You should have called this “plin plin plon-explained”

You don't need booger-kid. Your opinions and lore speculations are valued and appreciated.

I'd just like to add that the entire composition of the Gwyn, Lord of Cinder boss theme uses only the white keys. It's almost like the composition itself fears the Dark, just like Gwyn.

Hmm... Yes... I know some of these words

there's something so inherently and unmistakably _sad_ about Gwyn's theme that transcends game mechanics or technical explanation, there's so much in those piano notes that feels like slow crumbling stuff, frost and dust; asphyxiation and a vast grayness... perfect for Dark Souls

“It’s almost like putting down an old, sick dog.” God damn. That hit way too close to home.

Smough pieces with Havel chest armor in the ending scene? Someone call the fashion police!

I read the title as “How Dark Souls turns moths into music” and I was like “Yeah. How _does_ Dark Souls turn moths into music?!”

Nope, adding lore relation to the music motif is cool and important

Nice video and analysis; only criticism would be that the booger-kid segments seemed to break the flow of the video and felt a bit out of place.

Gwyns fight was without a doubt one of the most emotional final boss fights. You've fought grand monsters, stared down dragons and won the great flames through trial of combat. You've harshed a swamp of poisons and braved a fortress of one thousands traps. You've died over and over, on the verge of losing your humanity. You've traverses the abyss and entered a soft and gentle world within a painting and traversed the palace of the gods. You've killed a dragon . You've experienced such grandeur and you finally reach the kiln of the first flame. The aether surrounds you as you step in, the unresting souls of the knights who died walk aimlessly. You enter this ashen, barren place and a sense of dread over comes you. There's no enemies. Not for a short while, which is odd. You're used to ay least lesser hollows stuck in their insanity, lone and cowering. Then you see your first enemy. A knight of Gwyn. He charges you, alone. Defending his lord to his final death. If you choose to fight, he dies if not, he chases you down, not willing to let you win. You continue and see a second. He charges too, the balance you gold on the thick, fallen beams covered in ash. If you loom you find the remains of a dead knight, lying on the edge of precipice. It was at this moment the desolation really hit me. There's nothing. Everything was burned away to ash aside from five knights. Strong but nothing compared to their former self. The bleak and grey colour scheme is a fair cry from the greys, greens and neon oranges we've seen before. There's nothing. As you reach the kiln, you find the final three guards, the best of the five knights, wielding the great axe, a weapon requiring enormous strength. The halberd, a weapon of emmense dexterity and speed but still unwieldy for most. After finishing them off, collecting the various shards they drop. And you're faced with a wall of fog. Eager to finish this, to fulfil your duty or usurp the mantle of lord you pass through. Instead of some hulking spider beast, or a pair of golden clad giants. Instead of a God, you see a man. And with him you hear the score. It's so basic, so plain compared to the other musical notes but it's beautiful. Standing there, flamong sword in hand, he jumps, willing to do anything to keep the flame burning as he had before. But he isn't a God. He's a husk. The remains of a god gone mad with want and fear. He charges, seeing you as a threat. The music doesn't change. Theres no crescendo, no powerful swell to indicate immense power. His attack is weak compared to what it once was. This musical score was one of the most amazing I'd ever heard in a game. The song at the end of the game was a perfect representation of the struggle to survive and to keep the flame going, despite its inevitable snuffing

Am I the only one that is totally cool with you going into the lore of the game as much as the structure behind its music?

I have NO FREAKING IDEA what is going on in this video... but I still find it SO FASCINATING. I'm definetly waching more of your stuff and sending it to my more musically inclined friends.

Oh, I was going to write a comment about the booger kid segments but turns out you have a super awesome fan base that has said everything I could possibly say way better than I could have said it. I was honestly interested in hearing your thematic ideas on the music, and the booger kid was legitimately annoying because he was censoring my favorite part of the video.

also, please make more "how to develop small ideas into full song" type of videos. Stuff like arrangement and development. There seems to be a lack of good videos of this on youtube. Would love you long time.

A is lonliness B is false redemption(variation 2 is defeat) C is resignation thats how I initially receive it and that build up at C I think is meant to be last breath of will to fight 9:33 I feel like its the element of doubt 11:25 I think it can be called "realisation on what is to come"

2:07 i Just got distracted with the genius that is fighting Gwyn with a lightining spear...

"You can get away with writing 15 seconds of music and stretching it out however long it needs to be." *looks at Toby Fox *looks at Homestuck in general Yeah.

Jeez, the music in Dark Souls is pure genious, love how most of the pieces are so fitting with the context of the chapter of the story

I always feel so excited when I see a video of yours in my sub box.

Could I trouble you to dissect one Souls piece in particular? The Twin Princes from Dark Souls 3 [Yuka Kitamura - [Dark Souls III #21] Lorian, Elder Prince & Lothric, Younger Prince] is overpowering and forceful, but why?

I think I've learned more from you about composing/songwriting than from any other youtube channel and I've just watched 3 of your videos so far... great work!

Would love to see some more videos on the Dark Souls OST. I'm not very buff on my music theory but there's a lot of motifs that get brought up, particularly with any of the chaos demon related fights (Quelaag, Centipede Demon etc). Exceptionally strong use of brass in those pieces and there's a 3 note descending pattern that's used in all of those fights that is kind of similar to Gwyn's motif. If anyone else has any cool DS soundtrack thoughts hmu I need that like I need hard drugs.

Wow, this video really helped me get some things about music structure to click in my head, and you've done a great job of explaining how different parts of the song fit together to build a powerful, unified piece. Your discussion of lore also provides good context for the piece as a whole and for particular sections of it. I particularly like the way you relate the notes trailing off toward the end to the flame burning out. Outstanding explanation, thank you!

Awesome video man. I love the tie in of lore to the analysis of the piece. Thank you, I hope to see more !!!

I've remembered and learnt a lot of composition techniques with your videos, and more importantly so, how to put them into practice with memorable examples. Thanks a lot for your videos!

Thank you SO MUCH for taking on this subject! This a theme that I've been discussing with friends, and been surprised that not many people noticed, haven't seen any of your videos before this one I was expecting a more narrative thematic analysis from the player's perspective. If you pay attention (assuming you go through the game in a more or less intended route) you can notice the rise of intensity in the music until you talk to Gwynevere, where your discover you role, and from then on a descending theme right up until the battle with Gwyn. Althought this was WAY more technical than I expected, I enjoyed it lot and learned a lot about music theory. Again, thank you so much!

This is an incredible video, I'm about to binge on all your videos. I'm actually learning music theory from this, and that's smashing! Thank you for the work put into this video!

I've been kinda obsessed with music theory videos for a few months now and this is easily one of my favourites. You're just changing my whole understanding of musical motifs.

Nice video, really helped me in the structuring process of composition, keep up the good work.

I think your videos are the ones that makes me the most excited when I see them in my feed!

Ive been looking for a channel like this for ages......Thank you for coming up with such a great niche.

For the short time I subbed, I noticed one thing. All your videos are gold! I'm super excited to see more, as each one of your videos can really make my day.

this was the first video of yours that I had seen, and I would just like to say. it is utterly refreshing to listen to something about on Dark Souls I have no knowledge of. Brilliant work dood.

This looks like I'd need at least 3 hands to play it on piano

Dammit I freaking love this channels so much. It takes both of my loves of music and video games and analyzes what makes our favorites so great. It’s so interesting and so well done, thank you SO much. I hope all the best for this channel.

Okay, you are a saint for making this video. Sakuraba has honestly given me so much inspiration in my compositions and now I understand what he's doing it's lifesaving. Thanks :D

Your best video yet. Seriously keep it up bud these videos are great.

This was a fantastic video. Good work!

I just found your channel and can't get enough of this.. I've watched all of your content in two days. I've been writing a lot lately and video game music has always been a huge inspiration for me. I think hearing ocarina of times soundtrack so much as a kid is what even got me into loving music in the first place. either way I absolutely love this stuff so keep going!

Damn. You're good. I look forward to watching your channel grow! Thank you for the awesome video :)

Just subbed today. I've only seen 2 videos so far but pleeeeeease keep going! It's been too long since I've even looked sideways at music theory and your videos are awesome and educational (and go way over my head sometimes but still interesting!). You actually spurred me to pull out my piano and play it again (haven't done that in a decade). Thank you!!!

I find myself coming back to this video several times a year to help with my writing

This is legit the best new channel on youtube right now, great content

Damn dude. This video is amazing. I love the way you dissected this song. How do you not have more subscribers?

I gotta say, this channel is amazing and informative in a very accessible way. thank you for doing this

I love all your videos. such musical mind candy. Thank you. please keep up the excellent work.

watched most of your videos up to now. There's both clarity in explanations and analysis depth, please make a video about games that use layered tracks, such as Darkest Dungeon

This video was very interesting to me, I have studied the psychology of gaming and books, and it is great to see the musical science to it also. Thank you. Subbed.

Loving all your videos!!!

Actually amazing, I am going to be learning chord theory from a music major friend of mine due to your videos. I understand vaguely about tonics and chord movements, and due to your videos, my curiosity has been piqued enough for me to want to learn and memorize fully.

I think... I'm going to marathon your videos. This one was really informative. Also, you don't have to downplay how the story and music are related. I think it really helped with the explanations.

Why didn't I find this channel sooner? This is amazing!

love this so much, so helpful for composing!

i gotta give it to you with the patron ad at the end . that was funny af

I subbed because of this video. Would love to see more Dark Souls music analysis / ways of song development etc.

Its nice to see every day there's more and more channels that go into the *art* part of videogames, making analysis and recognizing the hard work, talent and beauty that is behind a lot of really well made videogames. Its also nice to see that along all of these channels that analyse writing, structure, gameplay, music, lore... there's always a constant: Dark Souls. That game is definitely something else.

I think this is one of your best video !!

oh btw, i think how the bass line repeats endlessly like a hollow, while the mighty theme of what gwyn once was plays over it trying to overshadow it, but never able to.

Your videos are awesome!! I grew up listening exclusively to video game music, which I would hum and sing to myself all the time. Then I took a music theory class many years ago and loved it. But I never saw them brought together until your videos... and it's so inspirational!!! I honestly might get my keyboard and dig up my old copy of Sibelius to try my hand at composing again :)

As a senior in high school and a percussionist who took AP Music Theory and absolutely loved it, not to mention being a gamer from around the time the N64 came out, seeing two of my favorite things blended together in a channel like this is absolutely amazing. Thank you for your services.

I'm in love with this channel and this is the only video I've seen. I hope to see more videos like this on your channel. I love music theory... I've been out of it for half a decade though...

KZfaq recommended this video to me because I watched some Sideways videos. You two are a breath of fresh air to the musical scene in this platform.

I love your music lectures. I've been playing piano for 20 years and still learning more and more about music theory. I've never studied in college. These kinds of videos are great for moving forward from your basic music theory

SUBBED! I look forward to catching up on all your content. Thanks for doing this!

That was a great insight in my favorite Piano piece, tyvm!!

great analysis. love the song. keep it up!

Dude, the work you make is unbelievably good. I mean, there isn't more niche oriented shit to me than having a very specific dark souls theme used to explain music composing in less than 15 minutes. This is the first video I see and I just love you so much for putting this out there. Thank you so much and please keep up this amazing work

This may be my new favorite channel.

I feel so good when I understand one of your videos.

Very much of a Dark Souls fan. Just found your channel and instantly subscribed.

hey, great video! that was a really great analysis of the song and an interesting video, you definately know your stuff

I lost it when the snot kid from wind waker came on screen and the voice you used fitted that moment perfectly

Man I really enjoyed this video. I know nothing about Dark Souls but this makes me really interested in the game as well as makes me think about how I can become a better composer. You're totally awesome. Keep it up!!

this is super helpful for composition techniques.

Very helpful stuff, thanks for this.

Great work man. You need more subs

Nice video, but don't be afraid to put the theory in 8-bit music theory. You don't need to restrain yourself from the lore of the game based on one subset of your subscribers, and you don't need booger-kid.

Love to see you do this with the dark souls 3 return of this motif.

10:26 I love those filthy low bass notes on bars 74 and 78.

I would love to see a video discussing the music of kingdom hearts. I'm not really musically skilled, but something about KH's music keeps it stuck in my brain more than any other game I've played. Thank you for these amazing videos in general!

I'm glad someone with knowledge of music theory is analyzing video games. Exactly what I've been looking for. Thx

Absolutely loved everything about the analysis, but please, in the future, feel free to continue your thoughts on how the piece relates back to the themes of the game. Great video :)

Excellent analysis!

Major theory fan and dark souls fan here. I loved music theory classes in high school, and I'm quite frankly amazed at how clear and concise you are with explaining your observations in this video. I feel bad for anyone that doesn't understand what you're talking about here, because this is really something special. I never put any thought into the final boss theme before, thank you.

I LOVE you man, for this video. I always thought souls 1 and 2 had uniques pieces that I only ever found on jybh012's channel and then max Richter's pieces

Hey, just found your channel, loving everything :) I've been playing guitar and writing since my early teens, now 26 and musically uneducated, but you're the first seemingly educated person I've listened to that I felt was giving _useful_ analysis -- most analysis I've found seems to be overly simplistic, be more of a reflection of the analyzer's mind rather than the piece itself, or worship the person who wrote it... but not so with you! Iow, it feels like you're objectively describing the most important elements of how a piece was actually composed which can be reapplied, rather than offering sophistry. Let's put it this way, you're making me strongly regret disregarding the academic perspective, haha. In many ways, you're putting labels on things I've already intuited from listening to music (e.g. effective/weird chord structures), and filling in gaps of knowledge I couldn't have accessed otherwise. I thought your FF7 and Mario videos were especially fantastic ;) Given my background (years of writing/playing/listening but no college music education), any advice on where to learn more effective composition, for games in particular? Or maybe that's what this channel is for... hmm. Keep up the great work!

Very cool! I don't know much of anything about music composition, but this was really neat. Edit: I'd really love to see this dissection done with DS 3's Abyss Watchers theme.

This is probably one of my favorite channels on yt, mostly because I know absolutely nothing about music. I know how to read play saxophone, but I had no idea music was so logical.

Wonderful video!!

Great video. Lots of information and good visuals so lay people like me don't get lost. Subbed.

Very useful analysis. Thank you.

Amazing video!

I don't understand anything about music, but I love games and their soundtracks, so listening to this and paralleling with Dark Soul's story motif was very enlightening, thank you.

Appartement vous êtes un super musicien pour comprendre tout ça et tout analyser, sans compter le travail d'écrire toute la musique. Merci par cette vidéo, je découvre une nouvelle musique de Sakuraba.

Thank you for putting the 5th symphony as an example.

So... OnlyAfro took simple mechanics and turned them into the amazing epitome of min-maxing PvP builds, Giant Dad. Motoi Sakuraba took simple motifs and turned them into a beautiful soundtrack, essentially min-maxing. ... OnlyAfro is Motoi Sakuraba confirmed!

i havent played through all of dark souls, ive barely played ds 3, demons souls, and bb. ive been into elden ring recently though, a lot, and im ensnared in the souls franchise before. this is the first time ive heard "Gwyn, Lord of Cinder" and im in tears. what a beautiful piece and a fantastic dissection of it.

mentioning the narrative of the game that the song comes from helps listeners understand the motive and purpose of the composer's choices. thank you for making it clear!

Love the bit about augmentation, never heard of it but I’ve seen it before. Yoko Shimomura does it I believe in “Sacred Moon” where she plays a broken motif of “Dearly Beloved”.