video game music

Melodies of Adventure: The Best Final Fantasy Songs to Learn on Guitar and Piano

Musicnotes

• 4 min read
video game music - final fantasy

If you're a fan of the Final Fantasy games from Square Enix, chances are you love the music, too. Composer Nobuo Uematsu is known for writing soaring melodies full of heroism and drama that perfectly accompany the game adventures. He even plays live concerts featuring some of the top themes.

Would you like to play those beautiful tunes yourself? Whether you play the guitar or piano, there are arrangements of the best Final Fantasy songs that everyone can play. Start with some of the easier themes and then challenge yourself by progressing to the more difficult songs.

Easy Final Fantasy Piano Songs

If you are new to the piano, one of the best ways to improve in your skills is to practice the music you like to play. Sure, scales and technique exercises are important, and everyone should play a little Bach or Beethoven. However, adding some fun music to the mix is a proven method for progress.

Check out these Final Fantasy titles that are well-arranged for the early pianist:

  • "Aerith's Theme" - This slow and somber piece is just right for your reflective moods.
  • "Fanfare" from Final Fantasy - An exciting, uptempo composition, it's a great choice for practicing syncopated rhythms.
  • "Final Fantasy VII Main Theme" - Dramatic works such as this one make nice closing numbers on recitals and concerts.

After you've mastered a few of the works for easy piano, you are ready to tackle bigger and harder pieces. There is a lot to choose from in the Final Fantasy universe and you're sure to find something that appeals to your stylistic preferences.

Advanced Level Final Fantasy Piano Songs

As your skills improve you can continue to find challenging arrangements of the best Final Fantasy piano songs. There is a lively debate among gamers about which is the best Final Fantasy soundtrack. You can come to your own conclusion by learning and playing any of the following songs:

  • "To Zanarkand" from Final Fantasy X - The sweeping arpeggios in each hand provide excellent technique practice.
  • "Final Fantasy VII" - This majestic piece is composer Nobuo Uematsu's personal favorite.
  • "Those Who Fight" - Fast and furious, this piece is a fun challenge for intermediate to advanced pianists.

Get a musician friend involved in your Final Fantasy fandom with an arrangement for piano, four hands. Playing duets is not only a lot of fun, but it's also a good way to develop your musicianship skills. You can improve your ensemble playing abilities and enjoy your favorite songs at the same time. Try "Ink Long Dry" from Final Fantasy XIV and plan a piano duet encore for your next recital.

A few more of the best Final Fantasy piano songs include short arrangements of specific themes from the various incarnations of the games. No more than three or four minutes long, these pieces are great options for talent shows or just showing off with friends.

  • "Ahead On Our Way" - This meditative piece from the Final Fantasy VII Remake provides a nice workout for the left hand.
  • "Dragonsong" from Final Fantasy XIV Heavensward - From a later game version, this exciting song was composed by Masayoshi Soken.
  • "Amaurot (The Tempest)" from Final Fantasy XIV Shadowbringers - Another work from the pen of Masayoshi Soken, this piece displays rhythmic complexity and demands independence between the hands.

Final Fantasy Songs for Guitar

Is the piano not your instrument? You're not alone. Just in the past couple of years, it is estimated that 16 million people have taken up the guitar and begun learning how to play. Most of these new players are young and in the same demographic as those who love the Final Fantasy games.

This means that there are legions of fans eager to learn their favorite songs on guitar. Fortunately, some of the best themes and melodies from the games have been arranged for guitar solo. Take a look at these amazing arrangements that capture the spirit and excitement of the games so well:

  • "To Zanarkand" from Final Fantasy X - This gorgeous song in guitar tab will be a real crowd-pleaser.
  • "Somnus (Main Theme from Final Fantasy XV)" - Slow and sonorous, this version captures the original song's majesty.
  • "Valse di Fantastica (from Final Fantasy XV)" - If you're looking for an uptempo solo, this is it. You'll enjoy the lighthearted nature of this piece.
  • "Aerith's Theme" - From Final Fantasy VII, this romantic song is one of the most popular of all.
  • "Tifa's Theme" - Uematsu has said that the music from Final Fantasy VII is his favorite. It may become yours, too, when you play this beautiful theme from Advent Children.

Guitar arrangements in this style, usually called fingerstyle or classical guitar, typically use tablature notation. Also known as guitar tab or tabs, this notation may be new to young guitarists who have so far only learned some chords and maybe scales.

Learning to read guitar tab is key to your future growth as a guitarist. It will enable you to progress more rapidly, learn more repertoire, and play for more gigs where sight-reading is essential. Playing songs from the Final Fantasy games is an excellent way to improve your tab reading skills and become more fluent with notation. Plan a guitar recital, invite your friends, and practice your favorite Final Fantasy songs. You'll be surprised at how quickly you progress.

How to Program Final Fantasy Music

Now that you have so many great repertoire choices, where will you play it? The answer is just about anywhere. Long gone are the days when piano recitals were only for classical composers. Final Fantasy pieces can stand alongside more traditional works and actually make terrific encores.

You can also plan a recital or concert that features all game music. Other games, such as The Legend of Zelda, have beautiful arrangements that make good concert pieces, too. Plan an evening of favorite game tunes and you're sure to make your audience very happy. Purchase and download your top choices today and start practicing.

Sources:

  • https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2022/12/21/final-fantasy-composer-35/
  • https://www.hoffmanacademy.com/blog/classics-vs-pop/
  • https://www.cbr.com/nobuo-uematsus-best-final-fantasy-songs-ranked/
  • https://www.simplifyingtheory.com/how-to-read-guitar-tabs/
  • https://www.businessinsider.com/16-million-people-have-taken-up-guitar-over-pandemic-fender-2021-10