Chrissy Ricker
  • Home
  • Publications
    • Piano collections
    • Pop & rock arrangements
    • Video game arrangements
    • Vocal music
    • Instrumental music
  • Search
    • Search my catalog!
  • About
  • Blog
  • Free Stuff
  • Contact

Why I Teach Video Game Music (and You Should Too!)

3/16/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
If you have browsed around my site, you’ve probably noticed lots of video game arrangements and original pieces in video game style. I began exploring this genre several years ago, inspired by the requests of my video game-loving students. This exploration has developed into a true love of the video game genre and the many wonderful composers who write for it.

So, today I am sharing with you some of the reasons I teach video game music...and why you should, too! If you have ever wondered how video game music can further your pedagogical goals with your students, this is the article for you!

Click “read more” to learn about the benefits of teaching video game music in your studio!



Video game music is current and relevant for your students.
It is quite possible that many of your students listen to more video game music than any other genre. As video games have surged in popularity, the music from video games has become an important part of popular culture. YouTube videos of video game music garner millions of views; virtuoso pianists perform covers of famous video game themes. 

By incorporating video game music into your lessons, you will be including music that is relevant to your students’ lives--as well as instantly recognizable to their friends. That can be a powerful motivator!

The video game genre encompasses a wide variety of styles.
If you haven’t listened to much video game music, you might be surprised at the variety of styles contained within the genre. From the minimalist music of “Minecraft,” to the sweeping, cinematic-style music of “Final Fantasy,” to the big band and ragtime-inspired music of “Cuphead”--the video game genre contains great examples of music from just about every style.

You will even find examples of video games referencing famous classical works, such as J.S. Bach’s “Goldberg Variations” (“The Long Dark”), Mozart’s “Requiem in D minor” (“Bioshock”) and even Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” (“Contra III”). If you are looking for ways to expose your students to a variety of musical styles, look no further than their favorite video games!


Video game music is a great vehicle for teaching expression and story-telling.
Since video game music is often written to accompany a specific game character or a specific scene from a game, it is a perfect tool for teaching students how to communicate a story through music. Ask your students to describe what they think is happening as they listen to their favorite video game piece. How did the composer represent that in the music from the game? How will the student perform the piece to communicate that idea to the audience?

Video game music can provide a great introduction to contemporary musical techniques.
There are many gifted, highly trained composers writing in the video game genre these days. The compositional techniques you will find in current video game scores often rival, in my opinion, those you will find in contemporary classical music. If you are looking for interesting music that uses contemporary compositional techniques, consider video game music!

​Some examples of techniques you will find:


Syncopation
There are lots of great examples of syncopated video game themes, including this one: the iconic "Super Mario Bros." Ground Theme.


​



Irregular Meter and Shifting Meter
There are entire YouTube playlists devoted to video game themes in unique meters. "Haggstrom," from Minecraft, is a great introduction to 7/4 time for the late elementary student.

​
Modes
If you want to introduce your students to melodies outside of the traditional major and minor scales, look no further! Examples of pentatonic and modal writing abound in video game soundtracks. "The Legend of Zelda" franchise in particular contains many pieces that explore modes, including this one that features the Phrygian mode.

Dissonance and Chromatic Harmony
We often introduce our students to twentieth century composers such as Bartok in order to expand their sense of harmony. But the same can be done with video game music! "Lavender Town," from the Pokémon games, is a great example of how the use of tritones can create a haunting sound.
If you or your more advanced students want to dive deeper into the compositional techniques and music theory used in video game themes, I highly recommend the YouTube channel “8-Bit Music Theory,” (found HERE) which has numerous videos that analyze popular video game titles.

What do you think? Do you incorporate video game music into your lessons? Why or why not? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

And if this discussion has inspired you to check out some game music for your students, take a look at my video game originals and arrangements for all levels (including the pieces in the examples above) HERE!
​
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Chrissy Ricker is a pianist, teacher, and composer from North Carolina. These are her thoughts on teaching, composing, and all things music.


    Looking for teaching ideas related to a specific topic? Use the "search" feature or scroll down to see blog posts organized by category!

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016

    Categories

    All
    2 Minute Teaching Tips
    Active Listening
    Composer Focus
    Composition
    Duets
    Ear Training
    Easter
    Fall/Halloween
    Free Stuff
    Friday Funny
    Games
    Group Classes
    Holiday Music
    Lesson Planning
    Living Composers
    Memorization
    Music For One Hand
    Music History
    Musicianship Monthly
    NFMC Selections
    Online Lessons
    Patriotic Music
    Performing
    Pop Arrangements
    Practicing
    Professional Development
    Repertoire
    Rhythm
    Rote Teaching
    Saint Patrick's Day
    Sight Reading
    Summer
    Technique
    Technology
    Thanksgiving
    Theory
    Tips For Teens
    Transposition
    Travel Teaching
    Valentine's Day
    Wedding Music
    Young Beginners

    RSS Feed

    Subscribe to my monthly newsletter to stay informed about my latest publications and free teacher resources. Once you subscribe below, a fresh newsletter will be delivered to your inbox on the first of each month!

    *Your email will never be shared or used for any other purpose besides this once-monthly newsletter, and you may unsubscribe at any time by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of your newsletter email or contacting me HERE through my website. 

Subscribe
 © ​Copyright 2023 Chrissy Ricker. All Rights Reserved.