Any Old Music

05/06/2026

My next newsletter "Transposition and modulation in Åse's Death" is coming today. Subscribe to get it and stay in the loop on everything I'm creating.

Hello. My name is George Marshall and I am the founder of Any Old Music. I am a composer with over 10-years of experience, having completed work on 50+ projects for video-games, films and the concert hall. In 2020, I completed my doctorate in Music Composition. My PhD was on constraint and how it em...

08/05/2026

My next newsletter "Three motifs. One movement." is coming today. Subscribe to get it and stay in the loop on everything I'm creating.

Hello. My name is George Marshall and I am the founder of Any Old Music. I am a composer with over 10-years of experience, having completed work on 50+ projects for video-games, films and the concert hall. In 2020, I completed my doctorate in Music Composition. My PhD was on constraint and how it em...

29/01/2026

I have just published a new article on orchestration.

The idea in this piece is from Blatter's Instrumentation and Orchestration and that, in practice, there are only a small number of fundamental ways of presenting a melody (solo, unison, octave, intervallic doubling) and that thinking in those categories first makes orchestration feel much clearer and more deliberate.

I first explain the categories in isolation and then use examples from Dvořák’s The Golden Spinning Wheel to show how the same melodic material can feel noble, intimate, weighty, or synthetic purely through orchestration choices.

You can read the article here:

Learn how to orchestrate a melody using six fundamental orchestration techniques. A clear framework with musical examples from Dvořák.

16/09/2024

New article alert! If you're interested in music composition or orchestration, my latest analysis of Francis Poulenc's Les Biches is a must-read. I explore how Poulenc shifts effortlessly between F major and F minor, creating vibrant orchestral textures. This ballet from the 1920s blends wit, charm, and sophisticated techniques. Check out the full article here: https://anyoldmusic.com/les-biches-rm25-6-francis-poulenc/

09/07/2024

Unlock the Secrets of First Species Counterpoint!

Dive into the foundations of contrapuntal composition with our comprehensive guide. From smooth stepwise motion to mastering consonant intervals, learn the essential principles that pave the way for advanced counterpoint techniques.

- Master Melody and Harmony
- Explore Voice Leading and Rhythmic Considerations
- Practical Exercises and Examples

Transform your compositions with structured learning. Check out our full article and enhance your musical journey today!

First species counterpoint, often referred to as “note against note” counterpoint, is the foundation of contrapuntal composition. It (First Species Counterpoint) involves writing one note of counterpoint for each note in the cantus firmus (fixed melody). By mastering first species counterpoint, ...

31/05/2024

What soundtracks and composers inspire you the most?

I've just been reading this insightful article on Bear McCreary's top 12 influential soundtracks! I certainly share McCreary's admiration for John Williams and Bernard Herrmann. I also want to delve into music from the "Batman: The Animated Series" at some point, having come across a reduction of a score for an episode scored by Shirley Walker. The music was remarkable!

An eclectic list encompassing some of cinema's greatest scores.

22/04/2024

I've just opened up a new Free Preview for my latest course, "Orchestrating Course". The Free Preview includes my latest chapter on "Distorting Timbre", where we explore "Horrifying Instrumental Techniques" such as "Sul Ponticello", "muted strings" and "muted brass/hand-stopped horns". So, if you're the kind of crazy looney bin interested in that sort of thing, then why not check it out?

Don't worry, while you have to sign up to access the course (as you need a student account to enrol at all) it is not signing you up to an email list.

https://anyoldmusic.thinkific.com/order?ct=19a3b4f3-5162-4c18-999d-114a3c644dd9

(The images of this post are some of the figures I created for the lessons of this chapter/Free Preview)

07/12/2023

Dive into the eerie orchestration secrets behind Danny Elfman's haunting score for Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow!

🎬 Explore five spine-chilling instrumental techniques used by orchestrators David Slonaker and Steve Bartek, exclusively in our latest video.

Enhance your orchestration skills for Gothic horror compositions.

Watch now and unlock the mysteries of this mesmerizing soundtrack! 🌌🎵

In this educational session, delve into the haunting instrumental techniques employed in Danny Elfman's iconic score for Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow. We disse...

29/11/2023

Join me on as I rearrange Mozart's Facile Sonata (K.545) into a hauntingly chilling piece perfect for the Gothic horror genre!

In this video, I unveil the artistic process behind orchestrating classical melodies into eerie compositions, offering invaluable insights and techniques to infuse an unsettling aura into music. Dive into the world of orchestration and witness the metamorphosis of a classical piano piece into a haunting orchestral score.

👀 WATCH THE VIDEO: https://youtu.be/koD3yIU7Gm4?si=W_ir8qmFfe05H2i0

Ready to explore more? Discover the Orchestrating Gothic Horror course, meticulously designed for passionate composers and orchestrators seeking to master Gothic horror orchestration. Elevate your composition skills and craft captivating soundscapes that linger in the minds of listeners!

📚 COURSE BROCHURE: https://www.canva.com/design/DAF06DumQNU/kV_yYm9YNXFd5P9JsClMJw/view?utm_content=DAF06DumQNU&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor

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Uncover the secrets behind creating unforgettable soundscapes and join me in mastering the art of Gothic horror orchestration. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore your creative depths and terrify your audience with haunting melodies!

Welcome to a journey into the heart of orchestration! In this exclusive video, composer and instructor George reveals the transformative process behind orche...

23/09/2023

Reflecting on a pivotal moment in my journey as a music composer. A couple of years ago, I came across Teresa Amabile’s book ‘Creativity in Context,’ and it completely transformed the way I approach composition. I’m excited to share how her insights reshaped my musical path. Check out my article for the full story!

Teresa Amabile’s book, Creativity in Context (there are no affiliate links in this article), is one of the very few texts that I can say definitively changed my thinking and approach to musical composition. Reading it was a personal, paradigm-shifting moment where I started to understand what mus....