What is the theory behind this 'flavour'?

[EtherealEntity]

Always been curious the theory behind this sound, which I have only ever heard played on piano. I always think of them as 'Sims chords' as they remind me of the mellow jazzy (?) stuff in the background of the early Sims games.

Starting at :48, the chords used there, in particular the end of the phase before the descent in the treble. Other parts of the track are much more 'ordinary'. Just these few bars reminded me I've been meaning to ask this question. Of course it's not just the chords but the context.


Damn I want to learn piano. Totally arranging this when the 9 string arrives.


EDIT: Seems Aion is full of it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtGx-JUNxoI

[C2Aye]

Originally Posted by EtherealEntity

Always been curious the theory behind this sound, which I have only ever heard played on piano. I always think of them as 'Sims chords' as they remind me of the mellow jazzy (?) stuff in the background of the early Sims games.

Starting at :48, the chords used there, in particular the end of the phase before the descent in the treble. Other parts of the track are much more 'ordinary'. Just these few bars reminded me I've been meaning to ask this question. Of course it's not just the chords but the context.


Damn I want to learn piano. Totally arranging this when the 9 string arrives.


EDIT: Seems Aion is full of it

Excuse my lack of proper theory throughout this post.

Seems to me like it's just well chosen modulations.

The beginning of the piece is in B minor (hints of B dorian) for the most part and then at 48 secs he plays C major/major 7th which is where the modulation takes place (because that chord wouldn't normally work in B minor, being rooted on the flat 2nd), moving into a sort of VI-VII-I progression with the I being a E major chord instead of a E minor chord. You can tell because of the commonly used sus4 to major chord thing/suspension (I have no idea what it's called) on chord I. Then another modulation takes him briefly into B major before going into the VI-VII-I progression again before subtly modulating back into B minor.

The choice of modulations is superb and subtle basically, with the notes in the melody almost naturally leading into the modulations. I've been trying to incorporate this a bit more into my music but as you can tell from my (lack of) theory, it's been tough!

[Will Swanson]

I found this tab of Forgotten Sorrow:

Forgotten Sorrow (Aion) Guitar Tab | Game Tabs // Video Game Tablature

I don't know if you've seen it before, but it's a classical guitar arrangement.

[EtherealEntity]

Thanks Sithu - I'll check into that in more detail later once I'm not dead from my nightshift haha.
And thanks a lot Will - that will be very helpful!