The Sims Soundtrack CHEATED. Here's how

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[jaime-writes]

So you are telling me that a game that gives you simple building blocks and lets you choose what to do with it has a soundtrack where the composer gave the performer simple building blocks and let them choose what to do with them? Sounds dope.

[willschneider]

Theory profs: "You don't have to say 'over the third' you can just say 'first inversion'."
Jazz musicians: "Absquedilyboply not."

[MordecaiXLII]

The true secret of everything Jerry Martin did for Maxis is "douse eveything in mixolydian and boom that's jazz baby".

[Redhollow]

This is how it starts. You're minding your own business, you notice something interesting in a video game's soundtrack, you do a cute little transcription, ya make a video about it, and next thing you know you're the next 8-Bit Music Theory.

[johnburr]

Wow, it's so cool to see how many people liked the Sims stuff. You are totally right: Jerry just gave me basic sketches to improvise on. Fun to see it analyzed! Of course it was Jerry's brilliant editing that made it actually work so well. At the time, I had no idea that the Sims was popular world wide, thought it was some small boutique video game. Pretty amazing, love your take on it

[amyturkharp]

So glad you talked about the Sims! I got really excited for the possibility of you looking at Build 4, my all time favourite (also LYDIAN!), but then every Build track is a joy.

[SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

That soundtrack is my version of therapy

[rynkie]

OH MY GOD FINALLY SOMEONE APPRECIATES THE SIMS 1 SOUNDTRACK
WHO ELSE CAN SING ALL THE SOLOS LMAO

[Cryozebra]

Building Mode 1 was my FAVORITE song from the original Sims game. So much so that a few years back I actually looked up and found the piano sheet music for the song, that some poor musician actually transcribed note for note. And I could not get past the first 16 measures lmao. This makes SO much sense that it was all improvisation - what an amazing soundtrack!

[SailorYen]

The first sims soundtrack hit me so hard. It has this odd nostalgic, eerie, weird vibe to it.

[matiasrquiroga]

Those first three notes might be the most evocative and nostalgic sound I can think of. Everytime I hear them, they immediately paint a picture in my head of me playing this game alongside my little sister for hours amd hours. (And the time the house burmed down, our sim died, and we both felt guilty for days😂)

[shableep]

Dude, years ago I legitimately played this whole "album" on loop, jamming out for hours and days. I recently dug it up to pass some time with some good old jams, and thought, "Man, this was legitimately really good." I honestly thought I was the only one that did this back then or now. It's so cool to see you pull this music out for this video. I feel seen!

[LoopMySound]

As a kid I remember trying to force the game to play the build3 theme. Then I turned off the light and went on meditation mode like full yogi style. I always thought I was kinda weird but NOW I HAVE THE PROOF THAT I'VE BEEN TRICKED !

[abjgamer]

Glad you’re starting to do video game soundtracks. There so much underrated video game music that is absolutely stunning and needs to be talked about. Id recommend checking out the street fighter EX3 ost. Jazz fusion at its finest

[Queenkirlia]

The hot date expansion definitely upped the sims’ jazz palette, and for that I’m so grateful, but I can’t help but just look at the current soundtrack with such overwhelming pity in comparison to the first couple releases

[jaredskinner]

You just unintentionally gave a better piano tutorial than any of those "Piano tutorials" that just use synthia.

[AwesomeAcoustics]

The first Sims had such mature, sophisticated music. By comparison, the rest of the series became way to cartoony in their soundtracks.

[AverytheCubanAmerican]

Ah yes, it's nice to listen to talent as you cause chaos

[Cakz]

I never have any idea what you're talking about, but I love watching your passion and hearing you play.

[Vxxe]

This is actually how I wrote most of the score for a silent film short I did music for once. The low end was basically doing the jumpy chords over and over in the key of C, while the upper register was pure improvisation.