You Can Think About Melodies Harmonically, Too

In this video I take a look at different ways a melody can evoke the sound of a chord or progression, and how that might be used to great effect using the soundtrack of Kirby's Block Ball for the Gameboy as an example.
0:00 - Intro
1:17 - How Can a Melody Spell Out a Chord
2:24 - Triad+1
3:49 - 2 chord tones + passing tone
6:00 - Melody implying alternate harmony
10:20 - Melody implying extended harmony
11:27 - Melody implying chord progression
14:24 - Melodic Pivot Notes
15:54 - FINAL CHALLENGE
18:39 - Outro
PATREON: / 8bitmusictheory
NOTEBOOK: www.themusiciansnotebook.com/...
DISCORD: / discord
TWITTER: / 8bitmusictheory
#Kirby #VideoGameMusic #MusicTheory

[@violet_broregarde]

What you're talking about with thhe restrictions leading to simple harmony is exactly why I think intro music theory classes should teach early video game music. It's easy to analyze like common-practice art music, but it's structurally modern

[@BradsGonnaPlay]

This is the most correct opinion

[@theopminer952]

My music Theory Teacher in highschool actually did a little bit of this. I remember doing something with the Tetris theme, like analyzing it, and then transposing it to other keys. There were other songs we did by the Beatles and such. It is very useful for them to use modern identifiable music, so video game music can fit into that very neatly a lot of the time.

[@christopherjobin-official7440]

(Not "art music," western classical music)

[@violet_broregarde]

you said the thing! it is Very Popular Right Now to correct people when they use the term "art music" even though everyone knows what it means. congratulations on your karma why tf are you trying to add 4 syllables to a word, jesus christ

[@martialpanyvino]

@@violet_broregarde hey i'm sorry but i think it does matter, because this word implies that some form of music is objectively art while others are not In my opinion, music is purely subjective and a matter of taste, and i don't see anything good in putting my musical preferences above other people's ones Plus if you're ready to write a comment on YT, you shouldn't be bothered by a few more syllables... ;) Anyway, excuse my english, and have a good day :)

[@orcuswells649]

Kirby composers writing some of the most bumping music for a handheld breakout spinoff

[@Sidnoea]

10:36 The sudden appearance of the main leitmotif from Undertale really caught me off guard

[@niallmullins3398]

And then being immediately called out for recognizing it. XD

[@unknownjf]

Snowdin and last godbye ✨️

[@cuedepie4376]

If it feels edited in, I don't blame you.

[@bakabazooka]

I think Toby did hear that song before making those ost. He just didn't realize that, I think that happened to a lot of people too lol.

[@biggallcaps]

This is why I love GB music so much. Music that relies heavily on chordic structure is such a pretty composition technique, and when the music is upbeat and bright sounding I can't help but smile and bob my head 😊 🎵 🎶 🎼

[@modulusshift]

6:50 Reminds me of Blue Monk by Theolonius Monk. The melody constructs two chords via 3-4-#4-5, which just happen to be a chromatic walkup, then does a fun little walkdown, and that sequence is the backbone of the whole song. Chromaticism of this type is very common in jazz, which is almost certainly why Mario tracks use it so much, they love playing with jazz tropes.

[@pke571]

that’s exactly what i thought. as soon as i heard it, i heard blue monk

[@ChristopherMoom]

I'm honestly really happy with this video, Kirby music has been something I've absolutely adored for a long time now, so being able to analyze what's happening with the music is awesome! The soundtrack to Kirby's Block Ball is pretty damn good, so it's great to see it get some attention! Stage 5 is easily one of my favorite songs from the game, that song RULES! It's also neat that more people are gonna be aware of the UNDERTALE similarity at 11:03 Overall, great analysis! I'd totally be down for more videos on the Kirby Franchise's music!

[@stefandimitry6038]

CHRIS! YOU [[Little Sponge]] YOU'RE EVERYWHERE!

[@SGrailadventure2004]

Stage 5 theme returns in Dream Buffet.

[@nelsonnicholson6175]

You can analyze the music yourself, too :)

[@FriskDrinksBrisk]

Oh hey little sibling in law (almost but not yet!)

[@JonathanTash]

0:32 And the tunes I create sound like that because I compose them by singing out melodies. This is ground breaking insight for me.

[@ShredmasterScott]

This one kicked my ass, great work 8 bit!

[@AliceWithTheRainbow]

Despite lacking much music theory knowledge, I feel like I can normally follow what you're talking about pretty well. This one's got me pretty lost though, haha. Still watched it all and loved it, though, and I could tell the stuff you were talking about is as cool as always.

[@watermel]

same here, I wish I had learned music theory from a younger age :(

[@WhitePaintbrush]

not just me then lol

[@bobsmith93]

"listen to this melody and try and hear which chord progression would fit underneath" _stares blankly_

[@syfx1485]

@@bobsmith93 Same, if I were able to do that I would've had much less trouble transcribing music :( I really should learn music theory more

[@trapjohnson]

OH yeah, we absolutely just sat in on a music theory class, which is funny as I cannot even sight read worth a damn. I am a hear it and repeat singer, who can pick out harmonies that probably sit in the chords of the accompaniment for pop music and church hymns.

[@NerdKirby]

FINALLY SOME LOVE FOR KIRBY'S BLOCK BALL I HAVEN'T FINISHED THE VIDEO BUT I ALREADY LOVE IT ALL Edit: Now that I watched, it was super interesting, it's great to have a new way to look at this amazing soundtrack.

[@tungstentoaster]

Such an incredible soundtrack. Top 10, IMO. I love these analysis videos but I don't think I've been as hyped for one as when I saw that title screen.

[@Excelsior1937]

Oh crap the notes at 11:00 are almost exactly the same as the notes in Snowdin Town!

[@mechamicro]

Yes. 2 out of 4 is close sound

[@FriskDrinksBrisk]

Mornin'... MY FIANCE!

[@ltjgambrose]

"Then we get a tritone sub-resolution back to our tonic A-flat with this B-flat 7 sus to A-major 7 sharp-11 to A-flat cadence that sets up a return to the top of the piece with a simple 1 6 4 5 move." -A description of the Stage 2 theme from "Kirby's Block Ball" for the Nintendo Gameboy

[@FernieCanto]

And your point is?

[@sposp]

@@FernieCanto It can be interpreted in many ways but I think it's pretty obvious; the music team made some really impressive tunes with very little to work with.

[@FernieCanto]

@@sposp To me, OP seems to be implying the opposite: that it's an overly complicated explanation for a "simple" Kirby tune.

[@elcarcano2]

@@FernieCanto imo, get a life

[@kylezo]

@@FernieCanto lol no the point is the absurd complexity of the music to a silly children's game resulting in some really interesting harmonic structure, resulting in a really humorous juxtaposition. take a fucking nap

[@pokemario99]

THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE. kirby's block ball has always been one of my favorite soundtracks of all time, and when I saw kirby in the thumbnail, it was still the last one i ever expected you to cover. thank you!!!

[@Arycke]

Samee

[@DawzDaBozz]

As a music major, I just want to thank you for making such educational videos about video game music! Your editing, transcriptions, and explanations are some of the best on KZbin.

[@zachb4561]

The music from Block Ball always blew me away. Picked it up on the 3DS expecting a fun little Kirby game and got one of my favorite 8-bit soundtracks (and a fun game)! Great to see it being discussed today

[@Khord22]

I'm currently working on a piece that uses a gameboy as the only instrument and this video has been really helpful to give me some ideas on how to adjust my themes to work with less voices

[@Diekenzakk]

mystic quest / final fantasy adventure ost amazed so much as a child and still does. Will never forget that one moment. One day i had to wait in the car for my mom returning from the super market and i reached the final boss for the first time. After beating him i just sat there thinking how is it possible that this beautiful music is coming out of this little game boy! Then the end credits rolled in. Still give me goosebumps.

[@TheNuje]

Harmony nerd here! Love your channel, and melody implying harmony is truly what happens when you're limited to as little as 3 notes at a time. I'm no great writer of melodies IMO, but feel confident about my ability to harmonize a good tune! Great video!

[@Galaxia_EX]

Well, isn't this video all about how to melodies harmonically? So there you go.

[@ProducerPlayer2]

I find it fascinating that soundtracks made for retro 90’s video games, and in this case on the gameboy, are able to make such catchy tunes with such a limited sound selection!

[@yungacid1]

Yeah, it still astounds me just how much can be done with so little. Quite aspirational!

[@ewwitsantonio]

17:55 wow that's wonderful. I love the E7 thru Ab movement. What a cool progression and melody. Great video! I can't help but draw the comparison of 8bit style music and the music written on harpsichords. Similar constraints in a way... or so I believe!

[@SorandaGuitar]

I really enjoy your videos because, even if I am a begginer in music theory, it helps me to identify musical elements/patterns/techniques that I can find in other video games themes. And this feels very rewarding!

[@Jake_Sachs]

That passage at 15:43 is incredible. I gotta find a way to implement a progression and melody like that in my music.

[@possible-realities]

I think you did a really good job of starting simple and gradually ranking up the complexity this time. Meant that I was able to follow along for quite a long part of the video, much appreciated!

[@kira_the_meek]

i just realized that it's been about four to five years since i started watching your videos, and i still look forward to every time you upload. i've learned so much from watching your videos, even if i don't fully understand some of the more complicated things. love the content and i hope you keep making it for as long as it brings you happiness

[@Miss_Trillium]

I'll be honest, this video has me kinda lost 😅 but also, I've never studied music theory outside of musically inclined friends telling me things that go way over my head. I'll still watch it through and try to follow along because I love your content

[@JohnWayne-hq1ns]

11:27 "Now let's 'bump' things up to the 'next level.'" As you bump the last tile to clear the round, to the next level in the background lol

[@sollybussell8241]

You are a much better music teacher than my actual music teacher. I'm actually learning stuff here

[@heterodoxagnostic8070]

17:55 absolute BANGER, the arpeggio bass decending is just such a brilliant detail setting it apart from generic tracks.

[@levithewizard]

Stage 2, stage 4, stage 7 are 🔥

[@abcdef-ms9mb]

I'd love to see a video on what makes music sound adventurous. On the examples of some opening themes perhaps?

[@geschnitztekiste4111]

Or some Hyrule fields

[@Galaxia_EX]

Usually, its mode mixture in a major key or an implied mode (usually dorian ) in a minor key, depending on how serious you want it to sound. If you don't know what mode mixture is, 8-bit talks about it in his analysis of Zelda overworld themes.

[@ethanwest3393]

I never leave comments, but I loved this video. You really taught these melody concepts in an applicable, accurate, and charming way. Thanks for sharing!

[@charlesgaskell5899]

Really good stuff! I love the way that your final example implies once thing melodically but actually uses different harmonies entirely

[@kingcrysanthos]

This is a fun way to learn about music theory! (Although I admittedly got a little lost) I'd love to hear you cover a modern Kirby game, they have such incredible soundtracks. Unfortunately, I am not a music theorist so I don't know what'd be there to talk about. I enjoyed this video!

[@godminnette2]

10:38 man this melody reminded me hard of the third section of Snowdin Town from Undertale. Edit: LMAO, I had paused the video to write this comment. If only I had watched another 30 seconds or so.

[@truethunder]

子供の頃から好きだったカービィブロックボールの音楽がこうやって評価されることを子供の頃から夢見てた

[@FL4SHK]

Most of the music I've written has been closely approximating the Game Boy audio hardware, which most people can't seem to tell is not actually GB music. I use Game Boy samples and stick to channel limitations, including the number of channels and volumes available on the wave channel. Edit: I use OpenMPT to compose my songs. I learned how to compose music so I could compose for my video games. I'm currently working on an open source roguelike, which I've composed most of the music for at this point.

[@zackbrown1525]

Where can I hear this?

[@FL4SHK]

@@zackbrown1525 I have a SoundCloud, but most of my music isn't on it yet

[@rglover444]

@@FL4SHK Yo could i get some tips or something. Music has felt...dull to me lately and i think making these more retro tracks may help my composing efforts

[@FL4SHK]

@@rglover444 Well, other than studying at least a little music theory, the best I can suggest is to practice, practice, practice. Edit: oh, wait a minute, you mean for retro stuff? Other videos on this channel should be helpful.

[@zackbrown1525]

@@FL4SHK I gotta hear this shit bro!

[@EternalTheMandarinGoddess]

Dang, that is a hidden gem if I've ever seen one! I never thought you'd cover this game, but I'm glad you did ^^

[@thebordemz]

I would LOVE any kind of video about any of the Supergiant Games soundtracks (Bastion, Transistor, Pyre, or Hades). Or something about the Chicory: A Colorful Tale soundtrack, which is also phenomenal.

[@EphraimAboagye]

Incredible video ✨ I'm assuming it was Jun Ishikawa in charge of that game's music His general way of approaching music theory is nothing short of excellent It would be really cool to see you break down "vs Marx" in detail as the time signatures and almost modal chord progressions are very interesting I'm sure you've even mentioned it before Again great video very eye opening ✨

[@charlie69230]

This is by far one of the most interesting videos on harmony that I found on KZbin! thank you so much, made me connect many things that my harmony teachers tell me !

[@samuelmoehring3783]

Deep cuts man! This is some of your best. I can tell you enjoyed doing this one.

[@minmodulation]

Old kirby music is so incredible it's like jazz fusion or something

[@AphidKirby]

you LOVE to see Kirby's Block Ball's soundtrack getting the love it deserves! I believe it's the best in the GameBoy! Truly incredible stuff!

[@j_0anna]

i love sitting back and watching these videos for a friendly reminder why i don't study music theory anymore! these videos are the perfect refresher on concepts i've long forgotten about, always a treat!

[@Gnurklesquimp]

Me: Ohh like Mario 8-bit: Like Mario Me: Ohh like Undertale 8-bit: Like Undertale

[@ericspianoschool]

Last month I binged every video of yours. And then I got sad cus there were no more videos. You do such a great job of making a visually entertaining lecture!! Now I’m happy there’s a new one again :)

[@zackplummer9692]

Excellent video! Melodic pivots notes is such a great concept

[@eizneckam4936]

Kirby's Block Ball is one of my favorite underrated OSTs!! I literally gasped when I saw this for the first time I was so happy to see someone else who appreciated it :)

[@robingunnarsson6412]

These videos are such a treat. Thank you

[@JohnHorneGuitar]

Great video. Thanks for this continuing series. Such good analysis and demonstration!

[@inigom1kael]

I love the new flux of content please keep it up!!

[@linkkenni]

I literally gasped when I saw you were talking about Kirby's Block Ball. The game itself I don't think about much, but the music is something else and has stuck with me for decades. The first level and the Whispy Woods theme are some really nice chiptunes!

[@AidanMmusic96]

I wondered if we would get into tuning theory here - i.e. how unaccompanied instruments use subtle pitch changes to imply changing harmony with pivot notes, even before the melody outlines the change. That can get wild!

[@halfsteps5744]

This is the video I’ve been needing! Writing melodies is so hard, and now it’s so much clearer

[@mirrortarget5729]

This video will be very useful to me, as my main interest in music involves chiptune, which has 4 channels (one of which being for noise/drums). This also helps me understand what is meant in other videos on this channel when a chord is shown above the sheet music, but I can't actually hear that chord. Thank you, I have found relatively few resources that instruct on composition and keep these limitations in mind. Your videos on each of the modes have also been incredibly helpful to me (my favorite modes are Dorian, Mixolydian, and Phrygian, though I'd like to compose a Locrian piece eventually).

[@cakestealer5983]

Wow I’ve been looking into a bunch of theory stuff specifically trying to compose for GB so seeing a video from you on the topic is bound to be helpful

[@Beastintheomlet]

This is such a a great starting place for thinking about and creating melodies. It also makes it very easy to harmonize a melody, especially when you pull back further and start using the phrases of the melody as extensions of more complex chords.

[@michaelthem3]

As always, I save your videos to the favorites and watch later list so they appear again and again hahahaha great analysis!

[@MasterHand4444]

Love seeing videos about the obscure Kirby GB puzzle games in my sub box, no matter the context. You, the comment reader, should get Kirby’s Block Ball, Pinball Land, and (most importantly) Star Stacker on the 3DS eShop before it closes down; they’re all under $5 and they’re all wonderful little games.

[@absent_]

I was thinking about this channel this morning glad a new vid popped up.

[@vextronx]

These videos are amazing, I've never seen these concepts before. Do you come up with these, or are you getting them from somewhere? This channel is a gold-mine, thank you for your work! :)

[@traviswangsgaard833]

I laughed out loud when you called people out for the Undertale similarity, I definitely heard it and was thinking it. That is a cool music technique!

[@perdugo]

What a class! Thank you a lot for this lesson, there is so much knowledge in this video that I'm amazed by it

[@keithvandornick]

I’m going to be leading a discussion in my Theory Seminar course about this very topic; Final Fantasy Prelude is another PERFECT example of this phenomenon. Thank you for the great vids!!

[@terdragontra8900]

Thanks for introducing me to this soundtrack, super overlooked

[@lukamtc9188]

420k subscribers... haha... ha.. congrats fr tho. your content connects the dots between modern music and the advanced stuff you learn in music school and books, it really helps!

[@siliril]

I came for the music theory, but after seeing the footage of Kirby's Block Ball I'm ready to go buy a copy and play it right now! It looks delightfully cheery and fun, just like its music. =)

[@Luftwaffe_JG52]

Hype! I missed this channel.

[@Luftwaffe_JG52]

Ooo I love Kirby's Block Ball ☺️

[@jamesalan9874]

Always brightens my day to see your bright purple video thumbnails in my subs! 😄

[@Mtaalas]

Specifically, it's EASIER to think a chord progression to a given melody than a melody to given chord progression. This why it's really REALLY important to compose melody first. Sure you can start with chords, but you're making your life much more difficult and the end result might not be very good or interesting. (I know, I've gone through my set of learning about how to compose music) If you've composed a melody, rest of the song writes itself basically immediately and it's almost a mechanical process from there.

[@Gnurklesquimp]

I take all sorts of different approaches, often starting with the harmony since I really lean into that aspect (My chords are also usually broken up a little, essentially blurring the line between harmony and melody yet again), but my favorite compromise is starting with a melody and a bass + single harmony note above the bass, very easy on something like a piano. Then my brain just fills in the rest as I'm going, and there's more options to discover when analyzing it after the fact. Without the harmony note you gotta get used to sounds like the 7th over a root, and this approach isn't necessarily as great with a harmonic rhythm mostly faster than the melody etc. Starting with pure melody and nothing else in mind often doesn't hold up the same way when you like writing music where the melody doesn't necessarily reflect the chords, or even is at odds with them a bit, like if your melody leads to the 5 and never actually touches or hints at the 1 etc. Basically the further you go from very unambiguous stuff it really changes things, though it's still a viable approach. You can go through all sorts of chord permutations with any given melody if you're making this sort of music, and if the melody is satisfying, it will really surprise you what the different chords bring out of it.

[@yungacid1]

I've been having trouble writing interesting melodies so maybe I'll try this, like turning to face a rogue wave; I usually begin with harmony and chords.

[@FL4SHK]

I generally don't compose melody first. Usually I start with percussion, then add bass, then possibly a channel only playing notes of a chord, then the melody (which would be harmonized with another channel if there's no channel playing just the notes of a chord). There are many valid approaches to writing music.

[@possible-realities]

I think I'm inclined to write melody first, but then I often struggle to figure out which chords go best with it. I try to listen to which of the melody notes feel most emphasized, but it still often doesn't seem so clear cut. So I try different chords that should go along with some of the notes, and try to hear which ones I like best, but I still find it hard. Maybe I should be more prepared to change the melody to fit with the harmony. I guess that another issue is if you want have a repeating chord progression with different melody underneath, then I guess you need to decide the chord progression before most of the melody anyway.

[@ultrahotwings9738]

I think this is kind of a case by case basis. Personally, I find it extremely difficult to compose melody first. I'll stare at a melody and just use basic I, IV, V chords and call it a day.. and if a note goes out of key, I slap on a V chord the way a rock guitarist slaps a minor pentatonic scale when out of ideas for their jam. It's so much easier for me to compose harmony first, get those progressions in, state beforehand which extensions you want where to give a specific Flavor of the Measure, and then go from there. (My most recent composition that I've put up--a character theme song--was harmony first, then what rhythms I wanted to emphasize, then melody last.) I think it ultimately depends on the person and their background. I grew up a classical pianist and sometimes I'd plunk out melodies for fun as a kid, but when I started diving into jazz and improv in high school and college, that harmony based approach really took hold of me.

[@bepis_real]

Just the video I needed. I always love your uploads, but I am an aspiring composer taking after the Kirby & Mario series. Thank you for the invaluable advice!!

[@Randomgen77]

11:19 I literally was about to type “sounds like Undertale” when you said it yourself lol

[@MrCubFan415]

9:15 Sunshine Seaside from Super Mario 3D World has a very similar pattern

[@SGrailadventure2004]

video games songs are also another great way of learning music and tunes that a song uses, especially for the games like Kirby. Kirby series songs uses a variety of tracks and tunes across every games. Most of the songs uses C major tunes with several using mix of tunes.

[@HellfireComms]

This should be shown in schools! It's super easy to understand and entertaining to watch. I'm subscribing for more!

[@crimsonhawk52]

Jerry Bergonzi in his Inside Improvisation books uses that Triad +1 idea. He uses the 1235 for major and 1345 for minor, and you can stack them. So C Major, you could do: CDEG, GABD, DEF#A, and on, although I think he stops there at the 9-13 extensions iirc.

[@PaqAttax]

Thank you, @8-bit Music Theory for making this video! I like being able to share music from obscure games with people. It's like spreading joy in a way. :D

[@GuenzoSlyGecko]

17:54 It kinda makes it sounds like a little brother is singing while the big brother is singing around it. By having a relatively simple melody vs the wide variety of sounds coming from the harmony.

[@Arycke]

Fascinating interpretation

[@mikah439]

thank you i was having a breakdown i lov ekirby good video

[@meaghaneliz]

god kirby music,,, theres just SO MUCH in it! would love to see you do a video on the marx theme. godly insane piece.

[@chantalakerman5837]

This was great, thank you! :))

[@zunikanu1087]

Holy crap someone talked about block ball...I love you. I don't even understand the things you say but watch a lot anyway.

[@josed.vargas3961]

At 10:13 I would say any theory professor that is upset by this needs to go over counterpoint again. Despite the C being a dissonance over the G7 harmony, the dissonance is prepared because it is tied across from the previous bar, and also the pitch C is consonant over the previous F major harmony. And you're right, it sounds super neat!

[@dominicmoisant8393]

The Bb over the G major is a bit spicy though combined with the long "avoid note"

[@annoynymouse1146]

Also, the major third landing on an upbeat also helps to mitigate the minor 9th dissonance over the major third. I think 8-bit is a jazz oriented kind of theorist. I have no deep knowledge about counterpoint so this kind of comments are very well appreciated.

[@santiagoacosta3372]

This thing is really cool, I'm going to have it in mind when I'm composing

[@trunkotunes1438]

Kirby music helps make the day better!

[@randommoth1235]

I love your videos I aways learn something new and intresting here

[@alviiiie]

Incredible video

[@jtwinb6]

Really weird that I just listened to this soundtrack and heard Undertale in track 7 too. Great video was always.

[@jirachiscapolite4341]

THIS SOUNDTRACK IS SO FREAKING GOATED THANK YOU FOR SHOWING US THIS

[@levir.starsmusic]

I always felt as though the soundtrack to Kirby's Block Ball didn't get enough love. Thank you for bringing it to the community's attention, and great analysis points!

[@GB6__YT]

Amazing analysis of one of my fondest childhood memories

[@bobalinx8762]

You should TOTALLY do a video on the Rhythm Heaven series! You’re literally the perfect channel to cover it!

[@SimiVideoCreator]

love the video, the only thing that stood out to me was how loud your musical examples were in comparison to your voice. Like I at some points i turned down the volume when an example piece played. really not a big deal, but something to consider nonetheless I think.

[@DarkSideofSynth]

Awesome!

[@ramonsanchez6903]

Great video

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

That is what I'm doing. Connecting the chords and the melody. And for hardware limitations one can always use super fast arpeggios that blend together for the listener. That way I managed to create multi channel midi tracks that can be played over the pc speaker and still be distinguished despite the interface only supporting single voice square wave.

[@krillbilly1435]

thank you so much for the block ball recognition this game goes hard as hell

[@HackMaxy]

Amazing vid

[@andyr.123]

Great choice of soundtrack! Kirby's Block Ball has some super underappreciated songs :)

[@sdw-hv5ko]

love this channel

[@emmbeesea]

We love common tones and secondary dominants!