March 31, 2009

“Wind Waker Unplugged” Video, by Fredrik Larsson

Many Zelda games seem to possess their own musical flavor, from the Chinese opera-inspired soundtrack of Majora’s Mask, to the melancholy digital sounds of Midna’s world in Twilight Princess. Even though I haven’t played much of the game itself, the charming Celtic-inspired music of The Wind Waker has grown to be one of my favorite Zelda soundtracks.

I found this one-man band medley video of mostly Wind Waker themes by Freddie25 on YouTube, and I can’t help but to feel awed and inspired long after the final chord.

March 27, 2009

“To the Gateway” Sheet Music and Video, from Super Mario Galaxy


To the Gateway
Format: PDF
Difficulty: Intermediate
Info: This peaceful theme is heard in Gateway Galaxy, and the first time you enter the Comet Observatory. Watch out for all those sharps and double-sharps! (Hear the original.)



March 26, 2009

“Buoy Base Galaxy” Video #2, from Super Mario Galaxy

My second attempt at “Buoy Base Galaxy,” with less mistakes, fuller chords, and fewer bleeding thumbs than my first video. The quality of the first one bothers me, so I’m mostly just pleasing myself here. (Though, I rush in this one... I’ll never be happy!)

March 23, 2009

Organizing the Library

If you see any drastic changes around here, don’t be alarmed – I’m just trying to get cozy. First of all, I posted some information about song/sheet music requests, so if there’s a song you’d like me to play or make sheet music for, check it out.

Secondly, I categorized my sheet music by difficulty level. I took a lot of things into consideration when I was judging the difficulty of each arrangement, and this is generally what I came up with (keep in mind that these are just guidelines, everyone is different):
  • Beginner sheet music is intended for pianists who are learning the ropes and have been playing for around a year or two.
  • Intermediate sheet music is intended for pianists who usually play for fun, have a few years of experience, and are pretty comfortable with reading music.
  • Advanced sheet music is intended for pianists who have been studying seriously for awhile and are more technically capable.
Lastly, I’ve been working on a lot of Super Mario Galaxy arrangements over the past few weeks, so you SMG fans can be expect some goodies in the days to come.

March 20, 2009

“Midna’s Desperate Hour” Sheet Music, from Zelda: Twilight Princess

I received a few requests to perform “Midna’s Desperate Hour” from Twilight Princess on YouTube, so I transcribed it to sheet music a few months ago in preparation. 


Midna’s Desperate Hour
Format: PDF
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Info: A somber piano piece that occurs when Link carries the weakened, wounded Midna to see Princess Zelda. (Hear the original.)


I’m more likely to transcribe a simple piano piece than an orchestral one, even though playing complex music from sheet music seems more helpful. With orchestral pieces, I like having the freedom to choose what instruments and musical textures to accent, and I interpret the original differently each time I perform it. Transcribing notes to paper is difficult when I don’t have a specific plan (as opposed to something like the “Boss Battle Piano Medley” arrangement.)

On the other hand, when the original piece is a piano solo, I try to replicate it note-for-note, which makes writing sheet music more helpful. That being said, please enjoy “Midna’s Desperate Hour.”

March 9, 2009

Super Mario Galaxy, Sheet Music Set: Part II

I’ve gotten a lot of score requests for these two songs, so here they are at last. Enjoy!


Format: PDF
Difficulty: Advanced
Info: An epic orchestral piece from Super Mario Galaxy, based on my video cover. (Watch me play it, or hear the original.)

Format: PDF
Difficulty: Intermediate
Info: An arrangement combining “Rosalina’s Story” and “Sad Story.” These two themes play during Rosalina’s story readings in the library. (Watch me play it, or watch the original story reading.)

March 5, 2009

“Boss Battle 2” Video, from Star Fox 64

Three days in a row! This one goes out to my fellow sort-of-old-school gamers. My gaming roots lie in the N64 - it was only a matter of time before I indulged.

March 3, 2009

Super Mario Galaxy, Sheet Music Set: Part I


Format: PDF
Difficulty: Intermediate
Info: The simplified version of the Comet Observatory waltz; it sticks closer to the in-game version. (Hear the original.)

Format: PDF
Difficulty: Advanced
Info: The arrangement from my Comet Observatory Medley video. (Watch me play it, or hear the original.)

File Select
Format: PDF
Difficulty: Beginner
Info: The music that plays during the file select screen. This is good place to start if you’re just learning to read music or play piano! (Hear the original.)