion Trailer Music Breakdown 5 min

Want this stage taught in full? Trailer Music Master: The complete trailer music bundle. All twelve of my trailer courses, from the basics to hybrid, horror, strings and drums, for less than buying them separately.

Avoid the common mistakes, then hear how other composers got their break.

1. 25 TMCP 004: Five Common Mistakes of Aspiring Trailer Music Composers Episode
2. 26 Is it too late to get into Trailer Music in 2024? 2 min
3. 27 How I became a full time trailer music composer: TMCP 001 Episode
4. 28 Building a Career as a Trailer Music Composer with Chris Davey Episode

Want this stage taught in full? The Composer Academy: A community, course library and coaching space for composers working towards a career in trailers, libraries and sync. Every course, live sessions with me, and real track feedback.