Video Game Composers
This composer created the iconic music for Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda.
Who is Koji Kondo?
This game series stars a plumber who collects coins and jumps on enemies.
What is Super Mario Bros.?
Anime originated in this country.
What is Japan?
This large drum is often played in ensembles and festivals.
What is a Taiko drum?
This game genre is most associated with calm music, wandering, and discovery.
What is exploration?
This composer is famous for writing music for the Final Fantasy series.
Who is Nobuo Uematsu?
This adventure game series features Link and Princess Zelda.
What is The Legend of Zelda?
The purpose of this type of anime song is to introduce the show and build excitement.
What is an opening theme?
This 13-string instrument resembles a zither.
What is a Koto?
This game genre often features heroic themes, travel, and quests.
What is adventure?
This composer's music is known for emotional orchestral themes and fantasy settings.
Who is Nobuo Uematsu?
This RPG series is known for Chocobos, summons, and epic orchestral music.
What is Final Fantasy?
This composer is famous for Studio Ghibli film music.
Who is Joe Hisaishi?
This bamboo instrument is a traditional Japanese flute.
What is a Shakuhachi?
If music features magical melodies, choirs, and orchestral sounds, it likely belongs to this genre.
What is fantasy?
This composer helped define video game music during the Nintendo Entertainment System era.
Who is Koji Kondo?
This franchise focuses on collecting and battling creatures.
What is Pokémon?
Studio Ghibli film music is often performed by this type of ensemble.
What is an orchestra?
This three-string instrument is played with a large pick.
What is a Shamisen?
Loud dynamics, rapid tempo, and intense percussion are clues that music belongs to this genre.
What is action?
Name both composers we studied in our Japanese video game music lesson.
Who are Koji Kondo and Nobuo Uematsu?
This game combines Disney characters with characters from Final Fantasy.
What is Kingdom Hearts?
Name one Studio Ghibli film discussed in class.
What is Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, or Howl's Moving Castle?
Name two traditional Japanese instruments we studied that are part of the strings family.
What are the Koto and Shamisen?
Explain two musical clues that would help you distinguish an Action game soundtrack
Action = fast tempo, loud dynamics, strong percussion.
Exploration = slower tempo, softer dynamics, atmospheric melodies.