Get started on your piano journey here: www.betterpian... Follow me! Instagram: bit.ly/2WoR7W1 Twitter: bit.ly/2I02YAt Facebook: bit.ly/2K4rHq8 TikTok: bit.ly/2X7pnlN
Joe Hisaishi is the John Williams of Japan. Not that they have similar styles, but their legendary status, their personal humility and grace, their consistent quality, their understanding of storytelling, and the way their music always becomes another character in the film. I wouldn't want to live in a world without their works.
Idk if thats what Miyazaki intended but it worked out perfectly. Characters coming from humble beginnings and then one aspect opens up into a whole new world
@@johnnyharris that’s amazing! Keep it up! I’m can play piano but I’m self taught, not that good 😅. I only know like the beginnings to a couple of queen songs 😂
I saw Hisaishi here in Prague, in 2019, conducting Prague Orchestra, with projection behind them. It was breathtaking, the way he doesnt rush, he lets the phrase develope, doesnt care where the "crown" of the phrase ""should" be, the lightness he moves between tempoes, the never-ending always-forward-moving tension even in calm sections, those sudden bursts of energy he is able to give to orchestra, the kindness he emits towards soloists...he is trully amazing.
@@kimtra474 Me too. Unfortunately, we had to get our flixbus back to Dresden, Germany, as otherwise we would have stayed there to catch him and get an autograph too. And as a musician myself, I think he really works with the ochestra in a way that he really inspires the musicians. Just by listening to his concerts, you can clearly hear that his way of conducting and his personality have a huge impact on the emotions of the musicians. Somehow, he reminds me of an old music teacher of mine who himself conducted and composed music. He could be very strict but at the same time knew when and how to cheer you up.
@@michaelhaumberger I stayed there 30 min longer because we took selfies and prepared for our long drive back home. Then we saw him at a side way walking out the building, omg we were so so lucky. Since then his signature is on my wall
Music is the universal language. Even if you don't understand a lick of music theory, you can still feel what someone like Charles is saying about how the music moves.
Dive deeper into Spirited away please. There's a half-step movement in the bass line in One Summer Day that haunts me right after the piano starts playing the melody. The first chords in One Summer Day are also amazingly complex and I know people would want to hear about that.
@@anaykumaroff I’m aware of quartal harmony. I get that the chords are stacked in 4ths but the harmonic analyses always evades me, in a good way. I’d also just love to hear Mr. Cornell talk about these harmonies and his take on this compositional technique.
@@魚-c3d it might seem like he's picking out each note and placing them on the piano, but improvisation and playing by ear runs a lot on just learning certain chord progressions such as the iconic 2-5-1. and once you know how that "numerical chord" thing works, you can pretty much just play anything by ear if you know what those numerical chords are being played in the song.
Charles, I teach a class on advanced theory and composition at a high school in Pennsylvania and I have to tell you that your videos have become a staple in my class! My students called me the "harmony nerd" until they realized that there were others just as passionate as I am for amazing harmonic structures and progressions! Thanks for helping to inspire a whole generation of musicians understand the beauty of harmony!
Little fact: One’s Summer Day you listened to has two versions. One is the actual theme when it’s more smooth and reminiscent while the one you listened to has a little twist of jazz in it
A lot of Ghibli stories seem to be about a character finding their way out of a bad situation that wasn't their fault and the music really seems to convey that well. It has a certain sadness and nostalgia but also a hopefulness. It seems to communicate the feeling of, "This isn't what I wanted or what I had hoped for, and maybe I won't come out of the other side of this unchanged, but even so, I'm going to carry on and do my best."
When watching Studio Ghibli movies that def happens to me, or listening to the soundtrack in my car with how much emotion the music evokes in itself, as well as recalling the emotions I feel watching the movies. I hope you can see if you like the movies as much, "Spirited Away" is where One Summer's Day is from. A beautiful, yet happily weird movie kinda like Alice in Wonderland things? :)
I love this piece from the movie Kikojiro No Natsu, by Takeshi Kitano (Not Studio Ghibli, or even animated). It's called Summer :) ruclips.net/video/J7or0noYfMA/видео.html
It's soooo clear how well trained your ear is as well as your overall skill at playing. I'm ridiculously impressed and also LOVED how much you seemed to genuinely enjoy the music
Charles, I recommend checking out Joe’s piano solo arrangements of these pieces. They highlight how much emotion he can pull out of sparse voicings. Would love to hear you dive into how he picks which notes to include in or omit from each chord.
Very nice review, from a jazz and ghibli fan, and probably you won’t read this but for the One Summer’s day theme, you’ll probably be interested in the other version, that starts with a very intriguing piano chord and has a lot of “traditional japanese” feel . It’s the opening of the movie. There’s a recording of this version on Joe Hisaishi’s official channel, a black and white video with him on the piano :). Keep up the good work!
I've listened to it so many times but there will never be a time The Path of the Wind doesn't blow me away, it's absolutely incredible. Thank you for this awesome video 💜
0:29 - Merry-Go-Round of Life - Howl's Moving Castle 7:02 - The Path of the Wind - My Neighbor Totoro 11:42 - One Summer's Day - Miyazaki"s Spirited Away 16:01 - Purple Ad
Hisaishi's music has always had an extremely strong emotional effect on me. Last week I was even watching a concert of his. Very powerful music-making skills that pair seamlessly to the mystical worlds that Miyazaki has created.
One time I was in a Chinese restaurant and they were playing a Studio Ghibli compilation over the speakers and I almost cried in my sweet and sour chicken.
Japanese tips: Joe Hisaishi is spelled as 久石譲 in Japanese, and even though 久 is Hisa, 石 is ishi, and 譲 is Joe, all these letters can be read differently. For example, 久 can be read as Ku, so 久石譲 can be read as Ku-ishi-Joe. So it is not that 久石譲 is the "translation" of Quincy Jones, but more like a word play with different pronunciations.
I love Japanese wordplay. Creators like Akira Toriyama and others always amuse me with their puns. I especially love some of the wordplay that comes from the crossover between Japanese and English
Now I know why it’s called “The Path of the Wind”. You want the music to travel the way you feel it to, but that’s not how it goes. The path of the wind pushes the music along & you have to follow it.
Watching charles get exited while listening to these soundtracks is the best thing because i’ve been listening to these ghibli songs my whole childhood. i’m very happy he chose to go over these songs
Anime and VGM from Japan has been very much underappreciated but young guys like these have been educating the next generation about the genius if these tunes: ruclips.net/user/TheConsoulsBandvideos
Been prepping for college auditions and have been falling out of love with music cause it’s seemed like such a chore lately. This has been very refreshing and reminded me how amazing music can be
I love that even when he's noodling around with the melody after hearing it for the first time, his inflections of the notes are SUPER jazzy. It's an awesome take on Hisaishi's compositions and I'm here for it lol
HISAISHI is written in Japanese as 久石, 久(Hisa)石(ishi). The first letter 久(Hisa) can also be read (Ku). So the full name can be read "Kuishi Jo" which kinda sounds like Quincy Jones.
question. Why does japanese letters have so very different pronunciations with same writing?? I havent seen that in other languages, where written letters are interpreted in different spoken words
@@kalashsarode well the simple answer is because we borrowed many of the letters from China, and decided to call them "kanji". So one pronunciation is the original Chinese one butchered into Japanese, and the other is just applying a preexisting pronunciation to the kanji that matches the meaning.
Hisaishi's music is so haunting and interesting, and also very memorable. After watching it one time over a decade ago, I will never forget the main them from Kikujiro.
His work with Kitano seems barely known outside Japan compared to the Ghibli stuff, for probably obvious reasons, sadly, but I think it’s as good or better.
I feel like perfect description of Joe hisaishi's music is nostalgia. Like looking back at your life..actually its music of life entirely lol hes incredible
PLEASE make a part 2 to this! There are SO many other Ghibli films that still need love (“Town with an Ocean View” from Kiki’s Delivery Service, “Legend of Ashitaka” from Princess Mononoke, & “Bygone Days” from Porco Rosso are the next 3 I recommend)
Man, Joe Hisaishi has been my favourite composer for a long time. The first piece I learnt from him is called 'Summer' and I'm so glad you made this video. I have a story to tell with regards to Hisaishi. Back quite a few years ago, I went on a trip to the Royal Festival Hall with a group of fellow music students. I was the last to reach the entrance doors, and just as I was about to go in, I noticed people were entering behind me. So, I decided to hold the door for them. A few of them thanked me as they entered, others simply walked by. Anyways, when I was on campus after this trip, I was discussing Joe Hisaishi's pieces with a friend of mine. It suddenly dawned on me that back when I held the door at the concert hall, Joe Hisaishi was one of the people who walked through the door I was holding! To this day, I'm constantly beating myself up over the fact that I didn't realise at the time that it was ACTUALLY HIM! But hey, the friend who I was discussing Hisaishi with was super jealous of me heheh.
I love when music/your passions just makes you say “wow” out loud it’s such a magical feeling. It’s the few moments you feel your soul melt into the universe
Can we imagine how Joe composes this gem for the first time and he possibly had this in his back pocket for months for even years before he had the world listen to it???? How many more of these are in the back pockets of so many ppl??? Please, everyone, keep going in making these gems come alive!!!
the rise of roy fukui in YT culture is definitely something that he could dive into as well, including the breakdown of the actual music (which is amazing)
I'm a classical musician getting my masters in voice and have always loved this music so much. It brings me a lot of joy to see you experience a lot of this music for the first time and appreciate the theory behind it as well!
I wish I could just listen to a song and instantly reproduce it by ear. Dude, that skill is so impressive! And I love seeing you nerd out over a particularly magical moment in the music.
One Summers Day is probably one of the most beautiful pieces ever written. I makes me tear up every time. Not because its sad, but its peaceful. Like I have finally arrived at my destination and there are no worries.
@@MegaSimmaster I wouldn't call the story bad. Third act is a bit lackluster compared to the magic of the rest of the movie, perhaps. But what the movie lacks in story it compensates with entertaining characters.
@@Arvak777 I've never seen people who hate Howl's Moving Castle. Most reviewers and anime fans tend to put it near their top 3 for Miyazaki films. If theres a group of people that don't like it please show me the way.
He's playing the song... but at the same time he's not and it's hilarious because it's essentially a child of the original song with it's own nuances (Howl's Moving Castle) Edit: I probably shouldn't have said "hilarious" because that makes it seem like i'm making fun, I really enjoy Charles' videos and just thought what he was doing was different, but cool
Tbh it just sounds like he was aiming to mimick the actual piano accompaniment he heard in the recording and playing that, rather than coming up with a piano arrangement on the spot that includes the melody which was being played by the strings, which is perhaps what you expected? I'm not a pianist but I am a musician and a current music major and that's what I noticed. Then again, it could absolutely be, like you said, just him playing around with the chord structure and contour and going along with a rough follow of the section!
@@aryannaherasme5569 I went back and watched that section, you could be right but I'm just a high schooler who plays instruments as a hobby. I will say that I could've just been expecting to hear the melody again since I listen to that song specifically quite often
Would love to hear Ennio Morricone breakdown! Hisaishi is one of the rare few composers who could capture the sadness, the sweetness, the grace and the nostalgia of life in music. I can only think of Ennio Morricone as a counterpart in western music (but I am not thoroughly educated in our musical history). Only difference is, when I listen to Hisaishi, I think of lost innocence, lush gardens and time spent alone, when I listen to Ennio Morricone, I think of lost love, endless desert and wast sea, time spent in company, full of indescribable passion. Oh dear, sweet universe, if I could write such a thing, I would die happily. Thank you for the breakdown! I am not a pianist but only a songwriter, yet this was inspiring. I hope you do a breakdown with Ennio Morricone as well (if you did already, my apologies).
Joe Hisaishi is the John Williams to the fantastic Studio Ghibli movies. Their movies and his music are both things of beauty, treat yourself to finding them in a library. (Also currently on HBO Max in US and Netflix in non-US). Spirited Away (Alice in Japanese Wonderland), or Kiki's Delivery Service (young happy witch sets out from home) are my reccomended starts, but had to go wrong! :)
Hisaishi's music has a way of touching my heart that nearly nothing else does. It always moves me to tears, no matter how often I listen to it. Thanks for the great video.
I always love those music Hasashi made for Ghibli, listening to it is like telling story with every melody transition is opening new page of story, sometimes escalading and sometimes not.
I’ve never seen any of your videos before, but this was recommended because I like ghibli movies. I’m definitely gonna watch more of your videos because you’re chill
“One Summer’s Day” is one of the first songs I ever brought to my piano teacher way back in the hopes that he could coach me through it. Love the song, love the movie. So glad it’s one of those pieces that’ll always have in my muscle memory.
Dude, you are such a genius. I've taken 1.5 semesters of college music theory, and now I can finally understand all that you are talking about in these videos. I could watch you analyze this all day. I absolutely love Joe Hisaishi's music.
I absolutely love the feeling when you listen too music and the sounds make a whole image in your head that overwhelms you, especially Ghibli's music are so calming and thrilling at the same time and never get old it's brilliant!
I am currently taking a music theory class and I am going to school for music and I just wanted to say thank you for this amazing content! I love the way you describe the theory behind the music.
Charles, I love how you include the chords of what’s being played in the video. It’s really fun to play my piano while watching and have fun hearing all the juicy chords!!
All I know about music is that it’s made up of something called “notes.” I don’t even listen to music very often. But I watch all your videos end to end, and I’m so excited when a new one comes out. You enthrall a music illiterate!
@@alejandrorivas4585 Yes but still very interesting. I'd love to have him know about the similarities to other games too. Like how Rito Village connects with Dragon Roost Island
Im just a 15 year old music student in awe of this guys talent! How do you learn to listen to something and like repeat it perfectly on a different instrument !!!
What i absolutely love in Hishasis music for the Ghibli films is how masterfully it matches, amplifies or subverts your emotions in a scene. This part from Totoro had that sense of wonder and discovery, surprise in a setting that's familiar. One summer's day elevates the sense of melancholy and innocence lost. Wanting to go back to your childhood of simpler days. The music in the Ghibli films had a purpose, something to say, in contrast to a lot of music from modern blockbusters which is only differing enough from it's temp music to avoid infringement.
Watching this with a dumb little smile on my face because your joy is infectious! I’ve been listening to Hisaishi since 2003, thank you for covering these songs.
Gimme music you want to see a breakdown of GO
Epik
My Dearest - Supercell
@Charles Cornell Try listening to this band called Vulfpeck. This song called baby I don’t know or 1612 or any song by them
homestuck/undertale music lmao
Omori or A Silent Voice maybe?
Joe Hisaishi is the John Williams of Japan. Not that they have similar styles, but their legendary status, their personal humility and grace, their consistent quality, their understanding of storytelling, and the way their music always becomes another character in the film. I wouldn't want to live in a world without their works.
Cheers to that 🍻
🍻
Aptly put
Sooo true.
Except Joe is original
“it starts off very simple, and then kind of gets very interesting” sir, you also just described every ghibli movie ever, not just the music :)
😂 so true
Idk if thats what Miyazaki intended but it worked out perfectly. Characters coming from humble beginnings and then one aspect opens up into a whole new world
Perfect example of Spirited Away
@@oof6471 and my neighbor totoro too
every good movie does that tbh
Love the way you broke this down!
Good stuff, man!
:0 its you!
Trying to learn to play good music aswell I see🙏🏻
What a nice surprise to see you here
Heyy joey lv ya mannn.
Charles has gained seal of weeb from one of the greats
Very happy you did this.
WHOA! Love your videos
Wait it's johnny Harris 😳
Didn't know you were also into music
@@alvislarson7853 I’m studying jazz piano. Every morning.
@@johnnyharris Hi Johnny, Looking forward to a future video on this XD
@@johnnyharris that’s amazing! Keep it up! I’m can play piano but I’m self taught, not that good 😅. I only know like the beginnings to a couple of queen songs 😂
I immediately want a part two of Studio Ghibli music. There’s honestly so much and they’re all so iconic
I so want to see him talk about some of the Nausicaä pieces too, my favorite movie and soundtrack!
Bygone days
@@lefunghi6151 kiki’s delivery service and nausicaä is my favorite, and also totoro’s path of wind are gorgeous
I would love to see him review Contact With The Ohmu from Nausicaa! La, la, lalala la la….
Princess mononoke's music is really epic and arrietty's is really beautiful
I saw Hisaishi here in Prague, in 2019, conducting Prague Orchestra, with projection behind them. It was breathtaking, the way he doesnt rush, he lets the phrase develope, doesnt care where the "crown" of the phrase ""should" be, the lightness he moves between tempoes, the never-ending always-forward-moving tension even in calm sections, those sudden bursts of energy he is able to give to orchestra, the kindness he emits towards soloists...he is trully amazing.
I was there too!!!!! I cried so much and I also got his autograph at the end...
@@kimtra474 Me too. Unfortunately, we had to get our flixbus back to Dresden, Germany, as otherwise we would have stayed there to catch him and get an autograph too.
And as a musician myself, I think he really works with the ochestra in a way that he really inspires the musicians. Just by listening to his concerts, you can clearly hear that his way of conducting and his personality have a huge impact on the emotions of the musicians. Somehow, he reminds me of an old music teacher of mine who himself conducted and composed music. He could be very strict but at the same time knew when and how to cheer you up.
What is that face lmao, I need context for it
@@kimtra474 how tf did you get an autograph D: as i can remember he immediatly left?
@@michaelhaumberger I stayed there 30 min longer because we took selfies and prepared for our long drive back home. Then we saw him at a side way walking out the building, omg we were so so lucky. Since then his signature is on my wall
the fact that I don't understand a single thing and still watch till the end is amazing
Same lol
I'm riding that boat
present ✋
Happy knowing i'm not alone 😂
Music is the universal language. Even if you don't understand a lick of music theory, you can still feel what someone like Charles is saying about how the music moves.
Dive deeper into Spirited away please. There's a half-step movement in the bass line in One Summer Day that haunts me right after the piano starts playing the melody. The first chords in One Summer Day are also amazingly complex and I know people would want to hear about that.
YES
He missed the 4th chords intro
@@anaykumaroff I’m aware of quartal harmony. I get that the chords are stacked in 4ths but the harmonic analyses always evades me, in a good way. I’d also just love to hear Mr. Cornell talk about these harmonies and his take on this compositional technique.
@@carlosvasquez5851 i was waiting for his reaction to Cyberbird last episode haha
Agreed!!!
Hisaishi's songs are VERY difficult to play.. and you did them by ear 😭 you covered his songs so beautifully!!
That's what 40hours a day training get you
@@nottlepurple8926 lingling
he has to have perfect pitch thart was crazy
@@bonquva he doesn't even have true perfect pitch. Only relative super-trained ear 😶
@@魚-c3d it might seem like he's picking out each note and placing them on the piano, but improvisation and playing by ear runs a lot on just learning certain chord progressions such as the iconic 2-5-1. and once you know how that "numerical chord" thing works, you can pretty much just play anything by ear if you know what those numerical chords are being played in the song.
Charles, I teach a class on advanced theory and composition at a high school in Pennsylvania and I have to tell you that your videos have become a staple in my class! My students called me the "harmony nerd" until they realized that there were others just as passionate as I am for amazing harmonic structures and progressions! Thanks for helping to inspire a whole generation of musicians understand the beauty of harmony!
To be fair, we really are harmony nerds - just gotta own it!
I wish in Brazil we had this kind of classes. It would be amazing.
I wrote a paper about his special Japanese sound. He used a lot of quartal harmonies to substitute the western cadences. It’s beautiful.
Is there any way I could read your paper? It sounds interesting 😃
Count me in!
i'd be interested as well :)
Ditto!
Me too!!
Little fact: One’s Summer Day you listened to has two versions. One is the actual theme when it’s more smooth and reminiscent while the one you listened to has a little twist of jazz in it
Where can you find that version he listened to? I can’t find it anywhere
@@user-wl5iu7pj6u it’s called, “The Name of Life”
@@missladyhaha The specific arrangement is what I’m trying to look for
@@missladyhaha Isn't the name of life a rewritten version with lyrics and vocal sung by Ayaka Hirahara?
@@user-wl5iu7pj6u did you find it?
A lot of Ghibli stories seem to be about a character finding their way out of a bad situation that wasn't their fault and the music really seems to convey that well. It has a certain sadness and nostalgia but also a hopefulness. It seems to communicate the feeling of, "This isn't what I wanted or what I had hoped for, and maybe I won't come out of the other side of this unchanged, but even so, I'm going to carry on and do my best."
Beautifully said 💗
Listening to One Summer's Day actually had me in tears, man music fuckin rocks
When watching Studio Ghibli movies that def happens to me, or listening to the soundtrack in my car with how much emotion the music evokes in itself, as well as recalling the emotions I feel watching the movies.
I hope you can see if you like the movies as much, "Spirited Away" is where One Summer's Day is from. A beautiful, yet happily weird movie kinda like Alice in Wonderland things? :)
That was my walking down the aisle song 🤍
@@alysmansfield Same
you rock too man
I love this piece from the movie Kikojiro No Natsu, by Takeshi Kitano (Not Studio Ghibli, or even animated). It's called Summer :)
ruclips.net/video/J7or0noYfMA/видео.html
It's soooo clear how well trained your ear is as well as your overall skill at playing. I'm ridiculously impressed and also LOVED how much you seemed to genuinely enjoy the music
It’s like his fingers know how to make the sounds his brain wants to hear.
@@cerealkillr12 that's what an awesome knowledge of music theory and your instrument will do for yoj
If Studio Ghibli isn't a masterpiece of a studio,
I don't know what is
You are LITERALLY everywhere lol
If it isn’t then nothing else would be up to standard.
little known fact: a lot of them worked on "the last unicorn" and "flight of dragons"
Kyoani
@@itsavalon KyoAni indeed. We need a Clannad OST video... there are some pretty awesome fusion-esque tunes on that OST.
Charles, I recommend checking out Joe’s piano solo arrangements of these pieces. They highlight how much emotion he can pull out of sparse voicings. Would love to hear you dive into how he picks which notes to include in or omit from each chord.
why do I hear boss jazz?
YES YES
Very nice review, from a jazz and ghibli fan, and probably you won’t read this but for the One Summer’s day theme, you’ll probably be interested in the other version, that starts with a very intriguing piano chord and has a lot of “traditional japanese” feel . It’s the opening of the movie. There’s a recording of this version on Joe Hisaishi’s official channel, a black and white video with him on the piano :). Keep up the good work!
Bruh I love your work glad to see you here
Definitely that version is the best!!!!
Dedouze it’s nice to see you in the comment
Those opening quartal chords are so amazing
That version is GODLIKE 😭
Whenever i listen to any soundtrack from studio Ghibli, my Eyes are watering... brings so many great memories of my childhood and my grandparents
Awwwww that’s so sad and sweet
studio ghibli music always gives me those happy goosebumps
I've listened to it so many times but there will never be a time The Path of the Wind doesn't blow me away, it's absolutely incredible. Thank you for this awesome video 💜
i cri evrytiem
Too good.
When i listen to the spotify version it sounds different. Do you know how i can find the one played in this video? Thx in advance😁😁😁
@@hugowasalreadytaken In Spotify: Orchestra Stories - My Neighbor Totoro song 13
@@chinhoiwong9645 cheers, thanks so much 🥰
One Summer’s Day is the song I walked down the aisle to 💕
wise choice
congrats!
do you have that on video?? i would love to see that!
And Merry go round if you want to do the waltz 💃🏻🕺🏻
I, too, like shopping to Ghibli music
Man charles is a freaking genius at the Piano. I’m always stoked when he just improvises a song from only hearing it once
Think there might be some editing in between, but his ear is definitely an inspiration to me.
Princess Mononoke. That main theme gives me the most intense goosebumps. So incredible.
I agree there's something about that movie that's just so deep and nostalgic for some reason
@@alvisquaicoe4246 The nature spirits. They speak to me. :)
Also nausicaa of the valley of the wind
@@alvisquaicoe4246 it’s the melancholy of surviving in a world of conflicts and loneliness on a much larger scale.
@@thesaturnian4934 I'm glad :)
seeing someone react to Ghibli music for the first time made me fall in love with the music all over again
Merry Go Round of Life is one of the best pieces from any movie and no one can change my mind.
Absolutely agree with you.
love how it's used throughout the whole film instead of hearing it only once/twice
Pro tip: go watch the films. They're as good as the music
If not better
@@tomhunt5152 easy now..
The music and the scenes latch onto one another and scorch itself in your heart and mind ❤️ my entire sensory and memory resonates from it
Pro tip indeed!
What is studio gibli?
0:29 - Merry-Go-Round of Life - Howl's Moving Castle
7:02 - The Path of the Wind - My Neighbor Totoro
11:42 - One Summer's Day - Miyazaki"s Spirited Away
16:01 - Purple Ad
It's "name of life" actually, not one summer's day
thank youuu
@@lczq6737 i believe theyre similar songs from other comments :)
@@littleeking name of life is a transcription of one summer's day by Makiko Hirohashi.
Purple Ad is my favorite Hisaishi song
Hisaishi's music has always had an extremely strong emotional effect on me. Last week I was even watching a concert of his. Very powerful music-making skills that pair seamlessly to the mystical worlds that Miyazaki has created.
Kinda random but you should look into the soundtrack for the Japanese movie Hana-Bi. My favorite pieces are Hana-bi and ever love.
One time I was in a Chinese restaurant and they were playing a Studio Ghibli compilation over the speakers and I almost cried in my sweet and sour chicken.
Trying to listen without tearing up. Ghibli is my therapy. Joe Hisaishi’s music has been there for me through the toughest of times.❤️
🖤
Japanese tips: Joe Hisaishi is spelled as 久石譲 in Japanese, and even though 久 is Hisa, 石 is ishi, and 譲 is Joe, all these letters can be read differently. For example, 久 can be read as Ku, so 久石譲 can be read as Ku-ishi-Joe. So it is not that 久石譲 is the "translation" of Quincy Jones, but more like a word play with different pronunciations.
Thanks for the explanation! That's super interesting (｡･∀･)ﾉ☆
@@BSBMteam UwU
I love Japanese wordplay. Creators like Akira Toriyama and others always amuse me with their puns. I especially love some of the wordplay that comes from the crossover between Japanese and English
When I first heard his name, I wondered if the 「石」in Hisaishi was the same one I knew as “stone”
Cool to know.
訓読み or 音読み
Now I know why it’s called “The Path of the Wind”.
You want the music to travel the way you feel it to, but that’s not how it goes. The path of the wind pushes the music along & you have to follow it.
Watching charles get exited while listening to these soundtracks is the best thing because i’ve been listening to these ghibli songs my whole childhood. i’m very happy he chose to go over these songs
“meet up where you started”…
one might say like a merry go round!
Hi! As a Japanese, I am so happy you looked at Studio Ghibli music!
Anime and VGM from Japan has been very much underappreciated but young guys like these have been educating the next generation about the genius if these tunes: ruclips.net/user/TheConsoulsBandvideos
Been prepping for college auditions and have been falling out of love with music cause it’s seemed like such a chore lately. This has been very refreshing and reminded me how amazing music can be
I love that even when he's noodling around with the melody after hearing it for the first time, his inflections of the notes are SUPER jazzy. It's an awesome take on Hisaishi's compositions and I'm here for it lol
A full breakdown of spirited away would be very cash money of you. Also some princess mononoke would be awesome.
HISAISHI is written in Japanese as 久石, 久(Hisa)石(ishi).
The first letter 久(Hisa) can also be read (Ku).
So the full name can be read "Kuishi Jo" which kinda sounds like Quincy Jones.
Quincy Jones did 'Ai No Corrida', which has some Japanese reference(s).... a link perhaps?
question. Why does japanese letters have so very different pronunciations with same writing?? I havent seen that in other languages, where written letters are interpreted in different spoken words
@@kalashsarode well the simple answer is because we borrowed many of the letters from China, and decided to call them "kanji".
So one pronunciation is the original Chinese one butchered into Japanese, and the other is just applying a preexisting pronunciation to the kanji that matches the meaning.
@@kalashsarode Well, English isn't exactly consistent. Consider the words garage or gorgeous. The 4 Gs have 3 different pronounciation.
@@Kycilak garaje
gorjus
Hisaishi's music is so haunting and interesting, and also very memorable. After watching it one time over a decade ago, I will never forget the main them from Kikujiro.
I love Kikujiro's theme song!!! I've just listened to it some minutes ago and every time it makes me cry.
His work with Kitano seems barely known outside Japan compared to the Ghibli stuff, for probably obvious reasons, sadly, but I think it’s as good or better.
This music is tearing me up anytime I hear even a small section
Hisaishi Joe's music is the sound of falling in love.
The theme from Howl makes you feel melancholy for a place you haven't been to
I feel like perfect description of Joe hisaishi's music is nostalgia. Like looking back at your life..actually its music of life entirely lol hes incredible
@@bapbirb i agree with the nostalgia, it makes me so happy and sad at the same time I can’t explain why😭
PLEASE make a part 2 to this! There are SO many other Ghibli films that still need love (“Town with an Ocean View” from Kiki’s Delivery Service, “Legend of Ashitaka” from Princess Mononoke, & “Bygone Days” from Porco Rosso are the next 3 I recommend)
Yes, please! 100%
he made a part 2
Man, Joe Hisaishi has been my favourite composer for a long time. The first piece I learnt from him is called 'Summer' and I'm so glad you made this video. I have a story to tell with regards to Hisaishi.
Back quite a few years ago, I went on a trip to the Royal Festival Hall with a group of fellow music students. I was the last to reach the entrance doors, and just as I was about to go in, I noticed people were entering behind me. So, I decided to hold the door for them. A few of them thanked me as they entered, others simply walked by.
Anyways, when I was on campus after this trip, I was discussing Joe Hisaishi's pieces with a friend of mine. It suddenly dawned on me that back when I held the door at the concert hall, Joe Hisaishi was one of the people who walked through the door I was holding!
To this day, I'm constantly beating myself up over the fact that I didn't realise at the time that it was ACTUALLY HIM!
But hey, the friend who I was discussing Hisaishi with was super jealous of me heheh.
Joe Hisaishi is a genius, right up there with Hans Zimmer and John Williams. You should really check out the Princess Mononoke soundtrack.
Hans Zimmer is not even a real composer.
@@bordeauxcolor good one
YES. I love Princess Mononoke!
@@bordeauxcolor huh?
especially the Ashitaka and San OST
I love when music/your passions just makes you say “wow” out loud it’s such a magical feeling. It’s the few moments you feel your soul melt into the universe
Your ear is extremely impressive and it upsets me.
lol same
I just came here to say
Nice.
My sentiments exactly. 😂
it's more experience and repetition then anything else.
I thought you meant his physical ear on his head, which is odd since I was specifically looking for a comment about how good he can play by ear.
I desperately want this man to just release an album of him just improvising over all the Ghibli songs now.
Can we imagine how Joe composes this gem for the first time and he possibly had this in his back pocket for months for even years before he had the world listen to it???? How many more of these are in the back pockets of so many ppl??? Please, everyone, keep going in making these gems come alive!!!
When you are finished with Joe Hisaishi, which will take some time cause it's a lot of music, you should check out Ryuichi Sakamoto and Ryo Fukui.
the rise of roy fukui in YT culture is definitely something that he could dive into as well, including the breakdown of the actual music (which is amazing)
RYO FUKUI IS LIFE
YAS!!!!!
Dang, Ryo Fukui is a good idea.
I've only heard early summer from ryo and I can say that he's amazing
Joe Hisaishi’s music has always hit different. No other musical scores make be feel the way his do. It’s almost overwhelmingly evocative.
You should check out some compositions from Shiro Sagisu. Notably their works from anime like as Evangelion, as well as the movie Shin Godzilla.
I'm a classical musician getting my masters in voice and have always loved this music so much. It brings me a lot of joy to see you experience a lot of this music for the first time and appreciate the theory behind it as well!
The Chinese character for Hisaishi, 久石, can also be read as “Kuishi,” and Japanese pronunciation of Quincy would be “Kuinshii.”
I wish I could just listen to a song and instantly reproduce it by ear. Dude, that skill is so impressive! And I love seeing you nerd out over a particularly magical moment in the music.
merry go round of life is one of the few songs to make me cry over how beautiful it sounds
One Summers Day is probably one of the most beautiful pieces ever written. I makes me tear up every time. Not because its sad, but its peaceful. Like I have finally arrived at my destination and there are no worries.
Howls moving castle slaps in every aspext: visuals, story, score, theres a reason its my favorite lol
Eh, story kinda bad. But everything else is great.
@@MegaSimmaster I wouldn't call the story bad. Third act is a bit lackluster compared to the magic of the rest of the movie, perhaps. But what the movie lacks in story it compensates with entertaining characters.
@@MegaSimmaster I always notice there are huge extremes when it comes to that movie. One side absolutely adores it and the other cringes and hates it.
@@Arvak777 I've never seen people who hate Howl's Moving Castle. Most reviewers and anime fans tend to put it near their top 3 for Miyazaki films. If theres a group of people that don't like it please show me the way.
@@MegaSimmaster It's mostly from people I've talked to personally. The ones that dislike it often say it has many flaws and its a very bad film.
I love that this music, like the movies, is a journey that takes surprising twists and turns that you elaborate on so well here. Excellent expose.
He's playing the song... but at the same time he's not and it's hilarious because it's essentially a child of the original song with it's own nuances (Howl's Moving Castle) Edit: I probably shouldn't have said "hilarious" because that makes it seem like i'm making fun, I really enjoy Charles' videos and just thought what he was doing was different, but cool
Ahahaha agree 100%
I was thinking the same thing XD
Tbh it just sounds like he was aiming to mimick the actual piano accompaniment he heard in the recording and playing that, rather than coming up with a piano arrangement on the spot that includes the melody which was being played by the strings, which is perhaps what you expected? I'm not a pianist but I am a musician and a current music major and that's what I noticed. Then again, it could absolutely be, like you said, just him playing around with the chord structure and contour and going along with a rough follow of the section!
@@aryannaherasme5569 I went back and watched that section, you could be right but I'm just a high schooler who plays instruments as a hobby. I will say that I could've just been expecting to hear the melody again since I listen to that song specifically quite often
@@Intraloper_ he was going for the chords perfectly
Would love to hear Ennio Morricone breakdown!
Hisaishi is one of the rare few composers who could capture the sadness, the sweetness, the grace and the nostalgia of life in music. I can only think of Ennio Morricone as a counterpart in western music (but I am not thoroughly educated in our musical history). Only difference is, when I listen to Hisaishi, I think of lost innocence, lush gardens and time spent alone, when I listen to Ennio Morricone, I think of lost love, endless desert and wast sea, time spent in company, full of indescribable passion. Oh dear, sweet universe, if I could write such a thing, I would die happily. Thank you for the breakdown! I am not a pianist but only a songwriter, yet this was inspiring. I hope you do a breakdown with Ennio Morricone as well (if you did already, my apologies).
your comment made me tear up :,0
RIP to the legend. I grew up watching legend of 1900 which to me is basically just a collection of some of my favorite pieces by Ennio Morricone
I wish he would’ve done “A Town with an Ocean View”
Honestly. I wish this video was about 10x longer, there's just so much good ghibli music he could look into
I think some more of his jazzy themes would be more interesting to see discussed.
Same. Also "On a Clear Day" and "Osono's Request". Kiki's Delivery Service has one of the best soundtracks of all Ghibli movies.
You could say that about all the movies Hisaishi composed for. My personal favorite is Porco Rosso, but it's just that. A personal favorite.
Omg yes
I am ashamed that I have never heard this incredible artist before, so a HUGE thank you Charles for the intro.
Would recommend checking out Japanese music. Elephant gym is an amazing math rock band (if jazz and rock had a baby)
It's like when I discovered that I shouldn't diss VGM: ruclips.net/user/TheConsoulsBand
Joe Hisaishi is the John Williams to the fantastic Studio Ghibli movies. Their movies and his music are both things of beauty, treat yourself to finding them in a library. (Also currently on HBO Max in US and Netflix in non-US).
Spirited Away (Alice in Japanese Wonderland), or Kiki's Delivery Service (young happy witch sets out from home) are my reccomended starts, but had to go wrong! :)
here you go. ruclips.net/video/eY1XtWyKlJA/видео.html that is a concert he gave in celebration of the 25 years of studio ghibli
@@supernoodles908 Elephant Gym is Taiwanese.
Hisaishi's music has a way of touching my heart that nearly nothing else does. It always moves me to tears, no matter how often I listen to it. Thanks for the great video.
here before a million this ones gonna take off
definitely gonna be more than a million man
rip
this didn’t age well
@@lesha6531 oh well we still support
Definitely (277.944 currently).
I don't get anything of what Charles talking about here, or any of his breakdown videos for that matter. I just really enjoy his excitement!
I always love those music Hasashi made for Ghibli, listening to it is like telling story with every melody transition is opening new page of story, sometimes escalading and sometimes not.
I’ve never seen any of your videos before, but this was recommended because I like ghibli movies. I’m definitely gonna watch more of your videos because you’re chill
This is the content I've been waiting for all quarantine
“One Summer’s Day” is one of the first songs I ever brought to my piano teacher way back in the hopes that he could coach me through it. Love the song, love the movie. So glad it’s one of those pieces that’ll always have in my muscle memory.
Dude, you are such a genius. I've taken 1.5 semesters of college music theory, and now I can finally understand all that you are talking about in these videos. I could watch you analyze this all day. I absolutely love Joe Hisaishi's music.
his happiness is so legit I got happy with him
The path of the wind really does capture the idea of "wind" in a romanticized view in a nice way.
Princes monomoke instantly transports me into another dimension
These are such teases, makes me want to hear you dive into them even more. Love it.
This is my favorite composer, his music hits me in the feels everytime even though I have played it out over the last 20 years ish. It never gets old
You should do the soundtrack of Ocarina of Time! The game and it’s music holds a place in many people’s hearts!
Yes please.
@@sds5401 agree
😮🤩
YES!!!
^^^^^^^^^^
There seriously isn't a Ghibli film I've watched that hasn't encapsulated me in everything and the soundtracks are always always beautiful
One Summer's Day always send chills down my spine
Great video man, I'd love to see a part 2 involving Porco Rosso, The Wind Rises, Castle in the Sky etc! Keep it up!
Agreed, I really liked the video but my favourite ghibli music is in porco rosso, laputa and princess mononoke
I absolutely love the feeling when you listen too music and the sounds make a whole image in your head that overwhelms you, especially Ghibli's music are so calming and thrilling at the same time and never get old it's brilliant!
These songs make me cry, especially One Summer's Day 🥺😭
I am currently taking a music theory class and I am going to school for music and I just wanted to say thank you for this amazing content! I love the way you describe the theory behind the music.
This whole video is just Charles leaning back, smiling, and saying "that's nice".
Studio Ghibli has by far my favorite music of all time
Charles, I love how you include the chords of what’s being played in the video. It’s really fun to play my piano while watching and have fun hearing all the juicy chords!!
Leaving a comment so the video has a higher interaction rate so RUclips will share it more!
same
LoL. I do that with these guys as they deserve lots of views: ruclips.net/user/TheConsoulsBandvideos
I'm a big Studio Ghibli fan and now I'm a fan/subscriber of yours.
Joe Hisaishi's music makes me continue to want to compose
Do it!
@@HDSQ i am!
All I know about music is that it’s made up of something called “notes.” I don’t even listen to music very often. But I watch all your videos end to end, and I’m so excited when a new one comes out. You enthrall a music illiterate!
man, just listening to these songs bring tears to my eyes. Ghibli films have absolutely wonderful music.
When you're happy :you listen to the music
When you're a Charles Cornell: *you understand the chord progression*
And the KEY as well!
I’d love to see a Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild breakdown
Same bro
Saaameeee
i don't second this, since two people already did, so I fourth (?) this!
Its a well known 'secret' that BoTW pulls its compositional style almost directly from Hisaichi
@@alejandrorivas4585 Yes but still very interesting. I'd love to have him know about the similarities to other games too. Like how Rito Village connects with Dragon Roost Island
You broke these down and you broke me. Man these pieces are so emotional
BRO FREAKY SHIT I JUST LEARNED ABOUT STUDIO GHIBLI THIS MORNING IN MY FILM STUDIES CLASS (i already knew about these, i just loved the coincidence)
You're in for a treat, this studio has some fantastic films that you should definitely check out!
Im just a 15 year old music student in awe of this guys talent! How do you learn to listen to something and like repeat it perfectly on a different instrument !!!
12:05 love how Charles is constantly excited by discovering other artists concepts.
I can't NOT cry while listening to Joe Hisaishi's music... It's heartwarming in a way only he can make!
man something about one summer day that man was blessed and one of a kind. every time that melody hits it knocks me off my feet man
What i absolutely love in Hishasis music for the Ghibli films is how masterfully it matches, amplifies or subverts your emotions in a scene. This part from Totoro had that sense of wonder and discovery, surprise in a setting that's familiar.
One summer's day elevates the sense of melancholy and innocence lost. Wanting to go back to your childhood of simpler days.
The music in the Ghibli films had a purpose, something to say, in contrast to a lot of music from modern blockbusters which is only differing enough from it's temp music to avoid infringement.
Watching this with a dumb little smile on my face because your joy is infectious! I’ve been listening to Hisaishi since 2003, thank you for covering these songs.