Analyzing: Wind Waker Ocean Theme

The first 8 measures at least. I’m pretty sure it’s 8 measures.

One thing I do for fun, as you know, is try to recreate music. Some themes like the Wind Waker Ocean Theme are pretty complicated, so for those, I just do one part. In this case, the intro. And I must say, this intro is genius. Kudos Koji Kondo, kudos.

First off, let’s break it down. If you have the game, fire up your GCN and set sail and start listening to the theme…lol.

Okay, so the main thing you’ll notice is that repetitious string theme. It repeats eight times, once per measure, before it goes into the brass part. I must say, these 4 notes — just 4 notes — are played so perfectly and fit so well with the game it’s absolutely incredible. If you want to play it yourself, the theme looks like this:

Holy fucking shit. A wave. A fucking wave. What in this game is not a damn wave?!

Can you believe that the theme is actually a wave? A fucking wave?? What in this game is not a damn wave! Everywhere you look — waves! Yes, the main intro theme indeed resembles an ocean wave…Wow. That is so awesome on so many scales. And it sounds so good. Damn that Kondo; damn that man!

When I heard it using headphones, I noticed it was panned about 25% to the right; however, it had a very “full sound” to it. After some further, deeper listening, I noticed there was a deep brass playing the same wave theme about 25% to the left. Pretty sure that’s a tuba, but it could be a very low brass ensemble.

Of course, the same thing repeated 8 times does get dull, even if it is awesome. Some strings were added as harmony to negate this and establish mood. And the mood was set pretty well. The chords gave it a very “It’s a bright and glorious day!” kind of thing, lol. These were panned pretty extreme to the left, like 50-60% probably. To put the icing on the cake harmony, a french horn plays on the extreme right. Very extreme. 70 to 80% territory no doubt. It plays a constant note, A probably, and kind of sets a feeling of…peace. It plays on the third wave melody thing, and then restarts every two wave melodies…if that makes any sense, lol.

Lastly, what better way to represent waves crashing against the boat then with percussion! Both involve hitting something, after all. The timpani plays a simple “dummm” every measure, and on every other measure a “du-dummm” which really gives a feeling of hard waves hitting the boat. It is also accompanied by a snare drum, which emulates the lighter waves hitting the boat…all while retaining awesome music!

Can you believe that not only did Koji Kondo create such an awesome tune, but one that fits so well with its setting?! I mean, wow. Pretty damn awesome.

I took the liberty of remaking this first part too. Not quite as good as the actual theme, but I did try.