The VIBES of Final Fantasy IX, Part 1: Melodies of Life
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- Опубликовано: 30 май 2021
- Some aspects of music are easier to categorize theoretically than others, but the ease with which a concept is turned into a theory is not related to the importance of that concept to the effectiveness of a piece of music. There's something about Uematsu's work that's tough to put your finger on, but after thinking about it for a long time I've realized that Uematsu's writing has consistently great Vibes. In Part 1 of this 2 part series on the music of Final Fantasy IX, I take a look at how texture in music can effect a piece's Vibe, and take a look at some of my favourite Vibes from throughout the game's soundtrack.
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In the words of Uematsu, after composing for Final Fantasy VI he finally felt like he fully grasped the high fantasy genre and that he was fully ready to show that on the next FF game.
But then came FF7 and FF8, which were actually very modern instead!
FF9 is where he got to fully show the extent of the knowledge he gained from ff1 to ff6
It shows!
You boys are beautiful
Damn Alex hi!
Hey alex
Hey Alex! Big fan!
Hearing him go "JUST TRYYY IITTT!!" is the strongest vibes we'll ever get from him
"no..." they all said, quieter this time.
17:47 someone call the jazz police this guy's chord symbol is almost a bar and a half long lol
2:10 Ah yes, the square, the greatest of all the percussion instruments
Came here for this comment!
If it works for Holly, it works for us.
I'd missed that!
Square is often used in percussion, though, especially for bass drum-like sounds.
I'm getting so emotional whenever I listen to music from FF9. It's pure and blissful magic.
This is the one soundtrack that will make me cry on the spot. It's a masterpiece.
@@Walamonga1313 This and Chrono Cross do it for me, both fantastic soundtracks by two legends.
I'm not ashamed to admit that when Melodies of Life swelled in the background at the start of the video, I full tear-cried. It's been a long time since I picked up FFIX from my local blockbuster, but the music still invokes such a strong sense memory from that time and place.
I totally got hit by the feel bus when Melodies of Life started playing. Didn't expect that. Definitively brings back great memories.
FF9 was my first Final Fantasy game. Though it might not be the best in every way, but it's perfect in my heart.
Always fun when you’re listening to final fantasy soundtracks and are completely chilled out, only for you to suddenly get vibe-checked by a boss battle theme.
Then you start jamming to the boss theme 😎👌🏻
Fun idea: a game soundtrack composed entirely of madlib-style queues. “Ok, the generator says… exuberant tuba duel? Well, I had been putting off composing the protagonist’s theme…”
"Its the vibe. I rest my case." - Dennis Denuto
Ayyy! I wouldn't have expected to see this reference here!
FF9 is easily my favorite in the series and it's soundtrack is one of my favorite soundtracks to anything ever. It's so well constructed, every single song fits every scene perfectly, there is a ton of variety and everything is so filled with emotion. I honestly think it was the Final Fantasy with the most amount of love and emotion put into it.
10:04 "But worlds collide soon enough" I see what you did there
Final Fantasy IX is a game that will forever remain in my heart. I remember picking it up because the cover looked cool downside was I didn't know English and I had never played an RPG before (closest thing was Zelda).
The first time I played it, I was just stuck in awe by the music while seeing the intro. Even while watching the character cards with the quote things without understanding a word I was still taken aback.
Many years later I tried to play the game once more when I finally learned enough English to not have to use a dictionary on every word and it was way better than I remembered. Advantages of actually knowing what is being said I guess.
Even nowadays, I still get chills of childish wonder whenever I hear any of that game songs.
I get so giddy hearing analysis of Uematsu's music! Just clicked onto the video but SO excited to hear it!
I'm just a caveman drummer and don't understand much of the talk about chord shapes and tonal center and stability but I do know that Uematsu is a vibe GOD and his tracks have massively influenced my own musicianship and I LOVE HIM.
The South Gate theme hits me with a massive pang of nostalgia every time I hear it. Thanks for breaking down what makes it so great.
I remember I fell in love with this game as soon as I heard Garnet singing at night In Dali. It's a masterpiece, and probably Uematsu's best 'Soundtrack' though I feel I have more individual tracks I like from FF8 :)
I really need to play this game again when I'm not 15 and rushing through it to get ready for FFX to come out
I totally gave up on IX as a teenager because I was snobby about graphics and hated the art style. I came back to it just a few years ago as amore mature adult and loved the charm it has. For a Final Fantasy / Uematsu fan it's definitely worth the time.
I only first played this barely half a year ago. I already beat it 3 times. I've never beaten any other FF multiple times.
And why did I no life this game? It's an amazing experience, particularly because of the OST. This is my favourite videogame soundtrack ever and FF IX quickly became my favourite FF, and is among my top 5 favourite games ever.
I will always argue that IX is a far better game than X.
I wasn't ready to feel but you gave me 20 minutes (ok, 15) of Melodies of Life and now I'm feeling again.
Good video, though, lol
Vibes for days....can't get enough of these videos muhaha. Your transcriptions are so clear
Love your videos! I'm considering FF IX as a game that literally made a human I am today, literally everything I like today is thanks to this game: classical/electronic music (first things I started to learn on piano was from this game haha), historical aesthetics, trying to be a humble and empathetic man like Zidane and others, so many more to count! I might be quite a silent subscriber, but belive me, you're doing fantastic job and 400k subscribers definitely thinks the same!
Bust into tears when over the hill starting playing ooooof - thanks for the great video!
YEEEESSSSS! Always a good day when FF9 gets some love.
ffix's music has been greatly influential on me for pretty much my whole life so this is just such a treat for me. i might cry if it touches on freya's theme at any point
Damn, I really wish this would be a three parter, I'd love to hear about the vibes of the The Place I'll Return To leitmotif as well. Fantastic video either way :)
Absolutely. If Melodies of Life weren't chosen, that's the other one I'd have wanted to hear about the development of the most. So many great renditions throughout the OST.
I love that; I have thought about that theme a lot in my more recent experiences with FFIX and I think it is great musical storytelling because that theme is played in every place that is related to Terra. I think a lot of people miss this fact.
"The place I'll return to someday" itself, directly related to Zidane and how Terra is literally the place he will return to; Ipsen's Castle obviously has a connection with Terra, being the place that holds the mirrors and clue about the shimmering island; the theme that plays when the mirrors' clues are read out; Oeilvert, being a massive connection to Terra and having a huge chunk of the first information you learn about the place, and...actually Terra. lol
Another little thing is I noticed that all the locations related to Terra have those blue treasure chests...the Iifa tree also has them but I don't recall the theme playing there
I loved this game so much, the music added so much. I’ll always remember You Are Not Alone from the section where Zidane finds out he was made by Garland
My favourite FF track ever is Assault Of The Silver Dragons. It's simply incredible. This whole soundtrack is art in its purest form. It never ever fails to make me feel.
Bass choir doesn't get enough appreciation in soundtracks.
I found the vibe of Melodies of Life to be more warm, earthy, and supportive than cheesy, but reasonable ears can differ! I absolutely love the thorough analysis you put into not only the melody of songs, but also their texture, their interplay between instruments, and their unusual - often brilliant - choices. (It's especially cool when you rework a segment to show us what it would have sounded like if a different, more common choice were used!) These are things that less experienced listeners like myself wouldn't catch, and it makes for some of the most genius music analysis not only in the video game music space, but in all of music theory. You're wonderful.
it sounds like 90s disney music in japanese, whether that’s a bad thing is a matter of taste
I frickin' _love_ this leitmotif; showing the power of a good leitmotif being able to shapeshift across so many different vibes!
Fun fact, when I was learning sight reading in music school, Melodies of Life was the song I used to learn how a Major 6 leap sounds. I had never heard of "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean," lol
The fact that this is a part 1 gets me so jazzed!
Bow down to the king of vibes
oh my god you have a series breaking down FFIX music specifically. I am so in love. insta-subscribed.
I've always thought the same about South Gate, it has so much atmosphere. The fact that it comes after a very action packed and orchestral part in the game, into this quiet part with this sparse music playing, that mood has stuck with me forever.
I really like the overworld map music in FFIX. This video is great about describing how the music sets tone so well.
I'm so glad you talked about South Gate! This is a hugely underrated track, and one of my favorites of Uematsu's work!
i can already tell this is going to be a banger video, FFIX is my favorite of the whole series and the music is CRAZY good
Ahh, I'm thrilled to have so much attention given to FFIX! It really is my favorite.
I don't think I ever gave this much thought to texture either-it's awesome how much power there can be in simplicity.
This conjures up so many memories and makes me wanna play the game again. Can’t wait for part 2!
You mean if conjured up memories... Of life?
**credits roll**
This is brilliant. The music in Final Fantasy IX is just gold. Thanks for making these!
Yes! FF9 was my first Final Fantasy and the soundtrack is one of my favourites of all time. So glad you're covering it.
Can't wait for the Kuja theme! It's one of my absolute favourites :3! Thanks so much for this interesting analysis.
This is perfect timing, I just started playing Final Fantasy IX on my dad’s old PS2
>my dad's old ps2
FUUUUUUUCK I'M OOOOOOOLD
I’m so glad that FF9 is still getting recognition in recent times. Excellent video and great breakdown as always my friend. ❤️ Love your videos!
The music of this game was one of the things that made it SO special to me. This was my first Final Fantasy, and the first time I obsessed over a video game soundtrack too. Thank you for this!
I wish 8-bit music theory would cover some of the absolute bangers in shin megami tensei 4 (like b2 and c2)
Yesssss
The PS2 era games, all the NDS/3DS era games...SMT IV....Mainline SMT music does something profound to me I can't quite explain.
@@monfernova i like the other ones aswell but whats really special about smt 4's ost is that its so old school and modern at the same time and can really make you feel the atmosphere. It conveys feelings of dread in some soundtrack really well. I love Ryota Kozuka and wish he does smt 5s ost too. (he probably will)
@@RE_sandwiched yeah smt IV has this great grungy and electro take on stuff both smt IV and IV A probably are the best osts from the series.
I still really love Meguro's work which of course extends to a lot of the spin offs
I believe someone else handed Persona 5 Strikers? That had a cool ost though
Yoooo I love Final Fantasy IX's ost! It's really cool how the Over The Hill main theme is used for Gaia, and then the theme from the title opening is used for the ancient alternate world. The motifs are so strong and work so well to tell the story!
"the vibe"
starts talking about tremolo.
I see what you did there
'At the South Gate Border' is my favourite track in the game by far. Thank you for covering it. I always thought it used a calliope rather than recorders though.
What a treat - a deep dive on FFIX music in 2 parts? This video could not be any more in my wheelhouse :)
Have you seen Alex Moukala's recent breakdown of the music in the FFXIV: Endwalker final trailer? Seeing the way Soken has carried the themes of so many motifs through the years and grew the vibe with the development of the plot and characters over the epic lifetime of FFXIV really cements in my mind the fact that he is Uematsu's greatest student and the bearer of his legacy. Incredible stuff.
Soken really seems to be building up the same level of appreciation now that I remember Uematsu developing in the mid-90s. Making background music in an MMO actually matter is no small feat of its own…
Oh, indeed. Especially now when so much music in other games is done by contractors that only really care about making snappy tunes, emailing them away, and getting a check back. The way Soken is as much a part of the world of Final Fantasy XIV as any of the developers, players, or characters is truly his greatest strength. He has been part of weaving this epic work from the beginning (when he was integrating Uematsu's works for 1.0) and it shows in the beautiful tapestry of motifs we get with each trailer and expansion now. Musical callbacks to events years ago (even previous FFs) are common, but given a flavor that goes so well with the context of where FFXIV is when the music is used. His work is amazing.
Dude if this series doesn't get at least 20 parts I'm offended.
Jk you're awesome :)
Yes yes yes yes yes yes FF IX! One of my favourite games and favourite soundtracks to go with it. i honestly never tire of it. Can't wait for the next one.
Also yes, South Gate music is GOAT. Best version of the lietmotif imo, I like it more than Over The Hills.
This is fantastic - thank you!
I would love if you analyzed why Blade Mountain is the best track in Pac-Man World 2 and what it represents
I wish I had a video to watch from you every day. So well done every time. As a huge video game music enthusiast, I always connect with your videos more than others I watch. Thank you for this!
Uematsu's FFIX OST is my favourite and a huge musical inspiration. So grateful for this content, please keep making these!
I always get super excited when you post a new video. I really love this channel
I have been hoping you would make this EXACT video, one on the main theme(s) of Final Fantasy 9 and their development throughout the game, for years! Thank you SO MUCH 8-bit Music Theory!! Can't wait for Part 2.
When I was a teen for YEARS Eyes On Me and Melodies Of Life, with their vibes (and especially the use of delicate percussive embellishments) were the definition of ROMANTIC in music for me lol
(Of course I've matured since hahaha but still back in the day..)
FF9 has the best soundtrack, so many memorable melodies. Uematsu has also said it is his favorite FF soundtrack.
Thanks for this. FF9 is the literally the most ahead of its time graphics wise game of the era I have seen. I actually like the all the music in this game. This is my one of my favourite FF games along with FF Tactics Advance, FF Crystal Chronicles was a good game for gameplay, but I did not like the music for it. I care so much about music so that is one of the factors I consider when I'd rate a game for sure where as some care more about all the other stuff and less about the music with game rankings. I never realized how much that one melody was adapted in other songs throughout the game. Interesting. 15:42 I'm so glad you went over that song.
That recorder trio piece would work solidly well on an organ with the right registrations.
"Vibes are an important part of music"
(The physics teacher in me: Yes precisely! lol All music is transferred by sound vibrations.)
I adore your videos, and I hope you continue to do this (if you want, of course!) for many more years. The info you give is invaluable!
Not a two part series on my favorite video game soundtrack of all time! I love the thumbnail saying "Good Vibes Only" because FFIX's soundtrack is definitely "Vibes that Good At What They Do" and definitely Not "Good Vibes Only."
Great so far, can't wait for the second one!
oh boy... I hope we get Kujas Final Battletheme analyzed
I'd forgotten there is a recorder trio in FFIX, and now the Renaissance nerd is experiencing pure joy. I am smiling so hard you can see the corners of my mouth through my mask.
It's great to see such a deep dive on the music of my favorite, and I think one of the most highly underrated, Final Fantasy games! Great video and analysis!
Oh my. This is exciting. Over the Hill is a BEAUTIFUL peice of music. Thanks so much for discussing :)
I just found your page, already a huge fan! Please continue to do final fantasy songs 🙏 I've always been horribly obsessed with the music and sooooo love these breakdowns.
Koji Kondo, Nobuo Uematsu, and Yoko Shimomura are the holy trinity of goated video game composers.
I just found your channel and am SO EXCITED to watch this video
This game was my first final fantasy. Totally absolutely love the music in this game
For those of you who haven't played this masterpiece of a game, I _highly_ recommend it. And I also recommend playing it with the Moguri Mod. Its a graphical and quality of life upgrade that really brings out the beauty lost to the PS1 era compression to the pre-rendered backgrounds. A note though: the mod comes with an 'updated' score from a fan that drastically takes away from Uematsu's work; you can however opt out of installing said soundtrack.
“A place to call home” and their awesome derivatives in the game are one of my favorite pieces of music in any videogame:
It is so majestic, mysterious, mystical but also hypocritical and beautiful. I fell in love with it since I started playing the game a year ago.
I know it is not the song that it is talked about in the video, but I think it also gives you all the vibes and themes the games is going to offer... also is my way to say that I love FFIX haha
Years ago I played the title theme in a local recorder quartet. The polyphonic Dorian quality really captures the vibe of Elizabethan England.
Man, I love Uematsu's work. It not only is capable of truly complementing the story it's present in, but also painting a story in the mind of the listener all by itself.
His work inspires me to to make something that can inspire others.
FFIX is my all time favorite game and the one most important to my life. Its music has had an incredibly deep and profound impact on me and my friends, so seeing the OST get so much love here is fantastic. I could talk about IX and its music to no end.
Beautiful video, very excited for part 2! Definitely subscribing and watching more videos!
Your content is incredible...thanks a lot for further analyzing Uematsu's Work, I could watch this all day. Learned a lot. Cheers
If at some point you could make a video about Final Fantasy XIII's soundtracks, that would be amazing! The game is so underappreciated, yet the music stands out from the rest of the series and reminds me a bit of what you are describing here. Composer Masashi Hamauzu mixes together modern elements with orchestral layouts to create a kind of feeling I hadn't experienced before I played this game back in 2010.
Yes strong spaceship cockpit vibes indeed! Love the detail and presentation of your videos man. I'm a big fan!
In tune with everything you said you felt. Thanks for teaching us the magic behind these fantastic pieces !
I'm here for FF IX, then you and then Uematsu.....just so we're clear.
This is so good thank you so much! Loved Uematsu my whole life!
The vibe I was getting for the vocal Melodies of Life was more nostalgic and hopeful
I always loved how Uematsu builds vibes also by changing the instrument playing a portion of the piece, making it often like sort of a dialogue, or a conversation between different instruments taking turns. Like switching between a flute, and oboe, a bassoon, a clarinet, etc... Repeating a similar phrase but slightly altered for each instrument to express a slightly different... You call it a vibe, I call it an emotional idea. I never knew how to name it better, I'm an amateur musician and for me the emotional ideas are what's the most important in music. Probably because I grew up listening to Uematsu... :D and your video very nicely explored in a professional way what I had always thought in my unstructured layman ways intuitively...
You are the best, can't wait for volume 2.
This was a great video!
It was especially helpful for someone like me who tends to get lost in all the music theory. Taking a step back and thinking about something on a more emotional/aural level instead of just purely cerebral can really help when trying to achieve whatever musical idea you have in mind, especially if you're able to do both simultaneously.
Thank you for covering Nobuo Uematsu's masterpiece of a soundtrack. I love the music theory that went into the making of this!
You should already be a professor with this much essays publish 😆
It's interesting that how FF tell story became so iconic, it become a language and develop a whole genre of games, music. Uematsu pushed JRPG into the pinnacle of music expression.
Nice work as always, thank you for sharing!
Still my favourite game soundtrack after all this time. Great video, can't wait for part 2!
uematsu is literally a god at this point
I aint complaining tho
FFIX has some of my favorite music in it of the FF series. I think the mood and atmosphere was carried completely by the music perfectly in IX compared to other FF games. My favorite song is Terra. The shift in music in the later parts of the game really draws you in.
I've been waiting for someone to talk about instrument selection and it's effect on a piece. Thank you.
Mind Blowing!!!!! Love FFIX and love Uematsu!!!! Can´t wait for part 2!!!! Believe me man, I´m going to give you at least 100 views in this and the next video, just to absorb all of the info you put in here!!!
The developers said that FF9 is something a child would imagine or something along those lines. Truly it is when playing FF9 it feels familiar or something that reminds you of a fairy tale you like as a kid. Even though the game is design that way, it still had adult themes such as what it means to live and themes about death. This game is one of a kind and its the culmination of classic and ps1 era of FF.
So glad you’re doing FFIX. The music of this game has been burned into my mind for two decades now. So many good songs from “Jesters of the Moon” to “The Place I’ll Return to Someday” or Vivi’s theme. Even that Dali village theme gets stuck in my head on a regular basis. I’m a compulsive whistler, and I regularly end up whistling these songs on accident.
U ROCK! so excited when I saw you released an FFIX Video :D and there's part 2 coming, WOOHOO!!!
YES I'm so excited for the next part. Kuja Theme is such a masterpiece that stays with me when thinking about this game.
I just love this game & it's music so much!
Oh hell yes I'm so excited to see you analyze the various arrangements of Kuja's theme 👀
South Gate is my second favorite composition of all time. Freya's Theme is first. To say I love this video understates it.
It's been a week since this video uploaded, and I'm happy because someone still talking (obviously) about a good thing from ff9, well of course there's some people who doesn't like this series but hey that's personal. Knowing someone who also like/love this game is enough for me