Instrumentation in Steven Universe

[@liztentomybiz8038]

Remember when Pearl goofily dreamed that Rose was actually Greg? You can hear a silly ragtime piano remix of Rose's Theme playing in the background.

[@thewalkingmic5]

Liz Klingensmith that was a hauntingly cute scene. The music kinda made me sad tbh because it’s tone was borderline nostalgic for her

[@Ares-hr3cv]

LMAO I REMEMBER THAT MOMENT WHEN SHE REALIZED THAT ROSE WAS GREG.

[@anonymousloser3633]

@@Ares-hr3cv thanks for fixing my van

[@Mariana-zc1gx]

What episode?

[@oneluscioussoul]

@@Mariana-zc1gx Chille Tid

[@eef1309]

I own the book 'Steven Universe, Art and Origins' in which it has an entire section with each characters musical palettes so I thought I'd share Steven: Chiptune/triangle wave (secondary: Rose's palette for his Gem powers and empathy; horns for his human physical strength) Garnet: Garnets synth bass (secondary: Garnet's synth bell) Ruby: a slightly janky square wave Sapphire: Sapphire's synth pad Ruby and Sapphire's love: an electric piano Amethyst: electric drums (secondary: electric bass, Amethyst's synth bell) Pearl: piano (secondary: harp, electric piano) Rose: (as remembered by others): strings (secondary: piano, Rose's synth bell) Connie: Connie's synth bell (secondary: piano for battle scenes) Greg: Greg's synth bell (secondary: electric guitar) Lapis: celesta (secondary: timpani, piano, acoustic guitar) Peridot: sine wave (secondary: Peridot's bells, peridots drum kit) Jasper: electric drums (secondary: synth choir) Bismuth: reverse electric guitar Mother Centipeetle: synth gamelan Lion: a special synth bell that we use for all of the Gems' sweet family moments (secondary: Rose's palette) Diamonds The Diamonds instruments (a synthetic sound that surasshu made by combining harmonette and strings, processed by a synth) I hope you enjoyed and this wasn't lost in a sea of comments

[@TheDragonWarrior62]

Cool

[@buckbeak14]

This comment made me realize I know nothing about instruments

[@Abakaue]

And now I have to buy this book

[@sukyandalous]

Spinel: Mellotron Violin

[@eef1309]

@@Abakaue You should, if you like the show it's a marvelous book with all of the developments of the characters over time and so many other great little tidbits

[@tallinsmagno4207]

The Diamonds also have an instrument. I’m not sure what it is but it sounds like a sort of weird distorted accordion.

[@FlyingPotatoChickens]

Tallinsmagno according to the art book, it’s actually strings (COUGH) and harmonette processed through a synth

[@waynehayes912]

They also have their own individual Chords that was shown in the art book. Every time a diamond is shown they play their unique chord White is F#M7 Yellow is BM7 Blue is EM7 Pink is AM7 also during Whats the Use of feeling Blue when the pearls sing their just repeating Yellow, Blue and Pinks chords

[@GuiSmith]

Wayne Hayes And now I see why they used the rhythm and minor scale they did, because how else do you tie in three otherwise mostly incompatible chords when all used at once.

[@BlueStylus]

I think they're saw synths

[@JivanPal]

They're just synths, but with a distinctly slow attack.

[@gideonbias]

Wait, if Pearl's the piano, and Greg's the guitar, and the piano and guitar disagree, doesn't that elude to the fact that Pearl and Greg are at odds for pretty much most of the series?

[@kaitlyn__L]

Yep! And Pearl’s the most mommish of the gems, but she can rarely work together with Greg about Steven either! They do just mostly take turns with him.

[@Yungblut]

At 6:52 a voiceover is missing: "or like when pearl sings it's over isn't it and is accompanied with just piano and strings"

[@BaneDane_JB]

Based on other comments its possible this was already a video and some parts were removed to avoid a copyright strike

[@osmosiswright9924]

Now that it's taken away the weird repeat doesn't make sense

[@lycanthrop-ee9971]

Ooooh, and the strings are subtle! That's so cooool!!!

[@tommaline9607]

It might have strings in the background because she is singing about rose quartz and rose has strings as her theme

[@Frostflame]

At 6:52 a voiceover is missing: “she’s GOOOOOOOOOOOONE”

[@MillyKKitty]

Connie plays violin and Steven plays Ukelele 🤔 HMMMMMMMM

[@rxtrograde5136]

OH YEAH YEAH

[@alieninspiration]

What does that mean? I just don't know the reference

[@DeathKitta]

@@alieninspiration I think it means how Rose(violin) was with Pearl(piano) and Greg(guitar) that's how Connie(violin) is with Steven(small guitar)

[@jasperquartz4612]

They are relatively similar to one another in that they are both string instrument.

[@streamhuh]

*_jam buds._*

[@loycos3648]

would be cool if you covered new musical elements on the show, like the Diamonds' theme (composed of 4 chords that represent each Diamond) and how they create "alien" sounds. (or the fact that they hid Pink Diamond's chord in Rose's theme like... sneaky bastards)

[@gab_gallard]

This video is more than a year old. It is a re-upload.

[@loycos3648]

@@gab_gallard i know, im simply suggesting he covers the topic again, this time analyzing newer elements that were exposed since the the original video was uploaded.

[@Holobrine]

Yeah, he could do a sequel to this with the newer gems.

[@pixeliien]

That’s actually really cool that each Diamond has their own chord in the Diamonds’ theme. Do you know which chord corresponds with each Diamond? I’m kind of curious to know

[@koomsik2578]

they fucking WHAT

[@incorrigibl]

this might sound weird but this video is so cute?? like you're real passionate about this and it comes through and is just fun to listen to!

[@12DAMDO]

you should watch avatar review channels, their passion for the last airbender is so big it just makes you wanna rewatch the show more carefully

[@thewalkingmic5]

12DAMDO dude. I’m a diehard avatar fan. I listened to all their instrumentals last week. Once you go avatar, you *never* go back! Um anyway, carry on lol

[@PauLtus_B]

You're new to this channel? Because this is this guys general tone, I do love it as well.

[@23washere99]

hellspawn sparks why are you using question marks? Is that a question???

[@mallk238]

@@23washere99 the question marks are used to represent an upturn in pitch at the end of a sentence. It's not really about asking a question, it's more to convey a specific emotion that I forget the words for right now.

[@uncharted3awesome]

1:09 I just realized that there's a hint of the chord they use for the Diamond's themes. Jesus Christ, is everything foreshadowing in this show?

[@hirokokueh3541]

it's interesting that Diamonds use Major7th, but Rose use 13th

[@karid9041]

Yes

[@daveslamjam]

yes

[@thefactspherefromportal2740]

**ahem** Uncle Grandpa said that Steven should polish his gemstone twice a year. Normally, a real Rose Quartz doesn't need to be polished as so. But a real diamond does.

[@icelingbolt]

Was that episode even canon? @@thefactspherefromportal2740

[@ghostlyjay2040]

"See, my piano professor and the violin professor were actually married, and it never felt like an accompaniment." *gets major Your Lie In April flashbacks*

[@Tekknight007]

Exact comment I was here for!

[@ladylauren]

I noticed how each gem had their own unique sound, but I never put two and two together to think that their fused form was also their specific sounds fusing together. I absolutely love it, thank you for making this!! Also, 3:59 when you talked about the piano accompaniment and the violinist listening to each other, gave me major Your Lie in April vibes 💜

[@wormyboiroy6751]

You’ve read my mind

[@illusorymoney4628]

@@wormyboiroy6751 same

[@meowrhi]

U made me throw my phone a lil there I wasn’t expecting to get attacked with your lie in April in this comment section

[@EJSmith145]

One of my favorite instances of music to support the narrative in this show is when Amethyst haphazardly forms into a mocking version of Pearl and the instrumental is a piano, like Pearl, but it's played with all these wrong notes and aimless sidetracks. 😂

[@15_heidune72]

This is making me laugh

[@SuperShadowify]

This is a subject I’ve always wanted to see more people talk about. Aivi and surasshu as well as Rebecca sugar have such a good musical understanding of their characters and I’m sad the score isn’t available for purchase or something. One of my favorite characters in terms of music is actually Jasper. Her songs just encapsulate who she is and what she represents perfectly imo

[@claudiag.9307]

the soundtrack is up for purchase online

[@SuperShadowify]

Hitomi Iwahana all the vocal tracks are, but most of the score was removed from SoundCloud a while back and there’s no official release yet

[@matthueloose7172]

Vol. 2 and onwards is on the way! Avi & Surasshu have confirmed that more music will be released, but that it may take a while, so... eventually! (It seems like they'll release the next one during a hiatus to help tide us over, but thats just a thought!)

[@littlefishbigmountain]

@@matthueloose7172 (Just a thought, Just a thought, Just a thought Just a thought)

[@Sqwivig]

Yeah... too bad Rebecca Sugar doesn't have the best grasp on good writing AMIRIGHT! 😂 Steven Universe has amazing characters, music, backgrounds, etc, but my god the story is a fucking mess. When Steven called the Diamonds "family" (keeping in mind they are ruthless dictators who run a fascist society) I completely lost hope in this show to get its shit together.

[@hirokokueh3541]

so we know that Steven's instrument is sawtooth wave, Rose's is strings, sawtooth wave can be filtered to be synth strings ... that makes sense ...

[@PauLtus_B]

*Square wave

[@athenaestrada8656]

Oh my god. OH MY GOD. OH MY GOD!! MY MIND IS BLOWN, DUDE!

[@quadpad_music]

There's actually a tune from a Commodore 64 game that uses just 3 saws playing the exact same note in unison to simulate strings. You don't even need to filter them.

[@kaitlyn__L]

DUDE

[@SquidgytheGreat]

I. FREAKING. LOVE. STEVEN. UNIVERSE. There is something about it that just feels so nostalgic and feelgood and innocent. And yet it doesn't have that mindless childish entertainment like so many programs out there - it has real soul and depth to it's characters. UGH ITS JSUST SO FREAKING GOOD AJKGLhfkjadhglkhjagarg

[@eonstar]

+Objective Quest (what, how does the show do that??? There is not a single transgender person on the show...)

[@eonstar]

@Objective Quest Have you ever watched Dragon ball z? The Namekians are all 'male' because they're aliens. They don't even know what a woman is? Is it wrong that their alien species happens to work like that?Even on earth there are creatures that only have one gender (or none, however you want to view it,doesn't change anything). The gems are a race of aliens that only look female to us. The only reason Steven is male is because he is half human. Fusion itself just represents relationships in general. And it is important to note that not all relationships are sexual. You have a relationship with your children, friends, teachers, etc. When two characters fuse that fusion is a representation of their relationship. The reason Steven's fusions look feminine is because he is still a child. You can make any child look like the opposite gender by simply changing their hair and clothes.Children only really look different from each other (meaning we can tell their sex) at puberty. Before that, they don't really look that different. So when Steven, fuses with someone who is female,the fusion would look so because he is a kid. Now aside from that,what makes you say that homosexuality is unethical? What do you define your ethics based on?

[@kittykatycupcake318]

I agree. I especially love the soundtrack for the show.

[@eonstar]

@Objective Quest People can be in a relationship without eloping. That includes people who are straight who may simply never want to have a child, but simply want to be together for forever. And even if they do such acts, why should it matter to others. Humans do TONS of things that are pointless in the long run, so why does it matter if two men, or two women want to be together and perhaps elope? (And they might never do so anyways). Also aids is also spread from heterosexuality. Just because someone straight and only dates someone who's straight and only has been with straight people, that doesn't protect them from aids. Also, homosexuality could also be natures own way of birth control since the more children a women has, the more likely that child would be gay (due to her body 'attacking' the male fetus) " The acceptance of it lead to transgenderism and nonbinary and whatnot" No, no it doesn't. Ever heard of trans exclusionary feminists (terf). You can have the belief that it doesn't matter if a man and man are together and still not believe in transgenderism. Also transgenderism is a treatment to the serious mental condition called gender dysphoria. Just as someone might be born with autism or down syndrome, they can also be born with this condition. Gender is not a social construct (which I'm pretty sure you'd agree with), if you take a normal male child and raise him as a girl (without him knowing he was a boy), he would get gender dysphoria. Because his brain isn't matching. There was actually a scientist who did that to a poor child who had a messed up circumcision, and it completely ruined his life. Also as for fury's 90% of that community isn't sexual. Just because someone is wearing a suit, doesn't mean they do such things. (And no I'm not a furry by ANY mile of the imagination) "Also, the crystal gem fusions are animated in a sexual way, I think we can both see that. Sexual undertones are definitely present between the gems, namely Pearl and Steven's mom. Pearl even covered Steven's eyes once when a fusion was taking place. " So I'm going to assume you're talking about the dances, for it makes the most sense although via phrasing it is not exactly clear that is what you're talking about. Sure some of the dances may be thought of as risque but that means nothing to a child. Children would just see characters doing funny dances. Just as an adult joke (like in shrek) would go over a kids head, so would those undertones in the dances. BUT, I would say that the fusions themselves are not meant to be sex anyways. As I have stated before, they represent relationships. Like Steven and Amethyst, aren't Steven and his mom/sister (however you view it, it doesn't matter) suddenly eloping. Or Alexandrite isn't all of the crystal gems(minus Steven) eloping. Or Connie and Steven, who are children as well, when they fuse it's not that either. You can view art however you want it. But if you choose to view it in such a way, you get a really messed up show. And I doubt the people writing it are promoting pedophilia. "The namenkian fusions in dragonball were not sexual in design, especially seeing as how the namenkians are not a sexual species, they reproduce by creating an egg within themselves and spitting it from the mouth." Neither are gems. They literally don't even reproduce. They are born from fluid being injected into a planet and they pop up when they get the nutrients from said planet. (Sounds kinda like a plant when you think about it, but that's besides the point.) And on Namek you can see how both Namekians (who all go by he in the show, it had nothing to do with toriyama forgetting.) Now I will say view the show on it's own. Stay away from it's community and view it based on it's own merit. (I would say to do that with any and every show actually) "I restate my point, it is dangerous for children to be exposed to these things." That's an interesting premise in itself. What makes it dangerous? A child being raised by homosexual couple is no more likely to be gay because they've been exposed to it than a child in a family that is openly against it. As for transgenderism, if it's tackled carefully I wouldn't think so. Just as any mental illness, or condition should be tackled carefully. Just as Arthur would have episodes of a child with autism, it would make sense if a show were to tackle that subject. (But I also, think it's even more important to emphasis that just because your a boy doesn't mean you have to like 'boy things', and vise versa. Your gender doesn't define your interests. You can be a boy and like "girl" things, or be a girl and like "boy" things. That doesn't make you transgender )

[@fishsauce617]

P R E A CH

[@galiagarcia4216]

Sorry if i'm late but, in Steven Universe: The Movie Steven's song "change" included trumpets... so they finally made an amazing jazz combo!!

[@Jakeneutron]

Love this still, even if a reupload

[@TObyvruh]

Hi jakey!

[@diek_yt]

Thank you, I thought I was having a Deja Vu!

[@obedambriz8370]

Diek same 😂😂

[@chimarajigsawlord]

Hey!

[@mkon29]

i literally had to pause the video because i was laughing so much at your “heavy metal” pun

[@apricityzz]

I mADe A pUn

[@tennisgreen69]

*I don’t know anything about music theory whatsoever, don’t hesitate to correct me* I just wanted to point out the way opal’s theme is built. If you take Amethyst’s solo drums ( 0:57 ), they’re wild and erratic and if you take Pearl’s solo piano ( 1:04 ), it’s calm and sounds like classic music, with everything being coordinated. But if you look at Opal’s theme ( 1:56 ), the two switch places, with the drums being played more like normal drums, being very organised and the piano taking the front place, doing a solo way wilder than what you would expect from Pearl. Just a little thing I wanted to point out. ( Also I’m sorry for the possible writing mistakes, English isn’t my native language)

[@marupruma1813]

So I think what you're trying to point out is that they mimic each other and harmonize? The drums being organized and the piano standing up more.

[@tennisgreen69]

@@marupruma1813 Yeah basically

[@DeathnoteBB]

VIBE CHECK!!! Pearl was excited about fusing with Garnet

[@fettugenie749]

damn... no you’re fine bro

[@lahagemo]

they balance out each other, amethyst allows for herself to be calmer and take up a more supporting role, while pearl allows for herself to be more outgoing and take up more space. which is pretty cool

[@k8e717]

“I’m really excited to see what they’re gonna do next with their music.” *CRIES*

[@FrogKingJacob]

It’s over isn’t it?

[@lilykustyn4747]

I wonder what he thinks of "Escapism"

[@pseudogenesis]

Something really cool I noticed is that Zach Callison and Grace Rolek (Steven and Connie's voice actors) are harmonizing with AJ Michalka (Stevonnie's actress) towards the end of the song!

[@morganreck6171]

The Bismuth pun made me do the angry Yellow Diamond face

[@UltimateKyuubiFox]

You really played that final clip twice so we would notice the subtle violin, huh? Damn.

[@thecarptain]

Steven Universe is the one show that can make me actually tear up with it's emotion and heart.

[@PentaromaLMA0]

So i guess why sardonyx is loved so much is because its electro swing, and like we all know. *Electro swing be kinda vibin doe*

[@rivertoepler8526]

I haven't really listened or watched anything SU in a while, and hearing it's over isn't it STILL gives me chills. Dee Dee's performance was so phenomenal.

[@moonasmii1663]

Okay but,, Are y’all also really really really shook about change your mind?

[@fishsauce617]

DUDE YES

[@BBWahoo]

not yet, needs to be re-contextualized for full effect

[@hybr1d21]

the pause you had at the bismuth pun only for the pun to be delivered made my day and I hate you as well lmao

[@izzrainy7410]

The diamonds have kazoo

[@frenchwaffl]

Hahahahaha

[@notworthnaming2492]

I also like the use of what I guess would be a leitmotif with Garnet. The song Sapphire sings when she's introduced becomes the melody for the Stronger Than You chorus and it comes back later for Something Entirely New.

[@TheBoomamatic]

Man youtube must be hitting you hard seeing this many reuploads come from you. Is there a particular reason for the reuploads or is it just because music and youtube is a recipe for copyright disaster?

[@CVerse]

Actually it was the clips from the show this time

[@itsaUSBline]

Also, it can kinda give the video a little bump and expose more people who may have missed it before to it. There's no shame in promoting good content like this, especially given how the youtube algorithm works and all.

[@Flowtail]

itsaUSBline As somebody who never saw this the first time around, I can confirm!

[@leudyrodriguez2488]

I thought I was the only one that noticed.

[@elderberryva9282]

I was WAITING for someone to point out the genius in the background music

[@magsierosie]

I really like the diamond’s sounds because they are all this really ethereal and eery string ensemble, and I find it very chilling but really cool.

[@eleganteevee1339]

I think that Steven should be a ukulele, because his dad's has a guitar and he kinda gives off that vibe, but idk

[@theletterj4397]

ElegantEevee he does play that

[@littlefishbigmountain]

Rebecca Sugar, the show's creator also plays ukulele. In fact, almost all her songs are written on and recorded as promos on one and are, both for Steven Universe and Adventure Time, usually are just her singing atop herself playing the uke, which is often out of tune, haha (her brother has a YT channel with a bunch, but not all, of them @robsugar, and you can find others on YT the he doesn't have uploaded too. Interestingly, the lyrics are sometimes changed for various reasons, sometimes just a little and sometimes completely, so it can be interesting to see how the songs can change from their conception. Sometimes it's subtle, like in Peace and Love on the Planet Earth originally the number system was used instead of solfège [Do, Re, Mi], but for example Daddy, Why Did You Eat My Fries from Adventure Time was completely rewritten at the request of Cartoon Network for being too "existential". Some songs even keep a ukulele in the track in the final version even tho the characters might be playing a guitar or even something else like bass or banjo or whatever, lol. She just loves 'em) But anyway Steven is actually named after Rebecca Sugar's brother Steven Sugar (different brother), so I think the connection kinda makes sense. Also, I think the biggest part of it is that she just really loves ukulele. If you've never heard her promos before, I recommend Escapism (from SU). That one actually has pretty good production too, especially in comparison to some others

[@littlefishbigmountain]

@@theletterj4397 Lol, Steven can play ukulele, guitar, bass, drums, piano, and sing, if I'm not missing any

[@prestonrcasey]

It’s cool and weird to hear someone analyze Steven Universe because I’ve been listening to Aivi Tran since like 2008

[@nightcaller92]

1:48 An additional detail with that is that when we see each pairing of the gems trying to fuse for the first time, each of their instruments plays in a style in accordance with their own personality. Pearl's piano is elegant, Amethyst's drums are wild, Garnet's bass is bold. Then when they complete the fusion, the instruments take on characteristics of the other gem. Very distinct in Opal's theme, where the drums tighten up and focus under Pearl's influence and the piano loosens up and has fun with it under Amethyst's, but it's there with the other fusions too

[@derandi2324]

5:55 that was wonderfull. Also great video tbh its really cool seeing more folks talk about this

[@koromoro6682]

THANK! YOU! I remember quite a few years back I was really into the music for steven universe and I’d try to categorize each song by theme and character. The music all comes together so nicely. Aivi and Shurasshu really know what they’re doing.

[@GegoXaren]

The talk about "Piano and Violin"... Well let me tell you about _Your Lie in April._ Gawd damn it... Now I'm crying...

[@quacker__jack]

It’s still accompanying, though

[@gregg8721]

After I saw the part with you talking about the fusions I wanted to listen to all of the new fusions’s songs and was very pleased. Rainbow quartz 2.0’s theme is made amazingly with the chip tune and piano to make it sound more whimsical and the bass with the chip tune in sunstone’s theme was perfect

[@signsofabadger7212]

Just hearing that small segment from "it's over isn't it?" gave me goosebumps 💕💕 this show is just next level!!

[@ye3s146]

The clearest way to tell is in the extended theme tune, whenever Steven sings, we get that little twinkly noise

[@giddy7079]

Aivi and Surasshu have done an amazing job w/ the soundtrack. I just wish that more of it was available to listen to outside of the show.

[@RickyKingProductions]

Oh shit, the violin at the end of It's Over Isn't It when Pearl says "she's gone"

[@MsFlappy007]

I think one of my favorite pieces that shows this is the soundtrack "Young Gems". I love everything about how it slowly introduces its instruments at the same time the characters appear on screen, how the piano and the synth base are kind of in a conversation, and how the strings accompany the whole at the end, aaaahh

[@connorweinman4792]

The Homeworld gems have synths or instrument sounds with effects on them. As they become crystal gems, they become more “acoustic”.

[@angelaphsiao]

It must suck trying to teach music on youtube when everything you use gets copyrighted

[@ceedubelu]

3:35 so basically: the piano, in many ways, ends up having to *"serve"* everyone else...like a pearl 🤯🤯🤯

[@agiwithaname3192]

Rose’s theme is so.. Beautiful... 🥺

[@awabqureshi814]

PEARL AND PIANO I noticed this throughout the entire show. I'm so glad you made a vid in it

[@PLScypion]

You just gave me +5 appreciation for Steven Universe and for very interesting idea of giving specific instruments to different characters' themes, well done

[@chibikonatsu]

I was hoping you'd also go into the way the style of instruments play off of each other in fusion. Like, in Opal you have piano and percussion together, but on top of that they're playing more like each other. Amethyst's wild drumming becomes precise and driven and Pearl's elegant, courtly keys gain confidence and bravado.

[@Doongie4ever]

It makes the show even more beautiful when you pointed out the instrumentation.

[@fgergver]

You have to come back to this with the new fusions!!!

[@binchickenalfredo1928]

Ohhhh, Rose has multiple string instruments because she's also Pink Diamond

[@Eddie_the_Fool]

this is a beautiful analysis for a beautiful show

[@lucasgabriel709]

The really put so much thought in the show, wow. Favorite Cartoon show 🌟

[@Camperniki]

They do have genres too tho. Rebecca gets input on which styles of music each actor likes and tries to write in those styles

[@enricopersia4290]

I have never seen the show but just a bunch of episodes, it's time to re-watch 😊

[@watagashi_mitai]

this was lovely, you've opened my eyes (ears)! now im definitely gonna listen a lot more actively from now on. also, a rare positive steven universe video! thank you for this recommendation, youtube overlords.

[@97Multiphantom]

So glad to see this reuploaded; it was my first and one of my favorite of your videos.

[@Beespank]

I didn’t think it was possible to love Steven Universe any more than I already did but here we are. All I needed was a dope as heck breakdown of the music behind the show

[@Rachel-xu7jj]

Why is youtube only showing me this now????? I should’ve seen this sooner!!!

[@Rapidashisaunicorn]

This video was what convinced me to finally watch Steven Universe, and re-watching it after finishing the show, there’s so much more to it that I didn’t notice before

[@thewoollyviking5928]

I'm a massive SU nerd, and even I never noticed these! This is really well done!

[@willowchair]

I love the instrument used for Bismuth. It's very tubey and industrial, much like her.

[@234fddesa]

This one is gonna get copystriked fast, I can already tell.

[@DreamlessSleepwalker]

Both of these double upload videos are clearly him trying to piss off everyone. Defending transformers and steven universe?

[@non-binarycoding5505]

wowzers i am a year late but here’s my take on why they chose individual instruments for the main characters (mainly the cg). in the first season they were basically falling apart due to the loss of their leader and emotional pillar, had differing stances on steven’s powers and progress as well as differing roles in his parenting, and had distinct fighting styles that were (at the time) having trouble meshing together like a proper team. you could make the argument that they chose one instrument for each of the main characters to keep it distinct, but i believe they also chose this to emphasize the value of team work and how steven (and by extension the whole show) views the crystal gems - as one unit consisting of distinct, but equally important sounds. my theory on why that’s different with the other gems is that there has never been a singular gem they could defeat without having to work together. taking lapis as an example - during fights she seems to be one of the strongest gems in the supporting cast and strong enough to take on the CG when their guard is lowered and they aren’t properly working together. for metaphor’s sake, she’s a fully formed band going up against three musicians who are still trying to find their footing as a team after losing their frontman. the same goes for just about all the other big bads they cross over the course of the series.

[@nickmartin6602]

Finally. Someone brought this up.

[@natalya6977]

you can really notice this in the song “Happily Ever After” from the SU Movie!! in their solo parts (Once upon a time...), you can hear their instruments accompanying their voices. although there are also other instruments playing, you can hear their respective instruments more!! also Garnet’s theme in her solo part ahskdkdksjd

[@stephecho5916]

Also, in "The Anwer", the little tune they sing at the end of the song is the same motif that shows up in "Stronger than you". See im smart

[@stampedarc1509]

3:00 the best possible clip he could have used for Amethyst being impatient.

[@Tangent_Pixel]

I've been trying to explain this to my cowriters on a project, thank you!

[@burny7216]

5:49 I did not know it was a guitar, oh my god that's so cool, I always thought it was some synth

[@wateriswet1845]

In elementary school we would listen to the Disney instrumental record players. I love ❤️ 💗 and miss it😥

[@theMoporter]

Rose's strings being a particular chord was so damn smart.

[@user-hh4xs7ml7s]

I feel Like I've seen this before... wait why is there a playlist on the side that says "unlisted" with a transformers video in it come on that's just weird

[@peterstangl8295]

i don't see a playlist, where is it?

[@user-hh4xs7ml7s]

@@peterstangl8295 It's still there for me just by clicking the notification I automatically get sent to a playlist which is weird but handy since he uploaded the videos at the same time I can watch them right after the other I didn't know youtube had this feature but it's nice and I've been noticing a lot of changes with the notification system lately so it should show up if you click on the notification but I don't think there's any other way besides that

[@saxoblam]

Sometimes he has to re-upload videos slightly edited so they won't become demonetised :(

[@JustCozItsMe]

I know Ive seen this before.

[@toribarlow1000]

I honestly never realized they did this. This is so neat and adds so much depth to the show. I loved this video thank you.

[@theraginginfernape9496]

I wish there was a gem represented by at least one brass or woodwind instrument. It's always piano, bass, drums.

[@defaultformat1014]

I believe it's because they want to stick to traditional orchestral instruments rather than a full band

[@sagemeanswise]

and in terms of stevens instrumentation, if you've listened to Change Your Mind, its starts of with that beautiful, ambient, game-like, synth

[@Berries20]

Steven Universe makes me as excited for their songs and music as Phineas and Ferb did.

[@cycloneabsol9405]

"Maybe because Steven's a smaller version of his dad" Yeah- yeah, that's the actual in-universe explanation. Steven wasn't big enough to learn guitar, so his dade gave him a uke to use until he was.

[@an_annoying_cat]

I never noticed that it existed out of the song Mirror Match.

[@Tabloom]

Chip tune for Steven fits in because Steven is like no one, he’s half human and half gem. And the chip tune isn’t heard that often in music, and that’s what makes them unique.

[@blenjamin]

It's back! I'd really missed this video, great to see it back up. :)

[@animorph17]

I desperately want more shows to do this. Between the indiana jones theme, the superman theme, and professional wrestlers making their own theme music, this concept basically isn't utilized among the wider range of media.

[@JODA93]

I don't really like Steven Universe anymore, but I respect your passion for music.

[@wellspokenrambler]

interestingly, Gorillaz have a song called "Aspen Forest" on their album "The Fall" which incorporates bass, chiptune-esque synths, gentle artificial drums and a controlled piano section - which makes it sound EXACTLY like a hypothetical opening soundtrack to a Season 1 episode of Steven Universe.

[@tiredoptimist277]

I can hear it in the new fusions but I can't hear steven in obsidian's theme

[@SoulBeast2OoO]

I think you should make another video updating Steven Universe because so much has actually happened and the music has gotten better

[@Seetiyan]

THIS VIDEO. This video is the reason I started watching the show - although you DID spoil the Garnet thing - you should've put a warning on that! Aside from that, this is a great analysis of the show's music.

[@faxmachine1162]

I've never realized how good the music is!

[@WitchKing-Of-Angmar]

I have a question. Do you think that in "Steven Universe the movie", the song "found" (which is so beautiful but also morbid) is impressionism...because Everytime I hear it and don't cry, I hear a lot of impressionistic aspects in it. Look up the video "playing happy birthday in 10 genres" and listen to the guitar in it (primarily on his impressionism genre) and then go to "found" and listen to the background guitar or ukulele in it. They bere a Striking resemblance. I'm asking you because your basically music theory as a man

[@maggipiee]

i'm so glad you reuploaded this! i watched the original video once, a long time ago, and it was what inspired me to watch steven universe. then i couldn't find it again to rewatch! very cool stuff.

[@pearlisn]

fun fact: Spinel's is Mellotron strings

[@jewelminess]

Also they're usually reversed, as a reference to Rose's string instruments

[@95245666]

'Blaming you for all their mistakes, but never seen in a practice room.' THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH!!! As a pianist, I freaking feel this

[@r00b27]

CN: Ok, it is about these space gems uh huh CN: They ALL, and I mean EVERYBODY, gem or not, needs therapy sounds about right.

[@brokenburger3171]

This made me appreciate steven universe crew even more

[@saltysnowflake5832]

Black Panther also does this really well. Go watch Ludwig Gorransen’s breakdown on how he made the music.

[@byrontheusurper6505]

That makes so much fucking sense and I love it! I don't know that much about musical theory because it always kinda bored me in school and , at least in music, I'm more of a practical guy,but this is accually insanely interesting!