Karam was keen to understand how to play Mario themes and sound effects from the 1985 videogame, but could find no definitive score. Nintendo has never published an official version, but dozens of amateurs had created their own transcriptions — none of which replicated the score adequately, according to Karam.

Karam used professional engraving software and transcribed every pitch and rhythm of the original 8-bit NES game, cross-checking his work with several of the best transcriptions available on the web. He then organized the score into a readable booklet and learned all of the pieces by playing them on the piano every day for several months.

Image courtesy Joseph Karam

Visitors to Karam’s website can now find scores of the themes from each of the levels, including the Overworld (the main theme), Underworld, Underwater and Castle levels. You can also find scores for things like the Flagpole Fanfare from the end of levels and the Starman sounds for when Mario has temporary invincibility.

In addition to these pieces of music, you can also find scores for sound effects for the likes of picking up a coin, the power-up sound, 1-Up Mushroom, and Game Over.

Not only are there scores, but also mini sound file recordings of the scores being played. Karam hopes that his project will act as a useful tutorial for would-be Mario musicians.

Karam has posted the scores on his website for all to access and stated that the copyright belongs to Nintendo but that the “accurate transcription and optimized fingering for the piano” is his own. The publication of the scores may, however, fall afoul of copyright law unless Karam has explicit written permission from Nintendo or Kondo to transcribe the music.

The launch coincides with the 25th anniversary of Super Mario Bros.

See Also:

• 25 Years of Super Mario Bros. in the Real World
• A Super Mario History Lesson
• Behind the Mario Maestro's Music

Authors: Olivia Solon, Wired UK

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