Course · Trailer
Epic Slow Burn
Slow-building, emotional trailer cues that grow into something huge.
- 13 lessons
- 3.4 hours of video
- All levels
- Lifetime access
- Watch online, any time
This is the course I was asked to make more than any other.
Slow burn is the trailer music that starts small and emotional, then builds and builds into something enormous. Think of trailers like Avengers: Endgame, Dark Phoenix and Star Trek. It looks simple. It isn’t.
The common problems are always the same. The structure doesn’t hold. The chords and melodies feel lifeless. There’s no signature sound. And the track loops instead of going anywhere, so it never gets finished.
We start with what makes slow burn different, then the fundamentals: the chord progressions that work, simple melodies that hit hard, tension with chromatics, and layering.
Then I write a full track from scratch, from sketching the structure to refining the signature sounds. You’ll see the moments of self-doubt too, and how I get past them, because that’s part of the job.
By the end, you’ll be able to
- Understand what slow burn trailer music is and what sets it apart
- Write emotion, intensity and anticipation into your cues
- Choose chord progressions and write simple, effective melodies for the genre
- Add tension with chromatics and layering
- Develop an idea into a finished track with real pacing and dynamics
- Give your track a signature sound
At a glance
Techniques you’ll learn
- progressive orchestration
- impact-first sketching
- ostinato/pattern layering
- velocity automation for dynamic build
- pad-based atmosphere
- sub-bass underpinning
- signature sound design
- single chord progression development
- strategic element reservation for climax
- riser and swish layering
- mid-side EQ on pads
- brass swell and legato layering
Write music for
- feature film trailers
- blockbuster movie trailers
- superhero film trailers
- video game cinematic trailers
- TV epic drama title sequences
- streaming platform promos
Influences we look at
Avengers: Endgame · Dark Phoenix · Star Trek · Kieran Birch · Two Steps from Hell · Hans Zimmer
What composers say
I have taken most of Richard's courses and it's really helped me on the structure of my tracks as well as not sounding "loopy", as well as making me feel that success in this industry is entirely possible! I am now writing for a successful trailer music library thanks to Richard's guidance and mentorship. Highly recommended!
Rich's "Epic Slow Burn" course has been priceless to me. I've revisited it numerous times during the composing of a recent burn-y album. There's something reassuring about the way he gently blows your mind with crazy talent. It seems so easy — but of course, it's not. Luckily, you can watch the dang thing again. :)
Rich teaches as if you're a friend sitting next to him at his computer. Watching over his shoulder as he creates a trailer track and explains the basics is very contagious and always makes me want to start writing.
What’s inside
- Understanding slow burn trailer music
What slow burn is, with references from trailers like Avengers: Endgame, Dark Phoenix and Star Trek.
- Mastering the slow burn fundamentals
The best chord progressions, simple but impactful melodies, tension with chromatics, and layering.
- Writing a slow burn track from scratch
A full track built step by step, from sketching the structure to refining signature sounds, moments of self-doubt included.
- Slow Burn resource pack
PDFs, MIDI files and samples to go with the course.
This is for you if…
- You can't seem to structure a slow burn track properly
- Your chords and melodies sound lifeless and stale
- Your tracks loop and never quite go anywhere, so you never finish them
- You're an experienced composer who wants to see another composer's workflow and layering
It’s not for you if…
- You don't have orchestral sample libraries yet. You'll need them for this one
- You want quirky or light music. This is big, emotional and epic
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 [email protected].
Questions
Who is this course for?
Beginners and advanced composers alike. Beginners get trailer music structure and the techniques for a huge, blockbuster sound. Advanced composers get my workflow, sample library recommendations, layering tips and full track creations.
What do I need?
A DAW (I use Logic Pro X), orchestral sample libraries, basic music theory and production knowledge, and time to watch the videos and write your own music.
Do I have to use Logic?
No. Use whichever DAW you like, as long as you know how to use it.
How long is the course?
Over 4 hours of video, plus the Slow Burn resource pack of PDFs, MIDI files and samples.
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).
Epic Slow Burn
Learn what makes slow burn trailer music different, then build a full epic slow burn track from scratch, with a resource pack of PDFs, MIDI and samples.
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.
The orchestra for composersOther courses
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The foundations every trailer composer needs. Bring MIDI to life, build tension and dynamics, and turn a simple chord sequence into a full track.