The Storytelling is in the Music

I don't know about you guys, but I can't drive anywhere without having the tunes cranked. I enjoy music and, for the most part, listening to music can improve my overall outlook on the day. If I wake up cranky, sometimes all it takes is a bit of music and things turn around. My love for music in general goes deep. I’m not one of those ‘ask me anything about the music’ type of guys but I enjoy listening to all different kinds. My passion is so strong that I will often be found trying to push that passion on others. I’m always trying to get Naomi to listen to music. She’s not a big fan of just sitting and listening like me but she does sometimes go out of her way to buy music she enjoys. I guess we all do. She claims that the music disrupts her focus and puts her to sleep. I suppose that's a legitimate response, haha! I, on the other hand, have music on the go while I'm cooking, while I'm working out, while I'm driving, and while I play video games. Even as I write this article, I have some of the best video game music playing. Right now I’m listening to a few tracks from The ETHEReal String Project, which cover a variety of video game hits, and before that I was listening to a tune from the old school TMNT Arcade video game! Yeah, I’m all over the board when it comes to music. What can I say, music keeps me motivated and adds flair to my day!

Oh, the Nostalgia...

Wanna know the real kicker? As you might have already guessed, the music I listen to is not pop culture, not hard rock or metal (though I do indulge in rock from time to time - lookin’ at you Aerosmith!), and definitely not country, screaming, or easy rock. Nope. I am a genuine fan of video game music. Whether the piece is from the original soundtrack, or a remix of a classic favorite, like the album I am listening to now, as long as the music is video game related, I’ll listen. Not sure why I was drawn to video game music in the first place. I guess you could loosely attribute my love for the music to nostalgia. I have dabbled in creating my own music from time to time, but nothing like those who can lay down any sort of complexity to a track. I've been long interested in the ability of those who are able to compose track after track. For me, listening to music is an opportunity to relive a particular point in a video game. Video game music also helps me to focus, which is why I tend to listen to music while I am working or studying. I see music as an opportunity for musicians and composers alike to play a crucial role in shaping a memorable experience. Through the use of different sounds, the composer and musicians are able to string together a set of chords that can change the mood of the piece. The ability to change the pace of a musical composition from happy to sad, or calming to horrifying, is a skill that only few people have.

Take a look at the Super Mario series for example. On the surface, the games are colorful, bright and cheery, and yet, the Princess is kidnapped time and again. Thus, the kidnapping sets the stage for Mario to leap from platform to platform without fear of his demise. I mean, one wrong step and it’s game over...literally. There’s something in the music that dissolves the stress of imminent doom. Though, when you grab that start and you are trouncing baddies as fast you can and that familiar tune starts to dwindle it does tend to get a little more hectic as you push for those last few kills!

A picture of the title screen for super mario world

Source: Super Mario World

You ask just about anyone to hum that Super Mario tune (..or even that star power one), and I’m sure you’d get a positive response. That’s because the music in Mario is pleasing and memorable. The looping of the music as you play through the games doesn’t get annoying either. I’ll be honest, there are some games out there with some pretty annoying music that is looped that shouldn’t be but hey, we can’t win 'em all! As the gamer, you also feel at ease and have fun playing so that you continue playing. However, you make a subtle change in the music of any of the Super Mario games to a more dark sounding tone, and our perception of the game and how we play is altered. I believe that video games rely on music to tell many different stories. The tale of the love, or loss, of a favorite character, or the painting of a colorful universe, can all be told through music.

The Music of Final Fantasy

One story that has no end and evolved in gameplay alongside the music, is Final Fantasy. Let’s take a minute to chat briefly about one of my all-time favorite composers, Nobuo Uematsu. I know I’m not alone in saying that Uematsu-san is one of the greats. He is the embodiment of Final Fantasy and it’s sequels, spin-offs and inspirations. From his humble beginnings, to his most recent successes, Nobuo Uematsu has accounted for well over 100 albums and just as many, if not more, individual compositions. While his most notable works are from the Final Fantasy series, he does have other successes ranging from Chrono Trigger, Lost Odyssey, Fantasian, among countless others, to big band and concert worthy acts like Distant Worlds, The Black Mages and Earthbound Papas. To be honest, my experience with his work is largely attributed to the albums and soundtracks that have been released in North America. I’ve always found it frustrating that anything related to video game music that has been produced, manufactured and performed in Japan rarely sees the shores of North America. Would it be too much to ask for companies like Square Enix to realize that they also have fans in different regions of the world?. I feel like I should move to Japan. Regardless, for the most part, I usually pick up anything that finds its way here and if I can get my hands on it.

An orchestra playing the music from the video game Suikoden

Source: JAGMO (YT)

Uematsu’s creations and music have influenced my own creativity from time to time. Whenever I’m writing articles, making videos or building something, I draw on his inspiration. Did you know that Uematsu taught himself to play piano at a young age and was never formally instructed to play or compose music? That’s crazy considering the amount of accolades he has collected over the years. I am a self taught guitarist and flute player, though I think I have a long way to go if I ever wanted to follow in his footsteps!

I’ve seen several interviews of him and am always in awe at how humble he is. I personally would have loved an opportunity to be able to sit down and speak with him about his inspirations or even his work in general. Hell, I would settle for a simple handshake! I’m probably not the only one. I’ve enjoyed Uematsu’s work for a long time and was close to giving up my dream of ever being able to see, or hear, one of his compositions live, when I heard that Uematsu was teaming up with Grammy award winning conductor, composer and record producer Arnie Roth. The Final Fantasy Distant Worlds concert series, which showcased full orchestra live music arrangements from the Final Fantasy series, is a must-see. Though I couldn’t secure a ticket to go backstage, I did get some pretty great seats, awesome pictures and Nobuo Uematsu himself was present! I’ll never forget the moment he got up on stage and sang along to fan favorite, ‘One Winged Angel’, from Final Fantasy VII. Sure, you could say I’m devoted to his musical genius, but, in the same breath, I have respect for all video game music.

Source: Final Fantasy Wiki

Influential Music

I grew up in the 90’s, an age where video games really started coming into their own, so to speak. The music of this era was, for the most part, built on a foundation of 8-bit sounds. Don't get me wrong, video games on the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis, at the time, really showed what music artists could do. With capacity on 8 and 16 bit cartridges limited to MIDI alternatives of live compositions, video game music carved out a niche market for artists familiar with video games. I believe, however, that it wasn't until the release of the Sony Playstation, and its accompanying disc based games, that we really began to hear arrangements made for a full orchestra. Compositions may not have been recorded live, but you could definitely hear the subtle differences as far as instruments were concerned. The music in video games has always been in a state of evolution, and I think we take for granted the hard work and dedication of many video game composers, like Nobuo Uematsu. The true storytellers, so to speak.