The Nostalgia of HOME's Resonance, Explained

Note 6.9.2020
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Robert Mieta's Channel:

Also a thank you to FrankJavCee, who was kind enough to link me to information about 8 bit computing and sound synthesis.

and yes that is me playing mario and metroid

[misteramazing]

*Watch with caution.* The above video makes several egregious mistakes. It should be consumed as entertainment, not serious musical analysis. This video is utterly *unserious.*This video was produced in incomplete, partial knowledge of music theory. Don't take it too seriously. My errors in full:

* *Incorrect Chord Count:* At 0:00:44-0:00:53, I claim that *Resonance* uses only three chords (Ab, Eb, Bb). Ms. Patricia Taxxon has graciously informed me of my ignorance of an F bass note, whose context reveals that four chords (not three) are at work.
* *Chord Misidentification:* This error occurs throughout the video due to a misunderstanding of inversions, but key examples include:
* 0:01:14-0:01:39: The description of Ab and Eb as major and Bb as minor, while accurate in their basic forms, becomes misleading due to the added notes and inversions Ms. Taxxon later highlights.
* 0:02:18-0:02:46: The explanation of the "F note" creating an Ab6 chord, which Ms. Taxxon asserts is actually an Fm7 due to the bass note. This misidentification is furthered by the analysis of the added G, C, and Bb as forming an Ab major 9.
* 0:02:54-0:03:03: Similarly, the description of an Ab major 7 chord formed by adding C and G is also disputed by Ms. Taxxon's interpretation of the actual chord progressions.
* *Polytonality Mischaracterization:* At 0:03:03-0:03:21, I describe the chords creating a "tandem playing of both a major and minor chord at the same time, " implying polytonality. Ms. Taxxon argues this is simply the nature of seventh and ninth chords within a single key.
* *Overemphasis on Inversions and Ornaments:* From 0:03:21-0:04:27, I fallaciously argue that chord inversions create complexity, downplaying the impact of the specific chords themselves. Taxxon counters that the unique character stems from the chords and their added notes.
* *"Counter Melody" Misuse:* At 0:09:09-0:09:11, "counter melody" is incorrectly defined and applied to the synth parts in *Resonance*.
* *"Audio Contour" Misapplication:* At 0:09:55-0:10:01, the term "audio contour" is used in a way Ms. Taxxon finds nonsensical.
* *"Wetness" and "Rate" Dismissal:* At 0:10:08-0:10:15, I state that "wetness" and "rate" aren't audio effects. Ms. Taxxon points out "wet signal" is a common term, and "rate" is a parameter in many effects.
* *Waveform Sound Inaccuracies:* At 0:10:34-0:10:55, the examples given for sine, square, triangle, and sawtooth waveforms are deemed inaccurate by Ms. Taxxon.
* *Sawtooth Patch Misstatement:* At 0:10:55-0:11:00, the claim that *Resonance*'s main patch is a sawtooth wave is contradicted. Ms. Taxxon clarifies it's a complex saw wave patch, not a basic one.
* *Toto's "Africa" Waveform Error:* At 0:11:07-0:11:12, the assertion that *Africa* uses no typical waveforms due to FM synthesis is refuted. Ms. Taxxon explains that FM synthesis still uses basic waveforms as building blocks.
* *NES Sawtooth Wave Inaccuracy:* At 0:11:24-0:11:26, the statement that the NES sound chip can't produce sawtooth waves is deemed incorrect.

This video is art - it is my art. I spent a month creating it on my own - I will not take it down for anyone, even if interpretatively incorrect. I suppose if you believe everyone should be ashamed of their mistakes, you might think differently. I am not one for shame. This video was a step in my learning process - it has taught me seriousness in my work. This, one of the grossest mistakes of my life online, is part of my all too human legacy. I live with that, happily.

[xeno]

Resonance is a song that makes you imagine a life you wanted to have rather than memory’s of when you were little

[yodailyspazz]

Before watching: seems like this could be an interesting video

After watching: what is music tho

[nathancraig]

Someday I’m gonna be able to understand this without pausing every 5 seconds

[Mattwon]

Lets not forget that Home was 16 years old when he started and 17 when he finally finished it. Been listening to this masterpiece for years. And the feeling it gives me each time i listen to it just doesn't shift. What A Song...

[David-bvgb]

HOME on his blog : Someone made a 12 minute analysis of Resonance on youtube and i feel like they put more effort into the video than i did the song, I wrote it in my boxers and probably didnt spend more than a day on it total

[zwxnxwzwxn]

In case you wanna hear more songs like Resonance, here's a small list i've made:

A.L.I.S.O.N - Passenger
Krosia - Azur
oDDling - Ascend
VOYAGER & A.L.I.S.O.N - Echo Chamber
Memorex Memories - Curious Alice
LÜNE - Rêve Lucide
Forhill & oDDling - Supernal
Saint Seduce & Winston - Sedna
Voyage - Interestellar
Unfound - Without
Zane Alexander - At Dusk
Emil Rottmayer - Descend (the whole album is a nostalgic masterpiece)

[juandiegoprado]

I discovered this song during my first year of college. I instantly fell in love with it and began listening to it a lot, especially whenever I would drive back to my university after visiting home. After a while, I began assimilating that drive back with the song, and the scenery and sunsets (I usually drove back in the late afternoon) became even more beautiful. Now whenever I hear this song, it brings back memories of that drive and of all my wonderful first year memories. I'd say this is the song that brings the most nostalgia to me.

[DragonballBlack]

Didn’t know I was taking a crash course in “how to play a piano”

[glass]

I was expecting a psychological dispute, not... notes.

[ongka]

I've seen a meme about a physics professor saying, "C'mon, this is not a music theory."


I never understood it until now...

[blurrydotto]

You have to be very special to keep me interested in something that i know nothing about

[Corrupted]

*If you're in my age group ( 20 - 30 ) please listen to "HOME - 17"* and let me know if it feels like painful nostalgia to you too, it makes me feel extremely empty, happy and scared at the same time. Its absolutely crazy, like my brain cant handle all the feelings and it just telling me to stop - I'd guess something in that song triggers a memory from reaaaally young childhood days, but most people seem to actually enjoy that song. Anyone else having a similiar experience? Im 24, if that helps

[LeLeonTanis]

i like how you explain some pretty advanced music theory in 10 minutes and then end the video with
"and it's *pretty easy* to understand why resonance is so nostalgic"

[neonflavored]

"The music theory behind this song is pretty simple"
**Proceeds to cure the AIDS virus**

[aidanthornbury]

Never knew how ignorant I was of how complex music theory is...

[Solar_Sounds]

Trying to explain why Home - Resonance sounds so nostalgic, with music theory, is like trying to explain why chocolate tastes so good by listing all the chemical compounds instead of describing how it tastes in your mouth. BTW I make synthwave/chillsynth music if yall wanna check it out, I'd really appriciate it! :)

[liger_error]

Vaporwave is kinda the aesthetic built around this kind of music

[fojez_]

Minecraft songs are the most nostalgic songs I've ever heard

[callmeblue]

Comments 10 months ago: mramazing big brain music man
Comments now: N O