This trilogy is my favorite music score of all time. I never get bored of your analysis of John Powell's masterpiece. I'm so happy I now know that that gorgeous instrument is called a Sopilka whistle
It's a nice solo instrument! It's used pretty extensively in the score, like I suggested. It's even in that This is Berk sound bite I showed much earlier in the video.
I grew up with movies that Powell has composed for, especially the httyd series. It's really interesting to see where the ideas and influences for the tracks come from.
Definitely. There are so many surprises you’d never know. Have you seen any of my other HTTYD score videos? I’d recommend this one: ruclips.net/video/hBWhQxznEQA/видео.html
Oh my goodness this is my dream channel to stumble across! I am massively obsessed with movie scores, I always do a segment of my radio show on them, and John Powell is my number 1 favourite composer of all time! His HTTYD work is one of my favourites too but Solo takes the cake for me. On the deluxe edition of the score album, check out 'Kessel Run In Less Than 12 Parsecs' because that's my favourite piece from the whole film and it's a true love letter to the legacy of music that John Williams left behind when he scored the original Star Wars trilogy! Thank you so much for this video, it's incredibly reassuring to see it and know that there are other people out there with a passion for scores like mine.
You’re in luck! I already have quite a few of these videos, and I’m working on one now that touches on Solo! I’ve been listening to the score again lately. Kessel Run is on my list to listen to again soon. What radio show do you? Stay tuned for more soon!
I think it would actually be really interesting to see forbidden friendship re-scored with the temp track, to see the similarities throughout the entire scene. Learning this made me really curious
Thank you very much, I genuinely appreciate that! I think it's coming, just slowly. I recently got to work on the official scorebook for HTTYD 2, so I think putting that in videos as credibility will help me get a little more attention. And for the past month I've been working on an analysis of Legend Has It/Cliffside Playtime from HTTYD 3; it's very thoughtful but also really funny and overall more polished and professional than any of my other videos thus far. That'll be out very soon, I'm really excited about it! Thanks again for your comment, I hope you enjoy more of my channel. And if you know anyone else who'd appreciate these videos, please share them; that always helps!
Super interesting, really nice job - makes me able to actually visualise the instruments as I hear the music for the first time, bringing it alive in a new way. Keep up the great work!
Bloody brilliant analysis! Great job! My appreciation just went up tenfold and I already considered this score to be a modern-day classic! Fantastic stuff!
Thank you so much for checking it out! I'm still amazed at all the exotic instruments Powell uses in his work: gadulkas, yayli tanburs, vuvuzelas, accordions. You never know what you might find!
You absolutely should watch them. The music is brilliant. The story is funny and touching and thought provoking. Test Drive and Forbidden Friendship are masterpiece tracks on their own, but they really work for the beautiful scenes they're in.
This is fascinating!! You answered a lot of questions that I've had for years; thank you for all your research and hard work! You're getting better and better with these videos; I'm enjoying each one more and more. Thanks again; I've never even heard of some of these instruments, and they're so cool! ^^
Thanks! I’m glad I could answer a lot of your questions; that’s how the scorebook and booklet felt for me too. It really is interesting what instruments Powell chooses to use in his scores.
Your channel is criminally underrated!! Had to make an assignment analysing HTTYD´s soundtrack for college, and a lot of your videos helped me to find informations that weren´t availble anywhere. Keep up with the great job!
Thank you so much! That sounds like a great assignment. Please comment again some time if you have more questions! I know more than I put in this video and I'm writing other HTTYD score videos. And good luck with college!
You can hear it a lot better in Test Drive! And that's just the tip of the ice berg; Powell used desk bells and a variety of other instruments in other HTTYD cues.
This was so darn interesting. thank you for talking about it. as a huge admirer of the HTTYD films and John Powell's work in the film, you touched so many points I had no idea about such as influences, culture, and the exotic instruments I've never even heard of. This all just makes John's work in the film all the more spectacular!
@@FilmScoreandMore I'm glad to hear that! I look forward to watching it! I honestly wished I understood the intricacies involved with making film scores. To create something so beautiful that moves people... just wow. But more than that, the whole process behind the music that most of the world wouldn't ever begin to fathom. And not just the instruments, culture, and influence... but the little details. I watched the video where 5 amateurs submitted their compositions for the HTTYD scene in the arena, and I just found it so damn interesting a) what people could create for the scene, and b) the comments given to their pieces. Like, the requirements were so specific, and what was expected of them too. Httyd is the best
If you want to know more there’s plenty out there to study. John Powell in particular has done a ton of interviews for a variety of media; written articles, videos, podcasts, etc. There are also film music journalists who write reviews and analyses of film scores, like Jon Broxton for Movie Music UK (he’s an excellent writer and he happens to have interviewed John Powell multiple times). Kaya Savas from Film. Music. Media is another one who’s done the same. There’s also a podcaster called The Film Scorer who interviews media composers, and Cinematic Sound Radio is a whole network of film music -related podcasts. There’s also Track Swap, a podcast for fans to be guests and co-hosts (I’ve been on three times and was asked back recently). The reason I know what I do is mostly from interviews I’ve looked up, some for research and some just for leisure. There’s plenty out there if you look for it!
@@FilmScoreandMore thanks for your super helpful advice! I'll need to look more into it. My music theory isn't great, I wished I had taken an interest when I was at school. But I work in film, and I pay attention to the soundtrack when I watch anything. So who knows, maybe one day I'll learn more and pursue something!!
@@lexievans5198 Honestly, music theory is something I need to work on too. That’s why I usually don’t go into it much in my videos. If I do I usually cite a source for it.
Such a cool and fascinating video!!! GREAT work on the research and editing of this video. I learned so much about other ethnic instruments. And I learned new things like the temp track!
This was a video I think I needed to hear. After I recently got my hands on the full score and officially diagnosed myself as obsessed with the soundtrack, I had a lot of questions, especially after watching your previous video about bagpipes. This video, though, answered a lot of those questions excellently. Thanks a ton for it! It was very well done. I look forward to viewing your future videos, especially How to Train Your Dragon-related ones.
Thanks, that’s really great to hear! It’s good to hear from others who have the scorebook, and I know it’s provided some surprising and unexpected answers. Feel free to reach out to me some time, let me know if you have any more questions, and I hope to see you around here more.
@@FilmScoreandMore I didn't expect to reach out nearly this soon, but I actually have another question regarding the scorebook. In This is Berk [1m2ALT], we get past the start and new instruments come in. One of them is labeled "WW", but its full name is not labeled anywhere else in the book as far as I know. Not at the beginning of the track, and I don't believe the instrument is used in any other track. I also doubt "WW" would simply stand for "woodwind". What is the instrument?
@@SaltyGamer777 That's a good question, I'm not sure I've noticed that before. I just found it, and I noticed that one staff has both a penny whistle and a sopilka whistle, starting at measure 25 under the "wave crashes" text box. I think it could actually mean "woodwind" or something similar just to convey that it's the two specialty instrument woodwinds playing together (or "soli"). Thanks for asking here.
Thanks for bringing your good self to my attention on Reddit - this is an amazing video! I wonder what it is about Sigur Ros, Jonsi, and HTTYD that makes my bones hurt (haha). Very well done!
Thanks for checking it out! I guess something about that sound appeals to you pretty strongly. If you only you could like it without anything hurting! Let me know if you have any questions about the music. I know a lot about the HTTYD scores. I'd also recommend this video on the song that John Powell and Jónsi cowrote together. ruclips.net/video/qzE9cXqdkHs/видео.html
Hey!! Love your content on HTTYD, just wanted to say that the Dhol is pronounced 'dhole' (one syllable) with a super heavy emphasis on the 'h'-if you're letting out a little air while saying it you probably got it right (it's the exact same as the 'dh' pronunciation in bloodhound). I tried to explain it the best I could, hope this helps for future reference!!
Thanks! I hope I can get that right if I refer to them again, I'm not used to pronouncing those two letters together at the start of a word like that. I did change my pronunciation to "doll" in my Flying With Mother video after hearing more people pronounce it that way.
Wow. What a phenomenal video. Everything from the editing to the well thought out and researched commentary makes this a real professional work of art. It’s absolutely fascinating. Loved it. Can’t wait for more.
Thanks for making this video :) I really wanted to get the sheet music book but delivering it to the other side of the globe costs too much :( Anyway about the temp tracks, idk if you watched that talk but the director said they actually used the previous HTTYD tracks in secret. They even had an alternative temp track to hide the fact they were doing that from Powell xD Yes, I'd love to hear your take on the themes. Powell is one of the few I know who assign leitmotifs in a more sophisticated way.
Oh, that’s a shame. Hopefully you can work something out to get it. I did see that interview (multiple times, taking notes for future videos). I didn’t mention that they used a HTTYD temp in secret because I think it’s not relevant enough to this video and would pull too much focus.
Very good information. Thank you. Initially when I heard first time, it wasn’t very much related to scene. I did not felt it was right. With time the Celtic sound became normal and relevant to scene. Can I ask you why?
Thanks for checking it out! Maybe it took some getting used to? It’s a unique blend of styles and sounds, so you’ve probably never heard it anywhere else before.
Thanks for checking it out! Honestly, I just reused the guitar footage from the music video I discussed later. And ironically in a recent video I chose not to reuse it for an actual bass guitar; I grabbed an image of a bass instead.
Thanks and welcome aboard! There’s plenty more to watch like this, and I’m currently editing a video on something I actually cut out of this one, with some information from John Powell himself!
@@FilmScoreandMore wow I didn’t think you’d respond with a following of over 1000 people. I’m currently finishing your HTTYD series and gonna look more into your channel. I’ll keep an eye out for that as HTTYD is one of my favorite soundtracks.
Umm, Hiccup definitely has his own theme, and it's not the fate theme. It plays at 2:09 and in Test Drive when he throws away his cheat sheet and flies through the rocks.
You would think so, but the scorebook I referenced has the official names and roles for the themes. I try to emphasize in some of my videos that John Powell often writes for _story_ themes and not just _characters._ Most of the HTTYD character themes are only in the sequels and most HTTYD themes represent abstract ideas. What you're thinking of is the B section of the flying theme (basically all of Test Drive is the Flying theme). It doubles as a friendship/bonding theme for Hiccup and Toothless. Basically, it's a theme for both of them, not just one of them.
@@FilmScoreandMoreI always thought Test Drive was two themes in one: Hiccup and Toothless. At the beginning Toothless 4 times in a row and then hiccup.
@@DaanBruins That’s what a lot of people think now. If you’ve seen the Sideways video about HTTYD that’s what he said, but he also admitted in the video it was guesswork because there was no official label for the themes yet (there is now). I’m still writing a video about how the main themes were written and how they represent ideas and story themes. Until then, here’s a video I made about the main theme for HTTYD 2 which shows how Powell writes for story themes instead of characters: ruclips.net/video/9e718DgOZ4k/видео.html
@@FilmScoreandMore this is true and to add to this, Powell directly references (what we know as the "See You Tomorrow" theme) as Hiccup's theme in the description of "Astrid Goes For A Spin.
Yeah, it's one of the most (if not THE most) beautiful track of the franchise, in my opinion. It's so magical, so... ethereal ? And it's so detached from the rest of the score too, or at least I feel like it - making it stand out so much more, making it feel like it's this one moment that's absolutely unique and nothing like it will ever happen again (although it does come back when they reunite at the end of the hidden world). The end bit where all the instruments kick in make me feel like it's history being written, because that's technically where their true friendship start (duh.)
That's a really nice way of describing it. By the way, the clip I used of the musicians playing the marimbas in the studio is actually from that moment at the end of HTTYD 3. I pulled it from John Powell's Facebook page.
calling it now, its a hurdy gurdy. that instrument is so cool, more people need to know about it. if it isnt, still look up hurdy gurdy, its one of the coolest instruments in my opinion, id learn it if it wasnt so damn expensive to get one hell yeah i was right.
Great guess! You must have enjoyed that whole section of the video. They’re really interesting, for sure. I don’t think they’re used anywhere in the HTTYD sequels, just the few places I highlighted in this video.
Despite the video's age, I believe this is the best place I can ask this. What on _Earth_ are the war pipes?? They are an instrument featured in 2 songs from what I could find. They start the "Dragon Battle" part of "This is Berk [1m2]" along with the bass trombones, and they conclude "Ready/Confront [4m31]" starting at measure 91. Neither of these tracks' descriptions before the score say much about the war pipes. I have hardly any clue as to what this instrument is, and it's been bugging me for months. It does sound like a bagpipe instrument in the latter, but they either sound very similar to the brassy B. Trombones or are completely tuned out by them in the former. This makes it really difficult for me to figure out what these war pipes are, and the only information I have found about any war pipes, not necessarily these, are from a Wikipedia article about "Great Irish Warpipes." Other than the word "Irish," nothing in that article screams "How to Train Your Dragon" for me. Do you know what this instrument is?
That's a very good question. I've noticed the same thing. As far as I can tell they're still bagpipes, just used in a different style. It does seem odd that the book lists bagpipes and uilleann pipes as separate instruments from war pipes. Maybe it indicates a specific style or intention instead of a more typical style we've associated bagpipes. I can tell you also that bagpipes were sampled on HTTYD 1 so they're artificial, which may help with reaching certain tones; I'm not really sure how it all works.
@@FilmScoreandMore Huh, I thought the Red Hot Chili Pipers played the pipes in HTTYD. Maybe they were just in the sequels. I do have reason to believe the war pipes are also sampled instruments, which actually helps in my case since I use a lot of samples. I don't know if it'd help with reaching certain tones though. Unless the sample itself can glide up and down like it does in "Ready/Confront," I have found it difficult to even get the trombones to slide right on "See You Tomorrow," much less the French Horns. This makes me even more curious as to what was used for the war pipes.
That's correct; the Red Hot Chili Pipers played the pipes for the sequels. They're skilled enough that they could do it, whereas the pipes were sampled on the first movie because so much of it was advanced and the Pipers hadn't been hired yet. It is a bit of a mystery. I still don't really understand the role of the war pipes as separate sounds here, especially since Powell says the bagpipes were used as war pipes.
Update: I recently got in touch with Tim Rodier from Omni Music Publishing, and he said John Powell explained war pipes are basically a raucous, un-pitched noise, almost like a battle cry. They are a separate sound from highland and uilleann pipes.
Oh what about Powells music of the Kung Fu Panda trilogy (technically only the first two movies, but Im p sure tzey used content of him on the 3rd one as well.)?
Yes, he definitely used a lot of exotic sounds there. That's why I made sure to mention it at the end of my bagpipes video. However, I'm still not that familiar with the scores or their movies. I should probably look into it again!
You say the fate theme is the closest thing to Hiccup having his own theme... Except there's literally a song in the soundtrack called "Hiccup's theme"
Can you tell me where you’ve seen that? The official album (the initial release and the deluxe album) don’t have a track called Hiccup’s Theme, so what you saw may have been fan-made. The Omni Music scorebook I referenced in the video also confirms this. If you want to know about the Flying Theme (often mistaken as Hiccup’s Theme) I explained it in detail here: ruclips.net/video/hBWhQxznEQA/видео.html
Me earlier listening to the soundtrack: *Huh. I always thought there was bagpipes there but it sounds like a violin and hurry gurdy* This video: ....instrument called the hurry gurdy Me: I KNEW IT!!!! (Learned about them in Sea of Thieves the pirate game, and became hooked on them)
That's right, good catch! I actually watched a video about the Sea of Thieves score while researching this video. They're pretty interesting instruments.
How many different cultures can we cover in this one video? Probably too many for one. Feel free to count at home!
For years I've been listening to New Tail and saying it's a Hurdy Gurdy, while others swore it was Bagpipes. Thanks for confirming! 🙂
You’re welcome, I’m glad to! It confused me for a long time too.
This channel is too professional to be as underrated as it is. I look forward to seeing more of your content in the future!
Thanks for the praise and for expressing interest in more! I do have plans, even if they might take a while.
This trilogy is my favorite music score of all time. I never get bored of your analysis of John Powell's masterpiece. I'm so happy I now know that that gorgeous instrument is called a Sopilka whistle
It's a nice solo instrument! It's used pretty extensively in the score, like I suggested. It's even in that This is Berk sound bite I showed much earlier in the video.
I grew up with movies that Powell has composed for, especially the httyd series. It's really interesting to see where the ideas and influences for the tracks come from.
Definitely. There are so many surprises you’d never know.
Have you seen any of my other HTTYD score videos? I’d recommend this one: ruclips.net/video/hBWhQxznEQA/видео.html
@@FilmScoreandMore I'll check it out!
Let me know what you think!
Oh my goodness this is my dream channel to stumble across! I am massively obsessed with movie scores, I always do a segment of my radio show on them, and John Powell is my number 1 favourite composer of all time! His HTTYD work is one of my favourites too but Solo takes the cake for me. On the deluxe edition of the score album, check out 'Kessel Run In Less Than 12 Parsecs' because that's my favourite piece from the whole film and it's a true love letter to the legacy of music that John Williams left behind when he scored the original Star Wars trilogy! Thank you so much for this video, it's incredibly reassuring to see it and know that there are other people out there with a passion for scores like mine.
You’re in luck! I already have quite a few of these videos, and I’m working on one now that touches on Solo! I’ve been listening to the score again lately. Kessel Run is on my list to listen to again soon. What radio show do you?
Stay tuned for more soon!
So underrated dude!
I'm glad you're enjoying it!
I think it would actually be really interesting to see forbidden friendship re-scored with the temp track, to see the similarities throughout the entire scene. Learning this made me really curious
Hold that thought! I was actually planning that video already. I'll have to cut almost have the song out for time, but I think it would come out well.
Definitely looking forward to that :)
Me too, it should be interesting!
Each of your Httyd videos is a holiday for me. Amazing job! Can't wait for more!
Thanks for your comment and praise, plus the award over on Reddit! I’m definitely planning more.
the wait was worth it, great video
Thanks for coming back to the channel to check it out! I appreciate it.
John Powell is definitely one of the greatest film composers that nobody’s heard of.
More people are hearing of him. And he definitely has his fans.
Here from Ryan Leach. So excited to have another music analysis channel! You deserve way more subs with this high of quality content!
Thanks for the compliments and for coming over! I’ve got more coming along soon!
You deserve so much more recognition for your work
Thank you very much, I genuinely appreciate that! I think it's coming, just slowly. I recently got to work on the official scorebook for HTTYD 2, so I think putting that in videos as credibility will help me get a little more attention. And for the past month I've been working on an analysis of Legend Has It/Cliffside Playtime from HTTYD 3; it's very thoughtful but also really funny and overall more polished and professional than any of my other videos thus far. That'll be out very soon, I'm really excited about it!
Thanks again for your comment, I hope you enjoy more of my channel. And if you know anyone else who'd appreciate these videos, please share them; that always helps!
Super interesting, really nice job - makes me able to actually visualise the instruments as I hear the music for the first time, bringing it alive in a new way. Keep up the great work!
Like I said on the server, thanks for your feedback and I'm glad it helps so much.
Never thought i'd be invested in this film
series' score. You make the topic interesting : )
Thanks for always checking these things out! And I'm glad others are interested in what I put together.
Bloody brilliant analysis! Great job! My appreciation just went up tenfold and I already considered this score to be a modern-day classic! Fantastic stuff!
Thank you so much for checking it out! I'm still amazed at all the exotic instruments Powell uses in his work: gadulkas, yayli tanburs, vuvuzelas, accordions. You never know what you might find!
I haven't seen the HTTYD movies yet but wanted to support. Very well made as always
Thanks Zach, I appreciate you checking it out!
You absolutely should watch them. The music is brilliant. The story is funny and touching and thought provoking. Test Drive and Forbidden Friendship are masterpiece tracks on their own, but they really work for the beautiful scenes they're in.
Seconded.
This is fascinating!! You answered a lot of questions that I've had for years; thank you for all your research and hard work! You're getting better and better with these videos; I'm enjoying each one more and more. Thanks again; I've never even heard of some of these instruments, and they're so cool! ^^
Thanks! I’m glad I could answer a lot of your questions; that’s how the scorebook and booklet felt for me too. It really is interesting what instruments Powell chooses to use in his scores.
Your channel is criminally underrated!!
Had to make an assignment analysing HTTYD´s soundtrack for college, and a lot of your videos helped me to find informations that weren´t availble anywhere.
Keep up with the great job!
Thank you so much! That sounds like a great assignment. Please comment again some time if you have more questions! I know more than I put in this video and I'm writing other HTTYD score videos. And good luck with college!
Fantastic work! This soundtrack continues to be a source of new and interesting discoveries.
I know! Who would guess about the yayli tanbur, or even the gadulka?
Holy heck my mind has been blown
An electric guitar???
I had no idea! And it works so well!!
You can hear it a lot better in Test Drive! And that's just the tip of the ice berg; Powell used desk bells and a variety of other instruments in other HTTYD cues.
This is one of the best videos analyzing the HTTYD soundtrack I've come across. Subscribed. Hope to see more of this...
Thanks a lot! There’s more coming soon!
This was so darn interesting. thank you for talking about it. as a huge admirer of the HTTYD films and John Powell's work in the film, you touched so many points I had no idea about such as influences, culture, and the exotic instruments I've never even heard of. This all just makes John's work in the film all the more spectacular!
Thanks a lot for your comment! There’s more where that came from already, and I have a new video coming very soon!
@@FilmScoreandMore I'm glad to hear that! I look forward to watching it! I honestly wished I understood the intricacies involved with making film scores. To create something so beautiful that moves people... just wow.
But more than that, the whole process behind the music that most of the world wouldn't ever begin to fathom. And not just the instruments, culture, and influence... but the little details. I watched the video where 5 amateurs submitted their compositions for the HTTYD scene in the arena, and I just found it so damn interesting a) what people could create for the scene, and b) the comments given to their pieces. Like, the requirements were so specific, and what was expected of them too.
Httyd is the best
If you want to know more there’s plenty out there to study. John Powell in particular has done a ton of interviews for a variety of media; written articles, videos, podcasts, etc. There are also film music journalists who write reviews and analyses of film scores, like Jon Broxton for Movie Music UK (he’s an excellent writer and he happens to have interviewed John Powell multiple times). Kaya Savas from Film. Music. Media is another one who’s done the same.
There’s also a podcaster called The Film Scorer who interviews media composers, and Cinematic Sound Radio is a whole network of film music -related podcasts. There’s also Track Swap, a podcast for fans to be guests and co-hosts (I’ve been on three times and was asked back recently).
The reason I know what I do is mostly from interviews I’ve looked up, some for research and some just for leisure. There’s plenty out there if you look for it!
@@FilmScoreandMore thanks for your super helpful advice! I'll need to look more into it. My music theory isn't great, I wished I had taken an interest when I was at school. But I work in film, and I pay attention to the soundtrack when I watch anything. So who knows, maybe one day I'll learn more and pursue something!!
@@lexievans5198 Honestly, music theory is something I need to work on too. That’s why I usually don’t go into it much in my videos. If I do I usually cite a source for it.
Such a cool and fascinating video!!! GREAT work on the research and editing of this video. I learned so much about other ethnic instruments. And I learned new things like the temp track!
Thanks for checking it out! I’m glad you got so much out of it. I had a feeling you would like the sopilka whistle.
Ah! You used a video from Andrey Vinogradov for introducing the hurdy-gurdy. Love it.
I looked some up and he seems to be the best! I enjoy those videos whenever I see them.
@@FilmScoreandMore I was happy to have recognized him immediately. By the song and by the video itself.
@wallywallace2184 I’m glad he’s recognized.
Great video! So now we know what was the origin of The Forbidden Friendship. And all those instruments used in a score - stunning!
Yeah, I'm glad we have a lot of answers now. Just a year ago I was sure we'd never know.
I got a good feeling your channel will get more popular very soon. :)
Thank you! I hope so. I do need to get into the habit of uploading more often, which can be very difficult to do.
The music of HTTYD is so brilliant it gives me chills every time I hear it.
It’s powerful, for sure! Have you seen my newest video on how the Flying Theme develops?
@@FilmScoreandMore Not yet, but I'll sure look it up!
Thanks, I’m sure you’d like that sort of thing.
This was a video I think I needed to hear. After I recently got my hands on the full score and officially diagnosed myself as obsessed with the soundtrack, I had a lot of questions, especially after watching your previous video about bagpipes. This video, though, answered a lot of those questions excellently. Thanks a ton for it! It was very well done. I look forward to viewing your future videos, especially How to Train Your Dragon-related ones.
Thanks, that’s really great to hear! It’s good to hear from others who have the scorebook, and I know it’s provided some surprising and unexpected answers.
Feel free to reach out to me some time, let me know if you have any more questions, and I hope to see you around here more.
@@FilmScoreandMore Will do! I'll be watching.
@@SaltyGamer777 Good to know, thanks for commenting!
@@FilmScoreandMore I didn't expect to reach out nearly this soon, but I actually have another question regarding the scorebook. In This is Berk [1m2ALT], we get past the start and new instruments come in. One of them is labeled "WW", but its full name is not labeled anywhere else in the book as far as I know. Not at the beginning of the track, and I don't believe the instrument is used in any other track. I also doubt "WW" would simply stand for "woodwind". What is the instrument?
@@SaltyGamer777 That's a good question, I'm not sure I've noticed that before. I just found it, and I noticed that one staff has both a penny whistle and a sopilka whistle, starting at measure 25 under the "wave crashes" text box. I think it could actually mean "woodwind" or something similar just to convey that it's the two specialty instrument woodwinds playing together (or "soli"). Thanks for asking here.
Fantastic!!! I knew the instruments used were not what they initially seemed. Particularly in the scene with the Downed Dragon.
Yeah, that part has tripped people up for a really long time. I'm glad I was able to finally provide an answer here.
Thanks for bringing your good self to my attention on Reddit - this is an amazing video! I wonder what it is about Sigur Ros, Jonsi, and HTTYD that makes my bones hurt (haha). Very well done!
Thanks for checking it out! I guess something about that sound appeals to you pretty strongly. If you only you could like it without anything hurting!
Let me know if you have any questions about the music. I know a lot about the HTTYD scores. I'd also recommend this video on the song that John Powell and Jónsi cowrote together. ruclips.net/video/qzE9cXqdkHs/видео.html
Hey!! Love your content on HTTYD, just wanted to say that the Dhol is pronounced 'dhole' (one syllable) with a super heavy emphasis on the 'h'-if you're letting out a little air while saying it you probably got it right (it's the exact same as the 'dh' pronunciation in bloodhound). I tried to explain it the best I could, hope this helps for future reference!!
Thanks! I hope I can get that right if I refer to them again, I'm not used to pronouncing those two letters together at the start of a word like that. I did change my pronunciation to "doll" in my Flying With Mother video after hearing more people pronounce it that way.
Wow. What a phenomenal video. Everything from the editing to the well thought out and researched commentary makes this a real professional work of art. It’s absolutely fascinating. Loved it. Can’t wait for more.
Thank you! It did take a lot of work, and I'm glad you enjoyed it so much.
Thanks for making this video :)
I really wanted to get the sheet music book but delivering it to the other side of the globe costs too much :(
Anyway about the temp tracks, idk if you watched that talk but the director said they actually used the previous HTTYD tracks in secret. They even had an alternative temp track to hide the fact they were doing that from Powell xD
Yes, I'd love to hear your take on the themes. Powell is one of the few I know who assign leitmotifs in a more sophisticated way.
Oh, that’s a shame. Hopefully you can work something out to get it.
I did see that interview (multiple times, taking notes for future videos). I didn’t mention that they used a HTTYD temp in secret because I think it’s not relevant enough to this video and would pull too much focus.
Love this
Thanks, good to know! I'm always open to questions too, if you have any.
I was going to sleep. The you uploaded this.
Sorry, but thanks for your commitment! Sleep well now.
Great work!
Thanks!
Very good information. Thank you.
Initially when I heard first time, it wasn’t very much related to scene. I did not felt it was right. With time the Celtic sound became normal and relevant to scene. Can I ask you why?
Thanks for checking it out! Maybe it took some getting used to? It’s a unique blend of styles and sounds, so you’ve probably never heard it anywhere else before.
Bravo!
Thank you!
I FEEL SO VALIDATED I CALLED THE HURDEY GURDEY! but the Guldulka was an interesting thing to add
It's a really interesting combination of unexpected sounds!
Really great content! But why you there's a bass footage when you talk about electric guitar? 🙂
Thanks for checking it out! Honestly, I just reused the guitar footage from the music video I discussed later. And ironically in a recent video I chose not to reuse it for an actual bass guitar; I grabbed an image of a bass instead.
You earned a subscriber
Thanks and welcome aboard! There’s plenty more to watch like this, and I’m currently editing a video on something I actually cut out of this one, with some information from John Powell himself!
@@FilmScoreandMore wow I didn’t think you’d respond with a following of over 1000 people. I’m currently finishing your HTTYD series and gonna look more into your channel. I’ll keep an eye out for that as HTTYD is one of my favorite soundtracks.
@@kdhgaming Thanks, and don’t worry; I check comments multiple times a day and I’m very easy to reach if you need me. Enjoy the other videos!
@@FilmScoreandMore I will! :)
@@kdhgaming Great, see you around.
I was wondering what was the instrument played in the beginning of forbidden friendship, it sounds like marimba doesn’t it?
It is marimba! But it's an interesting combination of things; it's mainly glass marimbas, plus slate marimbas, and eventually some vibraphone.
@@FilmScoreandMore thanks for answering my question !
@@NguyenVinhPhuca No problem! Easy to reach and happy to help.
Umm, Hiccup definitely has his own theme, and it's not the fate theme. It plays at 2:09 and in Test Drive when he throws away his cheat sheet and flies through the rocks.
You would think so, but the scorebook I referenced has the official names and roles for the themes. I try to emphasize in some of my videos that John Powell often writes for _story_ themes and not just _characters._ Most of the HTTYD character themes are only in the sequels and most HTTYD themes represent abstract ideas.
What you're thinking of is the B section of the flying theme (basically all of Test Drive is the Flying theme). It doubles as a friendship/bonding theme for Hiccup and Toothless. Basically, it's a theme for both of them, not just one of them.
@@FilmScoreandMoreI always thought Test Drive was two themes in one: Hiccup and Toothless. At the beginning Toothless 4 times in a row and then hiccup.
@@DaanBruins That’s what a lot of people think now. If you’ve seen the Sideways video about HTTYD that’s what he said, but he also admitted in the video it was guesswork because there was no official label for the themes yet (there is now).
I’m still writing a video about how the main themes were written and how they represent ideas and story themes. Until then, here’s a video I made about the main theme for HTTYD 2 which shows how Powell writes for story themes instead of characters: ruclips.net/video/9e718DgOZ4k/видео.html
@@FilmScoreandMore this is true and to add to this, Powell directly references (what we know as the "See You Tomorrow" theme) as Hiccup's theme in the description of "Astrid Goes For A Spin.
@@christianxiong3947 Is that so? Where is that?
8:26 I mean, when is it *not* time to move on to Forbidden Friendship ?
It often is; it's such a special and unique track, even though it was inspired by a temp.
Yeah, it's one of the most (if not THE most) beautiful track of the franchise, in my opinion. It's so magical, so... ethereal ? And it's so detached from the rest of the score too, or at least I feel like it - making it stand out so much more, making it feel like it's this one moment that's absolutely unique and nothing like it will ever happen again (although it does come back when they reunite at the end of the hidden world). The end bit where all the instruments kick in make me feel like it's history being written, because that's technically where their true friendship start (duh.)
That's a really nice way of describing it. By the way, the clip I used of the musicians playing the marimbas in the studio is actually from that moment at the end of HTTYD 3. I pulled it from John Powell's Facebook page.
calling it now, its a hurdy gurdy. that instrument is so cool, more people need to know about it. if it isnt, still look up hurdy gurdy, its one of the coolest instruments in my opinion, id learn it if it wasnt so damn expensive to get one
hell yeah i was right.
Great guess! You must have enjoyed that whole section of the video. They’re really interesting, for sure. I don’t think they’re used anywhere in the HTTYD sequels, just the few places I highlighted in this video.
Despite the video's age, I believe this is the best place I can ask this.
What on _Earth_ are the war pipes?? They are an instrument featured in 2 songs from what I could find. They start the "Dragon Battle" part of "This is Berk [1m2]" along with the bass trombones, and they conclude "Ready/Confront [4m31]" starting at measure 91. Neither of these tracks' descriptions before the score say much about the war pipes. I have hardly any clue as to what this instrument is, and it's been bugging me for months.
It does sound like a bagpipe instrument in the latter, but they either sound very similar to the brassy B. Trombones or are completely tuned out by them in the former. This makes it really difficult for me to figure out what these war pipes are, and the only information I have found about any war pipes, not necessarily these, are from a Wikipedia article about "Great Irish Warpipes." Other than the word "Irish," nothing in that article screams "How to Train Your Dragon" for me. Do you know what this instrument is?
That's a very good question. I've noticed the same thing. As far as I can tell they're still bagpipes, just used in a different style. It does seem odd that the book lists bagpipes and uilleann pipes as separate instruments from war pipes. Maybe it indicates a specific style or intention instead of a more typical style we've associated bagpipes. I can tell you also that bagpipes were sampled on HTTYD 1 so they're artificial, which may help with reaching certain tones; I'm not really sure how it all works.
@@FilmScoreandMore Huh, I thought the Red Hot Chili Pipers played the pipes in HTTYD. Maybe they were just in the sequels. I do have reason to believe the war pipes are also sampled instruments, which actually helps in my case since I use a lot of samples. I don't know if it'd help with reaching certain tones though. Unless the sample itself can glide up and down like it does in "Ready/Confront," I have found it difficult to even get the trombones to slide right on "See You Tomorrow," much less the French Horns. This makes me even more curious as to what was used for the war pipes.
That's correct; the Red Hot Chili Pipers played the pipes for the sequels. They're skilled enough that they could do it, whereas the pipes were sampled on the first movie because so much of it was advanced and the Pipers hadn't been hired yet.
It is a bit of a mystery. I still don't really understand the role of the war pipes as separate sounds here, especially since Powell says the bagpipes were used as war pipes.
Update: I recently got in touch with Tim Rodier from Omni Music Publishing, and he said John Powell explained war pipes are basically a raucous, un-pitched noise, almost like a battle cry. They are a separate sound from highland and uilleann pipes.
@@FilmScoreandMore Very interesting. Thank you for doing that! It might help me in the future.
Oh what about Powells music of the Kung Fu Panda trilogy (technically only the first two movies, but Im p sure tzey used content of him on the 3rd one as well.)?
Yes, he definitely used a lot of exotic sounds there. That's why I made sure to mention it at the end of my bagpipes video. However, I'm still not that familiar with the scores or their movies. I should probably look into it again!
@@FilmScoreandMore You damn should lil boi. D:
I feel personally attacked by that thumbnail xD
Why is that? You thought it was bagpipes? We all did for ten-eleven years!
You say the fate theme is the closest thing to Hiccup having his own theme... Except there's literally a song in the soundtrack called "Hiccup's theme"
Can you tell me where you’ve seen that? The official album (the initial release and the deluxe album) don’t have a track called Hiccup’s Theme, so what you saw may have been fan-made. The Omni Music scorebook I referenced in the video also confirms this.
If you want to know about the Flying Theme (often mistaken as Hiccup’s Theme) I explained it in detail here:
ruclips.net/video/hBWhQxznEQA/видео.html
Out of curiosity, have you tried replacing "You're so cool" with Carl Orff's "Gassenhauer" on that same track ?
No I haven’t. I’ll have to give it a listen, thanks for the recommendation.
Me earlier listening to the soundtrack:
*Huh. I always thought there was bagpipes there but it sounds like a violin and hurry gurdy*
This video: ....instrument called the hurry gurdy
Me: I KNEW IT!!!!
(Learned about them in Sea of Thieves the pirate game, and became hooked on them)
That's right, good catch! I actually watched a video about the Sea of Thieves score while researching this video. They're pretty interesting instruments.