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YouTube Announces New “Creator Music” Platform

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In the wake of Tiktok’s rapid expansion and growing dominance in the short-form video market, YouTube has felt the pressure to adapt to keep up with the shifting demands of its audience...

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Deep Dive: How Conan Gray Writes His Songs

October 5, 2022

Conan Gray is an American YouTuber turned singer-songwriter, most well-known for his songs about heartbreak and unrequited love. Throughout his career, Conan has written songs like “Crush Culture”...

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Phoebe Bridgers: A Deep Dive into Songwriting

October 17, 2022

Phoebe Bridgers is an American songwriter, singer, and producer who has, in recent years, gained mainstream recognition with the release of her sophomore album “Punisher” in 2020...

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How Steve Lacy Makes the Most with Less

October 18, 2022

Steve Lacy is a singer, songwriter, record producer, and living proof that you don’t need the most advanced or high-tech studio equipment to create music that listeners will love...

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Has the Pandemic Changed the World of Live Music?

August 31, 2022

For the last two years, there has been something missing in the lives of music lovers around the world—live music. The advent of a global pandemic meant the absence of concerts, festivals........

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Like the Early Days of Hip-Hop: The Future of Blockchain in the Music Industry

August 19, 2022

One of the biggest questions many spaces face today is how blockchain technology may overhaul industry norms, and the music industry is no exception. In particular...

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Snapchat Announces a $100,000 Monthly Grant for Artists

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Snapchat has recently announced Snapchat Sounds Creator Fund, a monthly grant program of up to $100,000 awarded to independent artists distributing music on the platform...

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TikTok Plans to Introduce a New Music Streaming App

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Over the past few years, TikTok’s popularity has significantly increased resulting in 1 billion global daily users by early 2022. The app has also become extremely influential in the current music....

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Are Charlie Puth’s Music Classes Worth $300?

August 4, 2022

Charlie Puth has paired with Studio to create a 30-day online course that outlines the entire songwriting and production process for $279 USD. This hands-on learning experience has been marketed....

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Success Through Self-Exploration: Lexie Liu's Rise to Stardom

August 2, 2022

Whether you know Lexie Liu from her performance as Seraphine in K/DA’s “MORE” or her fourth-place finish on The Rap of China 2018, there’s no denying that the Chinese hip hop star is a global ...

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BTS: The First K-Pop Band to be Invited to the White House

June 17, 2022

BTS is the most famous K-Pop band in the world now, and recently, they were invited to the white house to speak about anti-Asian hate crimes and inclusivity. Being the first K-Pop band to be...

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SEVENTEEN is Going "HOT" This Summer

June 6, 2022

SEVENTEEN (세븐틴) is a 13 member Korean boy band under Pledis Entertainment. They are split into 3 teams, the Hip Hop unit (S.coups, Wonwoo, Mingyu, Vernon), the Vocal unit (Jeonghan, Joshua, Woozi...

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

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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.