Harmonic Rhythm Explained in 5 Minutes

In this video we'll listen to music from various Zelda games to understand harmonic rhythm. Time for some Legend of Zelda Music Theory!

Harmonic rhythm is like a middle layer that composers can use to control the pacing of their music. By controlling the pace of your chords you can create tension and suspense, or build excitement.

We'll listen to examples from classic games like The Adventure of Link, Breath of the Wild, Spirit Tracks and Ocarina of Time.

It's not just useful in video game music; harmonic rhythm is something you should be aware of when writing film music, songwriting, jazz, or any style with a chord progression!

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#musictheory
#harmonic rhythm
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[androodle]

Wow, I cannot believe how underrated your channel is! So much information!

[ultramarinetoo]

This is something I've literally never thought about, other than scrambling for the next chord in some pieces ;-). As someone who doesn't write music, I find it really interesting to peek behind the curtain as it were - thank you.
And if you take requests: I would love is an in depth series on how composers create different emotions with various techniques. I sometimes get really annoyed when film music lays it on too thick and it feels manipulative to me. I'd love to understand just how they are doing it.

[ECoRubik]

Top content! Very interesting and well presented. I liked the diagrams and the visuals. You surely deserve more views. Keep up the good work!

[garenmeinerding]

I’m so glad somebody is acknowledging the field theme from spirit tracks, I’ve always thought it was forgotten by everyone.

[neolyth]

I use harmonic rhythm alot but i still really enjoyed your video! love zelda's music and the comparisons are very good. subbed for sure. keep it up!

[KristopherEstesBrown]

New favorite channel. Time to binge every video. Get content!

[julianmor]

So excited to see how fast your channel has grown in the last couple of months. Keep it up Ryan!

[notimetoi]

this channel needs A LOT more attention!

[xFranMusic]

This is extremely useful! I had certain idea about this concept but never knew about it formally

[Gaut]

It's a concept quite simple to understand but your video reaaally help me today. Thank you Ryan !

[itsgoubie]

Ryan Leach i love your channel so much. Thank you!

[aroujekld]

You are amazing at explaining! Really informational, thank you!

[RunCoffeeBeer]

Heyo Captain! The Zelda run down was sweet - Can you do a video on the Gerudo Valley from Ocarina Of Time? K Thanks!

[OrisStories]

Hi Ryan, just wanted to take the time to tell you I stumbled upon your channel this week and that I have been enjoying your stuff tremendously! I don't understand how you don't have more views. Please keep it up, I am having a great time learning! :)

[rymn]

Thanks alot for this short but very informative video, well built and clear. Imma start building muisic with more distinct feelings :)

[ianlarsen]

Thank you for sharing these insights! I love that you chose Legend of Zelda as an example, it's my favorite video game series and I love its music.

One small critique of this video I would make, though... the subtitles of your video are kind of off. I can tell you wrote them yourself, but about a minute into the video, they fall out of place and don't match the words you're speaking. I didn't need the subtitles to understand, but I thought I'd just let you know just in case.

[azielross]

Do you ever think you could do an analysis on kingdom hearts music? I‘ve seen a good amount of breakdowns on kingdom hearts composition but I’d like to see what you take from yoko’s music in the game

[Markrspooner]

Really great stuff Ryan and makes a lot of sense

[nathanmaxwell]

Not sure why you didn't put Zelda or Zelda Music in the title. Not much would've changed about how much of the video I watched (all of it, several times), but I would've clicked on it a lot faster

[casperdewith]

3:55 I feel like the duplicate thirds under the melody in the last bar are not there, yet they are in the transcription. Is this me completely overhearing something?