Understanding the Magic of Joe Hisaishi *MUTED*

[@8bitMusicTheory]

Sorry about the muted audio, everyone! This video went through many iterations and reuploads to avoid getting completely blocked on copyright grounds, and so to find out all of the examples have been muted from this comment section, with no notifications from KZbin, is a real kick in the balls. I don't think there's a point in reuploading the video. Examples that were reduced to me just playing the melody solo on my keyboard have been muted, so I don't think there's anything I could do to avoid the muting. I hope everyone checks out the link in the description to see the uncensored video, with each example of Joe Hisaishi's original brilliant music in all its untouched glory. If you'd rather stay on KZbin, I'll put links to each piece referenced in the description so you can play them alongside the video as well. Thanks for checking out the video, I hope you all enjoy it in spite of everything!

[@pooplenepe59]

WTF? You can't even do covers? Why are they being so tyrannical?

[@EternalDiam0nd]

Difficult to imagine a more "fair use" situation than this one

[@MJ-sy2en]

The video was great. Probably my new favorite. :) Combining film and video games. 10/10

[@DanielDugovic]

Thanks for this detailed explanation. I was about to ask whether you could have played on your keyboard, and it's incredible to hear that even that got muted.

[@Sitskier123]

Hey, I know it really sucks to have your work not be seen as intended, but if it’s any consolation I’m using it as an excuse to practice piano! Since the Melodie’s are so beautiful and simple it is awesome watching the video and pausing it to play the Melodie’s myself and feel like I’m already playing something beautiful when I know I’m not that great at piano and it is giving me the chance to feel more connected and engaged with your video! So even though it’s not what you hoped for it is one of your most engaging videos for me for that reason alone keep up the amazing work! :)

[@joereed8872]

Listen to this,________, isn't it beautiful?

[@nobafan7515]

Link: "golly."

[@Bloogly89]

Silence is beautiful sometimes, I guess

[@SlyHikari03]

@@nobafan7515nice reference

[@nobafan7515]

@@SlyHikari03 thank you :)

[@pokechatter]

But, if you know, you know.

[@mitsuki1388]

I became a composer because of Joe Hisaishi, his work is so important for me and I'm glad you took the ~liberty to analyze him hahaha

[@leixo]

I'm leaning toward to becoming a composer for him too, it's hard to find work?

[@N4m43]

Pretty much the same. He's definitely one of my greatest early inspiration (unconsciously), and most likely my favorite composer of all time.

[@mitsuki1388]

@@leixo I'll be honest with you, I've been working in games as a composer and (mostly) technical sound designer since 2017 and it's been a path full of lucky encounters that helped me get here and earn a living from that. It's totally possible but takes a lot of honing skills, networking and, unfortunately, a bit of luck as well, it's definitely not only about skill in this field.

[@leixo]

@@mitsuki1388 thank you, it's good to read the true about this job, keep the feet on the ground, wish u luck with your job mitsuki

[@AdeptStrategist]

@@leixo I dabble in composing, but I'm not actually very good/experienced, but there are people like me who might occasionally hire composers to write some theme music.

[@kevbloxtime]

I have fallen victim to listening to the 2 hour concert from the 25th anniversary, countless, and I mean COUNTLESS times. I love Joe Hisaishi’s work so much, and I loved this video!

[@mitsuki1388]

That concert is insane, some of the best arrangements of his music there

[@tylerwill7259]

I got to see him conduct this concert live last month and it was one of the top moments of my life. Love it!

[@zeitgenosse]

Ah, now I finally understand the beginning of A Summer's Day. Thanks. Also, covering Joe Hisaishi's music is *never* a mistake.

[@Lucarian4ever]

This is an absolute gem of a video! I, personally, would love it if you continued to do this type of analysis of “video game-adjacent” music. Thank you for all your hard work!

[@emmbeesea]

No wonder Hisaishi and Chrono Trigger blend so well. Chrono Trigger instruments suit this type of writing so well, even though Mitsuda uses so much non-functional harmony in Chrono Trigger's OST. So, so, so good.

[@StarryMirage]

If I had a dollar for every time I've run into you in a video's comment section...I'd be very rich indeed, xD.

[@Remour]

There’s no such thing as nonfunctional harmony.

[@SlyHikari03]

@@StarryMiragesame

[@conorreedR2C]

​@Remour don't be that guy. Nobody likes it when you be that guy

[@Naeddyr]

There's an unreleased track (Singing Mountain)from the Chrono Trigger ost that I don't have in my own mp3-collections, and each time I hear it I think it's the main theme from Laputa. I'm pretty sure Mitsuda's process (like many other composers in film and video games) sometimes involves starting out with a sound-alike that they then modify into their own, and that Mitsuda went to Hisaishi a lot.

[@maromania7]

If you're wanting to inform me about a subject you're passionate about, that's honestly the main thing I'm here for. Make videos on whatever songs, soundtracks, and artists you want!

[@Tokimisuna]

Ur profile looks noelle but nsfw

[@ChengHorn9]

Hisaishi's music gives me chills every time and has definitely made me cry. Please keep talking about him. His sounds are soothing comfort food for my soul.

[@kaitlyn__L]

Just finished watching this on Vimeo. Thank you very much for this. I especially like the part about how reiterating the basics can be important, and using Hisaishi as an example of how you don't always need to go that far beyond it.

[@A-Known-Enemy]

I've heard Ni No Kuni has great music, but the developers also made the Dark Cloud games, which I'm always hoping will show up on this channel at some point. The soundtracks for dark cloud 1 and 2 I think are one of the biggest reasons those games are so nostalgic for people who played those games growing up and it'd be interesting to hear a breakdown of how Tomohito Nishiura was able to write such simple but effective/memorable melodies.

[@ethanc.7179]

Second this, if be supppppeeeerrrr excited to see the dark cloud series, especially 2 show up on this channel

[@A-Known-Enemy]

@@ethanc.7179 the save menu music from DC2 is pretty much constantly playing in my head lol

[@SheenaMalfoy]

Commenting for the algorithm, cause I suspect this video's gonna need it more than most. But beside that, the most poignant Hisaishi work for me is actually from a Japanese film I saw thanks to a high school course I took: Okuribito, or translated to English: Departures. Not only is the cello a gorgeous instrument in the first place, but damn that melody is haunting, and it gets used throughout the film to capture so many different emotions. It has stuck with me so many years later - even when large parts of the movie itself have faded in my memory, the song, and the emotion behind it, is still so very clear. This dude understands human emotion and how to convey it musically so very well it's insane.

[@TheOutZZ]

OH. MY. GOD. Thank you, that is exactly the video I needed in my life!!

[@ChristianJovenGarcia]

Lmao every single time the music cut out, I would turn to my piano, sight play the music, then go "oh yeah that song"

[@alastairwyn6047]

thank you so much for keeping the video up even with muted !! playing along was very rewarding, forced me to engage in a closer way with the material. love the video!

[@elaina-kippykap]

youtube sucks sometimes, im so sorry they took down even the midi versions without even telling you. i watched the vimeo version and it definitely made all the difference, i hope that theres more alternatives to youtube soon

[@luatrilogy]

my two favorite movies ever are ghibli movies this video is so awesome. I'm so glad you covered Joe Hisaishi

[@sirkensington2269]

I'm so happy you covered Joe Hisaishi! I absolutely love his work! I don't think any of us would mind if you expanded to more music other than video game music, there's just so many great composers out there!

[@stefanreindel9888]

Thanks for jumping through the hope for this one. And posting a full version elsewhere. That is dedication to musical education

[@AlyxForest]

This entire video is fair use, and yet every single instance of music is muted. I wonder how long the video itself will remain online.

[@hiiimkuba]

Your videos are such a pleasure to watch. I don't know which touches me more: the music itself or the fact that you use your time to bring it so much closer to my ears and hands.

[@georgesms]

Just watched the uncensored one. This is a work of art, my friend. Thanks for bringing wonderfully crafted and well thought material for us.

[@Munkhood]

Your personality and analysis is what I’m here for, so whatever you feel like talking about is good with me. Branch out as much as you want!

[@pedro_a_martins]

Dude, you can talk about whatever you want and will listen to it gladly! Thank you for covering Joe Hisaishi's music.

[@lillisongofficial]

This was so insightful to me. I really enjoyed the video and would love to see more like it! Thank you!

[@jigpu2630]

Love that you covered Joe's work! It may "only" be game-adjacent but I don't mind in the slightest! Too bad about KZbin muting everything though 😫

[@MelodiCat753]

Gosh thank you so much for this video. Joe Hisaish is a big influence for my own composing, so it was great to hear someone else analyze his work. Given that Ghibli music is such a big influence on Japanese video game music, I think it totally makes sense that you talked about it on this channel!

[@MusiKube_]

2:06 i know its just cause youtube is dumb, but the five seconds of silence followed by "this will be stuck in your head all day" is unintentionally one of the funniest things ive seen on youtube recently lmaooo

[@Rahshu]

Ya gotta follow your bliss, and this was genuinely interesting. I just wish the music didn't have to be deleted as it kind of makes musical analysis difficult. Still, it was cool to see this profile of Hisaishi's work. My first memory of really connecting with him was from an arrangement he did of the French song "Le Temps des Cerises" from Porco Rosso, probably my favorite Ghibli flick. It's simple and beautiful and I love it! Really good melodic writing just can't be beat, and his choices of harmony fascinate me. I'm definitely checking out that other video you mentioned about classical and jazz not usually mixing together. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@masonwong6131]

We need more of these.

[@HarpoBard]

I’m surprised 8-Bit Theory didn’t get a copyright strike for using so many excerpts of 4’33. 😇

[@briangruenewald7536]

This comment wins

[@princewright4640]

This video is actually great! I was unsure about watching it at first, but this is probably the best video on Ghbili music I have seen. Bravo.

[@JetrinLee]

I wanted to watch this video on KZbin, but Joe Hisaishi's music is something that should be listened to in its purest form

[@kevinr.9733]

I watched the full uncensored version, then let this video play out silently for the YT watchtime.

[@pablolambert3040]

i would honestly watch you talk about any type of music, i loved this video!

[@minaunohf6062]

That last bit with the Quintal/Quartal Harmony blew my mind.. it´s so genius

[@CoenBijpost]

Man, at this point I trust your musical ear enough that you could analyse elevator music pieces and still get a mind blowing video for me to broaden my musical horizons with. I watched at the vimeo link, btw, and the full video is amazing as always!

[@WilliamAhlert]

Great work as usual. Shame about youtube's copyright...we must form a creators' union!

[@Corredor1230]

That’s kind of what Nebula is, actually

[@Lazarosa.]

The worst part is criticism and review, such as an in-depth analysis of the music, very much fall within fair use laws, meaning there in no real copyright infrigement here, not in the music at least.

[@WilliamAhlert]

@@Lazarosa. That also means that these copyright claims are downright illegal. A Creators' union with paid membership could have a fund (Like FUPA back in the day) to dispute these claims. The goal would be to make it so bad for these companies and their fraudulent takedowns that it becomes more profitable to just let fair use exist as is. I imagine eventually they will also target the copyright bots in lawsuits themselves for acting on their behalf and costing them so much money.

[@Bardometer]

omg I have been waiting so long for this kind of video for you

[@Jam_Gordon]

Thanks for uploading this elsewhere so we could experience it with proper examples. As much as I respect the video game origins of the channel I'd be more than okay with seeing you breakdown examples from non video game based music. Your ability to explain things so well whilst skipping over details is truly awesome

[@stschubs]

thanks for trying! I love how you draw it all out and help us to understand

[@AyaKunRose]

Was literally listening to Ghibli music this morning, great timing, I'mma let this video play double-muted while watching the linked one!

[@conard121]

im so glad this video exists thank you for making it. just a shame about the copyright

[@pikmin4743]

watched the uncensored version. thank you omfg jazz harmony AND picardy thirds!? holy smeg

[@cynshie]

I've listened to and played so much of Joe Hisaishi's music over the years... thank you for making this, it's a beautiful analysis. And I would be down to see you branch out into whatever else you find interesting!

[@fhatsk8er]

I honestly didn’t pay attention to the studio ghibli pieces not being video games…I’m here for your passion in analyzing music! Either way these movies are masterpieces and I think fit your audience

[@AarekMG]

I did an arrangement of "Bygone Days" from Porco Rosso that my brass quintet will be playing soon, and I need to introduce Joe Hisaishi and the film to a bunch of people who probably don't know anything about either. I have about a minute, and I do believe I am going to shamelessly borrow some of the wonderful things you had to say in your introduction. THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME. Also, beautiful video. I think Studio Ghibli does go hand in hand with VGM, and it was nice to see some breakdowns of all of that.

[@joshuacervenkamusic327]

There is a lot of music that gives me the emotion of 'yearning' Hisaishi music I think is the epitome of that. It becomes overwhelming, in a good way, sometimes when I listen to his music. I have to stop because I get so lost longing for various things.

[@MarsziParszi]

Yes, very nostalgic, even for places or periods you have never been to. Amazing but can even be tearjearking!

[@nullinullinullifi]

I'd love to hear more film music!! Hisaishi is so great and thank you for your expert analysis 🙏

[@futur_sunds]

You should create a second channel where you analyze film sound tracks

[@panzerbeaver2701]

Great video, thank you! You always explain things in such a clear manner with well-thought examples. These are a joy to watch. For me, as long as you keep talking about things that you’re passionate about, I don’t care if its videogames or film or whatever.

[@rpgbuster]

If this video was uploaded on April first, it would be hilarious. Still enjoy the video and appreciate all the efforts you put into your works.

[@Piebuy]

You can post whatever you want, video game music or not. I'm so happy you did a ghibli video as I'm a huge ghibli fan and also gonna start composing. Keep up the good work.

[@Whomper5]

This video was great - I recommend watching the uncensored video. The music made me want to cry Well done as always! Sorry to hear about the copyright issues!

[@gearsong]

6:37 seems like KZbin might have still meddled with this. Not getting audio in your examples 😢

[@A-Known-Enemy]

Yeah seems like they even muted the midi versions, that's wild

[@Blink-oy6ux]

I was in disbelief when i saw this video pop up on your channel! Ghibli on 8-bit Music Theory?! Your analyses are always very insightful and interesting, and this video is no different. Thank you for your work on this video! I'd absolutely love to hear you talk more about sorta-non-videogame music. This video was a total treat.

[@gavinleepermusic]

Wonderful video, 8-bit!

[@ring01_]

there are so many ii-V to IV’s in kpop and every time i hear it i wonder why i’d love to know

[@Timmy_04]

I've been waiting for this video ever since I found this channel, I'm glad it's finally come!

[@johnwyatt04]

Don't be afraid to branch out, your vids are great :)

[@DuskbloomRose]

This was great! This was something I wanted but didn’t expect! I love the way you explain the tools used and really wanted something like this for his work. Please continue to do both video game as well as adjacent material analyses!

[@connorlarkinbass]

It's a bummer the audio got muted...although it did make me pick up my bass and play through them so I could hear what they sound like...so that's something...I guess I should thank you for making practice my sight reading ;) thanks for another great video 8-bit!

[@mariusburmaningeberg7252]

More of this please, i absolutely loved it!

[@archeri2000]

It's a shame about the copystriking :( This is an amazing video and I would love to see more video game adjacent music analysis. Studio Ghibli films have been such a big part of my childhood and their music was always a huge part of what made them stick in my head for so long. I'm glad you've done a video covering the techniques Joe Hisaishi uses, its really insighftul! :>

[@ivanfaigenbom5300]

thank you very much for this amazing beautiful video about one of my favorite composers. This is one of my favorite youtube channels .

[@Hitsu123]

Most definitely would be okay with you expanding out to more than just Video Game music. You do a great job analyzing and explaining, and there's far too many great pieces of music out there.

[@dim3tapp]

The Spirited Away soundtrack is so amazing. It's great to understand why a bit more. Thanks for the video!

[@hrrld]

Of course make any video about anything you like - this is a great channel, and you're great, and I've learned a lot over the years. Stay rad.

[@CamSump47]

Just finished the video on Vimeo. You did great job and if you continued to explore other compositions adjacent or not related to video games, you still have my interest!

[@briancleary6751]

this is the video that pushed me over the top to becoming a patron.

[@auxchar]

Ah, now I understand one of the big reasons why you generally stick to video game music. In order for video game Let's Plays to safely live on youtube, they don't go after video game music like they do movie music.

[@DivvyDiaz]

I think it would be great to let 8-Bit Music Theory grow to include things besides video games. Don't get rid of the video game content obviously, but it's great to hear your take on any kind of music you enjoy talking about.

[@blueb4ryz951]

Love that you're doing videos on Ghibli music.

[@stoo2073]

had this one on in the background for the algorithm i got u also pls more of this good good good

[@Havren13]

No rebuke necessary, video games have been and should always be the bridge we get to walk between all forms of the arts.

[@FrankFoeth]

For educational purposes, indeed. I'll have to thoroughly take this apart and play it myself. Thank you for keeping the film up. It's a shame this content is not considered fair use!

[@burywite]

Great analysis. 🙏 Watched it over on Vimeo but wanted to say thanks here.

[@ime44]

thanks to youtube rules I realized what solfeggio is really for

[@AldricLopezVergara]

thanks this is amazing, so sad that it was blocked, going to Vimeo to watch it

[@ZeroKami86]

This is sad, such a lovingly made educational video getting muted like this. Shame on the copyright system.

[@ace.of.space.]

illuminating analysis of some of my favorite music! i will accept the bending of the video game music category

[@odeimaginations5267]

There's so much wonderful information in this video! I want to save this and go through it with time and a keyboard nearby

[@dylanduke9963]

Wow ive been on a non-functional and ghibli theory spree these last few weeks and you just come out with this. Unreal

[@zacharywong483]

Absolutely superb video, as always!

[@ClicStudio]

Honestly you could make a video about anything and I'd watch it doesn't need to be all about video games all the time, it's your channel and your art :)) loved this one (watched on vimeo eheh)

[@Jona69]

I loved this video (on vimeo). And yes, you are free to talk about stuff outside the game realm too.

[@Kekoapono]

This is a great video, and I'm especially glad that you were able to find a way to talk about Hisaishi's music on this channel. I hope you'll consider making a KZbin channel that focuses on film/television score music; I would very happily subscribe to that channel and watch all the videos on there!

[@themusicalpete5001]

fantastic video hisaishi, def going to use some of these tips for my own stuff!

[@sdw2911]

I was so excited to see this video pop up today

[@IruGuitar]

Day 136: I watched my 20th video about Joe Hisaishi, the water is running low but I'm hopeful that Ill accomplish my goal to make something that remotely sounds like ghibli music

[@Asdfasdfasdfasdfasdf475]

For the people who are watching the uncensored version I suggest you play the KZbin version at the same time but muted to give 8bit some love. Thanks for the awesome content!

[@derkvandehulst6798]

thanks for providing a link to the video on another platform!

[@constructir]

Please continue to talk about music not necessarily video game related. Your content rocks!

[@Leo-st9ti]

Nino kuni is a beautiful game, would love a deep dive

[@wisterio.musicgeek]

Studio Ghibli is so special because they are movies made by artists and passionate people. Not by people whose primary goal is to make profit.

[@wwyvern418]

Yay I've been wanting this forever!

[@Composer_Ben]

Turning in my homework! 😅 The elements of The Studio Ghibli Sound(TM) you described here inspired me to make my own brief phrase using those tools. For the 1-5, 5-1 melody I started up on the 2nd/9th of the key I picked, G flat Major, before working down to the 5th. I then started it on the 1 before working down to the 5th. I tweaked the first section's line afterwards, but it still had the same start and end points. The 2 down to 5 goes: A(1/2) E F D(1/8ths) E(1/4) C(1/16) Rest(1/16) D(dotted 1/2). The 1 down to 5 goes: G(1/2) E F G(1/8ths) F(1/4) E(1/16) Rest(1/16) D(dotted 1/2). For the 5-1 section of the melody I changed a couple of the 8th notes to 16ths, and ended the first bit on the 2nd. The 5 down to 2 goes: D(1/2) A B(1/16ths) G B(1/4ths) G(1/16) Rest(1/16) A(dotted 1/2). The second part of the 5 to 1 ends up for the 1 instead of down, like the other parts. The 5 to 1 goes: D(1/2) A B(1/16ths) C E(1/4ths) D(1/16) Rest(1/16) G(dotted 1/2). For the chords, I went with a 2-5-4-1 progression. I added 7ths and 9ths to the triads, then shuffled/inverted things so they had those notes but also intervals of 4ths and 5ths in there. The chords are sustained double whole notes, and from the lowest to highest note, they are: (B C G A E), (C F A D E), (C D G B E), (B D G A F). The whole thing is 8 bars, and I used a flute for the melody and strings for the chords/harmony.

[@monoverantus]

I adore this subject and appreciate you covering it, but the 13:25-15:40 section was quite confusing, or rather poorly worded. "2-5-4" is a pretty misleading name for this progression, especially when used with the example at 13:55, with the Bbm-Eb-Ab progression. Calling this progression "2-5-4" works neither if we're in C minor or Eb major. If we're in C minor, Bb-Eb-Ab is a 7-3-6. If we're in Eb, it's a 5-1-4. The issue is that what you mean when you say "2-5-4" is actually: "2-5-1" where the "1" is the fourth chord of the scale. In C major, what you describe as "2-5-4" sounds like it would be Dm-G-F, but what you really mean is G-C-F.

[@Abunai_Gaming]

I got the chance to play a medley of Howl's Moving Castle in high school band. I was ecstatic because it was and still is one of my favorite movies of all time, was my favorite back at the time. We get the sheet music, it's all the great songs we remember from the movie, and of course it ends with Merry-Go-Round Of Life. Sounds amazing as ever, but for the last few lines, it modulates up into a grand ending....in Cb. Cb, a key with SEVEN FLATS in it. I was really shocked by it when I first saw it, as was a bunch of my bandmates. But boy, if that wasn't the coolest sounding bit of the entire soundtrack, it sounded really unique and I can't get over how well it works as a big finale.

[@nickcook9195]

Beautiful video, sad that youtube won't even let you include midi-versions of the tracks though. I thoroughly enjoy this topic though, please continue to explore video-game-adjacent music!!!

[@EmpereurdesBalignon]

I also like a lot his early works with experimental electronic music, which you can hear in Nausicaä (and Castle in the Sky to some extent), with pure harmonics and crude rythms. I also love how he consider his work like a living thing, and have rewritten some piece multiples times, so all his concerts and recording are differents !