ELDEN RING OST - Lichdragon Fortissax on Piano

Composer: Yoshimi Kudo
Arrangement: Moonlapse
Sheet Music: musescore.com/user/37002291/scores/8664714
Discord: discord.gg/gJD9gdSjGE
This is definitely the most challenging one I have transcribed so far, and took me a while, but wow this song is so good. I just wish this boss took me more attempts because I was only able to really appreciate this tune listening to the OST afterword.
---Theory Comments---
There is some incredibly amazing harmony in this track, but I will start with something I found quite interesting - two jazzy chord changes but applied in this epic orchestral context.
In the main chorus of phase 2 (03:19), we have a fairly standard (but awesome) i VI ii V chord progression in Am. However, the main melody note lands hard on C# when we are on the B half diminished chord, which evokes a 'B locrian natural 2' sound. This scale is commonly in lots of jazz music used to attain and 'outside sound' on improv when playing over a half diminished chord, but here Kudo uses that natural 2 as a main melody note, which in this context feels bombastic but natural due to the descending melody leading into it.
We also get a very cool tritone substitution transition around 2:25. Kudo sits for what feels like forever on this weird chord that I realized i basically just a A#7 with a sharp 11 and natural 9. The next section starts on Am7, this is also a common jazz resolution (of course found in other genres as well, but jazz comes to mind when i think of a dominant chord with a sharp 11 resolving down a half step). For jazz improv you might play in A# lydian dominant over this chord - another scale which in my opinion can provide an 'outside sound'.
Hearing this type of harmony go from jazzy ear candy to epic boss music when used tactfully and intentionally is super interesting to me - the composers clearly have an extremely large foundation to build from.
One final note - the intro to phase 2 has an outstanding chord progression.
A# m, Amaj-b6, C# min in 2nd inversion
A# m, C# min, Amin, A#7-9#11
We have multiple chromatic mediants happening here, which is a surefire way to get that dark epic movie score sound we can observe here.
The A#m moving up a minor third to a minor chord, then down a major third to a minor chord, is absolutely villainous. Minor chords from outside the key sound way more scary than ones from inside the parent key, and Kudo knows it.
My favorite one is the Amaj to C# min/G#. This is basically Amaj moving to a minor chord a major third up, but to keep the bassline moving downward and relatively static, Kudo chooses to keep the 5th in the bass, giving us a chromatic bassline walkdown. Love it.
Chromatic mediants mixed with inversions is definitely on my experimentation radar now, because I have always used them in root position.
Thanks for listening to my ramble if you made it to this point lol.
Not sure which track I will do next - I have my eye on Demon Prince from Dark Souls 3 because it does not appear that anyone has done a piano cover for that yet (somehow).
#eldenring #eldenringost #lichdragonfortissax #dragon #fortissax #eldenringmusic #piano #cover #arrangement #tutorial #pianotutorial #pianocover #vgm #fromsoftware #lichdragon

[@emperorpalpatine4953]

3:19 and 4:47 are godlike! Thank you for blessing my ears.

[@LordYeager_55]

Thats my favorite part of the whole track

[@tatematthews4694]

YES!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I’ve waited so long for a good fortissax cover, and you have delivered ABOVE AND BEYOND!!! Thank you for your incredible covers, and your time and effort!!

[@moonlapsepiano]

:) thank you for the kind words. I really appreciate you checking it out and following the channel!

[@chrisp4014]

This is amazing. Fortisaxx is my favorite boss fight in the game right next to Astel, Naturalborne of the Void, and this cover does an amazing job of capturing the mood of the fight. Both regal and discordant, epic but heartbreaking; the song itself follows the story of a dragon that was once a great, powerful ally to man during a debatably better age. A dragon that sacrificed everything trying save its fallen comrade. A dragon that has since fallen far, far from grace and is now a horrible, twisted shell of what it once was. Corrupted by Death and lashing out at anything within its realm, it comes down to you to destroy this poor, corrupted warrior. A sad end to a great and powerful creature but something that had to be done, if nothing else but to honor the memory of what Fortisaxx once was, rather than what he has become. God what a great fight.

[@moonlapsepiano]

I couldn’t agree more. Fortissax’s lore is so epic. Thank you for watching!

[@wraithwrecker_]

This theme has absolutely no right to go this fucking hard. Amazing arrangement.

[@birdbox1136]

Love your work!

[@andalofastora4579]

WOW ! Your covers are soooooo good and for my favorite ost you sure didn't miss. You're amazing !

[@moonlapsepiano]

Thanks I really appreciate that!

[@SauronGorthaur01]

Awesome arrangement. You translated the feel from this epic masterpiece as best as possible to the piano. If this is played with only organ I think It will also sound very good. If you take any 'wishes' I'd love to hear the Godskin theme aswell.

[@moonlapsepiano]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate that. It definitely would sound really cool on organ. I will add Godskin to the list, that song is fantastic

[@N1km3l_]

I've searched for a cover like this since the first time I've fought him. Thanks you so much

[@Cue-Ball.]

Absolutely loved reading the breakdown of everything in your description! I once tried transcribing this myself by ear but proved too hard with my limited music theory knowledge but after reading it all I see why and it's super cool to see what Yoshimi Kudo tried with this track. Loved it and the piano rendition is great too!

[@moonlapsepiano]

Thank you SEKI I appreciate you watching and reading the theory breakdown, I’m glad you found it interesting. And yeah this track has some crazy harmony, Yoshimi Kudo really is amazing

[@notchris1907]

This is so good! Of the many Elden Ring piano covers out there, yours are by far the most faithful to the original harmonies. And as someone trying to learn about music theory and get started composing, your breakdown in the description was super interesting and helpful.

[@moonlapsepiano]

Thank you! I especially appreciate that because I really do take care to keep it as close as possible to the original where possible. I even use Voxengo Span spectrum analyzer to verify the notes manually lol. I am glad you liked the description, that is the main reason for me doing these is to learn about and share with others the awesome harmony being used in these FromSoft tracks so we can all grow as composers and listeners

[@QueenAnnalise5]

I was waiting for that sublime choir parts at 3:19 and 4:47, and honestly, it did not disappoint. Lovely. I adore listening to piano versions of my favourite Soulsborne songs, and this, as well as the Sister Friede one from the other channel are top tier.

[@moonlapsepiano]

Thank you so much Queen Annalise! I also adore piano versions of Soulsbourne songs. And yes, Sister Friede is one of my favorites from any of the games and has some great covers! I appreciate the kind words 💜

[@RobertMonroePlays]

I am quite impressed with this. Lots of hard work. Very cool to see visualized.

[@moonlapsepiano]

Thank you Robert! Your main theme cover is awesome as well

[@RobertMonroePlays]

@@moonlapsepiano Thanks so much!

[@gusskipner9809]

This is sick, great job! I had no idea this would come out so well on a piano

[@moonlapsepiano]

thanks Gus! 💜

[@SuperProgressive]

What a freaking sick video!!!!

[@peterdicristofaro4795]

Incredible

[@dyroth]

Ive been waiting for this for so long, THANK YOUUUU

[@moonlapsepiano]

thanks for watching!!! I appreciate your comment

[@dyroth]

@@moonlapsepiano Just read your description (after my 20th listen of this) and it's amazing what you can get from it. I'm fascinated by this stuff but sadly don't have any formal training and have just been gathering theory on fromsoftware pieces by watching piano tutorials like this and playing them on piano afterwards. I am learning from a jazz musician currently so I'll be sure to mention your description and see if he can break it down for me, thank you again!

[@moonlapsepiano]

@@dyroth Definitely keep learning this way! I don’t have formal training either and most of what I’ve learned has come from breaking down and learning songs I love, and improvising over chord progressions I find. Sorry if I couldn’t break it down a bit more in the description I was just worried it’d be too long in there haha

[@randydak4939]

Perfect, i love 💕💕💕

[@DeliriousDarius717]

Beautiful 😊

[@Hiddenator]

Thank you for your cover and sharing the sheets, I started playing it and I've been having so much fun playing this piece!

[@moonlapsepiano]

Thank you for watching and checking out the sheets! I am really happy that you’re using them 💜 What’s your favorite section to play?

[@Hiddenator]

@@moonlapsepiano I'm currently doing the main chorus of the 2nd phase, and it feels amazing to play! If I end up doing the whole thing I'll definitely make a playthrough video :)

[@moonlapsepiano]

@@Hiddenator amazing! That would be so cool. I took care to make sure it is playable with 2 hands but it’s still a bit too fast for my chops - would love to see a playthrough!

[@Artorias0389]

This is so fricking good!🔥

[@moonlapsepiano]

Thank you! 💜

[@Ryanerion_696]

Well done

[@rts8398]

u are amazing😭❤

[@moonlapsepiano]

thanks!!!! 💜

[@thegriffin4140]

I hope linking this vid on my ost vid about this song helped out in any way, I love this song and I'm really into how punchy the lower notes are, it's such a pleasing frequency, I'd love to see more Elden ring vids, but I get it's super hard from how huge the ost songs are, just keep up the great work mate, love it

[@moonlapsepiano]

Thank you The Griffin I really appreciate your support!! 💜 I will continue to make more. Those low notes are wonderful I agree

[@AutomatonSpy24]

Best ost in the game

[@allmasterofficial]

If only you know how long i waited this, thanks. I know people are requesting Elden Ring osts, but it'd nice to make Demon Prince from Dark Souls 3, thanks again, good job, friend!

[@moonlapsepiano]

thank you so much for watching and for the kind words

[@allmasterofficial]

@@moonlapsepiano I wish your channel gets more popular, you really deserve more subs, you literally do what others didn't for some reason, i wish you luck:)

[@CoolSaver]

Well this is just awesome, great job

[@moonlapsepiano]

Thank you for the kind words CoolSaver!

[@CoolSaver]

@@moonlapsepiano did you played it non-stop by your hands, i mean like, you know, classic way? I'm sorry, i don't know much about piano programs.

[@moonlapsepiano]

@@CoolSaver I did not, I constructed it piece by piece with midi in my DAW Reaper. It’s a mixture of playing it in and then dragging some notes around manually and tuning velocities so it does not sound robotic. However, I make sure each section is playable without extreme difficulty with 2 hands. While I can play each section individually it would take a ton more practice to do them all in a row to get my hands in the video, but perhaps one day I will do it! For now I’d rather spend that time transcribing a new piece :)

[@CoolSaver]

@@moonlapsepiano thanks for the detailed answer, if you record the full play with your hands one day, man, that would be insane. I like how you feel optimistic about it. I am not nearly as good at piano, i just look at these type of videos and like "wow, the amount of hard work and practicing, that's incredible". I wish i had more time for piano.

[@moonlapsepiano]

@@CoolSaver Yeah it does take a lot of practice, but it’s so fun and rewarding and totally worth it. I hope you can find more time to play piano!

[@ThePurpleSun]

Second Phase is so fire

[@penealonsofonso5500]

2:51

[@hobosatemychicken6203]

this song feels like a battle between the red notes and the yellow notes lmao

[@80nt]

really amazing. you have to listen at 1.5x to capture how hectic the actual battle is though

[@moonlapsepiano]

Hadn’t tried it, sounds awesome. Thank you!

[@weaselbeee]

yes finally! been looking forward to this one for a while :) also any chance youd do rennalas theme? itd sound beautiful on a piano

[@moonlapsepiano]

thanks for checking it out! Rennala, that's a great suggestion, I was absolutely struck by that song when playing the game but it hadn't occurred to me to cover it yet. I'm gonna go check it out more thoroughly and maybe it can bump its way toward top of the list, I agree it would sound fantastic on piano :)

[@weaselbeee]

@@moonlapsepiano thank you for considering :3

[@3000deaths1]

The piano does the Cello solo and cello violin duet quite well

[@emian375]

3:55 Always my favorite part.

[@elijahm1951]

Amazing work my friend. Would you consider doing Mohg, Lord of Blood’s Theme? It’s one of my favorites from the game.

[@moonlapsepiano]

Thanks Elijah! It’s definitely on my list, I love that song too

[@voxerror]

Really nice work. It's hard to make out a lot of the parts don't you think? There are a few parts I hear a little differently in the version I've been working on but nothing that makes a significant difference. I'm not a pianist though so I could see parts being composited or simplified for seamless playability. I like that you break down the theory on these, it adds a lot of value to the video. I'm kind of torn on the choices made for the lead melody tbh. Sometimes it sounds really cool and sometimes it sounds like they were in a hurry, loaded up a choir patch, and plunked some cool sounding chords down without thinking about voice leading at all. I love the piece but I kind of wish it wasn't so compressed so we could hear the details in the orchestration. I am totally in love with the chord progressions they went with though.

[@moonlapsepiano]

Thank you!!! Looking forward to hearing your version. I agree it is not the most clear mix so it’s difficult to hear exactly what is being played, especially in the higher frequencies. As a result I think transcriptions will definitely vary. I make a few omissions to ensure it’s playable on 2 hands but otherwise I try to be as accurate as possible including using a spectrometer to verify low and mid-lows, but I still probably will hear things differently in some areas like you said 💜 . I’m glad you are enjoying the theory writeups! I agree that the chord progressions and harmony standout here more than the melodies

[@magma_man750]

The second phase in God tier

[@moonlapsepiano]

thanks Magma man!!! 💜

[@LunaVictoria9]

Guess I'll have to try and transcribe it to electric guitar now

[@SaimoodPianoVersions]

I'm sure this was difficult to get, well done! Like your content. I will follow it to see more. Btw you will cover more souls games? Have a nice day. Edit: ok , you will xD i just saw your description. Do you consider to make sheet music also?

[@moonlapsepiano]

Thank you Sai! Your videos are fantastic as well. And yeah this one definitely took the longer of my videos, the most complex track. I do plan to try and hit some other souls games where I don’t feel like a good rendition has been done yet (Hello Demon Prince) I do want to make sheet music, I haven’t done it before but I’d really like to provide it. I need to get more exposure to Musescore and how to do it. If I successfully make some sheet music I’ll ping you!

[@SaimoodPianoVersions]

@@moonlapsepiano Thank you! Amazing, keep going man. I'm sure you can do it.

[@moonlapsepiano]

Sheet music link now in the description, please let me know if there are any issues :)

[@SaimoodPianoVersions]

@@moonlapsepiano amazing job! I hope someday i can learn your arrangement and update it to my channel ;) thank you for this

[@cameronjones5205]

How have I just found this!!! You doing all the boss themes?

[@moonlapsepiano]

💛 For now I’m planning to do themes which don’t have existing arrangements. Thanks for watching!

[@danieldavidson5447]

Wow this sounds incredible! Subscribed to you instantly lol. Would you mind if I used the midi from Musecore to compose my own version of the song?

[@moonlapsepiano]

thank you so much! 💜 I appreciate that. Absolutely go for it regarding Musescore, I'd be interested to hear your version. and if you want the actual midi files there's a link in my discord server.

[@music-by1ou]

I hope I can be able to learn this in a few months. I've started playing piano around theee month's ago and I've made huuuuge progress. I can already play Flight by Hans Zimmer for reference.

[@moonlapsepiano]

You can do it! That's really impressive. Let me know if you learn it 💜

[@music-by1ou]

@@moonlapsepiano thanks a lot ahahha. I'll let you know?

[@styxll923]

Sounds like twin princes Lothric and Lorian

[@johnapple6646]

This arrangement is fire, or should it be lightning? Why does this channel only have 300 subs?! May the algorithm bless you!

[@moonlapsepiano]

It should be death lightning ⚡️! Thank you John, I appreciate it. Hopefully the algorithm will continue to bless me but I am grateful for each of my subs so far, feels like a lot to me 💜

[@johnapple6646]

@@moonlapsepiano I also appreciate the deep harmonic analysis, such crushingly dissonant chords! I love when someone making covers knows what their stuff and does the real thing rather than use some watered down harmonies

[@moonlapsepiano]

@@johnapple6646 Thanks I’m glad you enjoyed the writeup! I do try to make sure the true harmonies from the track are present in each arrangement, except when it would require more than 10 fingers.

[@diaz926]

3:15

[@Pearl_sak]

Like Beethoven's piano sonata Dark, tragic, and passionate

[@-antagonistic-]

I know that this song request isn't elden ring but I'm having trouble learning a song by ear and I was wondering if you could help. The song is Dimdans by Franz Gordon and I would like a tutorial of that song like this one and I can't find one anywhere.

[@moonlapsepiano]

That song is really good! Hadn’t heard of it until now. I don’t think I would do a video upload of a non-fromsoftware song at this point, but I’d be happy to chat about it and help out if you DM me on discord!

[@-antagonistic-]

​@@moonlapsepianoSounds good!

[@jasminebaldwin7615]

This is dope. Do you release sheets? I would love to learn this arrangement.

[@jasminebaldwin7615]

Oh, sorry didn't realise you had already answered this. Great transcription.

[@moonlapsepiano]

Thank you so much! I will be turning my attention to the sheet music shortly. Will be a fun challenge I think

[@jasminebaldwin7615]

@@moonlapsepiano good luck. Sheets can be hard to make w/out much experience. I'm excited to see the result, this honestly slaps.

[@moonlapsepiano]

@@jasminebaldwin7615 Hah thanks. I have no experience and can’t read music really, but I have time signature, key, tempo, and the midi file so I do think it will be doable. I’ll ping here an update

[@moonlapsepiano]

@@jasminebaldwin7615 Sheets now in the description! Let me know if there are any issues :)

[@mjmj6855]

Will you be uploading sheet music for this arrangement?

[@moonlapsepiano]

I’ll be giving it a try after my next cover. It’s my first time making sheet music but I would like to be able to provide it

[@moonlapsepiano]

Sheet music link now in the description, let me know if you run into any problems :)

[@xshock__]

Is this possible to play on a real piano? Well I don't have a real piano its more of a synthesizer lol but still i would give this a try

[@moonlapsepiano]

It is a tough one but I did take care to ensure that it is feasible to play it with two human hands. I hope you enjoy learning it! Thanks for watching 💜

[@xshock__]

Lets goooo nice man good job though