Valor Lakefront – Pokémon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum

About game/music

This is “Valor Lakefront” from the RPG game “Pokémon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum” released by The Pokémon Company.
The song is composed by Hitomi Sato.

This is the BGM that plays in the area leading to Lake Rishi, where there is a legendary Pokémon called Azelf.
It’s a bit lazy, but it gives you an image of a relaxing landscape.

Analyzing

bar 5~8:

  • The beginning is II7-V7-I-VI7 (B7-E7-A-F#7), which is similar to ii-V-I-VI7 often used in jazz.
  • At the end of the repeat, I7 (A7) is used instead of VI, leading smoothly to IV (D) in the next part.

bar 13~16:

  • iv in major key (other Tabs include this)
    • one of the subdominant minor chords, which include b6th of main key.
    • It’s nostalgic or romantic.
    • Typically used following IV.
    • It’s borrowed mostly from parallel minor, but also from Mixolydian b6 or Harmonic Major (in this case, ivM7)
    • examples;
      • Continent (Sakura)Crystarise
      • Bloom – OutroENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights
      • The King Lost in TimeEtrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City
      • Lonely Rolling Star – Katamari Damacy
      • Candy Constellation – Kirby & The Amazing Mirror
      • Big-Bean Vine – Kirby’s Epic Yarn
      • Costumes & Colors – Kirby’s Dream Buffet
      • Super Bell SubwayMario Kart 8
      • Shopping in Wakeport – Mario & Luigi: Dream Team
      • Badges – Pikmin Bloom
      • Dewford TownPokémon Ruby/Sapphire
      • Rustboro CityPokémon Ruby/Sapphire
      • Fortree CityPokémon Ruby/Sapphire
      • Abandoned ShipPokémon Ruby/Sapphire
      • Valor LakefrontPokémon Diamond/Pearl
      • Hearthome CityPokémon Diamond/Pearl
      • Canalave CityPokémon Diamond/Pearl
      • National Park – Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver
      • Cianwood City – Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver
      • Route 26 – Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver
      • Pewter City – Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver
      • Castelia City – Pokémon Black2/White2
      • Marine Tube – Pokémon Black2/White2
      • Iki Town (Day) – Pokémon Sun/Moon
      • Cobalt Coastlands – Pokémon Legends: Arceus
      • Levincia – Pokémon Scarlet/Violet
      • Clear BreezeSkullgirls
      • Wave OceanSonic the Hedgehog(2006)
      • Magical Snow DaySonic Runners
      • Oh! One True LoveUndertale
      • Temmie VillageUndertale
  • IV-V-iii-vi, or variants (other TABs include this)
    • Very popular chord progression in Japan, called “王道進行”. It means “popular” or “typical”.
    • examples;
      • Re-Tail – Animal Crossing: New Leaf
      • Continent (Sakura)Crystarise
      • Dogcheck – DELTARUNE Chapter 1
      • Melodies Of Life~Final FantasyFINAL FANTASY IX
      • Phoenix HighwayFreedom Planet 2
      • Rainbow Resort – Kirby’s Adventure
      • Ripple Field 1 – Kirby’s Dream Land 3
      • Grass Land – Kirby’s Epic Yarn
      • Apt.102 – Kirby’s Epic Yarn
      • Abandoned Beach – Kirby and the Forgotten Land
      • A Home For Flowers (Empty)OMORI
      • Raise the HoofPocket Card Jockey
      • Jazz Racing JamPocket Card Jockey
      • Road to TriumphPocket Card Jockey
      • Slateport CityPokémon Ruby/Sapphire
      • Route 104Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire
      • Rustboro CityPokémon Ruby/Sapphire
      • Hearthome CityPokémon Diamond/Pearl
      • Route 203Pokémon Diamond/Pearl
      • National Park – Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver
      • Cianwood City – Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver
      • Route 26 – Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver
      • Accumula Town – Pokémon Black/White
      • Route 2 – Pokémon Black/White
      • Lacunosa Town – Pokémon Black/White
      • Floccesy Town – Pokémon Black2/White2
      • Castelia City – Pokémon Black2/White2
      • Battle! (Island Kahuna) – Pokémon Sun/Moon
      • Route 10 on Ula’ula Island – Pokémon Sun/Moon
      • Wedgehurst – Pokémon Sword/Shield
      • Battle! (Hop) – Pokémon Sword/Shield
      • Wyndon – Pokémon Sword/Shield
      • Cobalt Coastlands – Pokémon Legends: Arceus
      • The Veil of NightProfessor Layton And The Curious Village
      • Purity of your smile – Ragnarok Online
      • Seaside HillSonic Heroes
      • Dear My FriendSonic Unleashed
      • End Of The SummerSonic Runners
      • Guest Book – Tomodachi Life
      • ShopUNDERTALE
      • Oh! One True LoveUNDERTALE
    • examples in minor key (in this case, bVI-bVII-v-i);
      • Blooming VillainPersona 5
      • Full Moon Full LifePersona 3 Reload
      • Battle! (Rival) – Pokémon Black2/White2
      • The Battle at the Summit! – Pokémon Sun/Moon
      • Battle! (Ultra Necrozma) – Pokémon Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon
      • Battle! (Bede) – Pokémon Sword/Shield
      • Battle! (Battle Tower) – Pokémon Sword/Shield
      • Battle! (Arven) – Pokémon Scarlet/Violet
      • Battle! (Zero Lab) – Pokémon Scarlet/Violet
      • Magical Snow DaySonic Runners
      • Desire Drive – 東方神霊廟 ~ Ten Desires.
      • Illusionary White Traveler – 東方天空璋 ~ Hidden Star in Four Seasons.
      • The Great Fantastic Underground Railway Network – 東方虹龍洞 ~ Unconnected Marketeers.

bar 27~end:

  • Tonic Pedal
    • The base is fixed to I.
    • The sound is controlled and stable, and has a bit of complexity. There is a suppressed elation.
    • other example are below.