What Makes A Good Melody - Earthbound's Snowman Theme

[@literallymyusername8291]

Slippery slope... you're gonna have to do every Earthbound song now.

[@8bitMusicTheory]

There are so many full soundtracks I'd like to cover, I wish I didn't require sleep to survive

[@literallymyusername8291]

Are the "accented dissonance" notes in this song the notes that sound a bit "off" and kind of spacey/alien-y? The piano instrument I guess might be the one. I notice those types of notes in a lot of Earthbound. I asked another music guy about it once and I think he might have used that term as well. Also Google is being a bit icky for messages on KZbin lately; I sent you one but wanted to make sure you got it. Whenever you have time!

[@8bitMusicTheory]

Yeah, those would be the ones! I sent a reply to your message, hope you got it

[@LaTortuePGM]

and mother 3's "strong one" ! mostly because of its time signature.

[@siIverburst]

*logical fallacy*

[@daoallegro1360]

earthbound has a very special place in my heart. it's the last B-Day gift from my mom before she died when I was a kid. It's my favorite game because it reminds me of how much I love her. Thank you soo much! please do more earthbound related material.

[@BlastTheBat]

Not to mention the game was MOTHER 2 in Japan.

[@LangyTangy]

BlastTheBat and since his mother gave him mother 2 and that reminds him of his mother and comforts him like a second mother after his original one passed away so second mother=mother 2 But that's just a theory... A game theory! Thanks for reading

[@MagicalMikhail]

OMG GUYS THIS HAS TO BE SOME OF THE BEST COMMENTS I HAVE EVER READ! BRAVO

[@irhandlehandle]

Don't look too far into its sequel if you're still sensitive about it. The sequel has some fun and lighthearted moments, but has a lot of mother stuff in it.

[@PaskSch]

is it ok that I cried with your comment?

[@TheRealDaveBisson]

I want to pay you to sit down with me at a piano & explain literally everything about this to me.

[@sentsinkanteun]

This was really great! It's always fun to brush up a bit on music theory, but doing it with video game music makes it even better! I'm really impressed! You've got my sub!

[@8bitMusicTheory]

Thanks so much! I appreciate it!

[@emilyk5937]

Yay!! Thank you for the moving line on the playback, it makes it way easier to follow!! You're the best, I always look forward to your new videos!

[@8bitMusicTheory]

Thanks!! I appreciate it!

[@tforkbeard]

Just discovered this channel. It's a great idea, and well executed too. The musical knowledge and passion for excellent video game jams are obvious. I'm happy to learn insights about why I like this dang music so much. subscribed /hard/

[@8bitMusicTheory]

Thanks so much!

[@cheezy5174]

I really like Twoson's theme! The bass in that song is the best.

[@TheCrashbandicoot36]

Twosom theme is amazing, and Polyanna theme kinda lived on earthbound as the song at Ness House, it's slowed version Polyanna

[@MrBrainFog]

I understand your videos about as much as I'd understand a lecture on quantum physics given in Aramaic, but they are still entertaining for some reason. I wonder if I'll learn something if I watch all your videos, even though I have no background knowledge at all. So much vocab -_-

[@JustinBA007]

MrBrainFog 12 tone will also help. Ben Levin and Adam Neely also have awesome music tutorials, but their stuff tends to be a little less beginner and more specific.

[@metallsnubben]

You can definitely learn something, but it gets a lot easier if you have an instrument to play some yourself, just so it’s put in some context and not just big words floating around in space I would recommend a guitar or keyboard as the cheapest and most accessible options, but anything you have laying around the house works. And you can do stuff with just your computer too, or even just singing! It’s just a bit easier when you have that visual aspect of ”press this button, make that sound”, to sort of ”map” it in your brain Take a song you like, and try just playing along to the melody. Slow down and do one part at a time if it’s hard. Search for ”music theory beginner” and you’ll find tons of stuff. And keep asking questions, there are so many forums and helpful people out there!

[@lunari64_]

8-bit here did make a tutorial video at some point, if that helps

[@paola2188]

Same here

[@EagerSleeper]

You may already be aware, but many of the games you cover have Soundfonts and Midi files freely available on the Internet. This would let you better isolate the instrument and replicate it more naturally than basic oscillators. Just a heads up, keep up the great work!

[@8bitMusicTheory]

Oooooh I didn't know that, thanks!

[@607]

Of course, though, they are often fan-made, and thus might not be accurate.

[@shredded_lettuce]

Thanks Shnabubula :)

[@NathanRiveraMelo]

The C700 vst is a fairly accurate way to emulate these sounds. A little bit tricky to figure out at first, but if you're going for accurate reproduction it's a great way to go. Also, playing .spc files in certain software allows you to isolate channels. Another good option. Thanks for making these cool videos.

[@Roak1]

also some later consoles actually have different channels that can be disabled in emulation, like i know VBA can disable some GBA channels

[@InstantTrain]

Outstandingly informative video.

[@audomarisgay]

Yo

[@shadoninja]

Woah.... I uh..... I had no idea music could be talked about so scientifically. I guess my journey to write this kind of music is going to be a hell of a lot longer than I thought.

[@notaninstrument7707]

You can write without knowing anything, plenty of people have done that with great results. I like to think of this stuff as just tools in the toolbelt. No amount of theory can equal a day of practice

[@EllieMcEla]

Thank you so much for crediting me! Awesome video, by the way!

[@8bitMusicTheory]

Thanks for the transcription! I've been drooling over all the scores for the last week hahaha

[@PotentiallyEvil]

Man, you could probably do an entire series on Earthbound. Can't wait for the next one!

[@AtmaDragoon]

I dunno, I kind of like that brief fade to silence at the end of the B section. That sort of muffled soundlessness you can feel in the stillness of gently falling snow -- it lives in that moment of quiet, punctuated only by the inevitable sleigh bell percussion. A "Big Mood" as I believe it would be termed these days. As for my favorite wintry game music...I mean, there's a /lot/ of good tunes in this category, but the first one I think of is the Narshe theme from FF VI. Gotta love that "exhaled breath" instrumentation to sell a sense of deep cold~

[@Gamesforus1]

That intro with the bus crashing, just completely threw me off guard XD

[@Gamesforus1]

Also, this theme for me feels Egyptian-ish if that's a word

[@asp5rtima297]

Earthbound is 16-bit, not 8-bit. *EXPOSED*

[@BagOfMagicFood]

I hoped this was about Earthbound Beginnings

[@johnathonturner2279]

earthbound was 16-bit. but snowman came from earthbound beginnings. an 8-BIT GAME!

[@progfanCoke]

Fuck 8-bit moral high ground

[@AirshBornely]

Johnathon Turner Such a shame everyone forgets that Snowman comes from Mother 1... The Mother music in Earthbound really shouldn't be looked at original pieces as Earthbound wouldn't be the same without them.

[@lobotomite5615]

Do EarthBound Zero next time!

[@remem95]

Sooo, I understood most of this. After pausing the video, sitting down at the piano and playing each section myself. I love your videos.

[@BjornOnBass]

Awesome analysis of the song. This has always been one of my most overlooked soundtracks, which is ironic because Earthbound is one of my favourite games. My favourite wintry video game song is "Freeze" from Tales of Phantasia. Bear in mind that there are two versions of it, one for the SNES and a different orchestration for the PSX!

[@sweetwheatsy]

Well. Just stumbled upon your videos by pure chance, and I am enthralled. I consider myself somewhat well-versed in music theory but this certainly leaves me dumb-founded at times - gotta brush up on that stuff! You're doing sweet work with these. The Snowman-theme is also really captivating, and I just realized now how complex it is - especially near the end.

[@tkexit]

You're doing amazing, valuable work. Keep it up. Not only learning about some of my favorite games but incorporating the theory into my own music.

[@tophatcat9996]

I already love this channel. It's got music, gaming, (with da games comes da feels and da nostalgia) great concept, and KNOWLEDGE. It's really good quality too for the channel being so relatively young. I'm impressed. You've got another sub sandwich. I MEAN SUBSCRIBER!! Sorry I got a little distracted there.

[@Bi_scotti_5]

This song definitely loops better in the Earthbound Beginnings version, but I love the vibe of the ending of the loop of the Earthbound version. Definitely more dramatic and snowy

[@dan74695]

What so you think of the Smash Bros. Brawl version?

[@Bi_scotti_5]

@dan74695 it's basically just the Mother 3 version. the A section has a slightly worse melody but it's still Snowman, yknow?

[@TheCrashbandicoot36]

Snowman is def the best song videogame soundtracks created, love playing it on piano, love it on Earthbound zero, Earthbound and mother 3, and thanks so much for this analysis, makes me appreciate the song even more.

[@mellowords]

Enjoyed this analysis! Great job presenting the fragments visually too

[@Rael-777]

Your videos are like crack for musicians that love theory, specially composers ! Thank you for such amazing content

[@jacobw8634]

Great informative video! I love how you lay out your explanations in an easy to follow manner. It makes it even easier for me to geek out about the theory behind my favorite video game music. 😂 As for my favorite winter-themed game music, I absolutely love Shiver City from Paper Mario. It really brings out the fun and innocence in winter.

[@andersdenkend]

I didn't understand a thing! But great video and of course great Earthbound music!

[@shirakumon]

I love this channel! Thank you for making these videos!

[@zacharygh]

Great footage of Montréal in the winter.

[@WardenChult]

This really reminds me of what I wanted to do originally with an old youtube series but done with far more detail that I've wanted to cover. Gotta say I'm impressed and gonna keep coming back as a theory nerd :)

[@juwanrobinson7399]

the melody is like the characters and plot while the harmony is the setting....that's genius.

[@Audiojunkk]

incredible piece of music! Great analysis too!

[@palusadventure608]

I discovered your KZbin channel on r/gamemusic, you're making really good video guy !

[@Inglonias]

It even looks like falling snow in the sheet music in certain places! This is really damn cute.

[@juwanrobinson7399]

new favorite channel.

[@torus9657]

This is fantastic! I'm planning on doing a study of game music as a side project to my A-Levels, so this is really going to help.

[@breloom657]

Video Game music is so underrated. Great video!

[@longevitee]

Pretty sure that the original Snowman music was in Earthbound Beginnings.

[@hypersonicspeedgrov]

Yeah it is, it's in all 3 Mother games

[@lorddorogoth]

I love how you casually show clips of cars smashing into each other.

[@queenismyfavoriteband9904]

a lot of earthbound songs are catchy and emotional at the same time a favorite of mine is pollyanna from mother 1, espescially the actual cover of it

[@omniscientomnipresent5500]

Same !

[@FredrikJonassonMusic]

Glad I found your channel, really enjoying your videos :) Speaking of looping tracks, I would really appreciate a video on that specific topic. What not to do to make the track stay fresh and not repetative.

[@bcat010]

Earthbound's soundtrack is quickly becoming one of my favorites, not just because of the Snowman theme, but because of the overall weirdness feel of the soundtrack.

[@simonvanroij4182]

I think I need to rewatch all your videos while taking notes

[@dr0p.1n]

duuuuude, such passion, much wow!

[@no-3607]

YOUR MY NEW FAVORITE CHANNEL... DUDE.. EARTHBOUND MUSIC LOVE IT...

[@Georghiou2D]

earthbounds soundtrack is my favourite thing. i hope you do more videos about this game

[@8BitTrumpet]

Such a great melody!

[@TheDominator]

i know nothing about music

[@eggpoint1]

Another fantastic video, keep it up!

[@wizard1370]

This theme is soooooooo good

[@etherealbladerx8153]

Awesomeness on how you described and explained the music to me I might have to watch it again and again to get it to sink in and understand it is played through earthbound once thanks to Ness in smash bros Brawl. Oh and I subbed

[@AnthonyJohnson-zk7cc]

I love this video, it really got me into music theory

[@FirstRisingSouI]

After watching some of your videos, I have waaaay more respect for composers!

[@david2618]

"how often do you listen to 32nd notes in general" I feel special when I hear that, but still, I will explain, the slower the bpm the faster the notes can be, it's a slow song so 32nds don't sound like noise, if it was 170bpm it would be a different story.

[@gregorsamsa9264]

I've always loved this theme. It sounds so high and sad and lonely. BTW, would you mind doing a video on why certain music sounds wintery?

[@gregorsamsa9264]

And I don't find the ending clumsy, I find it rather completes the emotions involved in the piece. (IMO.)

[@adamholm2436]

Another great video. For winter VGM, Freeze from Tales of Phantasia has got to be my favorite.

[@alexshi-ban6825]

Thanks for subtitles!

[@mbrsart]

The Phendrana Drifts music from _Metroid Prime_ has always been one of my favorites. The melody synth evokes the dripping of water in an ice cave just perfectly.

[@NickHchaos]

I know this is a music theory channel, but part of what makes this song good as well as the entire OST was not just great and weird mix of composition, but also really good SOUND design. e..g the fading in and out of the melody to suggest a far away place, the snare contrasted with the flute, the moderate delay/effects lines that come and go (this is especially memorable in the Runaway 4 bus theme with the horn). This is almost as important as what you're talking about.

[@KnjazNazrath]

Coming here from the Chrono trigger video makes that downwards tumbling riff sound vaguely familiar...

[@fuzzcous]

Good video. I'm going to have to watch this a few times to get it.

[@alanbrito141]

one of the two songs that appear on the 3 games

[@cupriferouscatalyst3708]

cool video and choice of song, wouldve been cool to have a comparison between this song, the original version and the mother 3 version

[@Nyuu3]

It kinda blew my mind when you compared the ballsy beginning with a safe one. I thought I understood your explanation just fine, but actually hearing the alternative was eye-opening.

[@markaitkenguitar]

Very hip. Refreshing depth for this genre 👍

[@Xenoprism]

"Freezing Kalt" from Golden Sun: The Lost Age is my favorite wintery video game music!

[@ektro-johnny573]

Do a video on DK Country's music!!

[@BenAstarb]

Really, really great video.

[@genaromorales6946]

The car crashes immediately got my attention 😂

[@SuperBustyEva]

I know all of earthbounds music is great but snowman is something special.

[@guitarskills2]

Awesome video as always! Idea: maybe a video on how they made the Dragon Quest theme so triumphant?

[@miahthorpatrick1013]

I think blizzard buffalo from Megaman X3 is a good winter themed tune. It randomly gets stuck in my head. Anyways great vids and channel! Subbed!

[@XTheJenovaProjectX]

Miah Thorpatrick love that song

[@XTheJenovaProjectX]

Miah Thorpatrick Frost Walrus 1 and 2 are great also

[@onionknight3074]

God, I wish I knew about music stuff, this video has soo many content I'm missing

[@falchionofeternity433]

You can say what you want but Hirakazu Tanaka was one hell of a composer. Sorry to say I literally know nothing of music theory myself. :P

[@lyxzenSimon]

we need an entire earthbound episode

[@Bramhallthefifth]

Mother 3 and odd time signatures?

[@chorizord6974]

*Strong One Flashbacks*

[@hslesperance]

Check out Dan Bruno danbruno.net/writing/ His new blog only has the Mother 3 battle music and Ocarina of Time. I highly suggest reading the OoT one. He wrote some other great articles on his defunct blog, Cruise Elroy. You can still read it using the wayback machine, but the audio files will not work. Just use the link below and scroll down to the music section. web.archive.org/web/20130112220724/cruiseelroy.net/archive/category/

[@Bramhallthefifth]

Ooh good read.

[@minermole101]

Smack Bramhall true! 😅😂

[@OLApplin]

0:03 are you from Montreal ? That's Square Victoria ...

[@Marscialuissa1]

Omfrick thank you so much for this

[@SkaTuneNetwork]

Winter is rolling back around .. do the crystal castle crawl theme from paper Mario 64? So many cool dissonance and harmony there

[@Flandelacasa]

Secret of Mana - A Wish.

[@ClassifiedGamez]

You should do summers if you continue this and explore why you feel like your depressed or in a tourist trap like the name implies

[@SabIrene]

I'm currently working on this tune and I think of the most interesting things is the notation of the 32nd notes. That's how I wrote it out as well, but why don't we think about using a mordent? I feel like the mordent may have the same "instructions", but the 32nd notes really make you feel the rhythmic variation as you visibly see it so don't just see 1 and 2 and etc. I also never realized how closely related the A and B sections are in terms of intervals. No wonder it's easy to play, because they have similar intervals and contours! I love nerding out watching your videos!

[@Michirin9801]

Favourite Winter-y music? Ever heard of the Hiya Hiya Island theme from Super Adventure Island 2? It's amazing!

[@TheRythimMan]

I know I'm years late to the party but 'Mt. Slide' from Kirby's Epic Yarn is my favorite wintery game music. If you did an analysis of that song it would be a great Christmas gift!

[@MBJohnny1]

EarthBound is a beautifully crafted game with a soundtrack to back it up!

[@Descenacre]

Ahh winters...the spot i got stuck at when I played it because I didnt know what to do at that one part

[@minermole101]

Gotta come back to put this on MuseScore 2. Also, this is my favorite melody from the Mother/Earthbound series. As far as what version, I'm still undecided.

[@Designsy-wl9nr]

Great video! I don't understand 90% of it but I loved it anyways. :)

[@Ghostrander]

The first winter level from donkey kong country 1. I think it perfectly captures the atmosphere of the snow building in as you progress through the level

[@ArvidOlson]

Yay the new video! Wopwop!

[@kazuichisouda2026]

Snowman was originally in Mother 1 on the NES. To be fair, the only time it was released in the US was through the Wii U E-Shop, & 1 copy dumped into a ROM file.

[@mutantestark9341]

Winter, from Harvest Moon for the Snes. Short but amazing!

[@brendensibo9320]

Great video! I think you should do more EarthBound/Mother based videos...

[@CanoTheVolcano]

As a science student and not a student of the arts, I kinda just like hearing someone talk analytically for a while

[@qwilman]

i was not expecting that introduction at all

[@onutube6392]

Star wars in 13th century Scotland would've just been macbeth more or less lol

[@prodpkfire]

earthbound music inspired me to start making beats

[@JunJun_]

Sound = Good

[@samuelitooooo]

My favorite winter theme is “Ice Festival” from 102 Dalmatians Puppies to the Rescue (PS1). I also love the winter themes from Pokémon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum, especially the Mt. Coronet theme, but there’s also Route 216 and Snowpoint City

[@JonathanTash]

Emotional + Catchy = Every song in Chrono Trigger