Thoughts on video game music

I'd like to see any of you write a piece of music that is THIS cool.

http://www.mmhp.net/Sounds/MIDIs/MM5/JB-MM5NapalmMan.mid

Not impressed. It's not much more than a repeating trumpet solo with a very basic drum beat. CASE IN POINT.

final fantasy piano collections has to be some of the most beautiful video game music ever written.

No. They all lack passion, creativity and originality.

Music can be great, regardless of what it is written for, and music can be scraggy, regardless of what it is written for. Video game music is the same.

Amen brother.

Death to all snobs.

Well, I enjoy melodies of video game music. Some of it is pretty good and up-beat. Music is music in my opinion. Video game music is slightly different. There are all sorts of different genres in video game music, as there is in other music. Take for example the song I wrote today. It's meant for a video game, but is more on the ambient side. It has a laid-back emotion and bird sounhd effects in the background. I got the idea of bird sound effects from a song I heard on the classical station. It all connects in some way.

I have respect for the classics, and respect for most video game music composers. They aren't that different. Really.

I realize that game music seems to be hurting the classical industry, but it's a different generation of people. I try to pattern my piano music after video game music, moonlight sonata, and various other things.

I have to agree on the chrono cross music. It's different, and seems to convey a theme with the acoustic guitar, fretless bass, and acoustic bass throughout it's songs.

Video game and cinematic is trying hard to be more like classical and orchestral music. Sooner or later, people will have to realize that another change is coming music, but no matter what's there, someone will still listen to the classics. More than half my music is made up of new wave and alternative from the 80s and 90s.

Noubu Eumetsu IS great. He's not the GREATEST, but he's still a good composer, and deserves to be recognized.

I agree entirely with Chris Shaver.

Uematsu is an excellent melodist, and he knows what he's doing with regard to form - he uses it appropriately for his genre. But I still think my point is being missed: being a great melodist is not enough to be a great composer. The concert stage demands music that can hold the audience's interest without accompanying images, and that's where form becomes highly important.

http://www.mmhp.net/Sounds/MIDIs/MM5/JB-MM5NapalmMan.mid

What? Is that the best you can come up with to counter "the greats" you say we should all get over? You can't be serious.

I detest "snobbery" as much or more than that next guy...but really, Derek. Chopin isn't trying to be a snob - he's right. What's all this about "they're dead" and "it's our turn now?" So what if they're dead. The fact that they're moldering in a grave doesn't lessen their influence on music, even now, and that's the beauty of it. Long after all this we're talking about has gone out of fashion - and it will - what they did will still remain. You can pretend they didn't exist if you like, but you're purposely living in a modernist musical vacuum if you do. What they did is the foundation for everything that's happening in music now. Everything. I'm kinda surprised at you, Derek. You must have written 10,000 words execrating avant garde music, and now you want to trivialise "the greats?" What's that all about? Or are you just creating controversy for its own sake?

I don't go around listening to acres of game music, but if you want to hear great game music that is also worthy of the concert hall, try this - and really listen to it! It'll occupy about 3 minutes of your life. It was written by our own Jeff Ball, and it kicks the crud out of the other clip for sheer coolness. That's my subjective opinion.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.c...&songID=2461488

If game music is in the same or a similar genre as theatrical incidental music, then to my sensibilities this ranks up there that written by Grieg, Mendelssohn and Schumann for sheer artistry and effect - yet it's completely modern.

I'll say it again you elitist punks. Write a midi as cool as the Napalm Man stage and I will absolve you of the sin of outright snobbery.

Maybe I'm just crazy but in a given sitting I'll listen to:

Necrophagist

Beethoven

mega man music

my own improvs

etc. they all give me something that other sorts of music cannot give me.

I happen to find that mega man piece inspiring. It sounds better on the NES itself, btw.

http://www.mmhp.net/Sounds/MIDIs/MMX1/AR-MMX1SMandrill.mid

This one, from Mega Man X gives me goosebumps.

So does this, and this

http://www.mmhp.net/Sounds/MIDIs/MMX2/AR-M...naCentipede.mid

http://www.mmhp.net/Sounds/MIDIs/MMX3/AR-MMX3BlastHornet.mid

http://www.mmhp.net/Sounds/MIDIs/MMX3/AR-M...zardBuffalo.mid

I'm NOT kidding. Lol....I guess I'm weird. these sound a lot better on the original consoles. If played by bands/orchestras they would totally slay. They are better than thousands of insanely boring baroque/classical and Romantic pieces. By better I mean more fun to listen to. Which, if I am not much mistaken, is the whole point of music.

The following is one of my favorite mega man pieces ever

http://www.mmhp.net/Sounds/MIDIs/MMX3/AR-M...ossStage1-2.mid

There is unity to my taste, believe it or not.

Sometimes Jarrett improvises melodies that sound something like these mega man tunes.

As you can see, I've moved on. I do like some music by dead germans, but darn it, THEY'RE DEAD! Actually, I like a LOT of music by dead germans. But there is ALSO a lot of crappy, boring music by them, which can't even touch the glory of Mega Man X.

give some of these living guys a chance.

Finally I'm not creating controversy for its own sake. Everything I say on here is about firm convictions I hold.

Some examples of my firm convictions:

1.) 4'33" is not music.

2.) Mega Man X's soundtrack is vastly superior to thousands of insanely boring classical string quartets.

3.) But Schumann's Fantasy in C major op 17 is even better.

Maybe I'm the world's biggest dork.

http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Chamb...ableValley2.mid

I also love Kirby music. lol!

Well, you put up a track, I listened to it, and I found it boring. What more can I say?

By better I mean more fun to listen to. Which, if I am not much mistaken, is the whole point of music.

Yes, all music has the same goal, and that is to be fun. And all life has the same goal, which is the same. And art is identical to entertainment.

Wait.

Derek, I earnestly appreciate you giving us some concrete music to talk about. These probably do sound better on the original console. These tracks bore me rhythmically and harmonically. The only glimmer of light came from the "grace notes" from blizzard buffalo.

I would probably like them if I had played Megaman. The nostalgia effect does wonders.

they all give me something that other sorts of music cannot give me.

well said, and vice versa. Does wanting and getting only one thing available from only one music make one an addict? Wait, don't take that question seriously.

Yea, I admit my long childhood obsession with Megaman may have created an elevated nostalgia effect in me.

Though being a decently experienced musician at this point I can honestly say I feel many of these old mega man tunes, though short and looped, are of tremendously high quality.

So what do you require in harmony for it not to bore you? I found it pretty fascinating, lots of sudden changes and strong chord progressions. (notwithstanding the ocassional use of Iron Maiden style chord progressions, which are also effective)

Furthermore, if you'll listen again to Napalm Man, there are some irregular rhythms in the intro melody.. I'm fairly certain the guys who wrote this music were avid listeners of progressive rock music.

Furthermore, if you'll listen again to Napalm Man, there are some irregular rhythms in the intro melody..

I do love the old fashioned stuff. Mozart's Requiem in D is a favorite, especially the Dies Irae, Sanctus, and Confutaias, as well as Pachabell's Canon, and Beethoven's Moonlight Sonota. And I still love composing such songs, which is why I am composing a Requiem Mass. Of course it will not compare to Mozart's as even the greatest composer's Requiems seem nothing to Mozart's.

However we must realize that Mozart composed his music for his time and place. That was his living. He didn't always get to compose what he wanted. He had to compose many times because he was told to. "Mozart, I want you to compose me and opera," he might be told. There is nothing wrong with composing in the classical style, or the baroque for that matter today.

However, composers, though they do their own works, must compose for a living, whether it is for a broadway show or a video game. If composing for a video game is what it takes for a musician to make a living so be it. He must make money. I see video game compositions as just the composers job. It may or may not be his best work but he has to do it. I believe that there is therefore, nothing wrong with video game music composition--a video game composer could write great classical music if he wanted to. And I have heard video game music that is very decent. If you have ever played Rome: Total War, the music is superb. Good choral and orchestra music that puts on in battle mode.

If I can recall correctly, the original idea of this thread was to judge if video game music can be decent concert music. The answer, in my opinion, has to be no. You must remember that the point of video game music is not to be noticed. It's job is too enchance the game, not become the center of attention. Although, we can, for the most part , agree that composers who compose for video games are skilled in their field and can probably write a concert piece; music that is in video games are not suited for a concert performance.

The key factors in video games are: One lined Melody, A looping track, and something that matchs the mood of a scene. This works very well with video games, but when you take these elements into a concert you end up with a 2 minute songs repeating the same thing every 30 minutes. It is quite boring and really has no place in the concert hall. To the same effect though, I personally wouldn't want to hear rach 2nd concerto while playing a game. I would get too distracted!

It also appears we are also talking about why we remember "dead germans". That is really quite simple. After 300 years, we remember whom they are. The average person on the street can say, Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, and maybe a few more, but ask them to name one video game composer or the title of one video game song. You can beat that barely anyone will know them. The legacy left by these dead germans is soo profound that even people whom lack musical talent know who they are! For the most part they can hum a few of their tunes. The same cannot be said about most video game composers.

Furthermore, as musicans the techniques that can be learned from these germans is something rather amazing. Any serious musician can probably agree that it is important to learn everything you can learn about music. The fact is these dead composers hold more lessons then the video game composers. Not only that but these composers can augment your video game songs, the same can rarely be said about a video game composers style and techinque.

Also, Derek, your only agrument so far has been calling everyone who disagrees with you a music elite. You seem to be more closed minded than everyone else. You also seem to misread or assume things not being said. We can agree that they have skills and it is "good music"(although good music is merely subjective), we cannot say the video songs are more important and vital to music history than Symphony #9.

Now reply to the post above mine.

It is true that some composers are "forced" to write in a certain style because they are told to make a living. The odds are they enjoy writing that kind of music, or they probably wouldn't be able to do the job for too long. The sad fact of life is most composers and musican for that matter, end up having a 2nd job not related to music to make ends meet. It's the choice we make to have the chance to express ourself to the world.

I am apparently the only one open minded enough to enjoy the music of "less important" artists more than the "greats" which I am "supposed" to enjoy more. (which I do, in general, but they also wrote crappy music)

And I'm certain I've seen a few people insinuate that the amount of time it takes to compose something relates to its quality. Perhaps this is to comfort yourselves?

"One lined Melody" - wrong. listen to Napalm Man, and Spark Mandrill above. Even the Kirby piece has a melodic bass line. but especially Napalm Man.

I really don't think that video game music is meant not to be noticed. Especially in Mega Man, this is the case. He is called Rock Man in Japan...the whole game series is about music! I'm disappointed in some of the recent mega man games, they seem to have forgotten this important characteristic of the series.

You know, I'm just grateful I'm THE person on here (apparently) whose musical brain wasn't mapped word for word from a music theory and a music history textbook. When I post on this site, I often feel like textbooks are yelling at me: "HOW DARE YOU QUESTION OUR IMMORTAL WORDS. YOU ARE CLOSED MINDED." <

When I read: JOHN CAGE WAS IMPORTANT. I don't instantly believe it and call people who challenge that idea "closed minded." (that was for those of you who have read my posts before)

Think for yourselves. All the great composers did. You ARE allowed to have your own opinions. If it HAPPENS to reflect textbooks, fine, but...just you know ARE ALLOWED to think for yourselves.

Pot, meet Kettle.

You're basically saying "How dare you say the Mega Man X theme music isn't great?"

As I said, I listened and found it utterly uninteresting. It sets the mood for the game decently, but I can't see it standing on its own as concert music. That's my answer.

Oh, and by the way: don't accuse me of being an academic, I'm probably even more self-taught than you are.

The only thing it lacks for the concert hall is form. The melodies are outstanding, and would be great in any symphonic piece.

well I'm mleeeh than YOU! nanny nanny boo boo. wow, I feel like I'm in the third grade talking to summa you people.

Why would you want a piece of music to be played in the concert hall anyway? Audiences nowadays consist mainly of music students who don't truly care about music, and old people who can barely hear what is being played. At least if you compose for a video game, millions of people will hear and love it and not bring to bear such detailed academic criticism as to defeat the purpose of their hearing the music in the first place.

I love video game music. Atleast the stuff now. I'm not into the old single-line melody type stuff you hear on old nintendo, but things like the Halo theme, I love. I think video game music can be played for fun, but not really for sophistacated concerts of classical music.

I'm not into the old single-line melody type stuff you hear on old nintendo

Why not? These days, the meody is often ignored in favour of orchestral bombast..

I'm a fan of final fantasy1-3 music myself. It may not be ''educating'' to listen to, but it's fun!

grumble mumble bah humbug

I love video game music. Atleast the stuff now. I'm not into the old single-line melody type stuff you hear on old nintendo, but things like the Halo theme, I love. I think video game music can be played for fun, but not really for sophistacated concerts of classical music.

I am apparently the only one open minded enough to enjoy the music of "less important" artists more than the "greats" which I am "supposed" to enjoy more. (which I do, in general, but they also wrote crappy music)

And I'm certain I've seen a few people insinuate that the amount of time it takes to compose something relates to its quality. Perhaps this is to comfort yourselves?

"One lined Melody" - wrong. listen to Napalm Man, and Spark Mandrill above. Even the Kirby piece has a melodic bass line. but especially Napalm Man.

I really don't think that video game music is meant not to be noticed. Especially in Mega Man, this is the case. He is called Rock Man in Japan...the whole game series is about music! I'm disappointed in some of the recent mega man games, they seem to have forgotten this important characteristic of the series.

You know, I'm just grateful I'm THE person on here (apparently) whose musical brain wasn't mapped word for word from a music theory and a music history textbook. When I post on this site, I often feel like textbooks are yelling at me: "HOW DARE YOU QUESTION OUR IMMORTAL WORDS. YOU ARE CLOSED MINDED." <

When I read: JOHN CAGE WAS IMPORTANT.

Who said entertainment can't entail a profound reaction? Am I not entertained during such a reaction? Yes, I do react profoundly to some video game music. So no, I don't think we have vastly different views on what music should be for, we simply have different musical tastes. Sometimes I like Mega Man X more than Beethoven, and vice versa.