How this Mulan melody sent me down a rabbit hole

Disney Princess Music Analysis: • Disney Princess Music ...
0:00 The Mulan-Joy Luck Club Connection
1:50 The Minor 7th Up
3:39 The Mandalorian
4:13 The Portamento Minor 3rd
4:36 The Hope Theme
5:00 In the Heights
5:36 Chinese American Question
7:09 Chinese vs. Western Instrumentation
8:30 Erhu in Film
9:46 Over the Moon
11:36 My Grandpa & Beijing Opera
15:00 Reflection
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How this Mulan melody sent me down a rabbit hole
Sources:
Mulan (1998)
Mulan (2020)
West Side Story
Star Trek (Original TV Series)
Star Trek (2009)
TMNT (2007)
World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria
Kung Fu Panda
Red Corner
Red Cliff
Total War: Three Kingdoms
About Schmidt
The Mandalorian
In the Heights
The Joy Luck Club
Over the Moon
Hamilton
The Lost Pavilion (Beijing Opera where "Two Countries" is from)
Mulan Review, Movie Music UK
moviemusicuk.us/2020/09/11/mu...
Rachel Portman winning the Oscar
• "Emma" and "The Englis...
"Rachel Portman and The Joy Luck Club," Susan Maltby
era.library.ualberta.ca/items...
Michael Giacchino Interview, StarTrek.com
www.startrek.com/article/mich...
Rolfe Kent Interview, FilmSociety.org
www.filmmusicsociety.org/news_...
The Lost Pavilion (Beijing Opera), CCTV
• Video
Images from Pixabay and Pexels
All music is used in compliance with fair use copyright law.
This video is a labor of love, so I'd love to hear from you. Please like, follow, and comment at me!
WEB: howardhomusic.com/
TWITTER: / ho_howard
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INSTAGRAM: / howardwho
#Mulan #HowardHo #DisneyPlus

[@HowardHoMusic]

Running list of more examples of the melody: Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Opening & Minuet of the Forest) Vaughan-Williams - The Lark Ascending In the Flame - Pyre Main Theme Megalovania - Undertale Angel TV Show Theme Song Brianna and Roger Theme - Outlander BoA - Disturbance Jerry Goldsmith - Timeline (unused score) Joseph Koo - The Way of the Dragon score The line "you'll be making good" from "The Wizard and I" - Wicked by Stephen Schwartz The line "Not Today" in "Cheering for me Now" by Lin-Manuel Miranda & John Kander "Rouxls Kaard Shop Hip Shop" - Deltarune Oogway Ascends - Kung Fu Panda

[@kobaltkween]

I would be curious to know if it's in any of the Avatar: the Last Airbender music.

[@jamesbarry1794]

If you wanna hear what it sounds like in action movie mode, check out Jerry Goldsmith’s unused score for the film “Timeline.”

[@geetika6540]

Also in Ladies in Lavender

[@Tustin2121]

> Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Ah, yes, the Minuet of Forest, nice.

[@Tehnameless1]

@@Tustin2121 it's also used in the title theme, with added notes in between like Mulan 2020

[@FunkyMrChicken]

It's all Ming-Na Wen's world, and we're just living in it

[@HowardHoMusic]

100

[@KFblade13373]

Now we gotta find this theme in Agents of Shield somewhere.

[@lianaz906]

I was about to say that!

[@QuikVidGuy]

now I'm singing the Doc Gerbil theme from Courage but with Ming-Na Wen instead

[@JahinKabir]

@@KFblade13373 and The Mandalorian

[@RodrickMarsMoon]

"In other words, I saw my reflection." *Reflection playing smoothly* I didn't expect to cry in a video about soundtrack, but here I am 😭🤗😅.

[@yalmagomez1313]

same, I ended up in tears

[@TheRoxster]

came in here to say I'm also fucking crying man. that was beautiful.

[@TheDanielCal]

me too...

[@PineapplesPerhaps]

Yeah me too Kinda hits different when you're asian but you have no experience with your own culture because your asian parent is an orphan so she was raised by white folks so you'll never be able to see your reflection like that

[@Bootyyyshaker4000]

Brilliant video essay! Sometimes it all makes sense in hindsight. I'm glad you went even back further into your own roots

[@mulinhuan8410]

I am an Erhu player! and my teacher also plays Jinghu (and Gaohu) since the instruments are very similar. It's so sweet that you know your grandfather's melody in your DNA, lovely video!

[@HowardHoMusic]

Oh wow. I hope I did justice to the topic. I just love those instruments so much.

[@katanrocksketches6717]

I just realized that the minor seventh leap and down a minor second is exactly what is used for the Santa Fe theme in Newsies and my mind has been blown!!

[@HowardHoMusic]

So many minor 7ths in Santa Fe!

[@adrianazashen]

Why is everything pointing to me to watch Newsies...

[@centaurea5293]

such a touching video, at first when you talked about your grandpa playing for you composition I was like 'aww so cute' but then the (1919--2007) at the end really hit me and I cried because I know what it feels like to lose a grandparent

[@JustMeJH]

How sweet! Your heart knew the melody.

[@HowardHoMusic]

It did. Truly.

[@alpha_jasperflair1097]

@@HowardHoMusic your a great musician you have a heart of a musician expert

[@McBehrer]

ok, that's a really interesting story and everything, but... why were you watching the live action Mulan movie in the first place?

[@HowardHoMusic]

To make a video about it, haha.

[@FTnaririi]

It seems you can watch it for free now and not pay the 30$ to watch it. So, you're not really directly contributing to this movie. I remember they said it'd be free to watch sometime in December. I thought it was later, but I just checked and the button that was there before, for the 29$, is gone. But I didn't press play yet so I'm not 100% sure.

[@ladybirdg5658]

@@FTnaririi Yep! It was removed from Disney+ altogether for a couple weeks, and when it returned, it's now free to watch. Also, Mulan 2020 ONLY made 70 million dollars when their budget was 200 million, so boycotting it did leave a mark

[@-pink]

well, its a very good movie honestly I loved it. But its just not Mulan, it has an amazing plot but it isn't the thing everyone was expecting it would be better if they made a whole new movie out of this :D

[@mochitea5638]

why do you even care

[@AMoniqueOcampo]

I love how much detail you give to all the musical scales. I also love that music runs in your family!

[@QuikVidGuy]

ha runs cause of scales

[@carmt7025]

As a Chinese, I get where you were coming from without realising, thank you for this rabbit hole

[@eliasbernstein]

How did you make music theory so interesting 🥺 I wish you were my teacher

[@Noodelousart123]

OMG wait those three notes are also the start of the main theme from Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time!

[@HowardHoMusic]

You're correct! Funny thing is I actually made an Ocarina of Time joke in my previous video about Frozen. Good catch!

[@theraginginfernape9496]

When a family memory sticks, it sticks in some of the most unexpected ways. I felt that when I listen to old recordings of my now deceased mother singing old hip-hop songs and used them to make some funk tunes. This is video resonates so well with me. Thank you

[@ellik02]

can I just say though… "who is that girl I see" "last Christmas I gave you my heart" …..same melody right?? or am I just dumbb??

[@HowardHoMusic]

It's definitely similar.

[@krippysamskrr3501]

Really reminds me of Avatar the last airbender too

[@HowardHoMusic]

I LOVE Avatar...you might be onto something!

[@obliviousfantasy633]

I think....I think I just heard this one piece that seems to be played a bit in the show but idk what it's called or where it's at but I know it's in at least one transitioning after the "Previously" So I could possibly find it...

[@krippysamskrr3501]

@@obliviousfantasy633 yeah I’m pretty sure it’s called “Tsungi Horn” played by Iroh

[@howling_starr]

that's the first thing that came to my mind too! It reminds me of part of the credits theme, probably a similar instrument, but the melody itself also sounds similar to what Iroh played yeah.

[@smelly5465]

@@krippysamskrr3501 they also play that same melody on a dizi im pretty sure

[@kellymcginnis9626]

Our childhood makes us who we are as a adult. And the people around and their taste in music morph us in what we enjoy.

[@ellaalexander2696]

I can't be the only one who thinks of Santa Fe from Newsies when the two first notes play...

[@Shananahanagan]

The Erhu is used in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild when Link encounters one of the very ancient and mysterious dragons. I love it!

[@adrianazashen]

"I saw my reflection" AWE HECK NO YOU DID NOT JUST DO THIS TO ME 😭

[@99kylies15]

Dude, this is....SO COOL. You introduced me to new instruments, some bomb music, and a really heartfelt story. The way you brought the listener on the journey you yourself went through is just *chef's kiss*

[@AlvaroCTV]

Honestly you could make these videos about any piece of media at all, regardless of whether I've seen it or not, and I would still happily watch entranced until the very end.

[@redkb]

Loved it, so good thanks for sharing!

[@jjstarA113]

Funny, when I listened to the Mulan (2020) soundtrack, I thought, "This sounds like John Powell's Paycheck theme!" Seriously, listen to "Rachel's Party" from Paycheck, it's those same five notes.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Cool!

[@MediumDSpeaks]

Yooo remember Paycheck?!?

[@HowardHoMusic]

@@MediumDSpeaks Never saw it, but I remember John Woo directed it, right?

[@MediumDSpeaks]

@@HowardHoMusic dude I was like 5 or 6 or 7 when I saw that, I have no clue who the actors or directors were, it was just the first action movie I saw in theaters and it then became what I thought was my "favorite" movie after seeing it the first time as a kid. I have never re-watched it but I think it was probably really convoluted but to a 6 year old it seemed so innovative and cool lol. Actually I'm gonna re-watch it and I'll tweet about it letting you know if it holds up 20 years later lol

[@sarahgautard83]

Waw! That is so detailed! I'm impressed

[@kenzgitz9884]

I'm not sure but I think the minor seventh leap that goes down to a minor third is used in the Mulan cartoon. It's in the beginning where they play an instrumental of "You'll bring honor to us all".

[@moonspear]

Wow, watching this video was like taking a whole journey, LOVE IT! (and ofc you managed to reference Hamilton multiple times xD)

[@HowardHoMusic]

I mean, I couldn't help myself. (Someone else then commented, that I was helpless. LOL)

[@moonspear]

@@HowardHoMusic you just couldn't Say No To This

[@danimiller9932]

I'm satisfied with this video!

[@DavidClay]

This is wonderful. And the story of your grandfather is beautiful. Thank you for thinking of us enough to share it.

[@HowardHoMusic]

I went out on a limb with this one. But I trusted that all of you would support this content. So thank YOU!

[@streetsorcery3285]

I also hear Legend of Zelda ; Ocarina of Time’s Opening Theme main melody using this melody structure.

[@CrystalDragen]

I watched Joy Luck club as a kid because my mom heard it was a great Mother-daughter film...and boy was I traumatized. It is a Great and heartwrenching Film, but it is not something to watch with a 9 year old. But I know for a fact my Mother loved it, because my grandmother immigrated from Mexico to the US in hopes of a better life for her future children, and perhaps my mother saw herself in some of the characters.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Yeah, it's definitely got some "mature" themes in there. Glad to hear it connects to so many people.

[@Yesunni]

you can fall in love with a musical analysis? I love it, and I already subscribed

[@aleksandernordgardenrdner1520]

That struck right in the feels, thank you. Not being burdened with an abundance of musical knowledge myself, I really appreciate having you explain it so eloquently, deepening my understanding of these properties which I already love.

[@elsat4702]

I used to learn Jinghu, but then moved back to the states. This is very personal to me. Thank you so much.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Wow, there aren't many people I know who know specifically the jinghu! So glad you saw this.

[@elsat4702]

​@@HowardHoMusic When I started it my mom thought it was the same as erhu and that is why I started jinghu :) Also I find it interesting that you compared jinghu to the violin. I have heard the erhu called the Chinese violin, but I agree that the jinghu sounds more like the violin than erhu.

[@BK-wb9oq]

2:30 This definition could also apply to Santa Fe from Newsies, with also uses a minor 7th up

[@JennyTheDragon]

Damn you Howard, making me weep during each one of your videos over friggin' notes.

[@KellyCannondeBorda]

This has all the makings of a beautiful documentary.

[@mandalevelsup]

First of all, this video is gorgeous. Second: that melody as a bass line just fully slaps.

[@HowardHoMusic]

I know, right? Thank you so much for watching!

[@mattbarker97]

The main thing I have gathered from this video is that the animated Mulan main theme is the same as the first line of the Kim Possible theme song and that has shaken me to my core

[@meginmd]

Before I even got to the part where you talk about West Side Story, I was like "It reminds me of West Side Story". And I hummed The Mandalorian theme to myself too to see if it matched and lol

[@HowardHoMusic]

Great minds!

[@katharineshade9550]

Just beautiful. There’s something so special about sharing music with your family in this kind of way.

[@atashishana2]

Thank you for sharing this personal video, Mr. Ho! I'm not a musically trained person, but your videos are so well-made that I can relate to them. It makes me appreciate how much work and it takes to score media.

[@thesweetembraceofnonexiste3740]

I adore this video for reasons I can't quite put my finger on- Maybe I'm just nostalgic for Mulan.

[@redathelabel]

A musical analysis video made me cry. As it should

[@AbsolXGuardian]

14:16 Interesting comparsion, because the clip of your grandfather's music put me in the mind of fast paced western folk music, like the Devil Went Down to Georgia. I know it was because the song depicts a battle, but fiddles are the typical folk instrument used in such pieces. Anyway, you're a very good presenter. I'm tone deaf and you were able to keep my attention

[@HowardHoMusic]

Totally, I hear the similarities in western fiddle music too!

[@mylescarley32]

This episodes ending was so emotional

[@zenaairaleroh]

I'm writing a paper, partly about Amy Tan, and it reminded me of this video, so I came back to this to rewatch it and now I'm emotional again.

[@renanreixach]

I actually cried in the end. Such a beautiful story and an incredible lesson on music. Thank you so much for that.

[@something3633]

2:31 Use this to represent far away places. Me:. Soome.... Wheeeree.... Oover the Raainbow~.... **Noticing this also workes**

[@jackwriter1908]

Just faszinating how much you can find in the music...

[@lizbita6412]

I feel like the immigrant theme from The Godfather 2 does something like this. It definitely gives those far away vibes, but it sounds so tragic instead of hopeful. Maybe it’s the instrument.

[@julianasilveira4806]

This video is so wholesome! I was in tears by the end. Thank you for sharing your story!

[@Carsian]

I really love how you use reverb and delay tails whenever your clips of example music stop, instead of abruptly cutting them off. It added such a strong air of excellence to this video and I'll definitely be using that technique in future videos of mine.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Yup, I'm a sound designer too. That's how I roll.

[@MrWhatcat]

This is a stunning story you've revealed to us. The people in music and the music in people. Thank you, from one musician to another, for these stories.

[@notareallin620]

Oooh. This video was smoothly executed! I love the fact that in the end, your adult life tied in with your childhood, and you STILL learned something related to your culture. Even unintentionally.

[@LoraCoggins]

The Six Degrees of Separation strikes again.

[@camilaGMW]

What an emotional trip... Thank you for sharing

[@austinkottkamp5267]

Howard! What a beautiful and informative journey, thank you for sharing!

[@six______]

no clue what half of this video meant but I very much enjoyed it regardless, very nicely made and edited :)

[@HowardHoMusic]

LOL...I'm glad you still enjoyed it.

[@carriegould7560]

So that's why I always get Chinese vibes when i play the black notes. I never really realized that

[@codyhanson1344]

One of the most beautiful videos I have ever watched on youtube right here. And to think it all started with the 2020 live action Mulan...

[@LBBull]

I’m not sorry at all in saying this is my favourite video i’ve watched it about 3 times and I’ve cried every time. Educational and emotional, you knocked this one out the park ❤️

[@FellshardYT]

The score to 'In the Flame' - the 'main theme' of Supergiant's 'Pyre' - predates Gregson-Williams' score, and each verse begins with that exact line, interim notes and all.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Wow, you're right. I had never heard of this before. Thanks for sharing.

[@_EVANERV_]

Speaking of Michael Giacchino and Star Trek theme, have you noticed how similar Star Trek theme is to Dr. Strange theme? And both movies are scored by Giacchino.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Yes, it's 100% Giacchino! Which is great when you can hear a composer develop that composition voice.

[@isabelhuang_1]

Bruh, it really went full circle

[@HowardHoMusic]

I appreciate you taking the time to go on the journey with me.

[@AndaraBledin]

The portamento slide is also incredibly common in North American indigenous music. I've done it myself quite a bit while noodling around with my own Native American flute, way back in the 80s, when I was still practicing music regularly.

[@MoonOffSpringC]

I've often heard that leap in a few c-dramas so it immediately sounded familiar when I started watching your video

[@lifewasawillow]

this was fascinating ❤ also, thank you for the pronunciation guide!

[@HowardHoMusic]

Glad to see you caught on to that!

[@z1ggy124]

Bruh, the quality content within these videos is so good.

[@christao408]

Your videos are fascinating. Educational, entertaining, and personal all at once. Well done and please keep them coming.

[@NickHoad]

It's so interesting how different people can hear the exact same melodic material in completely different ways; I've used the minor 7th up - minor 3rd down melody on a theremin to get a kind of 50s B-movie Evil Space Aliens vibe.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Oh, cool! I can hear that.

[@BlueZebra1955]

When you talk about a melodic leap meaning far away places I think of the first two notes of Over the Rainbow, from The Wizard of Oz.

[@mipha8795]

I don't really have anything constructive to add, but I want to help this video in the algorithm by commenting, it's so good! Great work.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Yes, much appreciated...*shakes fist at algorithm*

[@Eriquilla]

Thank you for sharing this. Glad you had a moment to bond with grandpa.

[@acmehorse]

I feel the love.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Yes, I made this with love. Appreciate you recognizing that.

[@pinkajou656]

@@HowardHoMusic all your videos are amazing! Especially your Hamilton music analysis videos, which I have rewatched repeatedly! Please keep making awesome videos!

[@MrE_]

0:00 words you do not hear too often

[@bettyreads222]

What a beautiful journey music can take you on and then to find the connections to your own past. Just awesome.

[@neoshenlong]

This is one of those videos that should have like 2 million views.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Thank you...that's the dream.

[@writermoon9699]

This felt so insightful and reflexive. Loved how you connected everything at the end into your own family. It was really beautiful ☺️✨

[@kiermamo2580]

sheer genius. with every video you make me fall in love with music anew.

[@jjtong1893]

This is so amazing and such a well done video! I love this so much!!

[@sarahcoleman5269]

Aww, genuinely brought a tear to my eye. Super sweet video.

[@JessicaRauVoice]

This is wonderful, Howard.

[@KFblade13373]

This is so cool, I love the personal connection you shared!

[@CM-yz3ze]

I love everything I've seen from you- but this was SO GOOD.

[@OgJamirR]

Awesome video man! Thank you for creating it!

[@joshuacopeland4602]

I’m surprised no one has mentioned Ralph Vaughan Williams “The Lark Ascending.” It was the first thing that popped into my head as that exact motif is played by the clarinet and flute of the orchestra throughout the work.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Oh cool! Lots of pentatonic scale in Lark Ascending too. It's been a while since I've heard it. Thanks for the catch.

[@joshuacopeland4602]

@@HowardHoMusicwhat’s crazy is that it’s nearly the same rhythm as well!

[@deoyx]

This was super cool to watch. Thank you for taking us on the trip with you

[@bobatea5406]

I do regret not learning the erhu in my Chinese primary school. I chose the recorder instead. Anyways thanks for sharing this is beautiful.

[@gabbym9217]

This whole video was brilliant. Editing, musical break down, history-I really appreciate this video.

[@keesalemon]

I dont know why I'm tearing up, this was a beautiful video, thank you so much for sharing your family history and your connection with this motif :)

[@ShaharHarshuv]

Your videos are mind blowing as always!! Looking forward for more

[@meg7578]

Amazing... this is one of my favorites of yours

[@DDStudio1]

This is great, love your hard works.

[@arthouston7361]

What a great story, Howard. I got all choked up at the end.

[@andibrimi]

I just wanted to let you know that me and my friends watched this video and we resonated a lot with it. I teared up a little with your last line. Thank you for this 🥺❤

[@slowclapswellwellwell6423]

Amazing video. I sometimes forget how much I really love music, but things like learning about what goes on behind the actual song is really inspiring.

[@alisonfool]

This is a beautiful video wow it all came together so beautifully

[@DavidGriffithsmusic]

A very interesting video and not what I was expecting. Thank you for sharing!

[@lueagle09]

Such a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing it!

[@senyu07084]

This motif appeared again! In the live action Avatar Netflix series right when Yue sacrifices herself in Ep 8.

[@losfp]

Great vid Howard, and I love the personal touch to it.