Gavin Leeper

Instructor & Author

Gavin Leeper

Gavin Leeper is a composer and a music educator. His YouTube channel explores the music of Japanese anime and video games through the lenses of jazz harmony and classical orchestration.

CoursesArticles

Biography

Gavin Leeper is a composer and music educator. His YouTube channel explores the music of Japanese anime and video games through the lenses of jazz harmony and classical orchestration.

He was previously a band leader for jazz and math rock projects, studied Economics at Stanford, and worked as a Data Scientist at Spotify Japan before taking the plunge on a music career. Today, he's composing music for video games like "Secret of Moonlight" and "Rotomagnet" while teaching students from around the world.

Articles

Written by this instructor

The Circle of Fifths: How It Works and How Composers Actually Use It

Music Theory and Composition

The Circle of Fifths: How It Works and How Composers Actually Use It

How the circle of fifths is built and read, and how film, game and anime composers actually use it: descending-fifths chains, key planning and modulation.

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What Is a Tritone? Why It Sounds So Tense and How Composers Use It

Music Theory and Composition

What Is a Tritone? Why It Sounds So Tense and How Composers Use It

What is a tritone, why does it sound so tense, and how do composers use it? From dominant chords and tritone substitution to the Blackadder chord and horror scoring.

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The Royal Road Progression: Japan's Signature Chord Progression

Music Theory and Composition

The Royal Road Progression: Japan's Signature Chord Progression

What is the Royal Road progression (IV–V–iii–vi)? Why it defines anime and J-pop harmony, how Japanese composers modify it, and how to use it in your own music.

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Chord Progressions: The Complete Guide for Composers

Music Theory and Composition

Chord Progressions: The Complete Guide for Composers

What chord progressions are, the ones composers reach for in major and minor, borrowed-chord colors, Japanese progressions like the Royal Road — and how to write your own.

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Sentence Form in Music: How This Phrase Structure Works

Music Theory and Composition

Sentence Form in Music: How This Phrase Structure Works

Sentence form explained — presentation, repetition and continuation — how the phrase structure works in classical, jazz and pop, with a score example.

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How to Write a Catchy Melody: 10 Tips for Film & Game Music

Music Theory and Composition

How to Write a Catchy Melody: 10 Tips for Film & Game Music

Ten practical melody tips with examples from Zelda, Mario and Jaws — simplicity, rhythm, repetition, contrast and the hook.

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Virtual Instruments

Music Production

Virtual Instruments

Want to know more about what virtual instruments are and how to use them? This article breaks down the basics of one of the most important ‘instruments’ for a modern composer and how to use, choose, and implement them in your music.

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How to Write Anime Music

Music Theory and Composition

How to Write Anime Music

Discover the secrets to writing music for animes: ranging from learning how to write melodies, harmonies, which instruments to use, the different styles you can try, and even how to highlight the storytelling itself.

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How to Write Cinematic Music: Instruments, Themes & Contrast

Music Theory and Composition

How to Write Cinematic Music: Instruments, Themes & Contrast

The building blocks of cinematic music — instrument roles, dynamic contrast, memorable themes and the composers to study. A quick-start guide.

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5 Easy Steps: How to Mix

Music Production

5 Easy Steps: How to Mix

Ready to turn your raw tracks into polished, professional-sounding music? Discover the five essential steps to mastering the art of mixing!

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How to Learn Sound Design

Sound Design

How to Learn Sound Design

This article is the perfect beginner guide for starting sound design, from key concepts like frequency, amplitude, and timbre to essential tools like DAWs and plugins.

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What Is EQ in Music? Equalization Explained for Composers and Producers

Music Production

What Is EQ in Music? Equalization Explained for Composers and Producers

What does EQ mean in music? How equalization shapes frequency, gain and Q, the four EQ types, and how to EQ a mix, from the Master The Score mixing curriculum.

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How to Write Trailer Music: A Step-by-Step Guide

Trailer Music

How to Write Trailer Music: A Step-by-Step Guide

The complete trailer music guide: three-act structure, cinematic sounds, tension and release, focused motifs, and mixing tips for maximum impact.

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What is Reverb?

Music Production

What is Reverb?

This article breaks down the basics of reverb in music production, covering key settings like decay time, pre-delay, and wet/dry mix. It’s got practical tips and creative ideas for using reverb plus some great plugin and best mixing course recommendations!

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Online education for media composers — orchestral writing, trailer music, mixing and more, taught by working professionals.

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Pillars of Composition Pillars of Composition II The Piano Composer Vikings & Dragons Wizards & Witches The Legend of Otoe The Legend of Otoe 2 & 3 Hybrid Orchestral 20th Century Writing Trailer Music: Elevation Trailer Music: Modern Styles Mixing Cinematic Music The Virtual Orchestra Template Creation Sound Design
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Disclaimer: This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Meta Platforms, Inc. (including Facebook or Instagram). All content and offers presented here are provided independently by Master The Score. Meta is not responsible for any information, products, or services on this site. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used for informational purposes only. Their use does not imply any partnership or endorsement.
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