Gamer’s Kingdom - the Video Games Music Podcast

Emi Giaquinta
  • 5.0 (1)
  • VIDEO GAMES
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Do you like Video Games music or movie Soundtracks? Then this podcast is for you! I will talk about my learnings as a video-game & film composer, sharing some tips on theory. Also, share my passion as video-game fan, adding some fun-facts about them. And indeed... help you become a better composer regardless your level, analysing together songs! If you have feedback or questions please share them with me on my insta emigiaquinta!

Episodes

  1. Why Freya's Theme Never Resolves (Final Fantasy IX)

    MAR 1

    Why Freya's Theme Never Resolves (Final Fantasy IX)

    How do you score a Dragon Knight who has lost her sky? Traditional Dragoon themes soar with heroic brass, but for Freya Crescent, Nobuo Uematsu wrote a relentless, rhythmic downpour.In this episode, we dive into Dorico to analyze the tragic beauty of Freya's Theme. We explore the Japanese concept of Zetsubou (Despair)—literally meaning "to sever hope"—and how Uematsu translated this devastating lore into music.From the complex polyrhythm of the harpsichords that simulates the eternal rain of Burmecia, to the heartbreaking "Deceptive Cadence" that snatches away her musical happy ending, we break down why this track is a masterclass in storytelling through orchestration. Freya's theme isn't about winning; it's about enduring.0:00 - Introduction: The Dragon Knight1:00 - Background Context: The Meaning of "Zetsubou" (Despair)2:05 - Section A (Rhythm): The Polyrhythmic Downpour6:15 - Section A (Melody): The Nimble Woodwinds9:05 - Section B: The False Hope13:16 - Conclusion: Enduring the RainSoundtrack:Final Fantasy IX OST - "Freya's Theme"Composed by Nobuo UematsuCopyright of SquareEnix

    14 min
  2. Why Steiner's Theme Sounds So Rusty (FFIX Analysis)

    FEB 23

    Why Steiner's Theme Sounds So Rusty (FFIX Analysis)

    Knights in media usually get epic brass and soaring strings for their melodies. Adelbert Steiner gets a Clarinet. Why? In this deep dive, we analyze how Nobuo Uematsu used the orchestra to create a musical caricature. We explore how he swapped the hero's Trumpet for a clumsy woodwind to define Steiner not as a legend, but as a lovable fool.We also break down the Japanese keyword Kattou (Dilemma) and how the music captures the sound of a man trapped between his duty and his conscience.If you love Final Fantasy IX, this video will change the way you hear the "Rusty Knight" forever.

    13 min
  3. The Instrumentation Behind Vivi's "Sorrow"

    FEB 1

    The Instrumentation Behind Vivi's "Sorrow"

    When you first meet Vivi in Alexandria, his theme sounds like a clumsy, happy waltz. But how does the Theme relate to his "Sorrow" virtue?In this deep dive, I will deconstruct Nobuo Uematsu’s masterpiece instrument by instrument. Checking the different sections of the theme, I believe we can observe his progression, from naiveness, purity and power.We also check the relation with the actual Japanese virtue "Aishou" (Sorrow) assigned to Vivi by Hironobu Sakaguchi and the impact on the composition.Analysis based on the book "A Book To Call Home: The Music of Final Fantasy IX", check [https://linktr.ee/emigiaquinta] for more!"Vivi's Theme", "Black Mage Village" and "A Place To Call Home" are composed by Nobuo Uematsu and property of Square Enix.#finalfantasyix #ViviOrnitier #videogamemusic #musictheory #nobuouematsu #ffix #finalfantasy

    18 min
  4. Opera invented modern harmony!?

    09/26/2024

    Opera invented modern harmony!?

    Well, we started talking about Final Fantasy and Opera & we ended up on modern artists like The Beatles or Taylor Swift! On the second part of the interview with Berklee's teacher Tom Rudolph, we analyse two big topics: 1. How did we end up in the romantic period, the golden era of opera. 2. What was the impact on nationalism on music & where does our future music lead with the ongoing globalisation. Don't forget to share your thoughts!

    24 min
  5. Final Fantasy VI: Influences over Draco & Maria opera

    09/05/2024

    Final Fantasy VI: Influences over Draco & Maria opera

    On the EP8 of the Gamer's Kingdom... We discuss Operas & Final Fantasy VI with Tom Rudolph, teacher at Berklee!Which composers influenced the opera of Maria & Draco? What inspired Uematsu (and likely Sakaguchi!)?- Tristan & Isolde- Traviata- La BohemeInterested on exploring opera?
Start with “La Boheme” Watch live opera on the cinema, in your city! (Arguably better than live on stage opera! - and cheaper!) https://www.metopera.org/Season/In-Cinemas/Theater-Finder/ MetOpera service - https://ondemand.metopera.org/ Final Fantasy is a trademark of ©Square Enix

    31 min
  6. Final Fantasy VI, Terra's Theme & Seventh Chords

    08/15/2024

    Final Fantasy VI, Terra's Theme & Seventh Chords

    More notes, more characters... On this episode we will talk about Final Fantasy VI, while visiting the theory of the different seventh chords. We will analyse Tina/Terra's Theme!

    21 min
  7. Final Fantasy V, Lenna's Theme & Pedal Tones Theory

    08/08/2024

    Final Fantasy V, Lenna's Theme & Pedal Tones Theory

    Pedal tones lets your chord change jobs as in FFV... Let's discover in this episode, both Final Fantasy V's Lennas Theme & how having a Pedal Tone can alter your chord's characteristics in a very simple way!

    23 min
  8. Composing for Films vs Video Games

    08/01/2024

    Composing for Films vs Video Games

    On this episode we will scratch the surface on comparing two similar yet different worlds of music composition: Film vs Video Games. We will discuss over the technologies, the tools but specially the process of composition. Check it out!

    22 min
  9. Final Fantasy IV, Love Theme & Introduction to Harmony

    07/11/2024

    Final Fantasy IV, Love Theme & Introduction to Harmony

    A trip to the Moon of Harmony! On this episode we dwell into the world of harmony. We will learn a bit about Tonic, Dominant & Subdominant chord functions. And we talk about FFIV! The first one of the SNES! To finish, we analyse the melancholic Love Theme of this game...

    27 min
  10. Final Fantasy III, Aria's Theme & Emotion Behind Melody

    07/04/2024

    Final Fantasy III, Aria's Theme & Emotion Behind Melody

    The Light & Darkness of Melodies... On this episode we will further explore melodies, this time, what makes them happy or sad melodies. This will bring us to the land of scales and modes (rough introduction!). In the game of the day, we will talk about Final Fantasy III & the Maiden of Water theme, the song of Elia/Aria.

    25 min
  11. Final Fantasy II, The Rebel Army & Writing Good Melodies pt. II

    06/27/2024

    Final Fantasy II, The Rebel Army & Writing Good Melodies pt. II

    The Rebellion of the Melodies... On this episode we continue the theory on "good melodies" while exploring Final Fantasy II & one of the great tracks Uematsu composed for it... "The Rebel Army". In terms of melodies, we will explore how to add a bit more of motion to them.

    25 min
  12. Final Fantasy I, Opening Theme & Writing Good Melodies

    06/20/2024

    Final Fantasy I, Opening Theme & Writing Good Melodies

    Beginning of the Fantasy... On today's episode we analyse “The purpose of the podcast”, how to write good melodies. We will check Final Fantasy I and the famous Opening Theme. Share your thoughts on Insta, Threads or YouTube -> emigiaquinta!

    17 min
  • 12 Episodes

About

Do you like Video Games music or movie Soundtracks? Then this podcast is for you! I will talk about my learnings as a video-game & film composer, sharing some tips on theory. Also, share my passion as video-game fan, adding some fun-facts about them. And indeed... help you become a better composer regardless your level, analysing together songs! If you have feedback or questions please share them with me on my insta emigiaquinta!

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