How John Powell Uses Bagpipes in The HTTYD Soundtracks
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 18 окт 2024
- Here is a comprehensive score analysis explaining how composer John Powell uses bagpipes in the HTTYD soundtracks and franchise, including both highland pipes and uilleann pipes.
A lot of people have wondered about composer John Powell’s extensive use of bagpipes in the HTTYD soundtracks, especially since the series is about Vikings and dragons and the setting predates the Highland and uilleann pipes used for the score. Since I already had the answers and I’ve started this series of videos I figured I might as well make a video out of it.
Here are my previous HTTYD score analysis videos:
Lost and Found Part 1: • Lost and Found - How A...
Lost and Found Part 2: • Lost and Found - How A...
Sources:
Bagpipes of the World: www.bagpipes.co...
Vikings and Their Music: www.viking.no/e...
Viking-Age Music: www.vikinganswe...
Encyclopedia Britannica, Bagpipes and Hornpipes: www.britannica...
Scores of Scores Hidden World Review: example83813.w...
Sideways HTTYD Video: • Why How To Train Your ...
Military History of Bagpipes: bbico.com/hist...
Powell on War Pipes Being British: www.polygon.co...
Powell on pipes, TrailerAddict (Starting at 2:00, How do I get this in the video?): www.traileradd...
HTTYD 1 Music of the Motion Picture Wiki: howtotrainyour...
HTTYD 2 Music of the Motion Picture Wiki: howtotrainyour...
Uilleann Piping: • Uilleann piping
Bagpipes in The Downed Dragon: atmafunomena.w...
How Bagpipes Work (Diagram): www.howitworks...
Powell on Percussion (@ 36 minutes): • Composer Interview: Jo...
Drumline in Drumline movie: www.wearemovieg...
Drumline Clip: • Drumline (2/5) Movie C...
Chicken Run, Flight Training Clip (Bagpipe): • Chicken Run (2000) - F...
Time, John Powell Interview: “... bagpipes in every part of the world.”: time.com/28472...
Building the Crate, OrquestaFilarmonia: • Powell. Chicken Run. B...
Vulture Article, Featuring Musicologist John Powell: www.vulture.co...
Tibetan Flute in Bourne Series: www.hollywoodr...
Vuvuzelas in Solo: • Star Wars Composer Use...
Movie Wave HTTYD 1 Score Review: www.movie-wave....
Scenes and Scores Videos:
HTTYD 1 Playlist: • HTTYD - Scenes with Sc...
HTTYD 2 Playlist: • HTTYD 2 - Scenes with ...
HTTYD 3 Playlist: • HTTYD 3 - Scenes with ...
Kung Fu Panda, Training Po: • Kung Fu Panda - Traini...
I do not own the rights to any of these movies, the music, etc. All belongs to their respective owners including John Powell and Dreamworks. No copyright infringement intended.
![How To Train Your Dragon - Epic Orchestral Medley [ Kāru ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/rWwpKDhi0TE/mqdefault.jpg)
There's clearly some dispute about how involved bagpipes were as war pipes, but they still have some association with war, which is how John Powell intended them.
And the clip at 3:52 is not bagpipes! There are other interesting ethnic instruments playing there that I explained in depth in this follow-up video: ruclips.net/video/-ZZw2a0Q6Qs/видео.html
What do you think of the bagpipes of HTTYD? And what other aspects of the score would you like me to talk about?
How on earth can you say there’s a dispute about how involved bagpipes were as war pipes, WW1 Scottish troops were led over the top by a piper, piper bill millin in WW2 stormed sword beach playing his bagpipes
@@battaliance Absolutely, but some of my sources (like John Powell in the video) suggested bagpipes were used not just to inspire the troops but to frighten the enemy, and I came up against some conflicting ideas. That’s what I was trying to clear up. But I’m glad this video is reaching so many pipers and bagpipe enthusiasts.
I never knew why I like all the movies you mentioned. It turned out it was all John Powell.
I guess you like his style!
This score elevated Powell to the level of Williams, Silvestri, Horner, Shore, and Zimmer.
HTTYD wouldn't be the same without bagpipes. They're such a powerful instrument
Agreed! They have a powerful effect and distinctive presence.
As a Scottish person, I love seeing bagpipes being used in musical scores, and not as the butt of a joke because they are "loud and ugly". I think they're beautiful, they are used brilliantly in the movie. Plus I'm a huge Red Hot Chilli Pipers fan
That's great to hear! They definitely have their merits like I showed here. Thanks for your opinion.
The bagpipes were also used is the war to inspire the soldiers during battle, like in the battle of the Somme in WW1 when a french company was held down under intense fire by the Germans but the a Scottish man James C. Richardson got up and marched forward playing the bagpipes inspiring the company to get up and rush the enemy position and capture it.
Interesting! I figured they were, and I think you can see that in a couple of the photographs and paintings in here. Thanks for the information!
The Vikings were very involved with Scotland and Ireland. They founded Dublin, for example, and had similar outpost all around Scotland and Ireland. This was before bagpipes, of course, but they're still at least somewhat connected.
That's right! They were very well-traveled. I still wanted to explore some of the history of bagpipes and the reasons for including them, but I probably could have made some things more clear. I'm doing another video where I may flesh that out more, especially since I know exactly why John Powell says he put them in now.
The score of Stoick's Ship always brings tears to my eyes, and not just because of the scene or the score itself, but also because Eret, Son Of Eret shot an arrow with the others, respecting a chief that was never his! I've made this point on other HTTYD-related videos, but I feel the point must be made here as well.
That's a good catch! Eret really had a drastic turnaround. Not only did he respect Stoick at his funeral, he ended up inheriting his dragon at the end of the movie.
@@FilmScoreandMore Thank you! Eret is my favorite character! ☺️
I also noticed that the melody of test drive is in the score for a brief moment, when they fire the arrows. I just think it’s a nice detail.
@@yukima920 That’s awesome!!!
I'll be real, every time I hear bagpipes, it awakens something primal in me that just wants to both run and hide from the sounds of war, and release the hounds myself and lead the charge and it's very confusing. I listen to bagpipes when I'm trying to write something I don't want to write because it simultaneously feels like I'm running for my life and about to go win the battle of a lifetime. Maybe that's why the How to Train Your Dragon scores feature so heavily on my study/focus playlists; even if I don't notice the bagpipes, my brain does and triggers that primal instinct in me
That's an interesting reaction. I can definitely see what you mean, especially for something like in Hiccup Confronts Drago. Do you have any reaction to the hurdy-gurdy? I've since realized a couple of these sound bites actually come from the hurdy-gurdy and I explained it more in depth in a subsequent video.
Killer effort on this! Honestly, I just use instruments that sound good and play the melodies I think of. I don't really pay attention to where the instruments came from. To me, things like bagpipes, Irish whistles and fiddles say "fairy tale" more than specifically "Scotland / Ireland," which is I think why you find them in fantasy films from Lord of the Rings to Narnia, and in games from Ni no Kuni to Final Fantasy. That said, it is really interesting that John chose to use them ALONGSIDE the more stereotypical Scandinavian, Skyrim-esque material. It's really a beautiful, unique combination.
Thanks! I'm really glad you checked this out! I still need to watch your newest upload, but I promise I'll get to it soon. Any chance you ever checked out my Lost and Found videos? They're listed in the description, in an info card, and at the end.
Yes, i do like the fantastical sounds of bagpipes.
The funeral for stoick gets me every time, I can't imagine what that scene would be like without the bag pipes
You could play it on mute for an incredibly underwhelming funeral scene.
I just came across this video and honestly, the analysis is really good. I watched Sideway's video first so I thought that bagpipes solely being related to Toothless didn't seem too far fetched to me but I thought something still didn't add up. I think it's really great the points you made connected to what the composer John Powell said. I honestly love HTTYD, especially for the use of music and It's quite interesting hearing the bagpipes being used in so many different ways. The scene with Drago's battle cry and Toothless staring intensely at Hiccup gave me chills every time, you can really see where the bagpipes being related to battle comes from. I always found that the bagpipes used in lighter themes sound very calm and soothing, which to me is surprising since I haven't seen bagpipes used in such a way before. And of course, the triumphant use of bagpipes, it's just amazing how each way the bagpipes is used doesn't seem completely out of place in the grand scheme of things and really adds to the score for these movies. I love music used thematically so it's cool seeing someone go so in-depth about it since I've noticed music is one of the least talked about topics in film analysis or discussing it casually with other people. Of course, since it's a movie with a storyline, the story and its emotional beats are important to how good a movie is or not, but the music really does add to the overall story and emotional beats and is really underrated a lot of the time. Before I ramble too much just wanted to say thanks for doing this analysis of the bagpipes used in HTTYD and I look forward to binging the rest of your videos :) You really deserve much more love and I hope more people find this insightful video.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it so much! I really agree with you on a lot of this; the bagpipes can be really intimidating, and yet one of my favorite moments with them is the start of New Tail because they're just so interesting and different there. Have you also seen my videos on Lost and Found, the theme from HTTYD 2? It's a comprehensive walkthrough that explains how that theme works and what it means.
@@FilmScoreandMore I'll check it out now :) sorry only seeing your replies now, don't check this stuff often haha
Pink dolphin Sounds good!
Yes i did see that Sideways video.
John Powell was robbed of an oscar for the entire series tbh
Yeah, a lot of people think he should have gotten that one in 2011.
Any chance you also saw the followup to this video I posted yesterday? It goes into much more depth about the score. And thanks for watching and commenting!
That last scene is already tugging at my heart strings. Always has. But with your narration it just made my eyes tear up even more.
I'm not surprised you teared up, given your username! Yes, it's a very powerful scene with a very powerful cue.
the gasp that i let out when you showed rio in other movies john powell wrote music for... i still can't believe my favorite movies (httyd series, rio, kung fu panda) all had his music and i never realized until now!
You're not the first person in this comment section to have that kind of realization! Looks like Powell definitely has his fans.
God, those example clips you showed made your point and the music absolutely shine. Powell really knows how to use bagpipes to create emotion, for celebration and _especially_ for fear and war. 6:24 portrayed the intensity and finality of going to war very well, and 8:47 had me shook, no wonder these are instruments were used as war horns. I know very little about music but a good score's effectiveness in evoking emotion has always amazed me.
Great summary! I can really tell you feel it. If you haven't seen it yet, you should absolutely check out the followup I did to this video. It has some more updated and accurate information with some self-corrections, and it goes way more in depth about other exotic instruments in the score. I hope you like it! ruclips.net/video/-ZZw2a0Q6Qs/видео.html
@@FilmScoreandMore Yep, I watched that after this video. The way Powell integrates exotic instruments into his works, and the sheer variety, is fascinating. Definitely explains the unique flair of the soundtrack.
@@peeblekitty5780 Thanks for checking it out! Yes, it's really interesting to learn what he uses and how. You'd never expect most of it.
Very glad you're discussing this topic, but Powell is a bit misinformed on some things.
The highland pipes originated (more or less) in the Scottish Highlands (thus their name Great Highland Bagpipes). However, they were not very popular until well after the Jacobite Rebellions. At which time the British Military began using them within their Scottish regiments (1800s). Before that time, the most popular style of bagpipe in Scotland was the Lowland/Border pipe. So the Highland pipes were not ever "British," nor were they used to "scare the Scottish" as it was only the Scottish Highlanders who played them.
He also says they were based on "trying to frighten people." That is simply not true. Bagpipes in Scotland were prized instruments of a Kingly status. They were most often played at court. They rivaled harpers of both Scotland AND Ireland between the 1400-1600s. Eventually becoming the most prefered instrument of the court. They were a symbol of extreme status, and there are only a few actual records of them being used in battle. The most powerful Lords had entire families of pipers devoted to them. They were used most often for celebration and ceremony. For dances and parties, and occasions worthy of Piobaireachd.
The idea of them being "an instrument of war" is largely legend and myth. Also due to being labeled a "weapon of war" in the Disarming Act. But that had more to do with crushing highland culture (as in propaganda).
But your assessment of why each style (highland vs uilleann) was used in the various scenarios seems pretty spot on. More often than not, when you hear bagpipes in movies, it's the uilleann pipes. Even in Braveheart.
Going further, Scotland was, of course, invaded by vikings several times over the centuries. And Scottish ancestry is pretty closely linked to that of the vikings. So it's not a huge stretch to use bagpipes in a fantasy film about vikings.
Hope that all came off as more informative than critical. It's always great when people want to learn about and share bagpipes. Keep doin what ya do!
I appreciate your input here! Admittedly, I'm far from being an expert here but I figured the sources must have at least some expertise. Maybe some of it got lost in translation a bit. I've read about James Horner's use of uilleann pipes in Braveheart, and I think also Titanic? Thanks for the encouragement also!
Wow! This deserves so much more views! Really detailed and amazing!
Thanks! This is currently my fastest growing video, so it's getting there!
As a Scotsman, I think it's nice that Hollywood finally made a movie using my country's most famous musical instrument, bagpipes, without making it too stereotypical of Scotland or making fun of Scotland. Yes, I know the movie's about the vikings, not Scottish people, but the viking did invade Scotland at least at one point and some of the vikings in this film had Scottish accents, so... that's close enough for me.
I'm glad you get to enjoy them so much in a movie series. Maybe one day you'll get a movie about Scottish citizens that features more bagpipes, maybe even played by the Red Hot Chili Pipers again!
I'm not sure you'd be as interested in this, but I'm working on a video about the cultural influences on this score; more about the instruments that are not not bagpipes (with a couple self-corrections about this video). It covers quite a few other ethnic sounds and should be finished in the next few days if you're interested. Either way, thanks for your perspective as a Scotsman!
This is an awesome video! I've actually been on a HTTYD score binge for the last week, so this is perfect timing. Keep it up!
Great, thanks for the encouragement! Have you seen my other one on Lost and Found? You can find it in the description and linked in a couple places in the video.
I've been playing bagpipes for around 32 years and you either you love them or hate them
It does seem that way.
Your videos are so good! It's really interesting learning more about bagpipes and how they're used here. It's especially cool realizing the extent of those war pipes parts. And I like how you talked about his use of exotic instruments as it's something I love in scores. It reminded me of the Ninjago soundtrack because the composers for it have actually chosen to add new exotic instruments almost per season for new motifs or characters. Also, as someone who's been in a drum line and seen that movie, it's wild to me that John Powell worked on that movie too. Though it really explains the drum ending of 'coming back around' (which I am very fond of), though ofc there's Scottish military drum tradition too, but idk it all ties together well :)
Thanks, that's interesting! I'm glad to reach more people and spread this information. I've heard of Ninjago, but I've never watched it myself. Those drums are definitely Scottish field drums in the tradition of Scottish drumming, but since Powell also did Drumline I couldn't help but draw that comparison; I'm sure it helped him for HTTYD.
If you haven't already, definitely check out this video on the cultural influences of the HTTYD score; it's more detailed and I added some self-corrections. ruclips.net/video/-ZZw2a0Q6Qs/видео.html
Also, I'm very close to finishing a video on Legend Has It/Cliffside Playtime from HTTYD 3! Thanks for your comment and keep an eye on the community tab for updates!
I was fortunate enough to hear the Royal Marines play httyd songs at the Edinburgh Tattoo, the power that had live was unbelievable on the pipes. There’s a recording on Spotify.
I came away concluding there weren’t enough pipes in the movies!!
I saw a video of it once! It was an excellent performance.
If you enjoy the bagpipes in this series than you should see this followup video: ruclips.net/video/-ZZw2a0Q6Qs/видео.htmlsi=qb34SApLsHr1fPWr
Fun fact, it was the movie Chicken Run's soundtrack that got me interested into music in the first place. As a kid, I loved the soundtrack and I would watch the movie multiple times, just so I could listen to the opening. Years later, when I fell in love with John Powell's HTTYD soundtrack, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that he'd done the soundtrack for Chicken Run.
I loved this analysis of the bagpipes in the soundtrack. I agree with a lot of people in the comments, this video deserves more views. Hopefully one of these days the algorithm will help you out.
That's interesting! It's funny how someone's style can stick with you so much. When I first discovered the HTTYD score I remember thinking some of it felt very Dreamworks in a way. Even though I wasn't very familiar with a lot of other Dreamworks scores, I think the sound just felt kind of familiar. Thanks for wishing the channel well. I'm finally starting to engage in social media and to figure out how that all works, so hopefully things will improve soon. And I'm definitely doing plenty more of these!
Its kinda cool. I have a almost similar story, for me it was the Star Wars maintitle wich just took my breath away and since I was a baby I new I wanted to be a musician, composer and conductor. lol. Today I am kinda those things....Not famous though. lol.
@@Dragontrumpetare Well, congratulations! That's a good story.
Powell using these somewhat exotic or lesser known instruments gives a more otherworldly feeling to the soundtrack, which benefits a fantasy like this. But because the instruments keep being used for the same themes and/or characters the audience starts to become more familiar with the world and it's sounds. Powell can then turn those expectations on their head and give a scene a different feel, even though the theme and instruments remain the same.
I enjoyed your analysis and you even noticed things I didn't!
You're right! That's a very interesting interpretation of the score and its sounds. Have you seen my follow-up video on the cultural influences on the score? I think you would get a lot out of that one too. Thanks for your interesting comment!
Thanks for being so unbiased and thorough in this video!
You're welcome! I'm glad you liked it!
That clip at the beginning is how I think everyone reacts when they hear bagpipes alone, but when played well or with other things they are one of the best instruments in my opinion
They can be very powerful, especially in the hands of a master.
The clip in the beginning is just an example of a bad bagpiper. You’ve just never been exposed to a good one.
@vu3088 It’s a comedy bagpipe.
I too think that the bagpipes are a beautiful instrument to listen to since I enjoy listening to Celtic music and other film scores with a Celtic influence myself (e.g., The Lord of the Rings trilogy). Also, despite a lack of historical accuracy, the bagpipes really work for How to train your Dragon since they help to emphasise some of the most powerful and memorable moments throughout the franchise. As such, since it's a work of fiction, I can easily forgive the historical inaccuracies.
I think the same thing. It really doesn’t matter how accurate it is as long as it works.
Have you seen the follow up to this video? It has more detail and accuracy, including a couple self-corrections. It turns out a couple of these aren’t bagpipes.
ruclips.net/video/-ZZw2a0Q6Qs/видео.html
@@FilmScoreandMore Not yet, but I might do so later.
Let me know what you think if you do, thanks.
Great script writing! Laughed out loud at 3:21. Great analysis!
Thanks! It was the only logical conclusion!
This is absolutely beautifully put together. You've put together such a detailed take that explains it perfectly. Subscribed!
Great, thanks! I'm doing a few of these also. Have you seen my videos on Lost and Found, the main theme for the sequels? I'm sure you'd like it if you haven't already checked it out.
Awesome video! The use of ethnic instruments in John Powell's score is just amazing!
I'm glad you checked it out!
Hey Oskar, it's been a long time! I wanted to let you know I have a new video on more of the ethnic instruments and cultural influences on the score. I think you'd enjoy it! ruclips.net/video/-ZZw2a0Q6Qs/видео.html
@@FilmScoreandMore I had seen that you uploaded it before I went to sleep yesterday so I thought that I would watch it today and I will do it just in a moment 😅
@@oskarhrankowski No problem! You’re not the only one I caught just before bed!
I need to follow your channel you do a lot of research and are severly underrated and your editing is good too believe me one day you'll atleast have 100k subs.
Thank you! I don't know if I'll quite make it that far, but I appreciate the praise! For now, I just need to do what I can to get more videos like this out there and spread my channel content to other people who care about this sort of thing.
very good video! i like how you presented the others’ ideas and then said ‘these are sort of ok, but here’s what i think and why’ but you respected everyone else’s theories too. i appreciate everything you said in this, and it’s hard to say anything specific that i liked the most bc i liked all of it a lot
Thanks, I've been expecting you sooner or later! Respecting the other opinions was a really big focus here, and I didn't want to make it seem like I was completely invalidating either. The had interesting ideas, but by the time Sideways even posted his HTTYD video I had already heard Powell's explanation of the bagpipes. I'm glad you liked this one so much, and feel free to suggest some other topics to cover. I have several scripts in the writing process and it takes a lot longer to make the video than to have the ideas, but I'd be interested to know what else you might like to see!
Score Piano Covers haha that’s funny that you’ve been expecting me. i’ve been finishing up with graduation things and finals, but my schedule is beginning to clear up. i’m excited to hear you have more plans in the works! there’s a topic i’m interested in, but it’s also sort of something i’m planning on doing myself once i start making my own videos, looking to see if time signatures of the leitmotifs hold any real significance. astrid’s is a waltz, berk and lost and found are 12/8 so they’re sorta a subdivision of 3. but then hic, tooth, and stoick’s are all in 4/4.
on another note, i’ve finally started watching avatar the last airbender now that it’s on netflix, and i’ve become interested in its leitmotific structure. battles with firebenders have a “chakatachakatachaka” chant thing, and the avatar has its theme, i’m fascinated to see what else i learn passively as i continue watching (i’m only in the middle of book 2 right now). if you’re interested and it’s not too far outside your brand, i’d love a video discussing and/or investigating that.
@@tabbytacocat A few things: first, congratulations on graduating! And what a year to graduate! Second, it's interesting how seemingly every HTTYD score fan takes away different ideas of what theme is what. I'm interested to see your video, but it's funny how every one calls the same themes by different names and has their own associations for them. Third (and not to correct you), I do have some of the score sheets myself and although 12/8 seems ideal it is never used; it's always 4/4 and a lot of triplets for the Berk theme and Lost and Found is always 3/4. If you have a public email address I'd be happy to share them with you!
I'm glad you're watching Avatar, it's a great series and I've been a fan for years! And the music is very interesting. I'd definitely like to see that video. I know the agni kai theme you're talking about, and I've always noticed what I think of as the Fire Nation theme, which is used for Zuko, Azula, and even appears diegetically once in season 3!
Good luck with everything and let me know if there's some way I can email those score sheets! If you're on the Sideways Discord server you could even message me privately with an email address.
Score Piano Covers thanks for your congratulations! it really is quite the year to graduate. but, i’m planning a six-person prom for tuesday, and i’m making the most with everything i have. as an introvert whose only real activities have transitioned smoothly online (school, bible study, etc) or already existed online, quarantine hasn’t affected my state of mind all that much, thankfully. i’m excited to go off to college in the fall, and hopefully once i buy my laptop for school i’ll be able to begin writing and/or recording my video ideas!
thanks for correcting me on the time signatures. in my past i’ve done some arrangements of powell’s pieces for a typical high school concert band (winds/percussion only), so when i was arranging i heard 12/8 and so i wrote 12/8. but sometimes ears are wrong and i am by no means trained in composition or whatever else i was trying to do. i’d love to see those score sheets you mentioned! unfortunately, i’m not on the sideways discord, and i feel uncomfortable putting my email address in public like a comments section. is the sideways discord free? i plan on making an account soon and i’d love to connect more with you there.
now you’re getting me even more excited for the rest of what’s to come in avatar, and hello future me already had me plenty hyped.
i’ll try and contact you again when i’ve made my discord account, maybe i can even send you the pieces i’ve arranged sometime if that’s something you’d be interested in.
I'm glad you're doing alright and making the most of things. You're definitely not the only person to notate HTTYD music in 12/8, and it would make sense if it were actually used (I don't think it really matters). I completely understand you not wanting to give your email address here. If you want to check out the Sideways discord server, it's completely free and it's a great place to talk to other people about music (although the man himself is never there). Discord would be a great place to message me privately. If you don't want to, I'm sure we could find some other way.
Wow! the video is impressive ! A lot of work, a lot of hearth. HTTYD deserves to this kind of videos. Keep it up!
Agreed on everything! It's certainly a lot of work, but it's a lot of fun, too. And I do have more videos like this planned, so it's about time to get to work again.
Hey again, another commenter showed me that you shared this on Reddit. Thanks for sharing it and boosting the video!
@@FilmScoreandMore The pleasure is all mine ! :D
Wow Josh. That’s brilliantly done. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Can’t wait to watch another.
Side note: I believe they’re pronounced “ooó lee in” pipes
Thanks! I'm glad you checked it out and liked it!
I think one of the themes missed with bagpipes is used here. Bagpipes are about harmony. Internal harmony within the instrument between the drones is vital to getting that crisp and clear tone. What's more is external harmony and synchronization is vital in large pipe bands. If you've ever heard a hundred or more pipers in perfect step then you know what I mean. It's this magical and powerful force.
That's what I feel is being conveyed by the use of bagpipes here. Internal harmony, external synchrony, and the magic of both combined. The pipes play when the characters either have it or are finding it.
Interesting take, Evan, thanks. Have you seen the followup video I made to this one? I talk a little more about the bagpipes and why they were used.
ruclips.net/video/-ZZw2a0Q6Qs/видео.html
Very good research!
The cue "Training out there" is actually gadulka and hurdy gurdy mixed together, the gurdy plays the drone (what fooled me) and the gadulka the theme, no bagpipes there. Before I saw the actual score from the recording I also believed it to be bagpipes!
Yes, that's right! I bought the scorebook a year ago and I recently made a followup video that corrects that segment in detail and goes over even more parts of the score. I'm trying to make corrections and highlight what people don't know about the score. You would know from the book that a lot of the themes don't work exactly the same way as a lot of people think and I'm trying to share that kind of information.
Here's my other video. It covers Training Out There, the origins of Forbidden Friendship, some instruments in New Tail, and more! ruclips.net/video/-ZZw2a0Q6Qs/видео.html
Really good video - nicely explained
And the music is really epic
Thanks! Yes, it's pretty incredible music. You should check out the followup video I made where I corrected myself with more accurate information and went into more detail: ruclips.net/video/-ZZw2a0Q6Qs/видео.html
The bagpipes in Chicken RUn are happening at the same time as the chicken is doing a caber toss, which is an event at the Scottish Highland Games!
Ah, interesting! I never would have known that, so thanks for the info!
3:51 awesome
Yeah, I really like that bit. It's such a strong soundbite that really illustrates my point there.
It's been almost a year, but I now have a large portion of a video devoted to that section - and it turns out it's not actually bagpipes! You can check it out here if you want: ruclips.net/video/-ZZw2a0Q6Qs/видео.html
8:27 Sorry to disappoint, but that's a harmonium, not pipes. Similar sound since they both use reeds, but not pipes this time. Nonetheless really well done, was interesting to learn about the history of bagpipes and how Powell used them!
You’re right. In fact, there are more errors than that in this video. But I couldn’t have known at the time.
This other video was made after the official scorebook released and has more updated and in-depth information.
ruclips.net/video/-ZZw2a0Q6Qs/видео.html
This is a pretty good general analysis among things pointed out in other comments I think you probably got the origin of the drums wrong around 11:40 and rather than coming from American universities the use of drums was probably more inspired by the pipes and drums of the Scottish and Irish regiments of the British army (alongside more general military pipe band tradition) and exported to a number of former colonies including the USA, Canada and New Zealand.
If you haven't seen it a medley of the music from How to train you're dragon was performed at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 2011 by a number of pipe military bands from around the world and its an awesome performance. you can find a video of it on here and its absolutely worth watching.
You're absolutely right, these are Scottish field drums, and I believe I've seen that video. I still feel his Drumline work my have been an influence on the writing of the HTTYD drums. Thanks for the information, and I'm in the process of deciding what to include in a follow-up to this video. Some facts in this one are kind of half true, but not necessarily important enough to correct in a follow-up. I'll definitely consider this as an inclusion, though!
Wonderful video!
Thank you! There's more coming very soon!
Well the Vikings did settle on most Scottish islands such as Orkney and Shetland and also the inner and outer Hebrides so wouldn’t we unlikely to see a bagpipe being played by a Viking so would be historically accurate if it is based on one of these islands.
Good point! I'm actually doing a follow-up to this video where I address some of that, if you're interested!
Update: that followup video addressing the ancestral elements of the Vikings and their music is now up, if you want to check it out! ruclips.net/video/-ZZw2a0Q6Qs/видео.html
Great video! Just a quick input, bagpipes cannot be played with a mute like other wind instruments - not properly at least. Never in all my years of piping have I seen or even heard of someone using a mute. There is, as far as I have seen online, a kind of bag thing that you wrap around the chanter to try and kill the noise a bit. But this will lead to moisture and tone issues and would not be practical at all. I do wish it was functionally possible though! I would be a much easier neighbour if so!😄
Thanks for the insight! Everything in these videos comes from research as opposed to experience, so I can usually only quote others on that sort of thing instead of having any insight. It's always good to learn more!
If you're interested, I'm editing a followup to this video about other ethnic instruments and various cultural influences on the score. It's taken a ton of research into a lot of instruments, some I'd never heard of before! It's also a bit self-correctional since it turns out a couple of these sound bites don't have bagpipes after all!
@@FilmScoreandMore Awesome, looking forward to it😁
@@calvinmcmenamin5035 Good to know, thanks! It should be up in a few days.
Hey again Calvin, I wanted to check back with you and say that new video on the other ethnic instruments is finished and uploaded! You can check it out right here: ruclips.net/video/-ZZw2a0Q6Qs/видео.html
I just had another idea. Thinking of The Downed Dragon, Ready the Ships and Hiccup Confronts Drago, I believe I found a relation between all these scenes : power.
In The Downed Dragon, Toothless has total power over Hiccup. In Ready the Ships, the Vikings have total power over Toothless and Hiccup. In Hiccup Confronts Drago, Drago has total power over Toothless and Hiccup.
So bagpipes might just be an expression of power.
Then again, it only *might* be that. I don't have any counter-examples right now, but I'd love to discuss it with anyone.
That's an interesting point. I guess part of what bagpipes/warpipes convey is power, after all. However, I should give a correction; there are actually no bagpipes in The Downed Dragon even though I said there are here. My research made me think there were, but now I have the official scorebook that has every instrument written in and there are no bagpipes there.
If you want to learn more about what plays in The Downed Dragon (along with other odd instruments in the score) my next score analysis video is largely about that. It's a followup to this video that makes some corrections and puts a large focus on that Downed Dragon section, which has a very interesting mix of instruments!
@@FilmScoreandMore Interesting stuff ! This definitely has me subscribed.
I love trying to understand the score to it's full extent - music can convey so much emotion and meaning, and you mostly don't even realize that.
@@thefiredragon6542 Thanks for subscribing, and you're right! So much can be hidden in the music. It's been eleven years now and there are still so many things HTTYD fans don't know about their favorite score! I have a lot of that information and I plan to share it here.
And I believe there'll be a lot of us listening.
@@thefiredragon6542 I hope so. I should also say it will still take a while. These videos are very time-consuming and I'm very busy with a lot of things right now. I work on them whenever I can, but at this point I only have a couple minutes of voiceovers done.
I helped! Great video! 10/10
That's right! Thanks for that!
Now that I think about it, Highland Pipes and Irish Pipes *do* make sense for HTTYD. The Vikings invaded the Scottish Isles and spread through out the Highlands with varying success during the hight of their infamy. Heck, they even invaded *Paris* once. It's not too out of the rhelm of imagination that a group of vikings settled in Scottland for say... about 300 years? Besides the entire region of sea Berk sits within reminds me more of the blue and green of the Scottish seas than the dark gray of the North Sea surrounding Iceland or Scandinavia.
Yes, you’re right! Berk is supposed to be off of Scotland but the island itself was modeled more off the Faroe Islands.
Have you seen my followup to this video? I went into more detail about the bagpipes and why they were used, plus I have more accurate information and some self-corrections.
ruclips.net/video/-ZZw2a0Q6Qs/видео.html
I really enjoyed this!
I'm glad you did! And there's more to come!
Where did you get the footage at 1:57. It's my favorite part of the video.
That was from John Powell's Facebook/Instagram page.
By the way, you should see this followup video if you haven't. It's more accurate than this one: ruclips.net/video/-ZZw2a0Q6Qs/видео.html
Oh yes! Those kazoos in chicken run lol
They're such a great addition! I know the Chicken Run score pretty well now.
It's one of those movies we've owned forever and watched countless times so i can hear similarities between it and HTTYD music. See You tomorrow specifically -when listening to the soundtrack for the first time i was like "wait is that chicken run? "
@@darksun.et.al.99 Yes! Building the Crate is kind of a proto-See You Tomorrow. If you haven’t already, you should check out my friend’s channel, Scenes and Scores. I requested this video from her a while back. ruclips.net/video/4lhYIiMKYlA/видео.html
Nice video. Even though its very scottis musically, he did use a hardangerfela in some place. I can hear a very hardangerfela-like sound in the stringssection sometimes. So I guess he didnt leave scandinavia all out in the cold. :-)
True, there's definitely a Celtic and Nordic influence. I didn't cover all the exotic instruments he uses, and I wanted to keep this video mostly focused on the bagpipes.
Hi again, I just re-read your above comment and wanted to say I just made a video that goes into more depth about the origins of the score and why it doesn't sound more Nordic. I also explained the hardangerfela in the video (among many other exotic instruments)!
ruclips.net/video/-ZZw2a0Q6Qs/видео.html
Is there a name for just the melody at 3:52( i don't know nothing about music so If i am wrong, i'm sorry)
Good question! That's one of the main themes in the series. A lot of people think it is Toothless' theme, but I have sources that say it's more of a friendship theme for both Hiccup and Toothless (and it doubles as a flying theme later). I'm going to explain it in another video down the line.
Also, it turns out there are no bagpipes in this section, and since I know what instruments were actually used now I'm going to explain this section again in my next video.
@@FilmScoreandMore thanks, i'll be waiting for the next video
@@templarknightac Thanks for your interest! It really helps smaller channels like mine.
Thanks again for waiting for the next video; it's finally done! I hope you enjoy it when you're abel to check it out! ruclips.net/video/-ZZw2a0Q6Qs/видео.html
Can you make music analysis of Forbidden Friendship theme ?
You're in luck! I'm finishing up a video on the cultural influences of this score that ends with an analysis on how what inspired it, and I'm planning a video on the main themes of HTTYD that will include a section on Forbidden Friendship.
Hey again, it's not exactly an analysis, but the end of my newest video covers the inspiration behind Forbidden Friendship and why it sounds the way it does. ruclips.net/video/-ZZw2a0Q6Qs/видео.html
'coz they sound real good.
That they do.
Damn, I had no idea the English colonizers used bagpipes as a weapon of fear.
It’s a pretty powerful and scary sound, for sure.
Clan McGregor were one of the first families of Scotland to play the bagpipe.
Is that so? It's interesting to see how much it dates back and how much was documented.
There were many Scottish Vikings, many Scandinavian Vikings raided lands on the Celtic areas-there, lived many Celtic Vikings, Scandinavian Vikings, etc. Nej, there weren’t really bagpipes in Sweden, Iceland, Norway, or the Faroe Islands, etc., but a lot might have been played where there were Norse-Gaelic people.
@@FilmScoreandMore very very long time ago, even further back from different types than what Clan Gregor had played in Scotland. I believe, the earliest it was played, was around the 16th or 17th century by Clan Gregor. I love the sound of the bagpipe. I’ve heard them be described as “haunting,” and they are beautiful. But in the Highlands, they were made to instill fear, and played after deaths of their loved ones during battle even. It could have been made for their way of speaking how they felt.
They're truly powerful for sure. I'm glad this video is picking up more people who appreciate them and their heritage.
Have you seen my followup to this video yet? I had access to more accurate information and explained why exactly bagpipes and a Celtic style became infused with this score. ruclips.net/video/-ZZw2a0Q6Qs/видео.html&t
That makes sense.
10:02 are these now Bagpipes or Uilleann Pipes?
Good question. I believe those are highland pipes, but it's possible to be both mixed in somewhere. They're all different kind of bagpipes, but people usually mean highland pipes when they say "bagpipes."
Me favourite part that some characters actually speak in Scottish accent.
Which makes sense these are not yer normal germanic Vikings
Yes, exactly.
if i had watched this movie, I dont think I would have even noticed the bagpipes. And Im a bagpiper. Honestly, I dont think i really heard them in most of these clips, and I have a pretty good ear. I heard some Uilleann pipes a few times tho..... I also learned herer that there is more highland pipes in Chicken Run than there is in Braveheart
It's good to see this video is attracting more pipers! I'm glad I can share this information this way. And it does seem weird there are no highland pipes in Braveheart; I know James Horner used uilleann pipes instead because they have greater range.
And you should check out the followup to this video, which has more updated and accurate information, especially about other surprisingly diverse instruments in the score. Thanks for watching! ruclips.net/video/-ZZw2a0Q6Qs/видео.html
@@FilmScoreandMore Yeah there is just a few quick seconds during a battle scene of Braveheart where the highland pipes are heard. When they were mooning them. I was attracted to this video because i play pipes and also because I know that one of my favorite bands, Sigur Ros/Jonsi, also did some songs for the HTTYD movies. I'll check out the update. Thanks!
@@JBrooksNYS That’s interesting, thanks! I also did a video all about one of those Jónsi/Sigur Rós songs and the update video talks about how another one shaped the score!
@@FilmScoreandMore awesome! ill take a look... maybe i should actually watch the movie too haha
@@JBrooksNYS Sounds great. The movies are pretty good. They’re a little different for animated movies; they’re not like Disney and they stand out from other Dreamworks movies.
Their not scotish vikings as its explained that they are icelandic, meaning they have nordic ancestors.
Well, you're kind of half right. They are Vikings whose Nordic ancestors settled in the Scottish islands; it's supposed to be the inner Hebrides, but the land itself is modeled after the Faroe Islands which are between Scotland and Iceland. Iceland has no forests like Berk does.
Here is an article about Berk's inspiration for the books: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2mQzNmRZQns32Vnf9jtT46X/how-to-train-your-dragon-why-the-phenomenally-popular-children-s-fantasy-series-is-rooted-to-a-remote-hebridean-island
NO NO NO!
NO HORNS ON THE HELMET!
I know, I know! That's not so true to life either. But it's a very striking image and for this fictional group of CGI Vikings (who have dragons) I don't mind it.
@Yowatsapp 05 Yeah, the animators were aware Vikings didn’t wear horned helmets, they just chose to represent them this way.
"Why not?"
Good answer! And honestly, it's kind of close to the truth!
@@FilmScoreandMore My personal favorite use of the bagpipes in the movies is in Stoick's Ship. It feels like not just the emotion of the movie, but also the use of the bagpipes was building up to that point. And when it hits at about the 50-second mark, it hits hard.
Yeah, that's a really powerful one. The Red Hot Chili Pipers performed it really well, too. By the way, I'm covering some information on that song in an upcoming video and a little more on the bagpipes in another one.
I also shared your comment on Twitter, by the way. You can see it there (@FilmScoreMoreYT)!
Not to be a stereotypical Scotsman but I adore bagpipes
Go right ahead! They're an interesting and sometimes underappreciated instrument with a lot of range and power!
@@FilmScoreandMore oh absolutely! My dad and I always listened to Scots music when I was a kid
@@connorscorner443 That’s great. Had you heard of the Red Hot Chili Pipers before, the band I mentioned in this video?
@@FilmScoreandMore I love them!!
@@connorscorner443 Great! I’m glad these videos can reach fans and Scots like you. Thanks for your comments!