Sonic 3's Flying Battery: Music Theory

Поделиться
HTML-код
  • Опубликовано: 7 янв 2025

Комментарии • 650

  • @Cybershell13
    @Cybershell13 3 года назад +1832

    4:14 Ah yes what an interesting theory...

  • @cliffy9874
    @cliffy9874 3 года назад +686

    9:05 In Mania, you can actually skip the wait by using Mighty’s ability, but there’s a tradeoff in that you listen to this song for a few seconds less than you would otherwise.

    • @sprucebadger8229
      @sprucebadger8229 3 года назад +53

      also it only takes 2 parachute bombs

    • @josuray
      @josuray 3 года назад +17

      this part when i was a kid was brutal cuz i literally backtracked so many times like alex said. 11/10 song tho

    • @lihzzahrdspeed6631
      @lihzzahrdspeed6631 3 года назад +13

      Actually in mania the wait is non existent

    • @mitchtom1409
      @mitchtom1409 2 года назад +5

      it’s so much shorter anyway that i doubt anyone except speedrunners actually bothers though

    • @TheKingofGames1001
      @TheKingofGames1001 Год назад +2

      @@sprucebadger8229 5 actually, its shoots 3 at a time.

  • @xZippy
    @xZippy 3 года назад +410

    "If you can believe it, is that Tee Lopes snuck in the endless mine rhyth-mic-mot-if-in-here."

    • @someobscuremusicchannel
      @someobscuremusicchannel 3 года назад +32

      do-do-do-do---do---do-do--do---do

    • @XxROBATOxX
      @XxROBATOxX 3 года назад +14

      That same motif is a recurring thing in Sonic Mania. You hear it in the title screen too.

    • @RikouHogashi
      @RikouHogashi 3 года назад +11

      I see what Tee did there he took shots at SA2 City Escape's music also being Endless Mine that we didn't discover until Generation's "Classic" version

    • @ChaosKnight7000
      @ChaosKnight7000 3 года назад +6

      And I find this to be amazing because the punch it adds makes a song I didn't think could be surpassed even better.

    • @blorglord
      @blorglord Год назад

      unoriginal comment

  • @kangusplaysgames
    @kangusplaysgames 3 года назад +42

    I always figured 'flying battery' refered to battery cages, like in egg farms. In act 2, you can see hundreds of the animal prison capsules in the background which sent chills down my spine as a young lad

    • @fakeo
      @fakeo 6 месяцев назад +1

      same, except for the chills part

  • @thebeluvdtrex
    @thebeluvdtrex 3 года назад +259

    As a game developer trying to understand how to compose good music this content is a godsend

  • @MarsTheMellow
    @MarsTheMellow 3 года назад +8

    I look away for five seconds and suddenly we're talking about James Bond. What a world we live in.

  • @danforce4222
    @danforce4222 3 года назад +226

    8:42 You actually said it in the rhythm, you genious

    • @cutman3931
      @cutman3931 3 года назад +30

      this rythm is starting to become a meme...

  • @mvnkycheez
    @mvnkycheez 3 года назад +862

    This is 100% THE most underrated channel on youtube

  • @carpathia808
    @carpathia808 3 года назад +214

    I'm quite ridiculously late to the party on this one but I love these videos so much and can't wait until the next one!

  • @matty6878
    @matty6878 3 года назад +286

    glad to see im not the only one who's felt like i was hearing the "bond theme" every time i hear this theme's zone.
    the arrangement of the levels and music in S&K was it was originally planned always fascinated me. there has to be a mod out there that tried to recreate the intended design

    • @skunthundler
      @skunthundler 3 года назад +27

      Sonic 3 A.I.R and Sonic 3 Complete have intended zone order options.

    • @duffman18
      @duffman18 3 года назад +18

      Yeah, go download the romhack Sonic 3 Complete. It is THE definitive way to play the full game, and has tons and tons of customisation options, including yes the level order. You can make flying battery zone go in the middle of the first half of the game if you want, and it even has custom level transitions between carnival night, flying battery and ice cap, the original intended transitions. So for example, originally in ice cap zone, the snowboard sonic was to have used would have been one of the doors that exploded off of the flying battery. So in this mod, it you turn the level order to match the original like this, they've edited the graphics of the snowboard to look like a door off flying battery
      That's the kind of insane attention to detail that Sonic 3 Complete has. I never play anything else anymore, like I don't play the original sonic 3&K game anymore, I only play Sonic 3 Complete, because it's so much better. It's the game it was always originally planned to have been, if they hadn't been forced to split the game into 2.
      It's just about the best and most professional romhack I've ever seen. It was made by the guy who made Sonic Mania, Christian whitehead, so that should tell you how good it is.
      Go to the Sonic Retro wiki and download Sonic 3 Complete off there. It doesn't require IPS patching or anything like that. Just download it and open it in an emulator. Or if you have a Mega Drive everdrive cartridge, load the ROM onto there and play it on a real mega drive/genesis, cos it works perfectly 9n original hardware

    • @MmmMmph1968
      @MmmMmph1968 2 года назад +5

      When the Flying Battery carpet-bombs you in Angel Island Zone, it's very clearly dark green. But when you finally get to the Battery, it's all grey and orange.
      I wonder if they would've repainted it if the original order was used.

    • @russellgxy2905
      @russellgxy2905 2 года назад +4

      I never made that connection before now but it makes sense why I felt this theme was sneaky in a way. Frantic sneak, but sneak nonetheless

    • @pengil3
      @pengil3 Год назад +3

      @@MmmMmph1968 the green bomber might be a different warship entirely, but it’s fun to theorize

  • @Kitty-hf6vq
    @Kitty-hf6vq 3 года назад +7

    I, someone completely illiterate on anything regarding music, can finally put into words why Flying Bathery zone gave a James Bond type of feel, thanks to your video
    Thanks for the video, i've learned a lot

  • @VideoGameAnimationStudy
    @VideoGameAnimationStudy 3 года назад +435

    I am so glad I got recommended this channel. I'm fascinated by music theory, hearing how notes match the visuals is a delight!
    I'm looking forward to more!
    _(I'd love to hear your thoughts on how Casino Night and Casino Night 2P both go about their approach to the theme)_

    • @saltendo2177
      @saltendo2177 2 года назад

      Casino Night 2P was originally Oil Ocean Zone's theme.

  • @julian.legaspi
    @julian.legaspi 3 года назад +65

    6:20
    That is what we call a Harmonic Scale. Harmonies in minor keys often use this raised seventh tone in order to make the music feel more strongly centered on the tonic.

    • @cactusowo1835
      @cactusowo1835 3 года назад +1

      Scale is just a concept of pairing notes/grades in some way or another, isnt it just using accidentals? Instead of switching scales, which may not seem that dynamic

  • @VideoGameAnimationStudy
    @VideoGameAnimationStudy 3 года назад +160

    Subscribed, am an avid watcher of Sonic music theory now.
    Thank you!

  • @Illstatefishing
    @Illstatefishing 3 года назад +44

    These songs are timeless, I still play them in my head while I work

  • @sleepverygood
    @sleepverygood 9 месяцев назад +3

    8:55 Best music transition ive heard

  • @LydianMelody
    @LydianMelody 3 года назад +39

    It was super nice of you to make this channel just for me. PS: Stumbling on Flying Battery Zone’s ascending 5th James Bond-esque motif is what finally hooked me on playing guitar after 6 months of barely touching it. S3&K songs were the first I learned. It’s funny, I was yearning to hear the songs on “real” instruments, but now I love those 16bit tones just as much lol.

  • @JahnDavis2734
    @JahnDavis2734 3 года назад +73

    This is a great video! Flying Battery is one of my absolute favorite Sonic tracks. That bassline is legendary, and that James Bond chord progression moment always really sells that "infiltrating the enemy base" feel. Absolute a top 5 Sonic track for me, period.
    Definitely subscribing man, I gotta check out your other stuff.

    • @Ghosty_Dosty
      @Ghosty_Dosty 3 года назад +4

      Yeah I remember your FB remix. It was a flawless victory!

    • @JojoJere
      @JojoJere 4 месяца назад

      I think it's called a "rising ciche chord progression"

  • @RedReagle
    @RedReagle 3 года назад +9

    I just came here from watching the Mushroom Hill video and I realized just how jarring the difference is between the brutish intro stage song we just got before, the "here we go again familiarity" music, and now we're playing this intense, fast paced thrill song, showing you just how wildly different they can get between one stage and another right at the beginning. It's so awesome, it gets you way more excited for this game, the range it can provide so quickly.

  • @xTheGamingGhostx
    @xTheGamingGhostx 2 года назад +5

    In the opener, that long sustained note followed by the rapid fire notes is subtle brilliance. The long note symbolizes the guns turning to aim at sonic, and the following quick notes symbolize the guns opening fire. The stage theme is literally firing an opening salvo at sonic right as the level starts.

  • @RikouHogashi
    @RikouHogashi 3 года назад +5

    Honestly, the Bond theme was quite easy to discover in this song because of how extremely Iconic the theme is

  • @Pinkerton221
    @Pinkerton221 3 года назад +54

    Flying vaporwave zone at the end.

  • @jadendafinger
    @jadendafinger 3 года назад +47

    getting an upload from you is enough to make a great day even better! Flying Battery is one of my favorite levels in the game. The speedy sections really go well with the music. I wish there were more outdoor sections in the original.
    didn't catch that first time watching 4:48
    Edit: I made my comment less "bot-like" by adding some thoughts relating to the level

  • @formerlyyaboitom10
    @formerlyyaboitom10 3 года назад +27

    4:57 Sky Sanctuary is included but it's only for the boss battle against Super Mecha Sonic.

    • @GamingGardevoir
      @GamingGardevoir 3 года назад +1

      As far as I’m concerned, that’s just the final ruin

    • @metazshanstark91
      @metazshanstark91 2 года назад +1

      It's proper term for it's model is Silver Sonic MK-11 not super Mecha Sonic, Mecha Sonic is the one term named for the Sonic CD revision (s) style generation of the roboticized Sonic . I lnow it doesn't make sense entirely of the model named since this revision isn't silver as Sonic 2's revision of the similar model but more advanced for sure, since this one can harvest the power of the Master emerald, but does kinda since it's similar to the former death egg's revision.

  • @samborton6613
    @samborton6613 3 года назад +22

    This and the angel islands are my favorite themes in all of sonic. Great job on the video!

  • @stinkyroadhog1347
    @stinkyroadhog1347 2 года назад +4

    The way the intro note climbs back up really quickly into the next hanging note really sounds so badass. Like for a moment, you thought it wasn't gonna be so intimidating or bad but it reassures you, you're in for a hell of a time here!

  • @ages9105
    @ages9105 3 года назад +24

    Oh yea I’ve been waiting for this

  • @LewisOlley06
    @LewisOlley06 3 года назад +12

    2:30 This is the exact chord progression of the Mini-Boss for S3&K

    • @saradogan2607
      @saradogan2607 3 года назад +1

      And scrap brain an from sonic 1

    • @mazim07
      @mazim07 2 месяца назад

      Genuinely surprised there was no mention of this in the video.

  • @WildTonyAppears
    @WildTonyAppears 3 года назад +19

    I’m blown away. You’ve deconstructed my childhood, analysed it and amplified it in the most incredible way. Thank you!

  • @Kirbsuno
    @Kirbsuno 3 года назад +23

    4:47 that reference to the meme of someone staring at you with a gun XD

  • @skakirask
    @skakirask 3 года назад +4

    I never found the parachute bombs thing as bad as the Carnival Night barrel, simply because the game gives you a small hint that the bombs are damaging the floor.

  • @cactusowo1835
    @cactusowo1835 3 года назад +5

    4:46 lmao, that part killed me.
    I absolutelly love the lead melody at the start, it wouldn't just sound the same without the tritone at the end.

  • @FieryN8
    @FieryN8 3 года назад +15

    LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
    Easily my favorite zone composition in the entire franchise

    • @FieryN8
      @FieryN8 3 года назад

      @Alts'Alts im a s3&k shill, lol

    • @mrbananaman8032
      @mrbananaman8032 3 года назад +2

      Same. So much energy and attitude.

  • @GiftzGD
    @GiftzGD 7 месяцев назад +1

    This song is my all time favorites from the first three sonic games, so ive watched this video multiple times at this point. Music theory has always been fascinating for me

  • @YellowYoshi398
    @YellowYoshi398 3 года назад +31

    just here waiting for Cybershell to react to being name-dropped in this vid

    • @SSF27-1
      @SSF27-1 3 года назад +4

      Well you've got your wish. He commented here a day ago.

  • @Allplussomeminus
    @Allplussomeminus 2 года назад +5

    0:02 I thought that was because everything on the ship was electrically charged by a battery. But that makes way more sense.

  • @Fluxuation
    @Fluxuation Год назад +2

    I think the reason eggman is in flying battery is not because knuckles wasn’t supposed to go to flying battery, but the fact that flying battery in of itself is an absolutely unfinished mess. There’s 0 knuckles routes, only 1 outside area in act 2, linear, blocky level design, stuff to drag out zone time and weird, unconventional bosses (but this doesn’t make me hate the zone, it’s one of my personal favorites!) More evidence on this, if we look at the sonic 3 prototype, flying battery is still playable, and while it’s graphics and level design are intact, it’s an absolute MESS of unfinished stuff. They had about half the time to develop flying battery then any other zone, and I think they were just too crashed from making another eggrobo sprite, since they already did for the laser trap bods as well.

  • @rats6136
    @rats6136 3 года назад +2

    my favourite tune from Sonic 3! Great video man

  • @RadianceMarluxia
    @RadianceMarluxia 3 года назад +4

    It's a crime how underrated your channel is, I love all these videos even though I have no idea about music theory
    The use of the endless mine motif in sonic mania absolutely blew my mind. That part of the song always stuck to my brain but I never realised why until now.

  • @OrgHedgehog
    @OrgHedgehog 2 года назад +3

    So nobody is talking about how smooth the transition was in 8:56?

  • @ardic23
    @ardic23 Год назад +4

    Sonic 3 and Knuckles is a timeless game I'm sure a child who plays the game will really like the game

  • @Acechao111
    @Acechao111 3 года назад +13

    Blows my mind that people can identify and explain this sort of stuff. Truly incredible, does the amazing compositions justice, keep it up man.

  • @seronymus
    @seronymus 3 года назад +4

    This is an awesome, underrated channel. Tight editing, good clean info, no nonsense. God bless you guys

  • @shadow479
    @shadow479 3 года назад +3

    After all these years and most of us despite of enjying so much Sonic's music and yet we never realized how genious they are. Seriously, it blows my mind.

  • @Lightning-2153
    @Lightning-2153 2 года назад +2

    Probably my favorite Genesis Sonic song. The use of the Major 7th is amazing

  • @YomiKAyomi
    @YomiKAyomi 3 года назад +2

    Well done! Someone is doing a comprehensive music theory on one of the best Sonic Zones ever! I am SO subscribing!

  • @spimbles
    @spimbles 3 года назад +1

    these videos got me interested in music theory. its really fun and interesting to hear just how much thought went into the music of the Sonic games. great work man, your effort paid off

  • @arthurvenger
    @arthurvenger 3 года назад +2

    this is one of my favorite sonic tracks! great video!! rewatching it now with my piano :))

  • @null_state
    @null_state 3 года назад +1

    Your channel is amazing. Two of my favorite topics brought together. Thank you so much.

  • @zomby138
    @zomby138 3 года назад +10

    Just binge watched all these. I would like to request Ice Cap zone please :)

  • @Ryonic217
    @Ryonic217 3 года назад +5

    I absolutely love hearing about the mistakes that the developers made between Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles, especially the music aspects of it

  • @___8241
    @___8241 3 года назад +4

    Instant sub. The way you explain this stuff is incredible.

  • @smolbrendan5978
    @smolbrendan5978 3 года назад +2

    1:48 Correct me if I'm wrong here because I don't study music theory _at all,_ but this pattern of notes made me realize that the Act 1 boss theme for Sonic & Knuckles _also_ has that same progression.
    That's pretty cool!

  • @helloofthebeach
    @helloofthebeach 3 года назад +5

    I wouldn't have found this video if I hadn't specifically been studying Flying Battery's music.
    How many barnyard animals do I gotta sacrifice to make the Algorithm bless you?

  • @SyntaxTsundere
    @SyntaxTsundere 3 года назад +5

    YOO YOURE BACK!!!

  • @Lach1xn
    @Lach1xn 3 года назад +2

    Amazing comeback after those few months man. I love watching your videos, and I love Flying Battery’s Themes in general.

  • @mjc0961
    @mjc0961 2 года назад +3

    1:01 - Crediting background footage we can't even see. Nice. So many people just grab other people's videos with no credit at all.

  • @duckhuntdawg
    @duckhuntdawg 3 года назад +3

    I watched your music theory videos yesterday and now there’s a new one today :D

  • @thesmilingman7576
    @thesmilingman7576 Год назад +1

    5:34 they did think of it there's code that has the regular side facing Eggrobo sprite in Knuckles's Egg Hanger sprite but due to a bug it still loads the front facing Robotnik sprites

  • @vaporwaveskeleton9224
    @vaporwaveskeleton9224 3 года назад +2

    Your content is fantastic, I hope you post more in the future

  • @leobaiaeu
    @leobaiaeu 3 года назад +2

    continue with this awesome work bro

  • @MowLawner
    @MowLawner 3 года назад +4

    This was a very interesting and informative breakdown. The similarities to death egg were something I never noticed. This is great. Hoping you’ll do Hydrocity Zone in the near future- probably my favorite pair of tracks in the whole series.

  • @ping2641
    @ping2641 3 года назад +3

    The first level in a video game that made me feel like a badass (S&K was my first Sonic game!)

  • @christiecat5367
    @christiecat5367 3 года назад +1

    Just discovered this channel, omg! I adore this geek detail into one of my fav game soundtracks!! As a fellow geek, I adore soundtracks, but I've never came across a channel that explains the sheet music behind it! Subscribed!

  • @matheuscastaldi4685
    @matheuscastaldi4685 Год назад +1

    man you deserve a lot of subscriptions... what a channel!!

  • @BraviaGames
    @BraviaGames 3 года назад +5

    This is the kind of education the gives me pleasure!

  • @MHzJr
    @MHzJr 3 года назад +4

    my day is saved. thank you.

  • @Dudewas
    @Dudewas 3 года назад +4

    This video is fantastic I really appreciate your theme for your channel i’ve been searching for music theory of sonic music and I only had two videos to watch until your champ came out subscribe and I will watch every video that you post Ever great job with everything you are doing Alex!!! You are inspiring me and teaching me exactly what it is that makes me love all of these sonic songs!

    • @Dudewas
      @Dudewas 3 года назад

      ruclips.net/video/Vjj0aA933_s/видео.html
      This is the one it’s by scruffy I see that you replied Alex but I for some reason can’t see the reply on here only in my notifications hope you can see the link I provided

  • @peppertoni
    @peppertoni Год назад

    Cool video!! It's crazy how intricate these old Sonic songs are compositionally

  • @TalkingNerdyWithCJ
    @TalkingNerdyWithCJ 2 года назад

    I play piano, and once you started with something I can understand, I immediately subscribed. I love how others appreciate the potential of instrumental music!

    • @AlexYardZone
      @AlexYardZone  2 года назад

      Glad to hear it! Yeah, I think piano works very well as a visual representation of music theory concepts, since it's very spatial and intuitive even for non-piano players. Whereas a Guitar fretboard requires prerequisite info, for example.

  • @Pickyjonez
    @Pickyjonez 2 года назад

    Must have missed this one usual top quality! You had me at the very end, could feel my pulse rising

  • @JSevion
    @JSevion 3 года назад +1

    Thank you for yet another amazing breakdown

  • @erinspirationxo7764
    @erinspirationxo7764 3 года назад

    It's rare that I comment on videos but I've gotta give you your props. This is amazing I binged watched the whole series. Can't wait for the next one, keep up the good work!

  • @jsels777
    @jsels777 2 года назад

    I'm not sure which to be most impressed with: your editing, your knowledgeability of the subject, or your intuitive explanations. Great work here!

  • @TimScharinger
    @TimScharinger Год назад

    This video is so good! Great music, great visualization of the music, nice comparison with Bond and at last containing some of the best video game music in the 90's! ❤

  • @mraltoid19
    @mraltoid19 2 года назад +1

    I greatly appreciate your videos, thank you for creating them.

  • @chalkers
    @chalkers 2 года назад

    You have no idea how much joy this video gave me. I'm going to subscribe and binge your content.

  • @xamit1u
    @xamit1u 3 года назад +9

    The rockets never took that long for me.

    • @jadendafinger
      @jadendafinger 3 года назад

      maybe it's based on where you stand?

    • @streeterville773
      @streeterville773 3 года назад

      @ElSonikero They're talking about in the game, genius

  • @jerryalexis576
    @jerryalexis576 3 года назад +1

    8:40 Yooo my favorite part of the song has the Endless Mine rhythmic motif!!

  • @cubedtothex
    @cubedtothex 3 года назад +1

    Excellent analysis! I love these!

  • @mindseyemusicreview
    @mindseyemusicreview 2 года назад

    @2:00 I just recently got a piano for my birthday and so far have just been playing what sounds cool. This was a great lesson on some chords in an easy way for me to understand, and have fun witu

  • @soya_kitchens
    @soya_kitchens 3 года назад

    I kept getting you in my recommended list and front page. Apparently, you're actually a very good youtuber! So I am now subscribed.

  • @water594
    @water594 3 года назад +7

    I actually interpreted Flying Battery to be literal battery, i.e. one that recharges the Death Egg

    • @SianaGearz
      @SianaGearz 3 года назад +1

      I thought it was battery like in Assault and Battery, i.e. being beaten.

    • @x-mighty7602
      @x-mighty7602 3 года назад +3

      I always thought it was called that because it's where Eggman makes the capsules, which store the animals, that are the batteries to the badniks.

  • @agentblackbird9435
    @agentblackbird9435 2 года назад +1

    Ah yes, the song where I learned what a “bass” was as a kid

  • @renjigillihan1995
    @renjigillihan1995 2 года назад

    Dude your channel is GODLY, I'm so glad I've found it

  • @acuman99.9
    @acuman99.9 3 года назад

    I love your channel so much. As a sonic fan who loves over thinking music this is literally perfect. Thank you for this.

  • @lirionbelmont
    @lirionbelmont 3 года назад +2

    this channel is fantastic!

  • @SonicPAJ
    @SonicPAJ 2 года назад

    THANK YOU for pointing out the James Bond progression. It's also used in the mini-boss theme. Another Bond motif is used in the Secret Base zone in Sonic Advance.

  • @brahmdanger8387
    @brahmdanger8387 3 года назад +2

    Absolutely incredible!

  • @kitsunnnneee
    @kitsunnnneee 2 года назад

    Absolutely love your videos man, they’re entirely too interesting

  • @CobaltChono
    @CobaltChono 3 года назад +3

    0:08 So after ~13 years I **NOW** learn that Flying Battery refers to a kind of artillery unit for the Army.

  • @solidgamer6160
    @solidgamer6160 3 года назад +1

    You deserve so many more subs. I could binge these videos. And I will

  • @Ghosty_Dosty
    @Ghosty_Dosty 3 года назад +8

    9:30
    Oh so that's the case! I thought it was the console or the emulator slowing down because of the ammount of parashutes

  • @justinjones1475
    @justinjones1475 3 года назад

    I'm happy to see that you're continuing this series

  • @richarddavis2530
    @richarddavis2530 3 года назад

    Wow, awesome video, thank you! I've always loved this track and in particular the main section B melody you cover at 6:35. Although as much as I love it, those descending crotchets in the last bar have always felt somehow empty. Like there should be some percussion or something in the offbeat. I wonder why that is.

  • @skins4thewin
    @skins4thewin 3 года назад

    Dayum! I LOVED the slowed down bit at the end! Sounds SICK when slowed down to a crawl! The freaking Genesis man, amiright?

  • @victorlgcarvalho
    @victorlgcarvalho 2 года назад +1

    Okay, now I want to play Sonic 3 & Knuckles again... Thanks...

  • @TheMiningMeteor
    @TheMiningMeteor Год назад +1

    1:39 I’ve been hearing James Bond in EVERYTHING now! It’s in the s3&k miniboss theme too!!

  • @personM4N
    @personM4N 3 года назад +1

    If I could bully myself for not coming across this channel earlier, I would

  • @ImNotVatis
    @ImNotVatis 3 года назад

    Bro please keep up these awesome videos! I've always been really interested in the sonic 3 and knuckles music, and this just increased my passion for it by a lot!
    Keep up the great work!