Uploaded April 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
How to compose a transition section between contrasting musical themes.
πΉ Writing Transitions Is Fun! (no really) youtu.be/C3xRCSp6P2E
π Many of the ideas in this video come from my favorite music book of all time: Analyzing Classical Form by William Caplin amzn.to/3AqkWcu
Sometimes an abrupt and sudden change in music can be fun and exciting, but there are times when a composer wants the change from one idea to another to be smoother and more gradual.
In this video I explore one technique for composing a transition section, borrowing ideas from Alan Belkin and William Caplin like the sentence form for melodic structure, gradual changes that develop over time, modulation and key changes, orchestration and timbre considerations, and so on.
And for the example I use the Love Theme and the Dragon Theme from John Powell's score to How to Train Your Dragon.
By the end we should have a a brand new transition section that bridges the gap from the first theme to the second, making the ideas connect more naturally and helping the music flow smoothly.
π₯³ Check out my new course Pillars of Composition! tinyurl.com/pillarsofcompositioncourse
π Learn how to compose music! β tinyurl.com/pillarsofcompositioncourse
π§ Compose in the style of Harry Potter: tinyurl.com/magicmusiccourse
π Study with me β ryanleach.com/lessons
πΌ Early access, exclusive content and more on Patreon β patreon.com/ryanleach
π« Join my newsletter for updates and more β tinyurl.com/ryanleachnewsletter
π€ Come join us on DISCORD! discord.gg/YCpmQVepu9
π Composing Competitions every 3 months! youtube.com/@composingcompetitions
_____________________________________
FOR MUSICIANS
πΆ ScoreClub - tinyurl.com/scoreclubryan
*OUTSTANDING* composition courses including βOrchestrating the Lineβ which completely changed my approach to writing music.
Master the Score
π» 20th Century Orchestral Writing - master-the-score.teachable.com/a/aff_kdbj7w4q/external?affcode=827102_zlce6r1r
π Mixing Cinematic Music - master-the-score.teachable.com/a/aff_krxyb085/external?affcode=827102_zlce6r1r
π₯ Hybrid Orchestral Composition and Sound - master-the-score.teachable.com/a/aff_wdltvt0m/external?affcode=827102_zlce6r1r
π€ Syntorial - tinyurl.com/syntorialRL
The ABSOLUTE BEST way to learn how to use a synthesizer. It makes learning how to program a synth feel like a video game!
πΉ Master the Score masterthescore.com
π΅ Sound Stripe tinyurl.com/soundstriperyan
Where I get my background music (awesome for YouTubers).
STAY IN TOUCH
π€Come join us on DISCORD! discord.gg/YCpmQVepu9
π Website β ryanleach.com
βοΈ email β ryanleachmusic at gmail.com
GEAR I USE EVERY DAY
πΉ M-Audio Keystation 61 MK3 geni.us/oTCT
π₯ LG 34β UltraWide Monitors geni.us/dux3mE
β¨οΈ Logitech MX Keys Keyboard geni.us/PkPvYs
π²Kensington Expert Wireless Trackball Mouse geni.us/QKnLbJ
π§ Apple AirPods Max geni.us/jzYq5
________
PS: Some links may be affiliate links which I receive a small kickback at no extra cost to you.
How to compose a transition section between contrasting musical themes.
πΉ Writing Transitions Is Fun! (no really) youtu.be/C3xRCSp6P2E
π Many of the ideas in this video come from my favorite music book of all time: Analyzing Classical Form by William Caplin amzn.to/3AqkWcu
Sometimes an abrupt and sudden change in music can be fun and exciting, but there are times when a composer wants the change from one idea to another to be smoother and more gradual.
In this video I explore one technique for composing a transition section, borrowing ideas from Alan Belkin and William Caplin like the sentence form for melodic structure, gradual changes that develop over time, modulation and key changes, orchestration and timbre considerations, and so on.
And for the example I use the Love Theme and the Dragon Theme from John Powell's score to How to Train Your Dragon.
By the end we should have a a brand new transition section that bridges the gap from the first theme to the second, making the ideas connect more naturally and helping the music flow smoothly.
π₯³ Check out my new course Pillars of Composition! tinyurl.com/pillarsofcompositioncourse
π Learn how to compose music! β tinyurl.com/pillarsofcompositioncourse
π§ Compose in the style of Harry Potter: tinyurl.com/magicmusiccourse
π Study with me β ryanleach.com/lessons
πΌ Early access, exclusive content and more on Patreon β patreon.com/ryanleach
π« Join my newsletter for updates and more β tinyurl.com/ryanleachnewsletter
π€ Come join us on DISCORD! discord.gg/YCpmQVepu9
π Composing Competitions every 3 months! youtube.com/@composingcompetitions
_____________________________________
FOR MUSICIANS
πΆ ScoreClub - tinyurl.com/scoreclubryan
*OUTSTANDING* composition courses including βOrchestrating the Lineβ which completely changed my approach to writing music.
Master the Score
π» 20th Century Orchestral Writing - master-the-score.teachable.com/a/aff_kdbj7w4q/external?affcode=827102_zlce6r1r
π Mixing Cinematic Music - master-the-score.teachable.com/a/aff_krxyb085/external?affcode=827102_zlce6r1r
π₯ Hybrid Orchestral Composition and Sound - master-the-score.teachable.com/a/aff_wdltvt0m/external?affcode=827102_zlce6r1r
π€ Syntorial - tinyurl.com/syntorialRL
The ABSOLUTE BEST way to learn how to use a synthesizer. It makes learning how to program a synth feel like a video game!
πΉ Master the Score masterthescore.com
π΅ Sound Stripe tinyurl.com/soundstriperyan
Where I get my background music (awesome for YouTubers).
STAY IN TOUCH
π€Come join us on DISCORD! discord.gg/YCpmQVepu9
π Website β ryanleach.com
βοΈ email β ryanleachmusic at gmail.com
GEAR I USE EVERY DAY
πΉ M-Audio Keystation 61 MK3 geni.us/oTCT
π₯ LG 34β UltraWide Monitors geni.us/dux3mE
β¨οΈ Logitech MX Keys Keyboard geni.us/PkPvYs
π²Kensington Expert Wireless Trackball Mouse geni.us/QKnLbJ
π§ Apple AirPods Max geni.us/jzYq5
________
PS: Some links may be affiliate links which I receive a small kickback at no extra cost to you.
