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MASTERCLASS SERIES
Everything the musicians wish you knew.
Free masterclass series on composing. 53 short films. Watch in any order.
Every film takes one problem in a new score, shows you what it sounds like, and shows you the fix. Nothing is theoretical. Everything is played.
WRITTEN AND COMPOSED BY JOHN FREDERICK HUDSON
ALL FILMS
CHOIR
STRINGS
BRASS
ORGAN
Choir with VOCES8
20 films
1:50
1. Problematic Ending Consonants
VOCES8
2:12
2. Voices Need to Breathe
VOCES8
2:03
3. Vocal Spacing
VOCES8
2:09
4. Vocal Spacing and Range
VOCES8
1:32
5. Dynamics in Low Vocal Register
VOCES8
2:21
6. Dynamics in High Vocal Register
VOCES8
2:49
7. Vocal Accompaniment
VOCES8
1:38
8. Voicing Chords
VOCES8
1:36
9. Overlapping Alto and Tenor Voices
VOCES8
2:28
10. Vocal Texture
VOCES8
2:37
11. From Whence Cometh Pitch?
VOCES8
1:54
12. The Importance of Inner Voices
VOCES8
1:36
13. Text Setting and Word Stress
VOCES8
2:10
14. Word Divisions
VOCES8
3:18
15. Text Setting and Meaning
VOCES8
2:59
16. Clarity of Notation
VOCES8
2:09
Bonus: Top Tips for Sopranos
VOCES8
2:54
Bonus: Top Tips for Altos
VOCES8
1:52
Bonus: Top Tips for Tenors
VOCES8
2:05
Bonus: Top Tips for Basses
VOCES8
Strings with the Sacconi Quartet
22 films
1:55
1. Introduction to String Quartet
Sacconi Quartet · John Frederick Hudson
4:14
2. Range
Sacconi Quartet · John Frederick Hudson
4:10
3. Clefs
Sacconi Quartet · John Frederick Hudson
4:01
4. Key Considerations
Sacconi Quartet · John Frederick Hudson
2:26
5. Introduction to Bowing
Sacconi Quartet · John Frederick Hudson
1:32
6. Basics of Bowing
Sacconi Quartet · John Frederick Hudson
9:37
7. Advanced Bowing: Sound and Articulation
Sacconi Quartet · John Frederick Hudson
2:58
8. Bowing: the Visual Physicality and Theatre
Sacconi Quartet · John Frederick Hudson
1:45
9. Bowing: Notation
Sacconi Quartet · John Frederick Hudson
2:35
10. Arco vs Pizzicato
Sacconi Quartet · John Frederick Hudson
4:07
11. Double Stops
Sacconi Quartet · John Frederick Hudson
2:08
12. Double Stops Expanded
Sacconi Quartet · John Frederick Hudson
6:09
13. Harmonics: Where to Begin
Sacconi Quartet · John Frederick Hudson
2:51
14. Texture
Sacconi Quartet · John Frederick Hudson
5:37
15. Timbre and Special Effects
Sacconi Quartet · John Frederick Hudson
3:30
16. Mutes
Sacconi Quartet · John Frederick Hudson
3:10
17. Preparing Parts
Sacconi Quartet · John Frederick Hudson
5:25
18. Nothing Is Wrong Unless It Is Not What You Want to Hear
Sacconi Quartet · John Frederick Hudson
2:33
19. Top Tips for Violin
Sacconi Quartet · John Frederick Hudson
1:28
20. Top Tips for Viola
Sacconi Quartet · John Frederick Hudson
1:53
21. Top Tips for Cello
Sacconi Quartet · John Frederick Hudson
5:18
22. In Conversation with the Sacconi Quartet
Sacconi Quartet · John Frederick Hudson
Brass with Onyx Brass
5 films
10:22
I. Composing for the Tuba
Onyx Brass
11:54
II. Composing for the Trombone
Onyx Brass
13:32
III. Composing for the Horn
Onyx Brass
12:51
IV. Composing for the Trumpet
Onyx Brass
6:37
V. Three Examples of Brass Quintet Writing
Onyx Brass
Organ with Francesca Massey
6 films
5:41
I. Introduction and Overview of the Organ
Francesca Massey
3:47
II. Keyboard Range, Attack and Articulation
Francesca Massey
13:55
III. Whistle-Stop Tour of Sounds
Francesca Massey
5:32
IV. Registration, Pistons, Crescendo and Sustain
Francesca Massey
7:27
V. Pedals on the Organ
Francesca Massey
13:52
VI. Five Brief Examples of Organ Writing
Francesca Massey
SUPPORT THE MASTERCLASS SERIES
Free to watch.
Not free to film.
Every series here was made with a professional ensemble, a film crew and no paywall, so that any composer anywhere can learn from the best. If these films have taught you something, help us make the next one.
