I began composing for orchestra in 2019, writing my first symphony while staying in Lago Chapala in Mexico. Not knowing if I was any good, or if I would continue, I started with free orchestral samples and an almost free digital audio workstation (DAW). I'm still using the same DAW (Reaper) but have graduated, so to speak, to better samples - the Spitfire Audio's BBC Symphony Orchestra and solo instruments from 8Dio.

I compose intuitively. I don't make a piano sketch, or plan a piece from beginning to end. I simply sit at my keyboard and develop music which is related to a theme I'm thinking about. It may be a picture, an emotion, a feeling, a mood. Then I let music happen by improvising, pause, and ask "what comes next?" Then I can edit, and create a piece that has cohesion and feels finished.

Intuitive composing explained - Video