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From songs to soundtracks, composing tracks that have an adventurous feel to them can be a tricky task. So, let’s take a look at some of the key techniques to building the sound of an epic.
Orchestral Layering
One thing that many (if not all) epic songs and soundtracks have in common is a robust orchestra. This orchestra may comprise a range of different instruments to capture the history, culture, and thematics. For example, adventure-related exciting online slot games have a wide range of themes – Undefeated Xerxes is inspired by Persian and Greek history, Legion Gold Unleashed by the Romans, and Gonzo’s Quest by ancient Mesoamerica. With this in mind, the soundtracks use different ethnic instruments of Persia, Rome, and Mesoamerica cultures to create immersive thematics. They all have one thing in common, though, and that is the techniques behind the scoring of the orchestra.
Traditionally, orchestras are scored by identifying specific instruments or instrument families, which are worked on separately. However, when composing epic, rousing songs or soundtracks, many musicians approach the set-up and organisation in a different way, pioneered by the composer Howard Shore. The instruments are considered as a whole, and sections are created to create the deep, high-pitched, and middle-ground notes. This gives the orchestra a unique layering that provides depth to the music, giving that ‘oomph’ you expect from epic tracks.
Voices and Choirs
Another technique that is often used is the combination of singers and orchestras. Here, the melody and lyrics of the vocals are not considered separate to the orchestra. Instead, the blend of the voices are treated as part of the overall ensemble. Just take a look at Duel of the Fates by composer John Williams to see how effective and powerful a full choir and full orchestra can be when their forces are combined.
The key thing to consider with the choir is the size and the acoustics, as each decision can lead to a different effect. For example, a solo piercing soprano can provide quiet tension, particularly when paired with violins and flutes, and a full choir can introduce and complement multiple octaves. Whilst larger choirs can of course create more noise, they can also produce a larger dynamic loudness range, especially when individual singers have different intensity ranges that blend together.
Source: Pexels
Pacing and Release
Whether it is the soundtrack of a certain type of media or a song in its own right, these epic tracks serve to tell a story. This is often the age-old battle between good and bad. However, it can’t just be full on from the get go right until the end – it is important to get the pacing right to encourage the storytelling along without rushing it, whilst also capturing the energy and passion of the adversaries.
An effective way to do this is to gradually build tension using harmonies, rhythm, volume, or changes in form to create a sense of anticipation and suspense. Muse’s The Resistance is a masterclass in this technique. This all builds up to the climax, at which point there is a release, allowing the listener to breathe a sigh of relief with the conclusion of the musical story.
And there you have it – just a few techniques that are highly effective in creating music that is fit for an epic album or movie. With these ideas in mind, all that’s left to do is enjoy your favourites in a new light, or even get creative yourself.
