TIL that the sequence of notes that makes music "sound Japanese" is called the Royal Road chord progression. It's often employed in theme songs and pop music for its sense of upbeat, high-energy melodrama. "Never gonna Give You Up" almost, but not quite, uses it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aez...
YouTube video by David Bennett Piano
"Western" (US, UK, European, etc.) music also has its favorite chord progressions, with Pachelbel's Canon being the equivalent of a musical FedEx arrow. Once you know about it, you can't stop hearing it everywhere. www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PC6...
YouTube video by David Bennett Piano
this guys YT channel is fucking amazing, i love hearing about artists breaking down the process of their medium 😍
I am amazed I hadn't heard of this before now, especially given my history of previously being a pianist and for two decades being a music / rhythm game enthusiast. Thanks for the "lucky 10k"!
That was a delight, thank you!
Holy crap so THAT’s why I can always tell that a piece of classical music comes from a JRPG or anime!
I don't watch a lot of YouTube, but I LOVE David Bennett's channel. He knows a ton of practical music theory (which for me as a musician often translates to "There's a name for that thing you're already doing, and here's why it works"), which he presents in a super-approachable way.
david bennett is one of the GOATs of music theory youtube along with adam neeley