Music in Wind Waker (and other Zelda games)

Like many of you out there i'm sure, I absolutely love the music in Zelda. It does a great job of conveying mood, and is often very catchy as well.

However, especially in Wind Waker, i've been really interested in finding these little musical "quirks" that they have in Zelda.

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For example, the chords and notes that are played upon hitting an enemy. I haven't really looked into this yet, but does anyone know exactly how this works? The notes normally seem to go good with the background music, so maybe there is a harmony that is discluded in the background music and only brought to life by your sword strikes? Or is it more universal than that|?

My favorite use of this mechanic is in the Phantom Ganon fight (Wind Waker). When he throws the ball at you, every time you hit it back at him it goes the scale (chromatically if I remember correctly), doing an excellent job of escalating the tension of the situation. Then when the ball hits him, the song loops, starting at the top of this scale.

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I love it when music is linked to gameplay, and I feel another great use of music is in the sailing in Wind Waker. When the sail is down, the melody fades out while the background keeps strong, entertaining whatever little deed you put down your sail to take care of (like killing and enemy or picking up a chest). The moment you put your sail back up, the melody fades back in, giving you that feeling of adventure, like you are continuing your journey and heading determined to a destination.

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In OoT, when you look at the six Ocarina songs for warping, you might notice something interesting. The Prelude of Light is entirely in major, while the other 5 start off in minor and end in major (some in beautiful suspended chords).

Since the other 5 correspond with temples that are dungeons, perhaps the minor beginning represenst the evil that is associated with those temples and then the shift to major represents the hope of that evil being vanquished (or maybe it specifically foreshadows Link's overcoming of that temple).

The Prelude of Light, on the contrary, is associated with the Temple of Time, which isn't a dungeon that houses a great evil like the other temples, so the major throughout can be associated with that fact that it doesn't need to be rescued from darkness.

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Has anybody else noticed any of these "musical quirks" (I can't seem to find a better way of saying that) that are controlled by or enhance the gameplay?

Originally Posted by rsc390

Has anybody else noticed any of these "musical quirks" (I can't seem to find a better way of saying that) that are controlled by or enhance the gameplay?

Yes, I have.

I agree with you - it's great that they make use of what I call "dynamic music" in these games. Don't forget that this "feature" comes from OoT, where they chopped the overworld theme (Hyrule Field) music into small parts that all match which each other. These parts are then randomly played when you're on the field but are different depending on what action it is you're doing.

• If you're using the action button, running, riding, hanging somewhere or doing any other action - the music is normal and plays those happy tunes - in random order of course.
• If you're standing perfectly still, the music switches to calm and slow melodies.
• Whenever you're near enemies, the music switches to those "angry" and somewhat apocalyptic melodies.

I love this.


You're also right about the chimes when fighting. When you hit an enemy, the game plays chimes in a certain order to make them match your moves. I haven't really listened to it fully but I find it pretty cool and adds to the cartoony feeling. You notice a similar thing when fighting Phantom Ganon.

Watch out, TP spoiler ahead:

Spoiler (Highlight to read):

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Also, In Twilight Princess, the music when fighting the two known bosses is also dynamic. The bosses have a normal boss theme but when you hit them and make them reveal their "soft spot", the music switches to a more up-beat melody that is - IMO - awesome but simple. Listen carefully to the boss footage and you'll see

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I love tWWs music, and how it reacts to what you do. It does a lot to the feel of the game, methinks. Just waiting to see what they do in TP.

Senap, I haven't noticed OoT's Overworld doing that. Does it really go like that? That's really cool if it does. Maybe I just haven't paid enough attention to it. Hmm, I guess I'll have to go play and see/hear...

Originally Posted by Meralia

Senap, I haven't noticed OoT's Overworld doing that. Does it really go like that?

It sure does

Yeah, I can't wait until I get to hear all that beautiful music in Twilight Princess. It's going to be soo cool. ^^

Who doesn't want to hear TP's themes.
But, for now. I think Oot and MM's Themes are still better than other.
The WW comes close to them.

If you guys like the music in all of the Zelda games or at least in some of them, you should check out my Grand Medley. It's an orchestral super-arrangement that covers most of the series. It's not done yet, but it's still about 10 minutes of pure Zelda goodness.

You can find the post HERE.

I don't mean to shamelessly advertise or anything, I just think it's a relevant comment to be making. So enjoy and leave me any comments you've got.

Hey very very nice. If I ever make a game, I'll give you a call

I really like the WW theme that you begin with.

Thank you kindly

I just made it to the Overworld Theme... excellent, it's my favorite theme How long did it take you to make all this music?

This whole thing so far was written in two major bursts of about 2 hours each.

Originally Posted by Sakume

Yeah, I can't wait until I get to hear all that beautiful music in Twilight Princess. It's going to be soo cool. ^^

I agree, Twilight Princess will definately have the best music, since it will be the first Zelda game to have fully orchestrated music in some parts... And from what I've heard of the music, I like it the best anyway.

Originally Posted by Ganonbob

I agree, Twilight Princess will definately have the best music, since it will be the first Zelda game to have fully orchestrated music in some parts... And from what I've heard of the music, I like it the best anyway.

I haven't had any taste of the music from TP. I'm looking forward to it! I'm going to get the NGC version.

The Wind Waker's music is awesome, but so is OoT's music and MM's music. My favourite songs are 'Zelda's Lullaby' and 'Earth God's Lyric' I love those songs!

If you guys like the music in all of the Zelda games or at least in some of them, you should check out my Grand Medley. It's an orchestral super-arrangement that covers most of the series. It's not done yet, but it's still about 10 minutes of pure Zelda goodness.

That is awesome. I really admire you. I would do something like that, but I'm not good enough at composing yet. I can write down little bits of music by ear, but not big pieces. Anyway, keep up the good work; its awesome!

I love all the songs from WW! Its so peaceful one second,then,its all booming and awsome sounding!
Same for OoT.
As for MM...Im not sure about it.

I think i found a "quirk" Im not sure but if my memory serves me correct The music tone changes when your the high bidder in the auction house.

GoronGeak, I've noticed that too. I'm pretty sure you're right. I don't know if its right, but I think it changes again when you stun people. Or is that just me?