The VIBES of Final Fantasy IX, Part 1: Melodies of Life

Some aspects of music are easier to categorize theoretically than others, but the ease with which a concept is turned into a theory is not related to the importance of that concept to the effectiveness of a piece of music. There's something about Uematsu's work that's tough to put your finger on, but after thinking about it for a long time I've realized that Uematsu's writing has consistently great Vibes. In Part 1 of this 2 part series on the music of Final Fantasy IX, I take a look at how texture in music can effect a piece's Vibe, and take a look at some of my favourite Vibes from throughout the game's soundtrack.

#FinalFantasyIX #videogamemusic #musictheory

[AlexMoukalaMusic]

In the words of Uematsu, after composing for Final Fantasy VI he finally felt like he fully grasped the high fantasy genre and that he was fully ready to show that on the next FF game.
But then came FF7 and FF8, which were actually very modern instead!
FF9 is where he got to fully show the extent of the knowledge he gained from ff1 to ff6

[dafire]

Hearing him go "JUST TRYYY IITTT!!" is the strongest vibes we'll ever get from him

[BrennanJTC]

17:47 someone call the jazz police this guy's chord symbol is almost a bar and a half long lol

[sockknight]

I'm getting so emotional whenever I listen to music from FF9. It's pure and blissful magic.

[IanCannonPiano]

2:10 Ah yes, the square, the greatest of all the percussion instruments

[heyhellyco]

Always fun when you’re listening to final fantasy soundtracks and are completely chilled out, only for you to suddenly get vibe-checked by a boss battle theme.

[RikiazGaming]

FF9 is easily my favorite in the series and it's soundtrack is one of my favorite soundtracks to anything ever. It's so well constructed, every single song fits every scene perfectly, there is a ton of variety and everything is so filled with emotion. I honestly think it was the Final Fantasy with the most amount of love and emotion put into it.

[AxolottieVT]

I get so giddy hearing analysis of Uematsu's music! Just clicked onto the video but SO excited to hear it!

[KardavoxAcademy]

oh my god you have a series breaking down FFIX music specifically. I am so in love. insta-subscribed.

[wavelength]

I found the vibe of Melodies of Life to be more warm, earthy, and supportive than cheesy, but reasonable ears can differ! I absolutely love the thorough analysis you put into not only the melody of songs, but also their texture, their interplay between instruments, and their unusual - often brilliant - choices. (It's especially cool when you rework a segment to show us what it would have sounded like if a different, more common choice were used!) These are things that less experienced listeners like myself wouldn't catch, and it makes for some of the most genius music analysis not only in the video game music space, but in all of music theory. You're wonderful.

[Jonsoner]

Final Fantasy IX is a game that will forever remain in my heart. I remember picking it up because the cover looked cool downside was I didn't know English and I had never played an RPG before (closest thing was Zelda).

The first time I played it, I was just stuck in awe by the music while seeing the intro. Even while watching the character cards with the quote things without understanding a word I was still taken aback.

Many years later I tried to play the game once more when I finally learned enough English to not have to use a dictionary on every word and it was way better than I remembered. Advantages of actually knowing what is being said I guess.

Even nowadays, I still get chills of childish wonder whenever I hear any of that game songs.

[zetandpeligaming]

I remember I fell in love with this game as soon as I heard Garnet singing at night In Dali. It's a masterpiece, and probably Uematsu's best 'Soundtrack' though I feel I have more individual tracks I like from FF8 :)

[owlyus]

I really need to play this game again when I'm not 15 and rushing through it to get ready for FFX to come out

[CorleoBabar]

Damn, I really wish this would be a three parter, I'd love to hear about the vibes of the The Place I'll Return To leitmotif as well. Fantastic video either way :)

[sanyr]

Fun idea: a game soundtrack composed entirely of madlib-style queues. “Ok, the generator says… exuberant tuba duel? Well, I had been putting off composing the protagonist’s theme…”

[ItalianAvalanche]

I'm just a caveman drummer and don't understand much of the talk about chord shapes and tonal center and stability but I do know that Uematsu is a vibe GOD and his tracks have massively influenced my own musicianship and I LOVE HIM.

[meerjt]

"Its the vibe. I rest my case." — Dennis Denuto

[Trivial_Man]

10:04 "But worlds collide soon enough" I see what you did there

[ShredmasterScott]

Vibes for days....can't get enough of these videos muhaha. Your transcriptions are so clear

[rippel]

Bust into tears when over the hill starting playing - thanks for the great video!