stayc main image

Why This Pop-Rock Band Got Hate For Starting On YouTube

January 31, 2023

Before the invention of TikTok, many music artists gained popularity through YouTube. However, similar to the TikTok stars of today, people in the music industry saw ‘YouTube bands’ as lesser because

Read more
stayc main image

Will Google End Work for Music Creators with their New Music AI?

February 1, 2023

Google has done it. They have created an AI that can generate music from text descriptions. The announcement of this is timely because recently Chat GPT, (a language learning model created by OpenAI

Read more
stayc main image

The Road to Success: What qualities can we learn from Kpop Idols?

January 28, 2023

What does it take to be a professional singer in South Korea? On stage, these Kpop idols capture our attention with catchy songs and amazing choreographies, but what about off-stage? Behind the ...

Read more
stayc main image

Songwriter's Block: Inspiration Tuning in From Around the World

January 26, 2023

Writer’s block is real, and it’s not just authors, but also songwriters and composers. Thinking of top hit songs can be difficult, so how do the pros do it? Where do they get their inspiration from?

Read more
stayc main image

Arcane: How A Video Game Adaptation Ended Up With A Banger Soundtrack

January 26, 2023

What does a TV show based on a video game and the music industry have in common? Near the end of 2021, Arcane took the world by storm after debuting on Netflix. Not only did it dazzle us with its...

Read more
stayc main image

How Black Pink Should Negotiate Their New Contract with YG Entertainment

January 23, 2023

As the contract between Blackpink and YG Entertainment nears its end, fans of the popular South Korean girl group are wondering if the group will renew their contract with the agency...

Read more
stayc main image

Writer's Block is Real, Even for J.Cole: Here are 8 Tips to Overcome

January 19, 2023

Rapper J. Cole has recently announced that he had been struggling with writer's block, but found a way to break free from it by using a type beat from Youtube music producer BVTMAN's YouTube...

Read more
stayc main image

Hania Rani: A Virtuoso in the World of Classical and Electronic Music

January 19, 2023

Hania Rani is a Polish pianist and composer whose music has been described as "hauntingly beautiful" and "evocative." She is known for her unique blend of classical and electronic music, which she...

Read more
stayc main image

Ryan Tedder’s Studio Review: Writing Three Songs From Scratch

January 16, 2023

Ryan Tedder is a highly accomplished and sought-after music producer and songwriter. He is known for his work with a wide range of artists including: Adele, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and OneRepublic...

Read more
stayc main image

Quentin Miller only got paid $30,000 for writing 6 Drake songs.

January 6, 2022

Drake's ghostwriter controversy has been a topic of conversation since the rapper's feud with Meek Mill in 2015. Quentin Miller, a lesser-known rapper from Atlanta, was named as the ghostwriter....

Read more
stayc main image

Timbaland’s Beatmaking Masterclass Review: A Class on Feeling the Flow

December 28, 2022

Many artists are using their personal brand and influence to educate artists, from beginners to fellow professionals. Timbaland has partnered with Masterclass to teach musicians how to make unique...

Read more
stayc main image

Rina Sawyama -- The Voice of a Genre-Spanning Pop Star

December 7, 2022

Rina Sawayama has burst into the consciousness of queer music listeners in recent years. My first time listening to her work was Cherry, a track that is bubbly ...

Read more

"A Symphony of Insight: A Sonical.ly Review of Hans Zimmer's MasterClass"

stayc main image

Photosource: Masterclass

Introduction

Hans Zimmer: a name synonymous with cinematic grandeur. From the intense beats of "The Dark Knight" to the adventurous tunes of "Pirates of the Caribbean," his music has defined a generation of filmmaking. As a full-time professional musician and a devout Zimmer enthusiast, I dove into his MasterClass with high expectations and a sprinkle of skepticism. Here's my take on the course, designed to help you decide if it's the right composition for your musical journey.

Quick Summary

Zimmer's MasterClass is less a "how-to" and more a "how-I-do." It's an intimate journey into his creative process, revealing how he crafts unique soundscapes for epic movies. You'll explore the construction of iconic scenes from "Sherlock Holmes" and "The Dark Knight," and learn about Zimmer's collaboration with directors like Christopher Nolan and Terrence Malick. It's a masterclass in "method-composing."

Pros

  • Insider Access: Zimmer opens the curtain to his creative world, offering a rare glimpse into the mind of a legendary film composer.
  • Behind the Scenes: The course provides an in-depth look at some of the most iconic film scores, demystifying their creation.
  • Inspirational: This MasterClass stands out as a beacon of inspiration, encouraging you to find your own musical voice.
  • Cinematic Experience: The production quality mirrors Zimmer's artistry, offering an amazing visual and auditory experience.

Cons

  • Abstract Approach: This isn't a step-by-step tutorial, which might be disorienting for some.
  • Audience Ambiguity: It can be challenging to discern the intended audience, given its broad appeal.
  • Navigational Challenges: The course's structure might be hard to follow for some learners.

Course Length

31 videos, totaling 5 hours and 41 minutes, make up this comprehensive exploration of Zimmer's genius.

Best For

This MasterClass is ideal for musicians seeking creative rejuvenation, film buffs curious about the scoring process, and Zimmer fans. It's particularly suited for those with a foundational musical knowledge and a desire to expand their horizons.

Overall Impression

Entering this MasterClass with the right expectations is key. It's not a manual on becoming Hans Zimmer; rather, it's a guided tour through his creative landscape. You won't leave with a formula to replicate his style, but with a wealth of insights to foster your own musical storytelling. It's about absorbing Zimmer's thought process and applying those pearls of wisdom to your own compositions.

As someone who has been intimately involved with music and film score creation, I found the course enlightening. It's not just for musicians; my non-musician friends also gleaned valuable insights, attesting to its universal appeal. Zimmer's MasterClass is a symphony of knowledge, inspiration, and artistic brilliance, making it a valuable addition to any creator's repertoire.

Whether you're a musician, a film enthusiast, or a Zimmer aficionado, this MasterClass offers a unique perspective on the art of film scoring. It's an exploration, an inspiration, and, above all, a celebration of music's power to tell stories.