2023 Japanese Video Game Music Bootcamp

The Japanese Video Game Music Bootcamp is a groundbreaking course covering the greatest hits of Japanese video game music, from chiptunes to Final Fantasy to Touhou. Combining analysis, repertoire, and technique, our comprehensive curriculum is designed for VGM composers and enthusiasts who want to take their craft to the next level. Treating legendary video game music with the same level of seriousness found in jazz and classical music courses, the bootcamp will cover 80 tunes over the course of a month. You will learn essential skills for a strong foundation of game composition and acquire fundamental techniques seen across different styles.

We'll delve into the literature using a wide range of mediums, including lead sheets, sheet music, form charts, and MIDI transcriptions, and examine all the essential elements of music such as harmony, form, melody, and arrangement. As we deconstruct the greatest VGM pieces, you'll learn how they were crafted and develop a toolbox of techniques that can be implemented in your own compositions. The course will heavily emphasize Japanese VGM, featuring composers such as Masashi Hamauzu, Yasunori Mitsuda, Junya Nakano, Nobuo Uematsu, Jeremy Soule, Silent Hill, Touhou, and Manabu Namiki. By the end of the program, you'll have a solid foundation in game composition and the skills to create your own captivating and memorable video game music.