LIVE ONLINE COURSE

MUSIC COMPOSITION FOR GAMES

Name: MUSIC COMPOSITION FOR GAMES
Price: On-demand USD

Dates: 9 JAN 2025 - 18 FEB 2025

Duration: 6 WEEKS
TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS
5 PM PT / 8 PM ET

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JASON GRAVES
PRODUCER AND COMPOSER

LIVE ONLINE COURSE

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Create strong, recognizable musical motifs that enhance the game's identity and resonate with players through emotional storytelling.

Learn from the BAFTA-winning composer Jason Graves, renowned for his innovative approach to orchestration and cinematic narratives for games including Call of Duty: Warzone2, The Dark Pictures Anthology, Moss, Tomb Raider, Far Cry Primal, Until Dawn, and Dead Space.

THIS COURSE IS FOR YOU, IF...

YOU ARE A MUSICIAN, COMPOSER, OR PRODUCER ASPIRING TO WORK WITH GAMES

The course is perfect for composers at any stage. Whether you're interested in learning advanced techniques, looking to break into game music, or seeking structured learning, this course covers it all. You’ll begin to build a professional portfolio and be one step closer to turning your passion into a career.
YOU ARE A GAME PROFESSIONAL WITH MUSIC INTEREST

For sound designers or game devs out there – develop composition skills, learn to seamlessly integrate music with sound design, and receive formal training tailored specifically to game development. You’ll grasp the role of music in gaming and gain practical experience in composing for games.
YOU ARE A PRACTICING MUSICIAN LOOKING TO UPSKILL

This course is a great fit for experienced musicians. Gain advanced techniques in interactive music for games while mastering the business side of networking and publicity. Connect with industry professionals and upgrade your knowledge, ensuring you stay at the forefront of the field.

Music in video games adapts in real-time to player's actions.

This approach ensures that every player's experience is unique, making the game's atmosphere and emotional impact deeply personal. And you can learn how to craft these immersive soundscapes.

Master a variety of specialized skills not covered in traditional music schools.

Stay current with the latest techniques and software in our LIVE online course, where you'll learn from a professional, full-time working composer. Gain hands-on experience with real-world scenarios and get personal guidance in Q&A sessions.

ESSENTIAL HARD & SOFT SKILLS

Master cue composition, thematic writing, and live recording. Gain essential skills in music documentation, recording prep, budget planning, and handling feedback.

CAREER GUIDANCE

Learn how to pitch demos, build a standout portfolio, and navigate digital vs. physical media distribution. Plus, gain insights on networking with game developers, composers, and musicians to boost your career.

FINAL COURSE PROJECT

Explore different music genres, interactive stems, and game-matched music stingers. Create compelling soundtracks, from main themes to level music, and learn to sync your compositions seamlessly with gameplay.

EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS FOR GRADUATES

After finishing our course, you'll get special discounts on essential tools for musicians and composers. Just show your course certificate or proof of completion. You’ll receive a PDF with all the details, including vendors, tools, discounts, and how to claim them.

JASON GRAVES

Portfolio

Two-time British Academy Award-winning composer/producer with thirty-seven Game Audio Network Guild award nominations and five wins
Renowned for his unique textural concept scores and groundbreaking orchestration
Trained under iconic film composers Jerry Goldsmith, Elmer Bernstein, and Christopher Young, earning a degree from USC's prestigious film scoring program
Conducted and recorded live orchestral scores at renowned studios including Abbey Road, AIR, Capitol Records, FOX, Sony, Paramount Pictures, Skywalker Sound, and Ocean Way
Worked on over 150 games, including major titles like No Rest For The Wicked, Still Wakes The Deep, Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0, The Dark Pictures Anthology, Moss I & II, Tomb Raider series, Far Cry Primal, and Dead Space trilogy

THU (1/9), 5 PM PT/8 PM ET, 90 MIN

Introduction to Music for Games

The journey begins! Your first session will give you a broad overview of music composition for games, its role, and how it differs from music in TV and film. You will also get a sneak peek into your instructor’s own journey in the industry.

Game music composition overview
The role of music in video games
Differences between game music and traditional music
8-bit music, trackers, chiptunes, and general MIDI
A brief history of Jason’s 25+ years in games
Examples of iconic game soundtracks

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TUE (1/14), 5 PM PT/8 PM ET, 90 MIN

Building A Strong Foundation + Guest Speaker

The most important step to a successful career is having a strong foundation. Discover the building blocks to establish yourself as a professional composer and an understanding of how to get into the industry.

Building a portfolio, playing to your strengths, creating an online profile
Paths into games, freelance vs in-house
Networking with game devs, composers, and musicians
Agent/Attorney vs Publicist vs Manager
Case Study: Overview and history of Jason’s team (music prep, contractor, publicist, agent, assistant, etc)
Guest Speaker: Current team member or fellow game composer

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THU (1/16), 5 PM PT/8 PM ET, 90 MIN

Production Quality Matters

Get a hands-on demonstration of the tools and techniques for producing a professional, world-class music cue. Explore orchestral libraries, drums and percussion, synths, modern sound design and more.

Live vs MIDI, MIDI orchestra: mic positions, panning, and EQ
Reverb for orchestral samples, drums & percussion, synths & modern sound design
VSTs vs hardware fx (compressors, EQs, guitar pedals)
Library & online class suggestions
Demo: Examples from Jason’s work of MIDI vs live vs hybrid scores
Demo: Examples from Jason’s Cubase sessions

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TUE (1/21), 5 PM PT/8 PM ET, 90 MIN

Getting Work

Learn essential communication skills, from pitching a demo to interfacing with game developers. By the end of this class, you will have the tools necessary for your first assignment - composing a demo pitch.

Game publishers vs. developers
Demo pitching
Communicating with game developers
NDAs
Learning from your losses
Demo: Examples from Jason’s previous pitches

Assignment #1: Demo Pitch
Based on the examples shown in class, students work on a demo pitch (choosing one of three options).

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THU (1/23), 5 PM PT/8 PM ET, 90 MIN

Planning The Score

So, you got the job – what now? Games are incredibly detailed-oriented. Learn all about the planning, budgeting, and creativity that goes into crafting an original score, with practical, real-world examples.

Planning music minutes (midi vs live) & planning a music budget
Project fees, creative vs recording fees, contracts
Figuring out the score ‘sound’ & style guides, emotional storytelling, temp tracks
Differences in game music vs other media
Creating a master music doc, CueDB, etc.
Demo: Jason’s current/recent music docs, scores, and planning sessions

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TUE (1/28), 5 PM PT/8 PM ET, 90 MIN

Thematic Writing

Now, to writing! Explore the components of good theme construction, such as writing singable hooks, harmony, rhythm, meter, and more. This will lead to your second assignment – writing your own theme.

Writing a singable hook
Melodic vs textural vs harmonic themes
Using melody vs harmony as a starting point
Rhythm & meter, harmonic rhythm
Balancing familiarity with forward motion
Case Study: The thematic writing of No Rest For The Wicked

Assignment #2: Theme Composition
Students compose a 1:00 theme in one of three predetermined styles.

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THU (1/30), 5 PM PT/8 PM ET, 90 MIN

Game-Specific Music

Take a deep dive into game-specific terminology for interactive music, broken down into five key sections. Examples are taken from Jason’s previous games such as ‘No Rest for the Wicked,’ ‘Tomb Raider,’ and ‘Still Wakes The Deep.’

Explore
Combat (standard vs. boss)
Stingers
Menus
Cinematics
Demo: 2-3 cues from each category of Jason’s previous work, possibly built from stems for specific deconstruction per cue

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TUE (2/4), 5 PM PT/8 PM ET, 90 MIN

Atmospheric Writing

It’s time to set the mood – learn to craft effective atmospheric music and gain practical insights with case studies on ‘Dead Space’ and ‘Modern Warfare II.’ Discover new ways to find inspiration in the tools already at your disposal.

Recording live sounds
Detailed mixing
Blurring music and sound design
Even drones should be interesting
Keeping things sounding fresh
Case Study: The atmospheric writing of Dead Space and Modern Warfare II

Assignment #3: Atmospheric Cue
Compose a 1:00 atmospheric cue in one of three predetermined styles.

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THU (2/6), 5 PM PT/8 PM ET, 90 MIN

Interactive Music

Every game score is custom-tailored for its specific game engine. Gain a deeper understanding of the detailed world of music implementation, demonstrated with interactive Cubase sessions from Jason’s previous work.

Cue length and cross-pollinating cues for additional combinations
Number of stems & interactive system planning
Interactive layers vs non-looping cells
Checkerboarding
Overview of third party options
Demo: 2-3 of Jason’s interactive Cubase sessions
Demo: 2-3 folders of final stem deliveries from recent projects

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TUE (2/11), 5 PM PT/8 PM ET, 90 MIN

Live Recording + Guest Speaker

Explore the technical aspects of recording with solo musicians, and get an inside look into this process with a very special guest speaker. Then put this new knowledge into practice with your next assignment.

Recording remotely with soloists
Prepping parts, delivery specs, proper information
Tracking musicians’ time and staying on budget
Demo: 2-3 examples from Jason’s work incorporating different musicians
Guest Speaker: Live musician

Assignment #4: Composing for Soloist
Compose cue with a featured soloist in one of three predetermined styles, and export all files for live recording.

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THU (2/13), 5 PM PT/8 PM ET, 90 MIN

Submitting Your Work

You’re on the final stretch! Learn about submitting your work to the developer, demonstrating your interactive music and handling feedback. Now, it’s time for your final course project.

Stems, mixes, and naming conventions
Vertical slices
“Faking” interactive music for demonstrations
Dealing with feedback and iterations
Composing additional stems for approved cues
Case Study: Interactive Cubase session from Still Wakes The Deep

Assignment #5: Course Project
Create a suite of music for a specific genre in one of three predetermined styles, synced to video. Research existing games within the genre, analyze their soundtracks, and apply similar techniques. The final project will include a main theme, level music, and event-specific cues.

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TUE (2/18), 5 PM PT/8 PM ET, 90 MIN

Post-Game: OST and Publicity

The game is complete, but your work doesn’t end there. In this final class, explore OST releases and the importance of publicity. It’s time for the world to hear your captivating compositions!