Course · Trailer
Trailer Music for Beginners
New to trailer music? Start here, with free tools and no guesswork.
- 34 lessons
- 8.3 hours of video
- Beginner
- Lifetime access
- Watch online, any time
Starting out in trailer music doesn’t have to be slow and confusing.
I’ve been teaching trailer music since 2017, and in that time the same questions keep cropping up. What actually is trailer music? How is it structured? What do I need to buy? How do I get from an idea to something finished? Those questions became the backbone of this course.
We start by clearing up the basics, then analyse real trailers so you can hear how the music is doing its job. After that it’s practical: getting your workflow ready, sketching quickly, finishing the track and mixing it.
I’ve deliberately used only free tools throughout. You shouldn’t have to spend a fortune on sample libraries before you even know whether you love this. Learn the craft first, then make informed decisions about gear.
By the end you’ll have written a trailer cue from scratch, and you’ll know where to go next.
By the end, you’ll be able to
- Understand what trailer music is and how it differs from everything else you've written
- Analyse real trailers to see how music and structure work together
- Set up your mindset and workflow before you write a note
- Sketch trailer cues quickly, then turn a sketch into a fully orchestrated idea
- Mix your track so it sounds as good as it possibly can
- Know exactly where to go next once you've finished
At a glance
Techniques you’ll learn
- three-act trailer structure
- stop-down technique
- tension and release
- sketching before orchestrating
- trailerization
- layered percussion
- one-shot drag-and-drop sampling
- high-pass filtering for mix clarity
- volume automation
- stem grouping
- orchestration by color and timbre
- act-based build-and-drop cycles
Write music for
- Hollywood film trailers
- blockbuster movie trailers
- TV spots
- teaser trailers
- streaming platform promos
- video game cinematic trailers
Influences we look at
Two Steps from Hell · Ramin Djawadi · Avengers: Infinity War · Fast & Furious 9 · Jurassic World Dominion · Strange World · The Lost King · Captain America: Civil War · WandaVision
What composers say
Rich explains the outline of trailer music and its beauty of it. As an aspiring trailer music composer, I feel so lucky and grateful to be able to learn about Rich's skills and mindset as a composer. His methods are very concrete, practical, and helpful for effective writing and a healthy mindset, which helps composers deal with self-doubt while composing. Not just that, Rich's enthusiasm for composing trailer music and teaching really inspires me a lot, especially during my hard time composing. For anyone who wants to take this course, I highly recommend it! Not just because Rich's trailer music has had lots of placements, but because he really knows and cares about his teaching and sharing. All the best!
As a direct result of Rich's courses and endlessly sharing his knowledge I just landed my first Star Wars trailer!!!
I've just been asked to do a 10-track album for a well-known production library. This is literally thanks to Rich's courses helping me make those vital changes to take my music from being nice...to being placeable (within ..what 10 weeks of signing up for the TMS??) So...thanks for passing on what you've learned.
What’s inside
- Welcome to the Course
A simple introduction to the course and what you can expect to learn.
- What is Trailer Music?
Clearing up the frequently asked questions so you understand the basic concepts.
- Trailer Analysis
Analysing trailers and their use of music to understand structure.
- The Tools You Will Need
The right tools for the job, using only free ones so you can make informed decisions later.
- Prep Work
The prep that gets your mindset and workflow ready to go.
- Sketching Tracks
Sketching quickly, a hugely underrated habit that saves hours.
- Finishing Tracks
Taking your track from sketch to fully orchestrated idea.
- Mixing Basics
The basics of mixing so your track sounds as good as possible.
- Final Thoughts
Recapping what you've learnt and where to go next.
This is for you if…
- You've never written a trailer cue and want to know where to start
- You've got a pile of questions about trailer music and nobody to ask
- You don't want to spend money on sample libraries before you know you're hooked
It’s not for you if…
- You're already landing placements and want advanced production. Try the Trailer Music Course or Hybrid Trailer Music
- You've never used a DAW at all. You'll need to know your way around one to follow along
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
Do I need expensive sample libraries?
No. I deliberately use only free tools in this course, so you can learn the craft first and make informed decisions about what to buy later.
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.
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).
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.
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.
Trailer music, from first cue to first placement
Music theory for people who skipped it
Free tools & samplesOther courses
My flagship course. Compose, produce, mix and master a complete three-act trailer cue, with a mixing and mastering masterclass from Toby Mason.
The foundations every trailer composer needs. Bring MIDI to life, build tension and dynamics, and turn a simple chord sequence into a full track.
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.