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Udemy

Film, TV, & Video Game Music Composition + Production Basics

via Udemy

Overview

Master Essential Techniques in 9 Weeks (Updated 2026 Version)

What you'll learn:
  • How to Write & Record Music from Scratch
  • How to Notate Music
  • How to Write Effective Melodies
  • How to Write Effective Harmonies
  • How to Compose with Advanced Chords
  • How to Produce Electronic Music
  • How to Orchestrate Music
  • How to Mix & Master Music
  • How to Score Films
  • How to Score Movie Trailers
  • How to Compose Video Game Music Loops
  • How to Create Interactive Video Game Music Layers
  • Assignments to Practice Each Lesson
  • DOZENS of Hours of Extra Technology & Business Tips

Updated January 2026

Film, TV, & Video Game Music Composition + Production Basics is a structured 9-week journey designed to take you from blank page to fully produced, media-ready music. You’ll learn how to write and record music from scratch, notate your ideas clearly, and craft effective melodies, harmonies, and advanced chord progressions that actually serve visual storytelling. The course goes beyond theory, guiding you through orchestration, electronic music production, mixing and mastering, and the unique demands of scoring films, movie trailers, and video games—including seamless loops and interactive music layers. Each lesson is paired with practical assignments so you’re not just watching—you’re composing.

This course is intentionally beginner-friendly while still offering depth for musicians ready to level up. All you need is a Mac or PC, a digital audio workstation (such as Logic Pro, Cubase, Pro Tools, or the free Reaper), and notation software (such as Finale, Sibelius, Dorico, or the free MuseScore). No prior composition experience is required—just curiosity, commitment, and patience. This is a marathon, not a sprint, and by the end you’ll have a strong foundational workflow that mirrors how real-world media composers work.

Whether you’re starting from zero, transitioning into film, TV, or game music, or exploring composition as a serious career path, this course was built for you. It’s ideal for beginners, musicians expanding into media composition, students and career-changers, and composers who want clarity on both creative techniques and the business side of the industry. If you’ve ever wanted to understand how professional media music is written, produced, and delivered—this course gives you the roadmap, step by step.

In this updated 2026 version, I’ve removed content that is no longer relevant and have added dozens of hours of extra technology & business content to help take you beyond the initial 9 weeks training. I look forward to connecting with you inside.

From students...

"When I first ordered this course, I honestly thought I was going to get a lot of the same things I knew about composition work...What Steven did here blows my expectations out of the water. He gives a lot of advanced music theory techniques, as well as detailed help on how to use your DAW, and he keeps you on your toes with some of these quizzes. Especially after you get half way through the course. I don't regret the money I paid for this course at all, and I'm glad that I have this course to reference when I'm in a bit of a pickle with my own goals." –Monish C.

"Absolutely phenomenal course! All the lectures go into great depth on the lesson topic and explain it clearly. Thanks for the awesome course Steven!" –Kenan B.

"This course seems to be exactly what I’m looking for. Steven is taking every facet of the craft and business of modern composing into account and teaching at the perfect pace - the videos are not too long, but are jam packed with great info." – Andrew C.

Syllabus

  • Welcome Students!
  • WRITING & RECORDING
  • NOTATING MUSIC
  • WRITING EFFECTIVE MELODIES
  • WRITING EFFECTIVE HARMONIES
  • ADVANCED CHORDS
  • ELECTRONIC MUSIC
  • ORCHESTRATION
  • MUSIC PRODUCTION
  • WRITING FOR FILM, TV, & VIDEO GAMES
  • NEXT STEPS
  • EXTRA: How to Train for Professional Composing Speed
  • EXTRA: How to Build DAW Templates
  • EXTRA: How to Create a Realistic Sampled Orchestra
  • EXTRA: How to Earn First Dollars & Grow a Music Business
  • EXTRA: Music Composer Lifestyle
  • EXTRA: Interviews with Industry Pros
  • EXTRA: Public Interviews with Steven about His Music Career
  • EXTRA: Selected Live Composing Show Streams
  • EXTRA: Student Coaching Calls with Steven
  • EXTRA: Level Up Live with Coaching Students
  • EXTRA: How to Compose in the Style of...
  • EXTRA: Nerdy Music Technology
  • EXTRA: Case Studies How I Composed for...
  • EXTRA: Music Composer's Guide to Finding Work Online

Taught by

Steven Melin

Reviews

4.5 rating at Udemy based on 1431 ratings

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