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"Create Your Own"

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Step 1 - Choose a Tempo

Decide on a tempo for your action music.  

Step 2 - Select the Drum Loops

Pick at least two drum loops that work well at that tempo. Keep in mind that you want to find drum loops whose basic feel is similar to the music that you will be composing over them. Try to imagine string lines or brass attacks playing rhythmic patterns similar to those found in your drum loops.  If you can't, keep looking for other drum loops. Choose only those drum loops that pass this initial test.

Make sure you choose at least one drum loop that maintains a strong, steady rhythmic pulse or pattern. Also, make sure you choose at least one drum loop that is lighter in feel than your first loop. Use the steady, more intense loop for the main body of your music. Use the lighter feeling loop for contrasting middle sections and even as an intro.

Step 3 - Assemble the Drum Loops

Assemble your drum loops in a music sequencing program. If you want an intro to precede the body of your piece, start with the lighter sounding loop. Use at least 2 bars, but no more than 4 bars of this lighter drum loop. Now place the more intense drum loop immediately after your first loop. Use between eight and sixteen bars of this loop. For contrast, follow this with a return to your lighter drum loop.  Use at least eight bars to establish a new section. Now return once again to your more intense drum loop.  Use as many bars as you need to finish.

Step 4 - Create a Rhythmic Vamp

Play your completed sequence of drum loops several times until you start to get a feel for the rhythm. See if you can feel a simpler rhythmic pattern that could play at the same time, as a complement to your drum loops. The idea is to create a rhythmic vamp that plays underneath your drum loops. This vamp will be comprised of basses, cellos, trombone, bass trombone, timpani and snare drum. Keep the rhythm of this vamp simple. Refer back to the main topic for rhythmic ideas.

Step 5 - Employ the Diminished Scale

Once you have created an interesting rhythmic pattern for your vamp, it's time to find your notes. Use any single diminished scale. Choose the mode that starts with a half-step interval. If you choose the C diminished scale, the notes of that scale are C, C#, D#, E, F#, G, A, Bb and back to C. However, keep in mind you only want to use a few different notes for your rhythmic vamp. Think of it as a simple, repeated bass line. Limit your note choices to between two and four notes.

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Step 6 - Create Rhythmic String Patterns

Once you have your rhythmic vamp in place, see if you can imagine fast violin patterns that can mimic and complement the rhythmic patterns found in your drum loops. This string part can serve as the main melody or as an accompaniment. Once you have imagined an interesting rhythmic pattern for the strings, it's time to find your notes. Use the same diminished scale as your rhythmic vamp. Fit any of your scale notes into the rhythmic pattern that you want to use. Start by using the sequential whole steps and half-steps of the scale, either in an ascending or descending pattern.  You don't need to use the whole scale at once. Try just several consecutive scale notes at a time.

Don't get caught up in trying to create a perfect melody. Because of the unique nature of the diminished scale, you don't really need to create a hummable melody in the traditional sense. The idea here is to create momentum and excitement. The notes merely provide a cover for this rhythmic energy. Try to use different string patterns to coincide with the different drum loops.

Step 7 - Insert Brass Attacks

Once you have your string patterns in place, look for holes in the patterns where you can place brass attacks or short lines. Trumpets work well for these parts, as well as trombones playing in their mid to high registers. The French horns can play slower moving, yet bold and dramatic lines right on top of  your fast moving violin parts. Remember, you can use your one diminished scale for all your notes.

 Step 8 - Harmonize the Melodic Lines

To increase tension in the parts, try harmonizing some of the lines. Use the minor 3rd harmony, which naturally occurs between every other note in this unique scale. Violins can play fast diminished scale lines in harmony to create an exhilarating sound. Try the same thing with your trumpet parts. You can also create strong dramatic moments by building brass harmonies constructed from the notes of your diminished scale.  Use these chords to build into the climax of your composition.  

Step 9 - Add Percussion

Add additional color to your music by using unique sounding percussion instruments, such as an anvil. You can also use other metallic sounds such as metal pipes and automobile parts. Many sample libraries have made these sounds available. Use these sounds as accents to your rhythmic vamp. Traditional percussion such as the xylophone and suspended cymbal can be used as well.

Step 10 - Build the Orchestration

Make sure your composition and orchestration has a nice arc to it. Don't start off all at once with every sound you can think of. Introduce new sounds one by one and combine them in interesting ways so that your music grows in intensity. The same thing applies to your rhythmic parts. They should start at a relatively simple level and then grow in complexity.