The Secret to Writing a Professor Layton Theme

[@8bitMusicTheory]

OKAY OKAY Here's the full piece I wrote: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oH6piGdpmZKDgas It was extremely fun to write and put together, and right when I was starting to record it my wife found someone selling a 'Pianorgan' secondhand in my city. It's played like a keyboard but it sounds just like an accordion, with a fan inside replacing the bellows on a regular accordion. So I could actually record the accordion parts myself without having to rely on bad MIDI accordion sounds!

[@false_icons]

I NEED a Pianorgan now

[@smexydeer1820]

Bro began the video with his own Layton plot twist

[@Dominik-K]

A gentleman always knows how to pleasantly surprise others

[@stephaniejanong4146]

THIS MADE ME CRACK UP

[@aviserig]

AND THAT COMPOSER IS ME!

[@loool72]

"Do you know which game this if from? No, you don't, because I wrote it" is such a power-move, the fact you were able to compose a song so indistinguishably close to how the original artists REALLY drives home with how much love and attention to detail you approached this analysis!! thank you for providing such a helpful resource, i've learned so much from this channel 🖤

[@YingwuUsagiri]

Now you've done both, it's time for 8-bit to listen to the Phoenix Wright vs Professor Layton soundtrack because it's an amazing perfect blend of both styles together with a slight sprinkle of "the timeframe" which is roughly the era of knights and magic.

[@Ranzha_]

PLEASE

[@Dominik-K]

I love that OST so much, the blend is highly effective and sounds complex to my untrained ears in a fantastic way. Would love a video

[@mei-chan1337]

The Layton x Ace Attorney puzzle theme is god-tier

[@ManrikiKusari]

And then afterwards, an analysis of Great Ace Attorney themes because the music was created with the PLvAA music in mind

[@timonotter2068]

PLvsAA is truly an amazing OST

[@amnesiacapothecary]

I knew that wasn't an actual Layton song bc I've listened to the entire soundtrack obsessive compulsively lol Release the full song now king :)

[@arran4285]

I thought it was from one of the later games or the crossover

[@AwesomizedArmadillo]

I'm in the same boat lol, not that it doesn't sound like Layton music

[@idliketobeagummybear]

this is what happens when there’s no new game in 10 years lmao

[@Gibberishusernamehere]

Second twist, this is from New World of Steam

[@nappeywappey]

I can't unhear the fact that Layton main themes are Jpop songs played with accordions and violins after this video lol

[@kennyholmes5196]

Now that you've covered both Ace Attorney and Professor Layton, it's time to cover the crossover game.

[@AcidRayn24]

When you played the original composition at the beginning my first thought was that you somehow got an early copy of New World of Steam and this was some elaborate reveal video. Would have fooled me, nicely done!

[@StonetheDestroyer42]

I had heard a lot of these soundtracks, but I've never played the games. I didn't realize until this video how good the game's *visual* aesthetic is. It's beautiful, and it's dripping with character and charm.

[@lellymapommscymbillnos336]

The Azran Legacy theme breaks the trend of finishing on strong chords to instead eerily segue into the Azran theme ("Echoes of the Past") with those ominous low piano notes underneath...it feels like it says "this one isn't going to end like the other ones"...I remember hearing it in the Azran Legacy trailer and it had me SO hyped

[@DarthSpiderMario]

The cool thing about the part at 17:36 for the Last Specter theme is that’s the same motif as the one used for summoning the titular “specter” in the game.

[@ImNotGam]

I almost screamed when Curious Village's theme played even though this is a Prof Layton video. That song is my childhood.

[@professorlink8202]

You fool, I've listened to Professor Layton's themes too much not to have realized that the music at the beginning was totally original ! Otherwise, I'm so happy that you covered this subject ! :D Can't wait to listen to the New World of Steam theme !

[@micahwest3566]

*Pulls off ridiculous mask and begins cackling*

[@thegreatbowald750]

I remember when i was a kid playing Dark Cloud 2 (Dark Chronicle in Europe i think), and i loved the music from the game. When my dad got himself the first Professor Layton game on a DS, i instantly recognized the main theme, it sounded so much like the music from Dark Cloud. Tomohito Nishiura has a wonderully distinct sound, and I LOVE the accordian use!

[@TKNinja37]

I appreciate that you made the same connection I did. The similarities in the music are easy to hear. I felt the original piece hit a sort of "Xenoblade-Chronicles"-by-way-of-"Dark-Cloud" sound: very much leaning into the accordion sound, but a more high-energy tension than it usually produces.

[@pieterfaes6263]

Me now noticing all the mechanical sounds in the original Professor Layton game theme: ...dammit, well played, game. Well played.

[@damonkinell-cm3uu]

Layton's Mystery Journey (Katrielle Layton) main theme follows the same structure up until the breakdown section.. where it never really builds up until the very end of the piece, but it does so very gracefully with a heart wrenching resolution which I love so much. So no crazy solo section or anything.. no jabs. I still really love it and its refreshing to hear a change from status quo. Also just realised there is no "moody intro", the start of the piece immediately begins with melody and accompliment as an intro.

[@ole_pl]

PLEASE also make a video about Professor Layton Puzzle Themes, they're amazing!

[@nintendorobin]

The violin in the beginning reminds me of the Dirtmouth melody from Hollow Knight! Sounds very nice!

[@Lishtenbird]

So I _wasn't_ crazy, someone else did hear this too!

[@BATS2288]

Got the same vibe too. If it was in the same key, it would have been unmistakable.

[@yeth_half]

8-BIT, RELEASE TGE FULL LAYTON PIECE AND MY LIFE IS YOURS!

[@OofMoment420]

i recommend vanvoxy's chip tunes if you wanna hear 8 bit covers of layton tracks!

[@timothythomas1158]

As a Professor Layton connoisseur, I thoughorouly enjoyed this video. You give an excellent explanation to why Layton themes are so amazing and unique!

[@Infectedbybloo]

RELEASE THE FULL ORIGINAL LAYTON PIECE PLS

[@alelaera13]

yes 8bit are you crazy, ypu have to release it

[@BrendanVavra]

Fantastic breakdown! I've studied a lot of Layton music over the years and have reached similar conclusions on how the main themes are structurally related, so I'm glad to finally hear your take on the music from this fantastic series. ^^ I've also noticed Nishiura uses that descending 5-#4-♮4 line in several other tracks throughout the OST to give that mysterious feel in all of the games, so I'm very happy you called that part out of the main theme.

[@notcarbuncle1493]

Actually squealed when this popped up in mu recommended, love these osts so much

[@julienradke8653]

I totally forgot how good the Layton main themes were. Definitley have to listen them on repeat for a while now. Thanks.

[@thespeedyyoshi]

I…wow….I’m surprised just how consistent it is. It’s like…almost completely formulaic

[@ArthurSieg]

I always experience a certain "Frenchness" in Layton music! I think it's the violin and accordion combination.

[@AlphaOblivion7]

This video is so good that it almost made me forget that the canon ending for the Professor and Luke (currently) is exclusively in the anime adaptation of 'Katrielle Layton's Mystery Detective Agency.' Yes, that show is canon, and it contains events that aren't in the game version

[@smexydeer1820]

A true gentleman is always accompanied by a banging theme song Luke

[@iliblock]

OMGGG I've been waiting exactly 5 years for this video lol, I'm so happy to finally see Professor Layton's music in this channel 🌟

[@draak382]

Level-5 composers are among the best in the industry. Not only Layton, but also Yokai Watch, Dark Cloud and Inazuma Eleven have incredibile soundtrack with ton of identity.

[@joshcoy6748]

I also played fantasy life too.

[@TheBatmanMan1]

As someone who never played a professor Layton game, I hear this and think, “hey! Dark Cloud music!” (Specifically Dark Cloud 2). I was in a retro game store a few weeks back and they were playing Professor Layton sound tracks and I immediately like it and felt like I recognized it - thinking it was a Dark Cloud 2 song, (or some other Level-5 game song - Rogue Galaxy perhaps) but after a few seconds I was sure I’d never heard it before. I asked em what sound track it was, and that was my introduction to this series’ music.

[@picklesnathan]

THIS IS SUCH A GIFT OF A VIDEO your channel has been instrumental (lul) to my ability to grasp music theory concepts outside a formal academic setting. It tracks so hard that you play Layton

[@Alexander-oh8ry]

After watching, imma head straight out and start playing lost future

[@JackieJKENVtuber]

Fastest click of my life, immediately knew it was Layton when I got the discord notification

[@henrique88t]

I'm always in pure AWE by your transcribing skills.

[@robeldridge5668]

Okay okay I don't know if you'll read this, but you have no idea how overjoyed I was when this video popped up in my notifications! I've watched your videos for years and learnt SO much from them, that seeing the first video game series I ever became obsessed with (this one, Professor Layton) being broken down in such great detail by you is so joyous! Your videos were my number one resource when I was doing my music A-Level, looking for wider listening and trying to understand more about music theory, and even now I've been experimenting with transcribing Super Maio Galaxy music for the theatre organ thanks to your breakdown and transcription of Gusty Garden Galaxy. I can't thank you enough for being such a great source of learning I'm sure not just for me, but for so many other musicians and video game fans out there! Thank you thank you thank you!

[@bub777]

Tomohito Nishiura's style for me has been distinct since the Dark Cloud games.

[@Aleddichi]

Everyone should check out the incredible Layton-inspired original composition by Mouafeng here on KZbin, called "Puzzleman". It's the single best homage to Layton's soundtrack I have ever heard!

[@aidanthegamer5]

It's not brought up in this video, but Katrielle's theme also fits into this format! It's slightly harder to pick up on, especially because it's overall longer than the traditional Layton theme, but I think that that's appropriate for a character (and a game) that's at least slightly different from what we're used to.

[@joshcoy6748]

It was my least favorite in the series...no offense.

[@aidanthegamer5]

@@joshcoy6748 hey, I'm the farthest thing from a Katrielle defender, so you've got nothing to worry about with me.

[@joshcoy6748]

@aidanthegamer5 oh ok, I'm a big fan of the series, excluding that one to br honest.

[@WhataFruit]

oh my god i thought the day would never come... finally a layton video from this channel...

[@mcfaucet]

THIS IS ALL MY DDREAMS COME TO LIFE. IVE BEEN WAITING EVERY DAY FOR THIS

[@Soundole]

Analysing and integrating stylistic features like this is a severely underrated compositional skill. These masterclasses of yours are always satisfyingly elucidating!

[@michipeka9973]

Congratulations for the very well made pastiche at the beginning, totally believable.

[@mariogarciaurena1104]

These games are my childhood, but their music have been a constant throughout my life. Really excited for the new game, basically cuz of the OST. Amazing original composition and video. Very well done!!

[@EmptyKingdoms]

This was the first time I cried with a video of yours. Well done!

[@EruRoraito040]

omg literally just listened for hours to prof laton after a long time while cooking. And you uploaded this! Thx ♥

[@snowywhitequeen]

love this video! very satisfying to see all of it laid out like that

[@attisaurusplex]

I was hoping you would and am so happy you did get into the shreddings of unwound future and last spectre, they are the best pieces of music and I found myself just absolutely rocking out to those parts after all this time

[@alfiemckeough3762]

MY 👏 CHILDHOOD 👏 I love these games and their soundtracks, so much nostalgia and so great to have a detailed breakdown of their sound and what creates the atmosphere.

[@blakery_writes]

Im amazed at how many of these sound like they could be from Octopath Traveler

[@wesstephens5324]

So fun! Loved all the musical examples!

[@robertork2505]

I've been watching you for years and this is my favourite game series (arguably the one that made me love music) and I never expected you to showcase it in your channel I swaer I've never been this excited.

[@leandronc]

For anyone interested in music that makes you feel like a gentleman journeying the English countryside in very Layton-esque fashion, I highly recommend the band Big Big Train. Try the song "Summoned By Bells" for a start.

[@HellfireComms]

Damn, you hooked me right from the start with that plot twist! I love this series and the music is, as you mentioned, a huge part of its appeal. I'm so glad we're getting a new game soon!

[@thebestofbass]

You’re videos are so good, they constantly inspire me to improve my music skills. Not only did I make 3 songs in 3 days because of your videos, I’ve decided to pursue game composition as a possible career path.

[@idliketobeagummybear]

waiting for new world of steam has also made me into a compulsive layton theme transcriber (oh the things my musescore has seen…) thanks 8 bit, been waiting on this video for a while :))

[@maximo.7240]

I've been hoping for you to do a video like this for years! Putting together a composition with the techniques you talk about is awesome!

[@user-ze7sj4qy6q]

i just thought abt this game for the first time in Years the other day and i truthfully wasnt old enough to notice or appreciate the music. but now that u mention it, yeah it rules

[@greenthndr]

this video is really cool! when i consider learning to compose my own music i think Layton is a great example of a sound i love and want to be able to make

[@TheJH1015]

thank you for covering my favourite video game franchise of all time

[@cfdj43]

I can't believe you did this whole video without once mentioning Eternal Diva, the Professor Layton film which is literally about music (And had the only themes in the series with vocals?)

[@abigaildiamante9096]

Excluding curious village, all the layton games including katrielle's has a vocal end theme, they're just exclusive to the original Japanese versions

[@impireon]

I had no idea that a puzzle game series that I had never played had such a cool sound

[@jvaha1888]

Bad news for me is that I have discovered this channel a week ago, but good news is that I have a lot to watch prior videos. I love every bit of your content, mostly because I want to learn music theory you present here. Looking forward to the next video, will support on Patreon for sure 😊

[@storms002]

Aaaaah a video looking Layton themes, heck yeah! Also love the fact you made the song at the beginning!

[@jjthan8772]

Perfect breakdown. Writing your own theme was a sick powerplay, but also shows how you fully understood then explained the fundementals then parts of the themes.

[@karakht]

I had the challenge once to compose a song a bit in a layton smile, and I'm glad to see that some element I put into actually theoretically fit with PL's original ambiences (the seconds in the melodies are the most flagrant example). Thank you dude, your work makes me so glad and eager to learn

[@ImaginatorJoren]

Now I wonder what you’d do with analyzing the soundtrack to Professor Layton VS Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney.

[@owlyus]

Awesome video! Layton music always gave me generally continental European vibes with the heavy use of accordion and Grappellian violin, but it's cool to see the bones of it as more Jpop plus Latin. Thank you!

[@twixchexmix]

holy shit the timing, i just finished playing through the original trilogy earlier this week

[@Gammer5544]

So I never comment but I realized something. The second theme you show from the miracle mask is the same kind of guitar line as chrono cross’s theme. Kind of wild. Same voicing and all

[@Dominik-K]

That's crazy but I can hear it now too

[@Gammer5544]

@@Dominik-K Oh it's the exact same chords and notes just in a slightly different rhythm.

[@cerumen]

I’d never heard the Prof Layton music before this, and, as a UK listener, it strikes me how jarring the inclusion of Spanish classical and flamenco guitar vibes feels. It’s a bit like if you had a Wild West game with Wild West music and every now and then someone adds in some Irish folk music. Like, yes, that music was probably played in that environment at some point, but it’s not characteristic or evocative of it. I suppose it’s about time we got some payback for all the Harmonic Minor Desert Middle East laziness, and Pan-Asian Kung fu hodgepodges.

[@4rn_]

dude i just stumbled upon pandoras box for ds last week when looking through old stuff...

[@smeyeteeth]

ah, my favorite musical analysis youtuber and my favorite game series... a delight to hear! and your tune was very well done!!

[@randyll13]

Love the bait & switch haha, great job!

[@estbaabs]

I could listen to this for hours

[@melcobelc]

Omg, thank you so much! A bunch of the stuff I managed to figure out on my own (as these games are one of my biggest inspos), but you really helped me out in fully understanding! Thank you so so so much!

[@peepopopo7140]

I know next to nothing about professor Layton so that background footage was wild. Music is awesome though

[@stephaniejanong4146]

The video is VERY EYE OPENING WOW!! This explains why i keep melting when listening to the main theme on the title screen. Love seeing how much effort goes into the music in this series, and also in you dissecting it! Thank you for sharing!!

[@acepokemontrainer1]

Great video, you've really captured the PL sound!

[@zs4760]

The fact that miracle mask's opening has the same E9 chord shape as Celeste's Mirror temple can now never be unheard

[@Gboysonic]

The Layton music reminds of some the dark cloud ost on the ps2. Not fully but there is enough that the atmosphere for some of the songs feel similar

[@povilasl5383]

11:50 very important part of the video. I would love to see some videos about how to write jpop songs because I love them so much!

[@diegoarmando5489]

Fun fact: Jack Layton was a professor. But he was a Canadian (or a Québécois if we want to be pedantic) of English descent rather than a Briton.

[@joshcoy6748]

Who? Apologies, I'm just confused.

[@IvoryMadness.]

This music are incredible! Great video!

[@petera_132]

The second half of the Lost Future theme is one of the best things I have ever heard. First time I heard it, my jaw was on the floor

[@PitTan]

Hahaha I love PL music so much and you almost gaslit me with your PL-esque composition at the beginning HAHAHA love this video breakdown so much

[@10freekie2]

Thank you thank you!!! I loved layton so much! Listened to the themes a ton and so interesting how you explain this all!

[@Misoo-chin]

IM SO HAPPY YOU COVER ONE OF MY FAVORITE SERIES OF ALL TIME!!

[@zacharywong483]

Absolutely terrific analysis and video, as always!

[@ReonSkyridge]

Never knew that this was the exact kind of music I vibed with until today. Apparently I need to start playing some Professor Layton games....

[@RagingAsian06]

There are only a few games that captivated me as a child growing up with an original Nintendo DS when it came out in 2004. Pokémon, Professor Layton, Spectrobes, and Super Mario 64 DS. Don't know if you can cover Spectrobes because it was published by the 'Big Mouse Company' (previously Buena Vista Games).

[@Elephant-45]

DUDE THIS ORIGINAL PIECE IS SO GOOD, PLEASE GIVE US THE FULL PIECE, EVEN FOR MONEY NEED BE.

[@edgeman1135]

The last spectre theme goes bizarrely hard.

[@tychoderkommentator2989]

I knew that it wasn't a Layton songs, because in the real songs the violin goes an octave higher

[@maria.garavaglia]

I've never played any of the main Layton games, but I am in LOVE with these themes. Two other games come to mind: * Hollow Knight: A lot of the violin melodies in Layton have a very melancholy feeling to them, very reminiscent to the melodies in Hollow Knight (ex: Dirtmouth theme) * Steambot Chronicles: Perhaps my favorite game of all time. All of the music has a very similar vibe, particularly in the instrumentation (also featuring lots of violin and accordion) and in the latin-meets-jpop feel of the tracks.

[@Mouafeng-]

(⁠ﾉ⁠◕⁠ヮ⁠◕⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠*⁠.⁠✧Tomohito Nishiura is one of my biggest influences in music composition. I have also thought this had strong Japanese pop/jrpg vibes, but thought I was the only one. 😅 Thanks for bringing attention to Layton music in the in depth way you do.

[@Aleddichi]

OMG I love your Puzzleman composition so much! It did such a great job of capturing that Layton spirit.

[@Mouafeng-]

@@Aleddichi Ah thanks! (⁠ ⁠ꈍ⁠ᴗ⁠ꈍ⁠)

[@Mouafeng-]

​@@Aleddichi Ah hello, thanks! How did you even find me here! 😂

[@kevsperanza]

I wonder how well ikimonogakari songs could be layton-ified. It's kind of eery how jpop the hooks sound.

[@alazeta0al9]

I love this series of games. Thank you for bringing its music to your channel!

[@killer2gaming344]

You are so awesome❤ Your channel is so unique!

[@DaShikuXI]

Would interesting to see if there is similar design consistency in the music playing when you solve puzzles.