Elevate your songwriting with moving harmonies, memorable melodies, and lush orchestration that will make your music truly stand out among the rest.
What if you could write beautiful songs that tell moving stories and stand the test of time?
"WOW is all I can say! Christopher has done it yet again! His new songwriting for animation course is 2nd to none.
Christopher offers one of the most comprehensive systems of taking the student from start to finish through the beloved world of Disney music. From the classics of yesteryear to the Disney music of today, Christopher weaves a very clear and effective thread for the student to follow and then ultimately implement into their own work. Whether it be song analysis, to melodic, harmonic and orchestration techniques this course leaves no stone unturned!
The best thing of all is you get to see how Christopher applies these concepts as he composes live in his DAW. If you were to take this course, pair it with his Cinematic Music Creation course, and really put them into practice, you'd be well on your way to becoming a top flight professional composer.
Who knows, maybe you can save your money for music school and give it to Christopher! He is the real deal, a wonderful instructor and a badass composer in his own right!
I wholeheartedly urge you to grab this course now; you will not be disappointed!"
- Brett Epstein (ESPN, CBS, TNT, FOX SPORTS, CAPITOL RECORDS)
The best, most memorable songs take you on a journey.
I grew up with animated films containing the most beautiful songs, which always fascinated me. "How do these songs always make me feel something?"
I realized that these songs always tell a story, whether through a memorable melody, unique chord progressions, or lush arrangements that always enhance the action on screen.
I asked myself: "Why does pop music today sound repetitive, while so much animated film music is beautiful, emotional, and dynamic? What resources out there explore this?"
I realized that these songs always tell a story, whether through a memorable melody, unique chord progressions, or lush arrangements that always enhance the action on screen.
I asked myself: "Why does pop music today sound repetitive, while so much animated film music is beautiful, emotional, and dynamic? What resources out there explore this?"
No one was really talking about it.
As I began uploading more YouTube videos on composition and orchestration, I began receiving questions regarding specific musical techniques that were being used to create an emotional and magical experience!
So I listened critically to my childhood favourites, took detailed notes, and figured out the keys behind the hits: simple and singable themes, diatonic harmony interspersed with additional non-diatonic chords, and string-based orchestrations using the other sections for colour and texture.
But how does it all fit together? What are the keys to a memorable melody, interesting chord progressions, and lush orchestrations, and how can we break out of the 4-chord rut and the dreaded writer's block?
So I listened critically to my childhood favourites, took detailed notes, and figured out the keys behind the hits: simple and singable themes, diatonic harmony interspersed with additional non-diatonic chords, and string-based orchestrations using the other sections for colour and texture.
But how does it all fit together? What are the keys to a memorable melody, interesting chord progressions, and lush orchestrations, and how can we break out of the 4-chord rut and the dreaded writer's block?
Over the past year, I've collected all the necessary information on the topic and condensed it into a practical, easy-to-follow video course.
If you're stuck writing the same 4-chord progressions over and over, can't seem to write catchy melodies that stick in people's minds, and aren't able to realize the orchestrations you hear in your head, I've got the perfect solution for you.
If you're stuck writing the same 4-chord progressions over and over, can't seem to write catchy melodies that stick in people's minds, and aren't able to realize the orchestrations you hear in your head, I've got the perfect solution for you.
Introducing...
An all-comprehensive, turn key system for composing, orchestrating, and mixing your cinematic orchestral music, no matter your skill level or experience.
"If you ever wanted to write songs in the style of Disney animated films, this class is for you. Chris does a through job of giving historic, melodic, harmonic, orchestration and structural perspectives that build the classic Disney framework.
Using some of the most popular Disney songs, Chris gives concrete examples on how these songs create the emotional underpinning that enhances the animation. Additionally, he applies these principles as he walks you through his own Disney influenced composition.
Highly recommended for composers at all levels!"
- Wayne (student)
Songwriting for Animation will help you:
Write Memorable Melodies
Every songwriter has beautiful melodies within them. You'll learn the exact steps to produce catchy melodies, every time.
Compose Moving Chord Progressions
Expand past typical pop harmony and move your listeners with non-diatonic and extended chords.
Understand Lush Orchestration
Melody and harmony are fundamental, but the arrangement plays a large role in the emotional effect of the music.
Explore what makes the classic hits of Disney & Pixar work
Discover what the our favourites do to evoke a timeless sound, and a repeatable quality.
Songwriting for Animation is organized into 3 core modules:
Module 1 – The Essentials
- How to craft memorable melodies that will keep your listeners humming for days
- Specific chord progressions & chord types that elevate emotion and increase harmonic motion
- Common orchestration techniques for a full, lush, and detailed sound
- How to write music in a particular style but still remain true to yourself
Module 2 – Detailed Case Studies
- How to blend chord tones and non-chord tones to create smooth and natural melodies that people will remember
- An exploration into various genres across multiple songs, from Broadway to pop to jazz
- Why using non-diatonic chords in your progressions cause butterflies in the stomach
- Specific orchestration techniques, ranging from doubled strings/woodwinds to a solo trumpet w/ mute for specific colours
Module 3 – Writing a Disney-Style Song
- My step-by-step process for writing a memorable song with strong melodies and emotional chord progressions
- The power of 7th chords to create additional colour, compared to close/open position chords
- How I use key modulation to achieve emotional contrast and introduce a fresh tone to the song
- Key elements of a simple, singable, and effective melody that will keep your listeners invested
Homework and next steps included!
All of the content is presented through video format for the best learning experience. In addition, you'll also be provided with a written summary of each topic below the corresponding video.
Throughout the course, I've laid out 'next steps', so you can follow along with me, step-by-step, and ensure that you're progressing without any hiccups!
"I've always loved Disney music, ever since being a kid and watching my favorite Disney VHS tapes. Since I began making my own orchestral music I've always wondered how one could learn to make music just like that, the sort of romantic, emotional and happy feeling that's typical Disney. This is where the animation course came to the rescue.
Chris will show you exactly how to get that Disney type feeling in your music by going through the theory and also orchestration to show you why it works. I still remember when Chris showed you a typical chord progression with some Disney magic mixed into it, when I later tried it on my own I thought it was the most beautiful chords I've ever heard haha.
This course not only made me understand how Disney music is made, it also opened my eyes to a world of (to me) new beautiful chords on the piano and how big of a difference it makes to change up a few things here and there to get that Disney feeling. Very happy with this course!"
- Chris L. (composer)
Songwriting for Animation is for you if:
- You’re tired of writing the same chord progressions all the time, and want to add interest to your harmonies
- Your melodies are lifeless, lack direction, and don’t seem to fit your lyrics properly
- You want to understand how to use the orchestra to achieve emotional effect in your music
- You want an inside look at how the greatest songs in film are written
This is NOT for you if:
- You're an absolute beginner in music theory and notation. While I do go over some basic theory concepts in the course, an intermediate level of understanding is recommended to get the most out of this course. A minimum of 1-2 years of experience in writing music is also recommended.
- You expect to improve your songwriting skills without putting in the work. I can’t promise you any results unless you practice write music using the musical devices discussed in the course.
So how much does Songwriting for Animation cost?
The obvious question is, how much will this program cost? Well, traditional composition programs can cost you anywhere from $6,000 – $20,000 for 2 semesters at dedicated music schools. Heck, most online composition courses charge anywhere between $1000 – $1500 per course, and some of them don’t even let you keep access to the course after you complete it!
Honestly, I want to make this course as accessible to you as possible, so you’re not going to pay $1000, or even half that, $500. If you sign up today, you’ll receive Songwriting for Animation for a one-time payment of $297.
Just click the button below to get started!
Join Songwriting for Animation today!
Click the button to get instant access for just one payment of $297!
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Don't forget...it's 100% risk free.
I’ve packed a lot into Songwriting for Animation because not only do I want you to create the music that I know you can make, but I want to guarantee that you don’t fail.
And to make it a no-brainer deal for you I’m giving you a 30 day 100% money-back guarantee with your purchase of Songwriting for Animation today.
That’s right: Go through the course, check out the bonuses, follow the steps, put in the work, and if you don’t love it in the first 30 days of your purchase, send me an email and I’ll refund you immediately. No questions asked, no hard feelings.
If Songwriting for Animation doesn’t work for you, I’d much prefer for you to take your money and invest it where you will be happier and get results. I just want you to unlock your composing and arranging potential!
Also, if you join today, you'll receive some incredible bonuses:
Bonus 1 - Producing 'Empty Holes' (mini course)
After we’ve written our song, how do we go about arranging and orchestrating it in our DAW? In this section I’ll share with you:
- My thought process when it comes to mapping out an arrangement from start to finish
- How to lay down the foundational elements first (melody, harmony, rhythmic section)
- How to build a lush arrangement around your musical ideas, bringing your song to life
- Why less is more, and why overcrowding your arrangement can actually hurt your song
Bonus 2 - Mixing & Mastering 'Empty Holes' (mini course)
Now that we’ve arranged and orchestrated our song, we need to polish up the tracks, make them sound professional and clean, and bring it up to a commercial volume. We’ll cover:
- How to achieve a quality static mix only using your volume faders
- The benefits of top-down mixing, and how it will speed up your workflow
- The importance of automation, and why this is the final polish that your mix needs before mastering
- My quick n’ easy mastering process that only requires one plugin and a few simple moves
Bonus 3 - Interview with William Hoshal
What’s better than learning from an award-winning composer and orchestrator? In this chat with my friend William Hoshal, we’ll discuss:
- What really encapsulates the timeless sound of our childhood favourites
- Specific chord types and progressions that evoke an emotional response
- The importance of the string section as the foundation of the orchestra
- Recommend listening and study materials for personal development
- Tips for working in the industry
Bonus 4 - 'Empty Holes' Stems + MIDI
As an added bonus to the course, you’ll have instant access to the audio stems and MIDI file for my song ‘Empty Holes’.
Whether you want to see how I arranged the song in your own DAW using the MIDI file, or listen to individual instruments within the arrangement, this is an invaluable resource if you want to dive deeper.
Whether you want to see how I arranged the song in your own DAW using the MIDI file, or listen to individual instruments within the arrangement, this is an invaluable resource if you want to dive deeper.
"I've really enjoyed Songwriting for Animation! Chris Siu is a fabulous teacher and coach.
What I enjoyed the most was studying the Disney pieces like “Beauty and the Beast” and “Whole New World”. It’s been invaluable to watch (and listen to) you break down the musical phrases and structure of these songs. Going over the types of chord progressions and variations used is also very helpful to see how music theory is applied in these pieces.
I’ve enjoyed all your courses I’ve taken - but this is by far my favourite! Thanks Chris for offering such an amazing course!!
- Randy Ruppert (TV and film composer)
Some common questions:
Will I have lifetime access to the course?
Absolutely! Once you sign up, you’ll have lifetime access to the material, no matter what. Even if I update the course with new material, you’ll receive it at no extra cost!
How long will it take to go through the material? Is it self-paced?
The course is entirely self-paced, meaning you’ll have access to all the material as soon as you sign up. You can go through the videos in any order you’d like, although I’d recommend you to watch them in order for maximum results and to make sure all the bases are covered. You could binge it all in an afternoon, or spread it out to prevent information overload! It’s all up to you.
I’m not that well versed in music theory. Is this course too advanced for me?
A solid understanding of chords, scales, intervals, and harmony is recommended, as we'll cover concepts such as secondary dominants, passing chords, non-chord tones, and half-diminished 7ths in the course. Although a primer video on intermediate theory is included in the course, if you'd like a complete course on beginner - intermediate theory, I'd recommend first checking out my course 'Music Theory for Composers'.
Do I need to be able to read music?
The ability to read sheet music to fully grasp the concepts is recommended (although not required), as we'll be going over lead sheets I've created for each case study within the course. I'll be working in Logic for the production of my song Empty Holes, so I'll be using MIDI entirely in that section.
“Chris applies his in-depth, engaging approach from Cinematic Music Creation to Disney-style music with fantastic results.
He walks you through examples of actual Disney songs and shows where and how specific techniques produce that 'Disney sound'. But my favourite part is where he takes you step-by-step through creating an original Disney-style song from scratch, applying all the techniques he taught from chord progression sketch to final mix.
His energetic, positive, and encouraging delivery made it easy to stay engaged. At the end, you will not only have all the tools you need to create music with that distinctive magical flavor, but also a stronger foundation in musical theory.
If you want to unlock the Disney/Pixar sound, this is the best and most comprehensive course yet at an unbeatable price.
I still have a lot of content to go through, having just scratched the surface, but I look forward to every minute!”
- Mathew Kong (composer, songwriter)
Get access to Songwriting For Animation today for only one payment of $297!
Click the button below to get started instantly!
JOIN SONGWRITING FOR ANIMATIONSee what some of our students had to say:
Prefer to skip the bonuses?
If you're not interested in the bonuses, no worries! You'll still receive the core modules going over how to make your music sound great, but the modules on how I orchestrate and produce 'Empty Holes', mix and master the song, the MIDI and stems, and the bonus interview with Disney composer William Hoshal won't be included.
- All 3 core modules of the Songwriting for Animation program with nearly 20 hours of step-by-step training
- Illustrated guides and PDF worksheets to study from and reinforce what you learn
- BONUS: Producing & Arranging 'Empty Holes'
- BONUS: Mixing & Mastering 'Empty Holes'
- BONUS: Interview with William Hoshal (composer, orchestrator)
- BONUS: 'Empty Holes' Stems + MIDI
You can get access to the Silver version of Songwriting for Animation for $197.
Choose the version of the course that's right for you!
“Some of the things I write and arrange sound "Disneylike" and I never understood why. The thing I like about Chris and his teaching style is that he is clear and he is not too wordy.
Working through his course at my own pace has allowed me to fully digest his insights and use the concepts in my own writing. I am learning how to un-muddy my arrangements which is so important.
I have two of Chris's courses and bounce between the two. I am looking forward to getting other courses as I grow as a composer.
He is really helping me not only understand what I am doing, but helping me to enjoy writing more!”
- Peter Krostag (composer)
There are 2 types of people.
Some songwriters write the same chord progressions over and over, lack new melodic ideas, and struggle to format their songs in a way that connect with their audience.
Others have the ability to write thematic, memorable, and catchy songs that stay with their audiences for years, because they understand exactly how to craft melodies, harmonies, lyrics, and lush orchestrations that move the listener and tell a story.
Which is more appealing to you?
It can really start to weigh on us when we can't put our finger on what we actually want to do. We hear beautiful ideas in our head, or we imagine something sounding a certain way, but we're unable to lay or write it down because we simply lack the knowledge or workflow.
But it absolutely doesn’t have to be this way!
If you truly understand what makes these songs great, apply the techniques, and have a solid grasp on why these decisions are made, you will begin improve your songwriting with every song you write. Guaranteed.
Imagine a year from today...
If all this program did was equip you with the necessary tools to write emotionally uplifting, beautiful and memorable music, would it be worth it? To understand how these legendary composers write gorgeous themes, write accompanying chord progressions that stir the soul, and think about the orchestra to bring it to life?
Imagine a year from today when you’re able to write melodies that you’re proud of, harmonic progressions that make you laugh out loud with delight, and know exactly which instruments you should use for every part of your music. No guesswork, no fuss. Make songwriting fun again, as it should be!
This is all possible if you understand what’s going on behind the hits and what makes them so special, and that’s exactly what I show you inside Songwriting for Animation!
Let’s do this together. Join me inside and I’ll show you exactly what to do!
"Songwriting For Animation" and "Behind The Album: Freedom" are two very well structured courses, showing Chris's craft in the Disney/Menken styles, with lot of case studies and behind-the-scenes of his own songs about composition, arranging, mixing & producing.
Very candid and refreshing, highly recommended!"
- Juan Mogica (songwriter & composer)
