Concertino in Blue

Concertino in Blue

Song Information

Concertino in Blue's jacket.

Concertino In Blue's pop'n music banner.

Artist: 佐々木博史
Composition/Arrangement/Piano/Programming: Hirofumi Sasaki
Guitars: Mutsuhiko Izumi
Bass: Yoshihiko Koezuka
BPM: 130-155 (GF/DM), 103-155 (beatmania IIDX, DanceDanceRevolution, jubeat, pop'n music, SOUND VOLTEX), 110-155 (DanceDanceRevolution UNIVERSE3)
Length: 1:39
Genre: PROGRESSIVE (プログレッシブ)
pop'n music Character: OTOBEAR [SP-2P]
pop'n CG designer: shio (new animations and color)
Movie: tqy
First Music Game Appearance: GUITARFREAKS 7thMIX & drummania 6thMIX
Other Music Game Appearances:

• beatmania IIDX 13 DistorteD
• DanceDanceRevolution A3
• DanceDanceRevolution UNIVERSE3
• GuitarFreaksXG & DrumManiaXG
• jubeat plus / jubeat plus (Android) saucer pack 12
• jubeat saucer
• jukebeat KONAMI music pack 37
• pop'n music Sunny Park
• SOUND VOLTEX IV HEAVENLY HAVEN
• ノスタルジア Op.3
• ポップンリズミン GITADORAパック1

Lyrics

None.

Song Connections / Remixes

• A fusion arrangement of Concertino in Blue by Fusion Legend appears in the GuitarFreaks V3 & DrumMania V3 Original Soundtracks album.
• The ノスタルジア series uses a slightly rearranged version of Concertino in Blue. This version was later included in the beatmania IIDX ULTIMATE MOBILE exclusive album おとどけ！トロッコ大作戦, as Concertino in Blue (NOSTALGIA Style).

Trivia

This song has different backgrounds, banners, jackets, or other related images. For more information, please see this page.

• Concertino in Blue is GUITARFREAKS 7thMIX & drummania 6thMIX's Standard Mode ENCORE STAGE song. Concertino in Blue may be played by earning an S on MODEL DD2 on EXTRA STAGE, on the difficulty played for EXTRA STAGE.
• The GUITARFREAKS 7thMIX & drummania 6thMIX Soundtracks album credits Concertino in Blue's drum samples to ILIO Entertainments "Interactive Drum Kits".
• According to GuitarFreaks V5 & DrumMania V5 Rock to Infinity's BATTLE MODE and shio's character comments, the flautist in Concertino in Blue's video and graphics is named Maurizio.
• Concertino in Blue is also GuitarFreaks & DrumMania MASTERPIECE GOLD's PREMIUM ENCORE STAGE song. Concertino in Blue may be played by earning 98% Perfects on Dragon Blade, VITALIZE, or この子の七つのお祝いに on EXTRA STAGE.
• Concertino in Blue is available for play in GuitarFreaksXG & DrumManiaXG as an unlockable song in JukeBox #2 (June 9th, 2010).
  • As of August 13th, 2010, it has been automatically unlocked into Standard Mode.
• Concertino in Blue being crossed over marks Hirofumi Sasaki's first appearance in the beatmania IIDX series.
• Concertino in Blue received an updated video in beatmania IIDX 13 DistorteD. This video was later added to GuitarFreaks V3 & DrumMania V3.
  • It later received a widescreen video in GuitarFreaksXG & DrumManiaXG.
• Concertino in Blue received a brand-new Double ANOTHER chart in beatmania IIDX 13 DistorteD CS. This chart was carried over to arcade releases in beatmania IIDX 15 DJ TROOPERS.
• Concertino in Blue's BEGINNER chart was removed in beatmania IIDX 18 Resort Anthem. However, it was re-added in beatmania IIDX 19 Lincle.
• Concertino In Blue could be unlocked from February 14th to April 9th, 2013 in pop'n music Sunny Park's jubeat demo pop'n music demo GITADORA (jubeatでもpop'n musicでもGITADORA) event, by filling up the blue heart.
  • From April 9th, 2013, it could be unlocked in the pop'n walker (ポップンウォーカー) unlocking system instead.
  • From July 3rd, 2013, it could be unlocked in the WaiWai pop'n doubutsuen (わいわいポップン動物園) unlocking system instead.
  • In pop'n music ラピストリア, it could be unlocked in Story Mode from July 9th, 2014.
  • In pop'n music éclale, it could be purchased from the Star Factory shop for 60 lumina.
    • Concertino In Blue was automatically unlocked for new players from January 28th to March 1st, 2016, as part of the Limited time welcome pack (期間限定・ウェルカムパック) campaign.
    • It was later available as a default song for new players from April 27th, 2016 to May 16th, 2016 as part of the Golden Welcome Campaign (Golden Welcome キャンペーン).
  • As of pop'n music うさぎと猫と少年の夢, it is available by default for all players.
• Concertino in Blue is one of jubeat saucer's Only Now Songs (いまだけ楽曲). It could be unlocked from February 14th to 21st, 2013 as part of the GITADORA × pop'n music Sunny Park × jubeat saucer event.
  • From February 22nd, 2013, it could be unlocked via bistro saucer.
  • In jubeat saucer fulfill, it can be unlocked as part of saucer macchiato's Side Menu from April 23rd, 2014.
  • In jubeat prop, it can be unlocked by playing it as a BONUS TUNE from May 28th, 2015.
  • In jubeat Qubell, it is one of the Garnet unlocks of the dig dig Qubell unlocking system.
  • In jubeat clan, it can be unlocked in the jubeat SHOP.
  • In jubeat festo, it can be purchased at the emo MART.
  • In jubeat Ave. and beyond the Ave., it is one of the CONCIERGE unlocks of the LIGHT CHAT unlocking system from August 17th, 2022.
• In DanceDanceRevolution UNIVERSE3 and the pop'n music series, Concertino in Blue's title is capitalized as Concertino In Blue.
• Concertino In Blue's EX chart had a note which was always registered as a BAD. This was fixed on February 21st, 2013, by removing that note.
• Concertino In Blue's character is a blue colored OTOBEAR, the mascot of GITADORA. The flautist of Concertino in Blue's video, Maurizio, appears on OTOBEAR's portrait, FEVER and WIN animations.
• Concertino in Blue was one of the songs part of jubeat saucer's Song Swap system. For further information on which dates it was removed or revived, please see this page.
• In jukebeat, Concertino in Blue's artist is romanized as HIROFUMI SASAKI.
• Concertino In Blue's EASY chart was re-rated in pop'n music éclale on March 22nd, 2016.
• Concertino in Blue was added to beatmania IIDX INFINITAS on February 8th, 2017 as part of the February 2017 Basic Subscription Monthly Songs.
  • From April 2019, it can be purchased with BITs.
  • The BEGINNER chart was added with the launch of beatmania IIDX INFINITAS (2020). It can be unlocked with BITs.
• Concertino in Blue is a song part of the POLICY BREAK event. For more information on the dates it could be unlocked in the SOUND VOLTEX series, please see the event page.
  • From December 20th, 2018 in SOUND VOLTEX IV HEAVENLY HAVEN, it can be purchased with BLOCKs instead.
• Concertino in Blue's jacket can be found in the data of MÚSECA 1+1/2, highly likely that it was planned to be one of the unlocks of the Premium Friday (プレミアムフライデー) event but never finalized due to the halt of MÚSECA's development.
• Concertino in Blue (CLASSIC) could be unlocked in GITADORA EXCHAIN as one of the GF&DM CHRONICLE 1999～2002 songs from March 7th, 2019, by playing ten credits.
  • In GITADORA NEX+AGE, it could be unlocked from March 4th to June 21st, 2020 and from October 28th to November 29th, 2020 as part of the Thank you! GITADORA 21st kanshasai (サンキュー! ギタドラ21st感謝祭) event.
    • It could also be unlocked from July 8th to August 2nd, 2020 and from December 2nd, 2020 to January 3rd, 2021 as part of the GITADORA wo tomodachi to issho ni play shiyou!! Campaign (GITADORAを友達と一緒にプレーしよう!!キャンペーン).
  • In GITADORA HIGH-VOLTAGE, it is one of the PHASE 1 unlocks of the MUSICIAN'S ROAD event. It could be unlocked from May 19th to September 5th, 2021 (originally until August 9th, 2021).
  • As of GITADORA FUZZ-UP, it is available by default.
• Concertino in Blue was added to SOUND VOLTEX III GRAVITY WARS コナステ's REGULAR course on August 1st, 2019.
  • It is also available in GRAVITY WARS コナステ's INFINITE course and EXCEED GEAR コナステ from February 5th, 2020, by purchasing the Konasute SOUND VOLTEX Music Pack vol.9 (コナステ版 SOUND VOLTEX 楽曲パック vol.9).
• Concertino in Blue could be unlocked in ノスタルジア Op.3 from December 18th, 2019 to January 13th, 2020, as part of the Otodoke! Torokko daisakusen (お届け！トロッコ大作戦) event.
  • It can be unlocked again from May 13th to July 22nd, 2021 (originally until May 30th, 2021), from July 8th to August 5th, 2021, from March 10th to 31st, 2022, from December 27th, 2022 to January 18th, 2023, from October 19th to November 23rd, 2023, and from October 17th, 2024 onwards through the NOSTALGIA sen torokko tabi monogatari (ノスタルジア線 トロッコ旅物語) event.
• Due to a bug, Concertino in Blue's keysounds were very loud in beatmania IIDX 27 HEROIC VERSE. This was fixed on November 3rd, 2019.
• Concertino in Blue and its CLASSIC charts are available in コナステ GITADORA as part of the Konasute GITADORA HISTORY PACK vol.2 (コナステ GITADORA HISTORYパック vol.2).
• Concertino In Blue is available in pop'n music Lively as part of the pop'n music Lively Music Pack vol.6 (pop'n music Lively 楽曲パック vol.6).
• Concertino in Blue's jubeat (2021) ratings were adjusted to its jubeat festo ratings on March 7th, 2022.
• Concertino in Blue is available in DanceDanceRevolution GRAND PRIX from August 10th, 2022, by pre-ordering the DanceDanceRevolution Dedicated Controller (DanceDanceRevolution 専用コントローラ).
  • By pre-ordering the controller while having an active subscription, Concertino in Blue can be played in DanceDanceRevolution A3.
  • From August 28th, 2023 in DanceDanceRevolution A3, it is available by default for all players.
• Concertino in Blue received new charts and a new jacket in DanceDanceRevolution GRAND PRIX.
  • The new Single EXPERT chart is heavily based off Concertino in Blue's Single CHALLENGE chart from DanceDanceRevolution UNIVERSE3.
• Prior to DanceDanceRevolution WORLD, Concertino in Blue's widescreen video from GuitarFreaksXG & DrumManiaXG is shown full screen, eliminating any on-screen dancers.

Music Comment

Endlessly spinning "blue" sounds. The legend is revived here and now.

Song Production Information

beatmania IIDX

wac

Hello to those who love Concertino in Blue everywhere. I'm wac.
I get it. You're probably asking "who are you and what happened to Sasaki", but well, it's OK, let's calm down and discuss its notecharts.
Thank you for waiting. I received a comment from Sasaki! Hooray, Sasaki's on time, he's on time, right? Hey!
Well then, Sasaki, go ahead!

Hirofumi Sasaki

Hello. I'm Hirofumi Sasaki.
Thank you very much for your comment, wac. I'm sorry for being late.
Did I make it on time? Was I close?

I went to an amusement spot after a long time to see the new game, and I was able to watch and listen to videos and sounds of players playing from behind.
When I listened to it after a long time, I thought I created a messy song, and there are moments where it sounds clear, yet flashy, but I also remember that I didn't like it much when I initially made it. It's too much like me.

Now that I think of it, there are things that can only be created at the moment, and life has encounters and connections, and come to think of it, I somehow wrote that tqy had a mustache when I met him,

Well, see you somewhere ＾＾

GUITARFREAKS 7thMIX & drummania 6thMIX Official Website

Hirofumi Sasaki

What I wanted to do recently is to "establish a unit with Izumi and perform a progressive live".
I'll come back to this.
Every time I request for him to play a crazy music score for my songs, he always does it with a smile, and something even more progressive returns to me... this is already my third song, but if I didn't join this company and encounter Izumi, none of these songs would've probably been born.
So this time, the guitar is even more at the center than in 100sec., and it became a guitar concerto.
The guitar/piano, and of course the drums/bass, became even more intense, independent, and united.

GUITARFREAKS 7thMIX & drummania 6thMIX Soundtracks

Hirofumi Sasaki

Hello, I've recently liked crossover (a fusion of two music genres), and this time, I tried to bring out music in the "Romantic era", which represented Europe in the 19th century, into a "blue" world. Usually, I'm not foolish to say that I "don't like" Chopin, a composer who represented that era, or Rachmaninoff, who had a late Romantic era color, but when I tried to make a "crossover" like this, it was more pleasant than I thought.... by all means, I hope you'll taste this pleasant feeling.
How was it? Did it feel pleasant? Huh?
.... I wonder if there's a fate of an ENCORE...!?

Video Production Information

beatmania IIDX

tqy

Finally, "Concertino in Blue" has been crossed over to IIDX, and I was asked by GYO to provide materials for its video.

So, I searched around and looked for old data, but due to its rough resolution and various other reasons, it isn't very good and can't be used in that state.
Then, I tried to recreate the video by redrawing it with some modifications to match the horizontal screen.

As a basic principle, I tried not to change its image as much as possible since it's a popular song, but it felt that it wouldn't be appropriate for IIDX if I kept it the same....
I had quite some trouble making it like that.

When redrawing it, I noticed I previously drew detailed parts very carelessly, like the fingers holding the flute (I was surprised to see it), so I studied drawings by watching classical concert footage.
But when I saw the video afterwards, there wasn't much progress, right? (bitter smile)

But, it's been a while, I carefully listened to "Concertino in Blue" after how many years?
Come to think of it, slightly before I remade this video, I just met Sasaki after a long time.
There's something called a "connection", right?

Bye then.

GuitarFreaks & DrumMania

tQy

Well, it's progressive. It's an ENCORE.
This time, Sasaki's melody is clear. When I first listened to the demo, I thought "this is amazing".
I was making snow textures during the start of the New Year, while wondering if it was snowing throughout the city when this game would be released.

Character Information

shio

Here's "OTOBEAR (blue)". His colors are beautifully separated!

Since this song, movie, and Maurizio are all legendary to those who've played Gitadora, I wanted to cross over as much of its atmosphere as possible, not just the song, and I added animations referenced from the data provided by its movie creator tQy. (Thank you very much for taking time off despite being busy!)
The impressive tile patterns in the movie made my eyes flicker in the background, so I made it like that song card, and with these thoughts... I hope they came..!
I'd be happy if you smile a bit at its "likeness", such as the snow falling with the other musical notes, and the lovely cobalt blue choice, which I wouldn't~ be able to establish just a shade of "blue".

Staff Comments

Ta

Progressive.
Progressive means difficult songs.
What's difficult is the odd time signature, in irregular time.
When you think of progressive, some people think of abnormal rhythms.
The beat constantly changes.
Among them, triplets seem to be rhythms which are difficult for Japanese.
Such rhythms are scattered everywhere.
But this song might be easier to understand.
Although I can somehow recognize them in my mind, my body doesn't follow them.
It's difficult.
Damn it.
But it's enjoyable.
... It's one of my favorite songs... (po)

Difficulty & Notecounts

beatmania IIDX difficulty rated from 1 to 12.
DanceDanceRevolution difficulty rated from 1 to 10 from DDRMAX2 to SuperNOVA2, and 1 to 20 from X onwards.
GuitarFreaks & DrumMania difficulty rated from 1 to 99 from GUITARFREAKS 5thMIX & drummania 4thMIX onwards.
GuitarFreaks & DrumMania XG and GITADORA difficulty rated from 0.00 to 9.99.
jubeat to clan difficulty rated from 1 to 10, and 1 to 10.9 from festo onwards.
pop'n music difficulty rated from 1 to 50 from Sunny Park onwards.
SOUND VOLTEX difficulty rated from 1 to 20 from IV HEAVENLY HAVEN onwards.
ノスタルジア difficulty rated from 1 to 12 for Normal to Expert charts. Real charts rated from 1 to 3 diamonds (◆).
ポップンリズミン difficulty rated from 1 to 10. (Ratings and notecounts obtained from BEMANIWiki 2nd, Pop'n Music Fever, and GITADORA Rating Sources.)

beatmania IIDX

Game	SP Difficulty					DP Difficulty
	BEGINNER	NORMAL	HYPER	ANOTHER	LEGGENDARIA	NORMAL	HYPER	ANOTHER	LEGGENDARIA
Notecounts	198	460	915	1311	-	486	972	1425	-
beatmania IIDX 13 DistorteD	2	5	10	11	-	5	11	-	-
beatmania IIDX 14 GOLD	2	5	10	↑12	-	5	↓10	-	-
beatmania IIDX 15 DJ TROOPERS→17 SIRIUS	2	5	10	12	-	5	10	12	-
beatmania IIDX 18 Resort Anthem	-	5	10	12	-	5	10	12	-
beatmania IIDX 19 Lincle→Present	2	5	10	12	-	5	10	12	-
beatmania IIDX 13 DistorteD CS	2	5	10	12	-	5	10	12	-
beatmania IIDX INFINITAS	-	5	10	12	-	5	10	12	-
beatmania IIDX ULTIMATE MOBILE	2	5	10	12	-	-	-	-	-
beatmania IIDX INFINITAS (2020)	2	5	10	12	-	5	10	12	-

DanceDanceRevolution

Old Charts

Game	Single					Double
	Beginner	Basic	Difficult	Expert	Challenge	Basic	Difficult	Expert	Challenge
Notecounts / Freeze Arrows / Shock Arrows	76 / 7	115 / 2	333 / 10	458 / 6	530 / 15 / 0	120 / 2	333 / 10	458 / 6	529 / 15 / 0
DanceDanceRevolution UNIVERSE3	N/A	4	8	10	10	4	8	9	10

New Charts

Game	Single					Double
	Beginner	Basic	Difficult	Expert	Challenge	Basic	Difficult	Expert	Challenge
Notecounts / Freeze Arrows / Shock Arrows	71 / 5	121 / 4	323 / 10	519 / 11	- / - / -	119 / 4	324 / 10	491 / 12	- / - / -
DanceDanceRevolution GRAND PRIX	3	5	12	16	-	5	12	16	-
DanceDanceRevolution A3→Present	3	5	12	16	-	5	12	16	-

GuitarFreaks & DrumMania

Original Series

Game	Drum			Guitar			Bass			Open
	Basic	Advanced	Extreme	Basic	Advanced	Extreme	Basic	Advanced	Extreme	Basic	Advanced	Extreme
Notecounts	619	910	1058	500	500	500	488	488	488	500	500	500
GF7/dm6	65	86	99	59	77	89	N/A	N/A	N/A	69	87	99
GF8/dm7	↓59	↓70	↓95	↑65	↑82	↑92	64	77	80	↑74	↑90	99
GF8/dm7 power-up ver.→GF/DM V2	59	↑80	95	↑70	82	92	↑65	↑78	↑82	74	↑91	99
GF/DM V3→V8	59	80	↑96	↑73	↑86	↑98	65	↓75	82	↑77	↑92	99
GITADORA EXCHAIN	6.90	8.20	9.50	6.90	8.40	9.30	6.60	7.90	8.40	-	-	9.40
GITADORA NEX+AGE→Present	↑6.95	↑8.25	↑9.51	↑7.05	↑8.45	↑9.55	↑6.70	↑8.00	8.40	-	-	↑9.90
GF/DM MASTERPIECE GOLD	59	80	96	73	86	98	65	75	82	77	92	99
コナステ GITADORA	6.95	8.25	9.51	7.05	8.45	9.55	6.70	8.00	8.40	-	-	9.90

XG & GITADORA Series

Game	Drum				Guitar				Bass
	Basic	Advanced	Extreme	Master	Basic	Advanced	Extreme	Master	Basic	Advanced	Extreme	Master
Notecounts	619	790	982	1058	316	500	500	500	345	488	488	488
GF/DM XG→XG2	5.40	6.60	7.65	8.65	4.60	6.35	8.85	9.45	3.80	5.40	7.80	8.18
GF/DM XG3	5.40	6.60	7.65	8.65	4.60	↑7.00	↑8.95	↑9.50	3.80	5.40	7.80	↑8.50
GITADORA→GITADORA OverDrive	↑5.95	↑7.05	↑8.00	↑8.90	↑5.25	↑7.40	↑9.15	↑9.65	↑4.50	↑6.00	↑8.10	↑8.70
GITADORA Tri-Boost	5.95	7.05	8.00	8.90	5.25	7.40	↑9.40	↑9.80	4.50	6.00	8.10	8.70
GITADORA Tri-Boost Re:EVOLVE	↑6.00	↑7.35	↑8.40	↑9.00	↑4.95	↑7.95	↑9.55	↑9.95	↑4.65	↑6.35	↑8.50	↑9.35
GITADORA Matixx	↑6.75	↑7.75	↑8.70	↑9.55	↑5.50	↑8.50	9.55	↑9.98	↑5.10	↑7.50	↑9.00	↑9.40
GITADORA EXCHAIN	↑7.05	↑7.95	↑8.90	↑9.67	5.50	↑8.75	↑9.60	↓9.97	5.10	↑8.00	9.00	↑9.50
GITADORA NEX+AGE	↑7.10	7.95	8.90	9.67	↑5.55	↑8.80	↑9.61	9.97	↑5.15	↑8.05	9.00	9.50
GITADORA HIGH-VOLTAGE→Present	↓7.05	7.95	↑9.00	↓9.55	↑5.90	↑8.90	↑9.65	9.97	↑5.55	↑8.30	9.00	9.50
GITADORA (Mobile)	5.95	7.05	8.00	8.90	5.25	7.40	9.40	9.80	4.50	6.00	8.10	8.70
コナステ GITADORA	7.10	7.95	8.90	9.67	5.55	8.80	9.61	9.97	5.15	8.05	9.00	9.50

jubeat

Game	Level
	Basic	Advanced	Extreme
Notecounts	269	465	704
jubeat saucer→Qubell	4	8	10
jubeat clan	4	8	↓9
jubeat festo→Present	4	8	9.8
jubeat plus	4	8	10
jubeat plus (Android)	4	8	10
jukebeat	4	8	10
jubeat (2021)	4	8	9.8

pop'n music

Game	Normal Mode				Battle Mode
	EASY	NORMAL	HYPER	EX	NORMAL	HYPER
Notecounts	212	480	806	1304	391	589
pop'n music Sunny Park→ラピストリア	12	32	42	※48	24	33
pop'n music éclale→Present	↑19	32	42	48	24	33
pop'n music Lively	19	32	42	48	-	-

※ Before the 2013.02.21 version of pop'n music Sunny Park, the notecount of this chart was different (total notes: 1305).

SOUND VOLTEX

Game	Level
	NOVICE	ADVANCED	EXHAUST	MAXIMUM	EXCEED
Max Chain	453	753	1193	1697	-
Effected By	PHQUASE	PHQUASE	PHQUASE	PHQUASE	-
Jacket Artists	tQy	tQy	tQy	tQy	-
SOUND VOLTEX IV→Present	6	12	15	18	-
SOUND VOLTEX III コナステ	6	12	15	18	-
SOUND VOLTEX EXCEED GEAR コナステ	6	12	15	18	-

ノスタルジア

Game	Level
	Normal	Hard	Expert	Real
Notecounts	471	829	1550	1729
ノスタルジア Op.3→Present	6	9	12	◆3
コナステ ノスタルジア	6	9	12	◆3

ポップンリズミン

Game	Difficulties
	Normal	Hyper	EX
Notecounts	178	309	562
ポップンリズミン	4	7	10