Evolution of Zelda Music | Ganon's Theme
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- čas přidán 7. 06. 2024
- This is the Evolution of Ganon's theme aka Priest of the Dark Order (Ganondorf). We see Koji Kondo compose an intro to Ganon in 1986 which becomes the building blocks of every Ganon theme for the next 40 years. Parallel fourths moving chromatically, and there are nods to this theme EVERYWHERE.
There's even a subtle cue that appears a few places and holds more meaning than meets the eye. Wait till the end 😉
I'll post a long, "uncut" version (which is still highly edited) 58 minutes long for those who want all the juicy details. I cut 2/3 of the content from the final video.
This video took me a long time to compile a list this extensive, so please like, subscribe, share with a friend, or support me on Patreon.
Patreon.com/zeldamusictheory
Have an amazing, blessed day.
Kevin
ZMT
Normal melody: oh wow this nice!
Same melody in parallel fourths: *so you have chosen death*
This is actually hilarious 😆 I was reminded of your Ganondorf video about the octatonic scale. I didn't get into it this video but parallel fourths and octatonic scale (and at times whole tone scale like in the Blight Ganon theme before it loops) are extremely common in Zelda battle and boss music. And I guess bII chords as well, or Phrygian mode. Hope you're well man!
Just stack 4ths to make a mega terrifying set of chords. It can get to be too much, but it also just sounds menacing.
You can make twinkle twinkle little star sound like you're about to get shredded.
Ah yes of course Ganon's secret instrument is the woodblock just like Link has the Harp and the Ocarina, Ganon has the Woodblock and the Organ
kinda fitting, given that one of the first things he does in the games chronologically is kill a tree
MORE WOODBLOCK!!
The Legend of Ganon: Woodblock of Time
The wood block sound is hyōshigi, used in Japanese theater to get the audience's attention and announce the beginning of the play.
Ganons theme is probably one of the best antagonist themes in my opinion!!
The wood block implying Dark Beast Ganon is just a puppet is genius.
Shoutout to Ganon's theme being used in phase 2 of Colgera. It's in the bass voice and it's subtle but it's there. References like this are all over the place and I know there are more. THAT is incredible storytelling in the music alone.
Take a shot of Lon Lon Milk every time he says "wow"
Wind Waker's version definitely sounds more melancholy than previous versions, and parts of it have a sort of tired tone, which really makes this Ganondorf stand out from the others!
It also goes well with the fact this Ganon is one of the most human ones. Well, Goron but you see what I mean.
Zelda composers are so passionate with those subtle references they thought no one would hear. Not until Zelda Music Theory channel was created ahah now they have you on their way so I hope they'll be even subtler next time!
Amazing video by the way
Hahaha at times I feel like they include these references just for me to find 🤣 TY!
Such a shame he can't tell the difference between Ganon and Ganondorf.
@@n1nj4l1nk come on, he can clearly tell the difference, it was just not the point of the video. And both are deeply linked and most of the time are one just like they share music similarities.
@@n1nj4l1nk 🤣 Sometimes it’s about convenience or marketing rather than accuracy of the lore. It’s not that kind of video.
My favorite thing about learning all these motifs and how they evolved is that I get to listen for them in the next game and it all just adds to the continued familiarity!
And that final reference, calling back to WW, was so cool!! I LOVE how the loz composers piece these works together.
The Windwaker Ganon's castle theme reminds me of the Spirit Temple theme from Ocarina of Time. Could be a tribute to Ganondorf's origins in the Gerudo desert.
This is my Roman Empire
A new Zelda music theory video?? Quite literally the best birthday present I could ask for 😂💚
Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday!!! May all your wildest dreams come true.
Happy birthday attention seeker!!
Well then, happy birthday
Happy birthday!
These themes are so iconic
>new ZMT
>dedicated solely to my favorite villain
LET'S GO.
Amazing work! Also glad to hear someone else say demon dragon is one of their favourite Zelda themes ever. The ganondorf boss battle theme and demon dragon were someone of the most underrated themes in the entire franchise… no idea why. Keep these videos pumping 🙏🏻🫶🏻
Gotta react to that one soon
@@ZeldaMusicTheory keen to see it brother 🫶🏻
HEY THAT LAST ONE IS USED FOR THE YIGA CLAN TOO!!!!!
banana
Yiga, a link to the past ganon snd twilight castle sounds a lot alike
Love the great sea is cursed feels fast paced
7:53 That growling sound in the Earth Temple would be the Didgeridoo. A wind instrument used in Indeginous Australian music.
I came here to comment that I was pretty sure it’s a didgeridoo.
It's actually considered to be in the same family as brass instruments rather than winds because it has no reed.
@@thepotatoportal69 brass is still in the wind category. I'm assuming you thought I said "woodwind"?
@@BenthovenMusic My bad
@@thepotatoportal69 Not all woodwinds have reeds, because flutes (and similar instruments like panpipes) are also classified under woodwinds. You're right that brass fits under "wind instruments" (or Aerophones) alongside woodwind, and that the Didj is classified as a natural trumpet.
All wind instruments make sound by vibrating a column of air, but the defining feature of a brass instrument is that the vibration comes from the player's lips (as it does with both a didgeridoo and a trumpet), whereas the construction of a woodwind instrument is what causes the air to vibrate, by splitting the air on a sharp edge such as a reed or the mouthpiece of a flute.
I've heard the woodblock/timpani hits right before priest of the dark order and my theory on it is that it represents the tension before a reincarnation or ultimate form of Ganon / Ganondorf. There's always been a pause of sorts between forms to emphasize the dread of what's coming but the addition of a quiet knocking sound actually brings the suspense up.
I don’t know what it is abt your vids but they are FANTASTIC. I don’t even play piano and I still find a way to enjoy them.
Hahaha I work really hard to try to make them as entertaining as possible for those who 1 Don't know the games' music and 2 Don't know a lot about music in general. Thanks for the comment!
I love these videos. I'm doing a second run through botw right now, and now I just stop and listen to the music in each new place. But my favorite music is the fi al stage in tears.
Love it. BOTW has really good music, it's just different than people have come to expect.
Here it is!! Yesssss!!! 🙌
the evolution of ganon's theme is truly something spectacular! my favorite has to be the oot one!
From 19:11 to 19:14 you can hear notes which sound vaguely similar to Sauron's/Necromancer's theme. Or at least I can hear it.
I'm surprised you didn't mention how Tears of the Kingdom's Phantom Ganon fight theme ends with a reference to the intro to Priest of the Dark order from A Link to the Past. Although you probably mentioned it already in another video.
Anyway, great video!
Haha yes in my Kass video (2 videos ago). and that's an amazing quote.
Sick as always. Shout out to the composers for always connecting the themes
love ganons theme!!!!
Covering Gannon/Ganondorf's theme. Nice
I don't know what video you would fit it into, but you have to do a deep dive into the Dark Beast Ganon fight from BOTW. Because the fight itself is so lackluster, it's criminally underrated.
I'm glad someone else felt that way- it was an amazing idea that was again just way too easy. I loved the part leading up to it, but the actual fight was like Colgera. Which again I loved, and had amazing music, but was like a 1.5/10 difficulty level.
I'm really sorry ... but... I can't get out of my head the "SUAVEMENTE" from the memes xD
🤣
Jajajaja!
"You have caught me, mid suave"
Cucui Ganon
Yesssss I’ve been waiting for this one!!!!!
11:19
I think a little bit of the melody from that theme plays in the TotK final trailer... not sure though
(Ganon's theme also definitely plays in that trailer)
Why isn’t this getting so many views?
TY for the compliment 😁 It's on track with my best 2-3 videos for its timeframe so far. We'll see haha. I've been very blessed on this channel.
I love the constant face of disgust haha.
The music is so good. Love hearing people delving deep into it.
The bit you were talking about around 3 minutes in from LTTP is also used for the time of falling rain, and in the prelude. I feel like I have heard the bit from the early part of the prelude where it evolves into something sweet and poignant somewhere else, in different instrumentation, but I can't place it. Might just be a remix I got somewhere along the line I guess.
Love love love your content!
I feel like Wind Waker hit it off SO hard with the music. Love the tones when hitting enemies.
A theme worthy of the villian!
I have been waiting for this video and it did not disappoint! Thank you for all your hard work!
I think parallel 4ths is such a neat choice because it makes it so easy to sneak those tri-tones in.
Ganon’s theme is so good and dark keep up the good work ❤❤❤
Yet another banger, keep up the wonderful work man, I look forward to these videos every time they drop. I love the fact that you found some of these references. I look forward to the next!
Lets goooo another fire vid
Bruh you missed one in Twilight Princess! It plays part way through in the one on one fight against Ganondorf. I can't believe you didn't include that. Great video though and Ganondorf's theme is one of the best themes.
Very cool dude! Superb!
Great work, man!
Really enjoy your content! Keep it coming :)
Another upload! I’m so ready 😤
Beautiful! Love this 😊
Another brilliant video!! And the dad jokes are top notch! 👌 😂
My all time favorite character of all time!!
I just realized the intro for the organ piece for Inside Ganon's Castle was reused for Ganondorf's intro when he first appears in-person at Hyrule Castle in Twilight Princess!
0:11 Not all Links are called the "Hero of Time", the Hero of Time is Link in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask.
Yep. Hero of Twilight, Hero of Wind, Hero of Wild etc. In BoTW and ToTK, the outfits you can find seem to name the different heros.
live chat would be perfect for this channel!
I appreciate this comment, I REALLY want to figure out how to do that. I did buy a laptop partly for that purpose. I literally have tiers in Patreon for theme analysis requests live streaming. I just need to figure out how to hook up camera, mic, piano, CZcams, it's so daunting 😬
This goes DEEP great video! 😃
Zelda AND music theory? These videos are so insanely good. Thanks for the great content
Amazing video!, I love every iteration of Ganondorf theme since A Link to the Past
OMG amazing video!!!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS!! I just geeked out so hard on this (and I loved the dad jokes)!!!!
:O coool -the hidden intro to gannons theme!-
The most clear feeling i get from Ganon's theme is that he is the dissonance.
I mean, all seems perfectly normal. Is not so much different from a normal melody, you may say that even is not "malefic" per se, until suddenly he hits the most unusual note in the most unexpected moment, driving you into musical chaos as you fail to follow the subsequent second. And the use of some chords in specific moments drives you deeper.
Wow, I never paid attention to this music detail 😂😂💯Well done for the observation Im geeking out here 😂🫰🏿💯‼️♥️
Wind Waker’s Ganondorf theme still gives me chills, the added inversion gives so much depth to his character and immediately tells us his whole story.
The original theme ascending slowly but steadily, telling us of the threat he used to be, creeping up on the kingdom of Hyrule. And the descending inversion echoing in the background signifying his downfall along with the old Hyrule, fading slowly into oblivion while desperately clinging to the past.
It‘s fitting that the final fight is where this descending theme finally breaks through, as his last hope of reviving Hyrule is snatched away in front his eyes and he has nothing left but to struggle in vain, knowing his fate is sealed for good.
This channel is like 8-Bit Music Theory, except with more Zelda. Love it.
That was my intent in the very beginning. 8bitmusictheory, or maybe more stylistically like Charles’s Cornell, but only Zelda. When I started 8Bit only had 7 videos on Zelda. In 6 years. I was like Dang somebody’s gotta do Zelda 😂
I love Zelda and music your channel is probably one of my top 3 Zelda channels that I'm subscribed to love your channel
Out of curiosity, who else should I be watching/listening to? (Other Zelda and/or music content creators)
i actually got shivers when i heard the woodblock hits in botw. great video
The first time I saw DORF was when I was 3 or 4 years old... Influenced by his absolutely majestic look, he began to follow through my life. And here I am, 20 years later, still engulfed by GANONDORFS never ending splendor! Probably the best character in video games ever
"Wow"
Just stopped by because, since figuring out the crazy phrasing in Ganondorf's OoT, my head is constantly going
"1 & a 2 & a 3 & a 4 e & a,
1 & a 2 & a 3 e & a" lol
Now I can't unhear it... I just saw a Reese's commercial that I caught part of this from
Yknow, I thought I was subscribed, turns out I wasn't, why CZcams? 😢
Also, you've gotta be one of my favorite people for breaking down music because you're not afraid to dive into one of the deepest chasms where no motif goes unrepeated.
I try to balance going into the weeds with keeping it engaging. But I love breaking down music a little slower than most. Especially Zelda
Ganon theme suits the Excessive Machine from Barbarella.
I can just imagine Ganon playing that song on his organ while he is draining Princess Zelda inside that large Rupee in the final arc of Ocarina of Time.
That was just my own interpretation of that music when Link is walking up those stairs inside Ganon's Tower.
I wish I could double like these videos
I believe ganon's theme was called something different when I made it to debut and a link to the past because it was a social with agonym and we didn't even know that ganon was involved until near the end. So people never played A Link to the past but played the later games are already going to be spoiled as soon as they hear gannon's theme or whatever it was called back in that particular game
Hello, would you consider doing a Q&A session? I think you have built a great channel and it would be good to either have a video where we can submit questions, or perhaps do a live stream where we can talk all things Zelda!
Yeah I would. That's a good idea.
Yes!!!
Hey Keven👋🏻 first of all, I’m a huge fan of your videos. I just subscribed to your channel and was hoping to give you an idea for future content when you have the time. I love the hyrule warriors games and especially love the music in them. My hope is that in the future you might react to the soundtrack of both games cause for spin-offs they took amazing inspiration from the main games in their themes. Age of calaimity’s decisive battle against calamity ganon was in my opinion the best final battle theme in all of Zelda before tears of the kingdom. If anything you should check out that theme. Keep up the amazing work!😁
I will give you a cool detail since you commented 😁👍🏼 I just listened to that track (for the first time)... Go to 3:11 and listen carefully. Do you hear a theme quoted? I'm not sure if it's intentional, maybe you know better than I would because I haven't played the game.
Answer...
Zelda's Lullaby 3 note motif. Very cool! (Even if it's not intentional it's fun to speculate).
7:56 I believe that is a jaw harp
The only thing I would add is Demise’s theme. Listening to is it continues the legacy of the Sone but there are no half steps. I suppose that could also imply that there was no deception or half measures with that character.
Wow. Regarding that secret reference, I actually thought it was a reference to something else at first. Spoilers for the end of this video but also a TotK cutscene
When I was first heard that click-clacking effect in the Imprisoning War memory, I assumed it was a direct reference to the general battle theme in Tears of the Kingdom. An identical clacking sound (I wish I knew what instrument it was) plays at the beginning of the overworld and cave variations of the battle themes. Which I think is fitting, considering the secret reference you picked up on and how many of these monsters were directly created and commanded by Ganondorf in this game.
Twilight Princess's music went HARD
The clicks talked about in the end with beast Ganon sound similar to Majora's theme.
The weird instrument in the Earth Temple is a didgeridoo. Think Gungans on Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace for another pop culture reference
What did they/Jar Jar have to do with...didgeridoos? i think of rescuers down under & jojo's part 3/6, personally
@@GalekC the Gungan’s war horn is one. It’s a neat instrument with a unique sound
Top
One of my favorites to point out is that in TP, just after Midna addresses him as Ganondorf, he stands up while the original Ganon motif from Zelda 1 plays.
Here it is in Zelda 1: czcams.com/video/O33Xybjegtc/video.htmlsi=vCTXA-29tNpmUHnA&t=3
and here it is in TP: czcams.com/video/wKP--tiiFAU/video.htmlsi=IeGs57mGjB5TfXU9&t=33
Tetra!!!! TY for sending links- it makes it so much easier to find stuff. WOW, not only that, then it plays the intro to Ganon's Tower from OoT! Super cool references, I definitely would have included those if I knew. What's crazy is I've never seen that cutscene before. I cannot believe I haven't beaten TP.
@@ZeldaMusicTheory No time like the present!
You should analyze the Oracle games’ soundtracks. They are so unique while retaining the Zelda charm
I really do think that the limitations of early video games were actually a boon for Nintendo. It forced them to break their music down to its most simple to convey a lot of emotion with very few sounds. As technology advanced to have more capabilities for sound design, Nintendo was poised with an absolute arsenal of simple, remixable songs that were instantly recognisable.
Many sound designers, even at big studios tend to go too big, loud, or busy, but Nintendo always seems to remember that the basics are sometimes the most effective use of limited resources. I've got my complaints about them of course, but they really do knock it out of the park with their music each time
Why isn't Gonon's Theme for Tears of the Kingdom "Suavemente"?
“I need to stop before I do all of the temples”
No, no you don’t 🙂
watching it go from 999 to 1k likes ohmaga
that woodblock part is also in the yiga clan hideout theme or just one of the ambients i forget
There is only one Hero of Time, not every Link shares that title.
Hey, could you do a video about the Sanctuary theme in Link to the Past? I have always found it fascinating how good it is and why it never came back.
That's a great theme
I was here
I know you're Zelda music theory, but Metroid is my other favorite franchise, I'd love to hear what you think about the amazing and ambient music of the Metroid verse 🥰
This is timely, I'm very seriously considering filming and launching a second channel for non-Zelda breakdowns. Matroid has to make the cut lol.
"what instrument was that"? that instrument is the didgeridoo.
Ganon :)
2023-2024 Sauvemente
So can we supposedly say that Ganondorf’s “magic” instrument is the organ? It’s a coincidence that is the same instrument the Mask Sale Man plays in Majoras Mask, what about he found a way to play the healing song and “take” the instrument from Ganon 😮😮😮😮
Hmmm.....
That one instrument was a didgeridoo.
22:13 yk what ima 1up you and say thats in the totk field batle and strong field batle bc its ganons minions