DESCRIPTION:
I play the Alex Kidd in Miracle World Theme composed by Tokuhiko Uwabo.

Let's identify and examine the compositional techniques Tokuhiko Uwabo uses in the Alex Kidd in Miracle World Theme to successfully enhance the gameplay and visuals! Please refer to the following video http://youtu.be/Rb9haoWT5js and the Alex Kidd in Miracle World Theme sheet music http://www.videogamepianist.com/sheetmusic/alexkidd_inmiracleworld.pdf

Within the 21 second long theme, Uwabo creates rhythmic variety and uneven phrases to keep the player engaged to the music and the gameplay. A regular 16-bar phrase could risk sounding repetitive when played over and over again. Listeners are used to hearing 4-bar, 8-bar, or 16-bar phrases. However, with the 13-bar theme, the uneven phrases adds a pleasant element of surprise to a catchy melody.

The structure includes an introduction in m. 1-3, a two-bar percussion-like pickup phrase from m. 4-5, and an 8-bar phrase from m. 6-13. At the end of m. 13, the piece loops back to m. 1. Alex Kidd in Miracle World is a platform game, and the music successfully encourages the player to keep on moving and get through the level. By avoiding authentic cadences or resolution of 7ths, Uwabo keeps the music more flowing and horizontal. For example, in measure 9 on the and of 2 in the bass clef, there is an a-flat. Instead of resolving the A-flat down to a G, the A-flat jumps up to an E-flat. The unusual voice-leading breaks away from the traditional rules of Western classical music.

Sheet music: http://www.videogamepianist.com/sheetmusic/alexkidd_inmiracleworld.pdf
Video Game Pianist official site: http://www.videogamepianist.com