Any (free) online orchestration courses?

[mediumaevum]

I have the VST-instruments/software needed, and I already am able to compose something. But I want to take it a step further, to improve my orchestral compositions a lot.

I do not intend to pay for the online course, that's why I am seeking some advice and links to FREE orchestration courses.

I want to be able to compose something like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99_qehhZUds

Any free online courses on how to compose like this?

[AsPeeXXXVIII]

I'll be surprised if there aren't. Just google it.

[Harry_HH]

I don't believe there are such courses for free. I don't even believe you can learn much orchestration with any online course.
Some bits and pieces, some ideas and impulses you may get in that way.
I understood you have the basic knowledge of music theory, arrangement and composing. Some countries, such as mine, offer very affordable courses in the adult education institutes. Or go to the nearest library and check what kind of books/booklet, scores and DVDs they offer. Those + trial&error /practice is my advice. And listen other peoples work, perhaps following the scores at the same time. Analyze selected parts what you have heard, what interests you.

[chroma]

there's this one, which is rimsky-korsakov's principles of orchestration:

https://www.garritan.com/principles-of-orchestration/

also on the northern sounds site (it's a collaboration).

i haven't done much of it, but I liked what I went through so far.

[paradisebunny]

I'd start by listening actively to lots and lots of the music you would like to write. take notes while listening, e.g. @2:41 when the horns come in a really uplifting athmosphere is created, how the f... was that done? try to figure out the individual parts on the piano and write them down. compare those notes to the original score. lots of work and for many a lifelong journey, but very rewarding! the process is the goal .

on another note there is a fantastic book where Haruki Murakami interviews Seji Ozawa (famous conductor) and they talk about their favourite pieces of music. It is really enlightening how Murakami as an unlearned musician translates Ozawas work to an audience that is not versed in harmony and theory to the n-th degree. It is also really insightful into what a conductor actually does, and how a piece of music changes with the times and its interpretations! Highly recommended for anyone how takes an interest in any kind of music! A quick read too! Murakamis website even has all the pieces they talk about and you can listen to the segments (with timecodes!)

edit: book link http://www.harukimurakami.com/book/absolutely-on-music

[Gamma-UT]

there's this one, which is rimsky-korsakov's principles of orchestration:

https://www.garritan.com/principles-of-orchestration/

It's the first one I thought of when I saw the topic title. It's a good choice at any price.

[Obvious561]

there's this one, which is rimsky-korsakov's principles of orchestration:

https://www.garritan.com/principles-of-orchestration/

It's the first one I thought of when I saw the topic title. It's a good choice at any price.

That's a great suggestion, I didn't know this one. Thanks!

[jancivil]

I had the Rimsky book when I was young. For however one thinks of how valuable it is for itself, it's definitely not a course in orchestration.

You want it for free, well, good luck. Orchestration is hard, it takes time and trial and ERROR concretely.

[Rohade]

Try to keep it simply, it you like how it sounds, then it works