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Hello Everyone!

I'm a newbie to the Piano World Forums and would like to say, "Hi". I'm looking forward to being a part of this wonderful community here.

Just to introduce myself, I'm a concert pianist from Wisconsin. I do a crossover between Classical and Pop. If you're interested, please have a listen to some of the audio samples on my website. Feedback is always welcome.

All The Best,
Erik
http://www.erikhelm.com

Welcome Erik,

Thanks for sharing...will look more at the website later.

What instrument to you own?

What are you recording on?

Roberta

Hi Roberta,

I own a Baldwin. Baldwins and Steinways are my favs.

The mp3s on the website are soundbytes of my solo-piano recordings. They were done at Irish Sounds Creativ, Inc., Appleton, WI with a Yamaha. I'm actually working on a brand new CD project, I'll post snippets when it's done.

Cheers!
Erik

Great!

BTW, you mention Baldwin and Steinway as your favorites.

What other grands have you played? At the Mason Hamlin factory a couple of weeks ago, their new CC's were fantastic!

Roberta

Roberta,

a few years back, when I was in the Dayton, OH area, I got a chance to go to one of the big music stores there. They had a huge show room of pianos there...some types I've never heard of.

Anyways, one of the pianos (an antique) was square-shaped. Not like a typical upright, it was quite different, it almost resembled a table and was very ornate. Looked like they were restoring it.

I don't know what type it was, I do remember that the tuning was a minor third lower.

They had all sorts of pianos there. Some with the color scheme of the keys reversed (like a harpsichord).

By the way...what type of music do you like to play?

Erik

Hi Erik -- I'm from Wisconsin too...I listened to your song samples...sounds great, would have liked to hear one complete song to get the full effect...I play a little of everything, light classical, and jazz but I'm concentrating on composing my own music right now..I guess you could consider it a combination of jazz and classical..I just improvise. Good luck with your endeavors.

Hey Erik, I love your exodus sample - for that Ill just get the CD :p . I was wondering if you did that one by ear or got sheet music for that? Most versions I have heard are much more simple and sounds like reductions compared to what your played.

Thanks for posting your link! I'm enjoying listening to the samples now!

Edited to add: I really like your Star-Spangled Banner (living overseas, I get very nostalgic for our national anthem!)

Wow, CJ and ShiroKuro!...

Thanks for taking the time to check out the music.

**ShiroKuro: Yes, I get very 'patriotic' feeling when I play these songs! A couple of my favorites from that album are 'On Eagles Wings' and 'My Country 'Tis Of Thee'. For 'My Country 'Tis Of Thee', I changed the meter from 3/4 to 4/4, and made more of a "contemporary" (some may say "new age" ) arrangement. It's very relaxed and introspective...I think it was a fresh aproach since most patriotic music is very "military-sounding". Also, I see you have a website! If you're interested, check out the "friends of Erik" section on my "links" page http://www.erikhelm.com/links.htm ...I can link you if you want. Let me know.

CJ: Thanks for the interest in Exodus! I almost always write my own arrangements. This particular arrangement has a very passionate....almost agitated feel to it. You probably noticed the "Chopin-stylizing" :p
Also...I have considered putting some of my arrangements and original music on my website as downloadable sheetmusic. If there is enough interest, I'll probably do that in the near future.

Thanks again...Erik

Erik, thanks for the offer, but I'm just an adult-beginner, not quite ready to have my page linked on the page of a full-fledged pianist!

BTW do you play in other cities very often? When you're going to be playing somewhere, do you post an annoucement on your site?

Hi ShiroKuro....

I just recently got my site back online.

I will be posting concert dates on the website. The next few months are pretty empty for concerts for me. I'm actually working on a new recording project (I'm REALLY EXITED about this one!!) and I'm moving in June.

As far as the linking goes...don't worry about being a beginner, the links page is for fun. It's open for anyone! I have links on there for people that aren't even musicians.

Best Wishes,
Erik