It seems that many members are looking for something very nice to play that is within their abilities so I decided to try and do something new here.

Some tunes sound very easy to play, but in actuality, are not while other may sound simple but are actually very difficult to play.

What I would like to do is possibly start a new tradition here is the AB forum and that is for members to not only perform a piece, but do an in depth review of it as well for others to gain a better insight as to the type of piece it is as well as how difficult (or easy) it was to learn based on your abilities.

So, toady I would like to start off by doing a review and my first video performance of the beautiful piano piece entitled "To Zanarkand" by Nobuo Uematsu; here goes.


In the begining, there was dopey me not knowing what in the heck to play on the piano. I have always been a big fan of hauntingly beautiful-romantic type of music. Since I am a VERY poor sightreader, most classical music was simply out of the question for me and although I do appreciate much of it, I seemed to be lured more towards "neo-classical" and romantic type music.

I am very thankful for members like Monica and Kawaigirl for exposing me to such artists as David Lanz (Cristofori's Dream), and Ludovico Einaudi (Le Onde, Nefeli).

In my search for even more beautiful (and do-able) piano music within my abilites, I have recently been exposed to The Final Fantasy Piano Collections series.

Since I am not a big video gamer, I was initially shocked to learn that most if not all of this msuic comes from the Final Fantasy video game series.

When I heard Bens (Z32) performance of "Path of Repentance" this past recital which was another of Nobuo Uematsu's final Fantasy Piano collections tune, I was absolutely blown away by the beauty of that piece.

Upon further listening to the tunes in that piano collection series, I heard an equally beautiful piece which is To Zanarkand. This was one of those piano pieces that I was actually willing to spend the time and learn correctly as it is just so nice.

Now, based on the fact that I am NOT a good sightreader, this piece took a little while to learn but is definitely *doable* by most advanced beginers to intermediates. I am only basing this from my own sightreading abilites but since I usually only play from "easy" piano scores and add a bunch of improvising, I would assume that the advanced beginer/intermediate score level is probably accurate. I believe most people on this forum could (maybe over a little time) play this piece.

There seems to be two version of this score which are very similar. One version is contained within the Final Fantasy Piano Collections book which is an 80 page compilation of some of the besat Final Fantasy series piano scores.

The price of this book is around $30.00 and is imported from Japan and entirely written in Japanese. (Thank god musical notes are universal!). I must say that it is VERY difficult to figure out what piece is what since I cannot read Japanese!.

The other version of this tune is also available from www.musicnotes.com as a single, downloadable score which you can purchase individually for around 4 or 5 bucks.

At first, this piece may look rather intimidating as many of the notes go way,...and I mean WAAAY off the lines. (A challenge for a poor sightreader). The good news is that there is a definite sequencial pattern to these distant runs that are actually very easy and flowing to play once you figure out the correct notes.

Since I cheat at just about everything, I ended up writing down the notes on many of the ones far away from the lines as it made it much easier to find. As I've mentioned, Once you do figure out the notes, there is a very natural pattern to them and these sections can become fairly east to play with a bit of practise.

while my performance of this tune is not great do to the fact that:
1.) I'm a hack
2.) poor grainy video quality
3.) poor audio quality (I am using the video feature on my camera). I can honestly say that the first several times I heard this tune, I got all choked up!.


The original version of this piece took a few days to learn the notes and about another two weeks to get it to where it is now. I would suspect that better sightreaders could learn it much faster.

To see and listen to my version of this tune, click on the below link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFtWucgxYSk


To listen to this piece performed by a live symphony, listen here. (Better have some tissues ready! ).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLnZ5jcsRpc

Oh, that was simply beautiful, super-hunky. I loved that dramatic deep bass note on your BB. What was that little snippet right at the 3:45 mark? Was that part of "To Zanarkand"? It was pretty, whatever it was.

I also liked your video setup. Recording from the second floor really captured the gorgeous setting.

I had sort of concluded that this piece was still beyond me, but now you've got me thinking otherwise. Maybe I will put it at the top of my 2008 to be learned stack.

Ohhh, that was sooooo beautiful S-H

S-H, there's probably 3 versions of this score. The compilation that you saw I don't believe is the transcription from the piano collection CD. I have that book that you've mentioned as well as the the actual piano collection series. The 2 versions are slightly different. The compilation is abit easier.

I thought the video quality was great.

I love your house!

I've never heard the piece before, but it was amazing!
I could just imagine YOU being there in that symphony vid.

I speak Japanese, SH

PARTY AT S-H's!

I've listened to 100s of people play that song, but have never heard a version quite like yours - very nice! =D That's the first Final Fantasy song I learned, and still probably my favorite to play!

haha i played the easy version. After i learned it i realized it was the easy version (what the??!?!? it sounds diff than those on youtube..)

Very nice. Did you improv on it? I ask because I know for a fact that that isn't the PC version or the OST version (which is the one I can play).

Also, what was the ending part? Either way, really good playing and nice interpretation.

Also, you don't have to pay for the PC books or singular songs. There is a website where you can download FF5-FF10 OST and PC sheet music for free. I don't know if I would get in trouble if I posted it, so if anyone wants the link, pm me.

Wow fantastic house... I want it!!

I absolutely love this song and one of the reasons I decided to learn piano. Ironically I havent even attempted it yet.

You play it beautifally. Excellent thread.

I've never heard that version before, but you played it very beautifully! And what a nice house you have!

Oh, this is too funny.

What seems to have happened is that it took me several takes to get a somewhat acceptable version of this piece so I just played take after take after take etc. Because I knew I was going to edit out the performances with all the mistakes, I just kept the camera rolling for a while.

Sometimes, when I get a bit worked up while recording, I will just stop and play something totally unrelated to what I am doing as a form of tension release.

What you heard after the To Zanarkand piece was actually one of these moments that did'nt get edited out. Believe it or not, if you listen to that section closely, I am working on an improvised version of "Sweet home Alabama"!! you know, old Lynard Skynard stuff!.

Don't even ask why that was being played between takes of to Zanarkand as I don't even know!.

I must have some "issues" :rolleyes:

Nice playing, Hunk.

Your piano sounds terrific and really makes your beautiful home a feast for the eyes. Thanks for inviting us in for a friendly visit and some wonderful music.

The above was not original, but it states what I want you to know.

Great video with wonderful sound quality.

I'm really happy for you that you have your truly grand piano back with you.

Warm wishes to you and yours,

Lisztener

(Reference to carotid surgery was approximately here)

Oh my gosh, Lisztener. You will be in our thoughts. Hope it goes well and the surgery is a success.

Goodness, Lisztener--you are so calm in all this! I will look forward to hearing how things go.

Mr. S-H--I tried to post on your YouTube comment section, but I guess I've forgotten my password there. You sound great! It really makes me want to try out that piece. Great job.

Again, Lisztener, best wishes and follow your doctor's orders to the letter. We want you back to your supportive and talented self very soon.

Nancy

You play it in an incredible way! I have also played that piece. It was in fact the first piece I have ever learned on piano to the end. I'm playing for a year now, self-taught. I've got the other version, however Something with a lot of Japanese in the heading, three page edition.

Mr Hunky, this was so pleasing, all-around. Fantastic camera set-up and of course GORGEOUS playing. Seemed almost magical.

Lisztener! My very sincerest wishes for a comfortable and speedy recovery. My father recently underwent the same surgery, so I understand that your condition is not one to be taken too lightly. We'll be thinking of you.

Tina

Lisztener:

Please check out the new thread started to wish you the best.

Monica, Nancy, Tina & Hunk,

My wife and I just got home from being out for dinner. While we were dining I told her of my post here and of my concern that I may have unintentionally hijacked a thread. Bernie, I knew you wouldn't take it that way, but I didn't think of you starting a new thread for well-wishers. My method of breaking the news was not the best for keeping it low key.

From the depths of my heart I wish to thank each of you for your thoughtful concern. I hope the doc is right about the swiftness of recovery, but I'm under no false illusions about the serious nature of any surgery that requires deep anasthesia.

My wish is that each of the four of you will accept as much love from me as you feel is proper from the heart-full that I send to you.

Sincerely,

Ron
Lisztener

Awesome!!
And the video/your house has such a warm, cozy and inviting feeling. Really adds to the ambiance.

Thank you, Mr. SH...for the most beautiful Christmas present, ever!

Kathleen

Wow, wow, and wow!

Wow - loved the piece itself
Wow - loved the playing and interpretation
Wow - your house is sooo beautiful! And with a 7ft M&H (pangs of jealousy from across the Atlantic )

Wonderful! Thanks for sharing.

One little advice: at the end, don't get up so fast! In the video, you were already walking to turn off the camera even before you had let go of the pedal. Relax, take your time... savor the last few notes, and the few seconds of silence that follow. As my teacher says, the music doesn't end just because you see a double bar-line. The music ends several seconds after that.

And, aside from you savoring the moment, it will have a much greater impact on the audience, too.

Keep up the good work!

Very nice, Super-H! The "cabin" is beautiful, your playing is amazing, and did I mention that I want your piano.

Great job Mr. S-H! I really like the piano and the song, it sounds great. The Sweet Home Alabama was a nice surprise too! It's really cool to see people playing Final Fantasy music. I grew up playing the games and Nobuo Uematsu's music is one of the things that spurred me into learning the piano. He has some really beautiful music. I can't wait to see the next song you pick! I can give you lots of suggestions if you aren't sure where to go next! :rolleyes:

Thanks for the video too, now I can convince my wife to let me have a piano AND cabin. Okay, maybe just a piano

Nice job Mr S-H. This is one of the songs that inspired me to start playing the piano and I must say you nailed it. Great job.

That was beautiful! I was confused at first, as it sounded slightly different to the version I have, but just as nice!

How long have you been playing?
Never thought this was a begginers peice!

Thanks for the nice comments.

I would really like to record this piece on a *real* video recorder as well as have a good condensor mic set up instead of the camera's.
Maybe next time.

This piece sounds different from the original as I did a little improvising throughout it. The ending is also completely made up.

I have been "noodling" around for 3 1/2 years now with no training whatsoever. That has its pro's and con's!.

As I've said, there is a natural progression with a lot of the runs in this piece which become very natural to play after only a short while.

I'm sure most of us could do a really nice job of it. You should hear Kawaigirls version of this piece. It is incredible....[Kawaigirl if your still reading this thread, any chance of posting your version of To Zanarkand?.]

Anything for you S-H Here is my version:

http://www.box.net/shared/3xonp4c5y2

Kawaigirl,

I'm glad that you complied with S-H's request for your rendition of To Zanarkand.

You are a wonderful pianist who brings out the beauty of any piece you play. This performance is super.

Thank you,

Lisztener