The PHRYGIAN Mode Feels THREATENING

The Phrygian Mode is the most threatening of the 7 major modes, even more so than the Locrian Mode! That's not a take I would've thought before doing this mode series, but looking at where you actually see these two modes used in the real world I think it's clear that the Phrygian mode feels more threatening even though the Locrian scale is technically "darker". Anyways enjoy the vid!

0:00 - What's the Phrygian Mode?
1:09 - Battle With Magus - Chrono Trigger
3:00 - The b2-1 resolution
3:35 - Gestahl Empire - Final Fantasy VI
4:49 - Those Who Fight - Final Fantasy VII
5:58 - Zoombinis
8:00 - The Sus4b9 chord
9:02 - Norfair - Metroid
9:43 - Leavetaking - Ni no Kuni II
10:46 - Ending - For the Frog the Bell Tolls
11:24 - Pokemon Trainer Battle - Pokemon Red/Blue
12:12 - The bII chord
13:10 - Hollow Bastion - Kingdom Hearts
13:41 - Brinstar Red Soil Wetlands - Super Metroid
14:15 - Pokemon Trainer Battle (again) - Pokemon Red/Blue
15:13 - Outro

#phrygian #gamemusic #8bitMusicTheory

[NickHoad]

Never in a million years did I expect the Zoombinis to show up in one of these. They did make it to at least one part of the UK in the mid-00s (not even in school, I think I got them as a Christmas present from my grandparents at some point), but I played the two sequels more.

[mikepalmer]

I'm no music theory expert, which is why I always appreciate how clearly you explain and demonstrate all these things about tones, scales, and whatnot in your videos. It never feels condescending or overbearing, and I always come away learning something new!

[yos.]

As a Spaniard, Phrygian to me is about deep passions & feelings, mystery, not threat :D my favourite mode by far. It's awesome

[rumblingrose]

You could genuinely make a full video about how phrygian defines the Pokemon battle sound (especially in Gen I). While the OSTs across the series vary significantly, the ways phrygian is used remains fairly consistent in a way that lets you know you're playing a Pokemon game.

[eosborne]

The mention of Zoombinis unlocked a memory that was lodged WAY deep in there, and now I’m feeling things about it.

[MythrilZenith]

Phrygian mode must be why I was so freaked out by Zoombinis as a kid. My memories of the game are foggy at best but always have a sense of dread along with them, like it was some terrifying game where I got all the zoombinis killed or something.

[Clymaxx]

That interplay in Hollow Bastion is such genius. The fact that it is full of wonder and curiosity, but with no room for doubt in the darkness and danger that lies there. It's very much part of what made Kingdom Hearts feel like an adventure, in the most pure form. And especially in a world not readily familiar to us.

[electropunkzero]

Understanding modes is what unlocked a lot of music for me. The gradient of major and minor modes, the characteristic notes, and how they each feel.

[NoshuHyena]

I always felt the Red Brinstar theme to be extremely peaceful. You're descending deeper into the planet at that point, and the music and environment make you feel like you're being enveloped by something unfathomably larger than you, like some sort of cosmic womb.

But it's not ominous. It's comforting. You feel you can relax and let the planet take care of you. It also helps that the enemies here are sparse and unthreatening, more like wildlife than anything.

I sometimes put an extended version of it on when I need to relax; that or the amazing remix of it in Prime 2.

[wellurban]

“Threatening” is a good description for Phrygian as it’s usually used: I remember a lot of 90s techno would use Phrygian riffs to indicate that it was proper hard, compared to fluffy house music. But as you say, it can take on some slightly less foreboding qualities depending upon context and instrumentation. In Brian Eno’s “Neroli: thinking music part IV”, the tentative rubato runs up and down the Phrygian scale feel much more pensive than threatening, to create a feeling that’s definitely ambient but not all sweetness and light.

[ventosx]

I was utterly unprepared for Zoombinis to make an appearance in an 8-bit music theory video. You have unlocked so many core memories today!

[jacobglancy]

I always felt "Strength" or "Power" may be more fitting for Phrygian than an explicitly "Evil" or "Dangerous" sense. Lovely analysis

[treehann]

I an SO glad you mentioned Zoombinis! It was an integral part of my childhood that got me hooked on puzzles and the music was so mesmerizing. I too noticed the phrygian nature while studying on the piano not long ago. Imagine my surprise when the exact same combination of topics showed up on your channel. I feel seen!

[trademarkshelton]

Super stoked to hear that someone else has played Zoombinis before—I’m not Canadian, but I did play it as a kid.

I did want to add that after studying some Balinese Gamelan music in college, I started to think that the main Zoombini theme might be inspired by one of the main Gamelan modes—it’s sort of a Phrygian version of a pentatonic scale (think mi-fa-so-ti-do), and the Zoombini theme emphasizes those particular notes of the mode.

[gaudrhin]

I'm 38. Chrono Trigger has been my favorite video game since I was 11. I majored in music theory, and it was then that I learned what the modes were, and fell in love with Phrygian.

Now... I understand so much of why.

[braydenjones]

I have been thinking about the original trainer battle music from Pokémon recently. It's so great!!!! I noticed the use of the flat second throughout but I didn't realize that it might have a connection to the Phrygian mode. I simply thought it was a neat modulation trick to create intensity in the piece. I can't express how amazing of a theme it is, and how well it does its job! It is not only harmonically interesting, it is very melodic and memorable, as well as being very fast-paced, with much chromaticism. It is absolutely phenomenal!

I also love how you pointed out that in "Those Who Fight", from Final Fantasy VII, the natural minor section sounds almost hopeful in comparison to the previous Phrygian section. I have always thought the same. That was really cool to have an insight as to why that is the case. Thanks for the wonderful video!

[Kylora]

Phrygian is also an amazing mode for writing thrash metal riffs. And Phrygian Dominant is just an awesome scale to shred over.

Why yes, I *am* a huge fan of James Hetfield and Ritchie Blackmore! What made you ask?

[gearandalthefirst]

Huh. Apparently I've been writing in Phrygian like a LOT as I've started writing hardcore and horror punk bass parts. I don't know much music theory so I just thought it was "minor with a few extra spicy notes" but looking back, the notes I've added and replaced line up perfectly with Phrygian. Really shows how ingrained these feelings are in the cultural consciousness ig lmao.
Great video! Glad to have the information to go forwards with more conscious intention now!

[mathieulefo]

The Zoombinis part made this canadian who grew up in the early 2000s go for a trip down memory lane. Great video, as always

[minmodulation]

The "Altered Scale" for use over dominant chords uses a lot of Phrygian energy to increase tension. When I was learning jazz stuff and there was all this mystery around "Altered" dominant chords, just learning about Phrygian Dominant and really banging on that flat 2nd helped illuminate it a lot.