Music Theory & Film Scoring Starter Toolkit by James Mazzocchi
Starter cheatsheets, sample picks, DAW guidance
Cheatsheets
Quick reference for harmony and modulations (coming soon).
Sample Libraries
Hand-picked beginner-friendly orchestral libraries.
DAWs
Best entry-level digital audio workstations with pros/cons.
Beginner Sample Libraries (Free / Budget)
| Type | Library / Tool | Why | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orchestra | Spitfire LABS | Musical, large free set | labs.spitfireaudio.com |
| Cinematic | ProjectSAM The Free Orchestra | Cinematic colors | projectsam.com |
| Free collections | Orchestral Tools SINEfactory | Quality freebies | orchestraltools.com |
| Piano | Versilian VCSL Keys | Multiple uprights/grands | versilian-studios.com |
| Textures/FX | MusicRadar SampleRadar | Huge free packs | musicradar.com |
Beginner & Budget DAWs
| DAW | Why for Beginners | Notes | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logic Pro | Great instruments, film-friendly | Mac-only, one-time purchase | apple.com |
| GarageBand | Free starter | Easy upgrade to Logic | apple.com |
| Cubase | Score/MIDI tools | Elements/Artist tiers | steinberg.net |
| Studio One | Drag-and-drop workflow | Score View | presonus.com |
| REAPER | Very affordable | Cross-platform | reaper.fm |
| Cakewalk | Windows-only | Free via BandLab | bandlab.com |
| Ableton Live Intro | Fast ideas | Great for hybrid textures | ableton.com |
FAQ & Glossary
Do I need to memorize the circle of fifths?
Use it until the relationships feel natural — adjacent keys are your smoothest modulations.
When to double instruments?
Favor middle-register doublings and octave spacing; extremes get fatiguing. Horns blend well; woodwinds add color; balance with strings.
Circle of Fifths
Hover or tap a key. The info panel is beside/below the circle so it never obscures the diagram.
Orchestral Ranges (Interactive Overview)
Each arc is a family. Hover/tap for notes; click to open Andrew Hugill’s detailed charts.
Orchestra Seating — Philharmonia (Brahms 1)
Matches the sketch: 1sts left, 2nds right, cellos left-center, violas right-center, basses on left flank, winds center back, brass split (tbns far left, tpts left, horns right), percussion far right.