My November Piano Bar submission is a cover of a song that has been done by lots of artists, most notably Peggy Lee and Elvis. I couldn't resist using the Jazz Scat voice in the piano break at around the 2 minute mark.
I’m thinking I might be wearing out my welcome here with all the Rock-N-Roll, so here is something different. This is an improvision that I’ve been working on. Sometimes I just like to noodle around on the piano and imagine that I can really play it!
My Tokai grand piano sounded really good in this recording. I put the microphone over in piano and the amplification brought out the best in her!
Improvisation of "All the Things You Are". This is a two handed soloing style which is very difficult so I don't have quite mastered at this fast tempo...
My November Piano Bar submission is a cover of a song that has been done by lots of artists, most notably Peggy Lee and Elvis. I couldn't resist using the Jazz Scat voice in the piano break at around the 2 minute mark.
Jazzwee- what a fun piece! Did you work from sheet music at all?
Thanks Peyton! No that's completely improvised. It all came from my head except for the beginning partial melody. It will come out 100% different each time I do it.
That's why it comes out raw. There's a natural imperfection since I'm composing on the fly.
well, this is one of the few songs I have recorded since I just started my account a few days ago, I have only one song so far on here, I've played it 3 times since I got it so its not that good yet, but thought I'd put it up here to see what people think:)
Well, I've been away from the bar for a while, but it's nice to come back and listen every now and then.
@TrueBeginner - Impressive as ever and your touch is sounding better. @b528nf7 - gotta say I love the song. What about Kylie Minogue? @Rickster - nice improvisation @Jazzwee - livey and fun. Sounds like a lot to keep straight in the head. @Augustina - where's the piano? Only three times? Sounds better than that
Had some extra recording practice from the old recital madness. Here's one that wasn't really on the list of potential entrants, but a piece I love. It was featured on House the other week.
HomeInMyShoews - that was an outstanding Schumann 15/1. I can hear the difference between this and the one from the Schumann study group just a few days ago. Great work!
Bill, nice performance as always. Did you just change your camera? The video is crystal clear. However, I think your voice sounds a little echoed.
Rickster, i didn't know you have that type of music in you. I love it very much. Is it selfish to ask you to play more of those musics?
Jazzwee, you live up to your username, this is my favorite from you so far. I love the intro.
Augustina, the melody sounds epic and seems hard to play for me.
HomeInMyShoes, you always make those classical pieces sounds effortless, and I like that piece. Everytime I listen to it I imagine some ballet dancer doing some footwork
Studio Joe, I haven't heard that song in a while. That is a very nice rendition. I love your arpeggio(sp?).
Joe - a beautiful song beautifully played. I actually like the tone of your piano - it has a faintly metallic tone, kind of like a dance hall piano you might hear in old westerns, but only more refined.
Did you just change your camera? The video is crystal clear. However, I think your voice sounds a little echoed. TB
TB - My wife gave me a Flip Ultra HD camera for my birthday and I'm using it for both the video and the audio. I like the way it looks and sounds. Yes - I added a little echo.
Bill - Very nice! That was fun. I like how you were syncopating those chords. The Scat made it jazzy for sure
Augustina - I listened to your recording that night that you first posted it. Then you removed your post so I never got a chance to comment. Loved the dueling violins Sounded like the real deal.
HomeInMyShoes - lovely rendition of Schumann!
Joe - I liked that a lot and of course a lovely tune. You always do such professional sounding recordings.
Jazzwee I don't remember removing anything I might have though since I posted them late at night and I was trying to do three different things at once^_^. Also I enjoyed listening to your song. I can't wait until I get my own piano!
TrueBeginner From listening to you play I think you could play dueling violins it really isn't that hard:) To everyone else I love all the songs on here:)
Improvisation of "All the Things You Are". This is a two handed soloing style which is very difficult so I don't have quite mastered at this fast tempo...
Thanks for the comments everyone. There has certainly been a lot of effort over the last couple of years on the pieces I work on. I would keep a log of the time spent on pieces, but it would probably scare me at how little I actually get through given the time spent.
@Studio Joe: nice stuff. Beautiful piece. @z32: wow, that was really nice. As mentioned, nice touch. A pleasure to listen to.
Z32 - lovely piece and very delicate and fine playing - you sound like you're playing an acoustic in a large auditorium, but are you, in fact, playing a digital with "effects"?
Rickster - well, yours was my coffee-drinking and paper-reading morning music. Very nice. I've only done that kind of improv once in awhile, and after listening to yours I think I should try it again. Thanks -
Z32 - lovely piece and very delicate and fine playing - you sound like you're playing an acoustic in a large auditorium, but are you, in fact, playing a digital with "effects"?
jazzwee - whoopee! I liked that it sounded jazzier and more confident the more you played, like you were really getting warmed up and into the sound. By the end it was definitely club stuff!
jazzwee - Your "All the Things You Are" rendition is very nice. You have a clean, crisp touch that is perfect for this piece. Not being real familiar with this piece I was kind of surprised by the abrupt ending. Very cool.
Your piano sounds great - did you add a little reverb to the recording or is that how it sounds in real life? Edit - I just looked at your profile and see you have both a Steinway as well as a couple of digitals. Which was this - again, a very nice sound.
Bill - Thanks! The piano is just a default sound of the Yamaha P155, which pales in comparison to the Hamburg as you would imagine. It's actually pretty hard to get nuances out of the digital. There's a little more reverb which I add to compensate for the my dissatisfaction vis-a-vis the Steinway. Now as far as abrupt ending, I was just improvising so I when I recorded something long enough, I just stopped so I don't upset the "Red Dot" gods. What I was doing is something new to me and very difficult. Two hands are improvising simultaneously. Completely unplanned.
Cathy - You are such a sweetheart! I'm always afraid to post anything with real Jazz lest it be labeled as "too many notes" (which I expect). So any positive commentary is really reassuring
Joe - Thanks! Chops are still under-construction but your comments are encouraging.
Bill, Fever is an old favorite. It seems like I say that about everything you play/sing, but it's true. Nice job. I really enjoyed your version. That scat voice is pretty cool. My little Casio only does "doos" and "ahhs" - nowhere near as cool as this.
Studio Joe, I like your version of Shadow of Your Smile. I wanted to sing along. I agree, the Yamaha does sound better although I think your Casio sounds better than mine. Maybe it's the player, though.
Elssa, I never mind Misty. It may be over played, but I have always enjoyed the song. Your version is quite nice. As an aside, I know that Rickster keeps saying how great Tatiana's hands look. She's got nothing on you.
Home at last after a long trip, with minimal access to computers. So I'm behind on everything, but priorities are priorities, and first things must be put first, so I'm going to concentrate on getting up to speed on --- ta da - the ABF piano bar and recital!
Herewith some comments:
TB, nice composition. To me, it has a very nostalgic feeling to it.
Bill, boy, that scat voice sounds like fun! Great job, as usual with the arrangement and performance.
Rick, liked your improv, very mellow. It had a very nice feeling to it. A restorative, you might say!
Jazzwee, aw c'mon, admit that was a duet! No? Well, then, you have really made some kind of a breakthrough, improvising simultaneously with both hands. So hard to do, and quite fascinating!
Augustina, if you have only played that three times, you are a heck of a good reader and player! Note: I got a laugh out of the break for page change - there is a law that says if you have a perfect recording going, just before the ending your music will fall on the floor, or the cat will jump up on the keyboard. Never fails.
HIMS, there was something quite beautiful and quite refreshing about that. Yes, this would have been a top notch recital piece!
Joe, nice work on Shadow of Your Smile - great song, nifty LH arpeggios, beautiful ending.
z32 - that was superb. I wish I could play with such perfect expression, touch, control. Interesting that the beginning notes of the melody are roughly the same as Quando Quando - but what a different feeling! Great intro, btw.
Elssa, another polished and very professional performance. Your intro's, endings, and fills are so cool!
My piece is a song called Nardis, By Miles Davis. I am playing the piano, but all other instruments are computer generated.
Ed - you know Nardis is one of my most favorite tunes so you get me excited here BTW - your piano touch is really good. Those chords sound so nicely balanced. You always do a serious production with these submissions. Amazing I like it a lot.
BTW - the two-handed thing is a work in progress. Taking a queue from Brad Mehldau here. I've been just taking baby steps to teach the LH how to improvise. When you combine the two, it's really distracting so it affects my time. In a few months though this will be quite natural. I'm already feeling the difference.
Dennis - Thanks for the kudos. I think I will submit a similar two-handed approach for the Nov. Recital. We'll see if I've made any progress since I posted ATTYA.
Hi everyone, I like all you music, this is a great place and I am glad I found it. I am a beginer at the piano and I am totaly self taught, I don't know how to read music and I don't know what chords I am playing, I started by learning to play Georg Winston pieces and then after learning some of his work I was able to start creating my own piano pieces so here is mine, this is called Ka'u Pilialoha - My Bond of Love. I composed this about 3 years ago and I composed it for my wife. I use a Yamaha P-80 going into my Soundblaster soundcard and then using the soundblaster software I burned it to CD, I have some more piano pieces I will try to post later on,
The link I first tried did not work so I put it in the html of my website, I put the link at the top of my website so click onto - Download Unknown Artist - Track 1 and you will see it at http://www.koawoodhawaii.com/ Comments are welcom, good or bad, take care and aloha.
Ed - your piano work on this one is first rate - you are playing with real confidence and your skill really shines on this uptempo piece. Nice strong finish. Well done.
What model Yamaha are you playing? It has a very nice sound.
Riddler, your Nardis is another very fine performance. Quite enjoyable, and as Joe said just the right amount of notes. While I love to listen to Oscar Peterson and the like, a simpler arrangement is more listenable for most of us casual jazz fans. A very nice and professional sounding recording.
Chris, I think it's wonderful that you wrote this for your wife. I wish I were that talented. Well, okay, once I wrote a song for my wife when we were dating, but it's sort of a country-comedy piece called Influenza about the fact that I caught the flu from her while we were dating. Maybe one day I will have the guts to record it and post it here.
Back to your piece, though. This is a sweet gentle melody that conveys your feelings for your wife beautifully. Beautifully played as well. I am listening to it for the second time now.
Thanks, guys, for your kind comments on my video - and my hands! It's amazing what a little dab of Pink Frost Polish will do to make the paws look spiffy. (I don't usually bother with it, but just thought I'd "dress up" for the video).
Just listened to "Nardis".. That was terrific, Ed! Such an exotic/jazzy sound, very polished and smoothly played.
Thanks to Jazzwee, Joe, HIMS, Bill, Dennis, and Elssa, for listening and for the kind comments.
Originally Posted By: jazzwee
... You always do a serious production with these submissions.
Jazzwee, Re the "production": My ultimate goal is to play in jam sessions, so my BIAB arrangements simulate the arrangements that would be played at the local jazz club. That's why I always include comping for a soloist, and sometimes include trading fours with the drummer, tag endings, etc. Of course, in many cases, I can't play at the tempo they would play at, but someday - - as the song says - - my day will come!
Originally Posted By: b528nf7
What model Yamaha are you playing? It has a very nice sound.
Bill, it is a Yamaha P120. I don't think they make this exact model anymore, but there is a later model that is similar.
Originally Posted By: Studio Joe
... This is jazz with just the right amount of notes, and the right notes...
Originally Posted By: TX-Dennis
...and as Joe said just the right amount of notes....
That's great, guys, 'cause I can't play any more!!
Just jumping into here -- I've never participated in the piano bars because I've always felt overwhelmed by the talents here . Are there any rules? However even if a beginner like me posts up something, it's bound to be some lame piano piece
I've only listened to Riddler's Nardis so far, and I love it!! The piano is great, but the other computer-generated instruments (which I never even recognized as such) sound great too! Would you mind if I downloaded the file and put it in my mp3 player? What's this kind of music called, by the way? It sounds like something I'd hear at a bar XD
I'm looking forward to listening to the other participants' entries. You're all very inspiring!
Just jumping into here -- I've never participated in the piano bars because I've always felt overwhelmed by the talents here . Are there any rules? However even if a beginner like me posts up something, it's bound to be some lame piano piece
marimorimo - only one rule: no rules! Except maybe the piece must be played by you (did this go without saying?) - all pieces by all players at all levels are very welcome - the only "lame" piece is the one not submitted...
From Alfred 3 here's the study piece I just wrapped up - I recorded this using the Bright Piano "voice" on my DP, which sounds just a little honky tonky, although that's actually another of the 8 piano voices available. Some rascals might claim that it sounds like a Yamaha Grand Piano, but I think that might be a gross exaggeration
The piece is in 3 short sections, the 1st of which repeats at the end somewhat uptempo. It's often played as an accompaniment to "hornpipes".
From Wikipedia:
The term hornpipe refers to any of several dance forms played and danced in Britain and elsewhere from the late 17th century until the present day. It is said that hornpipe as a dance began around the 16th century on English sailing vessels. Movements were those familiar to sailors of that time: "looking out to sea" with the right hand to the forehead, then the left, lurching as in heavy weather, and giving the occasional rhythmic tug to their breeches both fore and aft.
I think versions of this piece are, and have been, long time staples of many Celtic music soloists and bands, often performed on the "fiddle". You are welcome to dance along - rhythmic tugs on your breeches are optional
P.S. Why a piece danced to by sailors is called "Soldiers Joy" is anyone's guess ... except maybe soldiers watching sailors try to dance found it hilarious...
Just jumping into here -- I've never participated in the piano bars because I've always felt overwhelmed by the talents here . Are there any rules? However even if a beginner like me posts up something, it's bound to be some lame piano piece
I've always felt the same. I'd thought about it because the threads were supposed to be less formal than the recitals, but every time I listened to anything posted I felt very intimidated.
I think versions of this piece are, and have been, long time staples of many Celtic music soloists and bands, often performed on the "fiddle". You are welcome to dance along - rhythmic tugs on your breeches are optional
I was working on this piece for some time now and I still can't get it right. Nevertheless, I decided to record it anyway and post it here. Hope you'll like it.
It's Johann Sebastian Bach - Prelude in E minor (BWV 941):
... I've only listened to Riddler's Nardis so far, and I love it!! The piano is great, but the other computer-generated instruments (which I never even recognized as such) sound great too! Would you mind if I downloaded the file and put it in my mp3 player? What's this kind of music called, by the way?
Thanks, Marimorimo, I'd be flattered to think my music was on your MP3 player!
As to the type of music - - this is an amateur's attempt at playing jazz. The song was written by Miles Davis, one of the all-time great jazz musicians. It is often played by jazz groups but is not well known outside of that community. I am trying to learn to play with a jazz group, so I use my computer and Band-In-A-Box software to emulate the other players.
I hope you decide to participate. I think you will find these folks to be very supportive and helpful.
JohnFrank, Soldier's Joy is a fun little piece. Great job with it. Now, about that voice . . . it most certainly does NOT sound like a Yamaha grand. Perhaps you could have said "a worn out old spinet."
He everyone, for those who commented on my submision, thanks very much, I will be submitting more of my music as time goes by, I only know some George Winston pieces and my own pieces, I want to hear a lot of critique on my songs god or bad I want to hear it, since I am self taught I play by ear and I don't know what chords I play I need all the help I can get, aloha.
JohnFrank, Soldier's Joy is a fun little piece. Great job with it. Now, about that voice . . . it most certainly does NOT sound like a Yamaha grand. Perhaps you could have said "a worn out old spinet."
Thanks Dennis - you're, of course, correct about the voice - the rap (by some) on the Yamaha grand is that it is too "brilliant" - taking that as the lead I just thought I would "pull the chain" a little of those who make this claim (rightly or not), who I referred to affectionately as "rascals".
Rickster, I liked your song too, Your piano sounded really nice also can I have it? lol just kidding some day I'll get my own^_^
Jazzwee, I enjoyed listening to your song,sounded fun,Good job*_*
True beginner, your song was also good, and I enjoyed listening to it^_^
HomeInMyShoes, Your song Schumann op. 15, no. 1 was very well played, Studo Joe, Very nice, and pretty, I liked the sound of your piano Z32 Another pretty song, I enjoyed listening to it:P Elssa I enjoyed listening to Misty very much, I had to look up the song on the computer, I didn't know where it was that well known:0 .. Sounded good to me also:P Also your Two guitars was another well played song and enjoyable to listen to,I like watching your hands:) and the winter picture in it was nice, Though made me think of snow which is probably coming in a few weeks:(
TX-Dennis "Augustina, you played that on a 61 key keyboard? Impressive! It certainly doesn't sound like it would be easy to play" Yes I played that with a 61 key keyboard, I'll record it again when I go to visit my mom over Thanksgiving and can use her piano:) Riddler
Augustina, if you have only played that three times, you are a heck of a good reader and player! Note: I got a laugh out of the break for page change - there is a law that says if you have a perfect recording going, just before the ending your music will fall on the floor, or the cat will jump up on the keyboard. Never fails." Well, I've played it more times now, Trying to get the speed right, but yeah Sight reading is not to hard for me, all those years of band and being forced to sight read:), also As you will find out I can not turn pages fast no matter what song I'm playing. So every song you will listen to now, just listen to that " break" for page turning^_^ because I guarantee it will be in almost every song:)
Also I enjoyed what you did with your song, it was very well played:)
Chris for being self taught and not able to read music, Your song was great:)
John Frank, I love all Irish, Celtic, music thanks for soldiers joy. you played it good:)
David, You played Prelude in E Minor very well, I always enjoy listening to anything by Johann Sebastian Bach ^_^ Oh what can I say I enjoyed listening to everyone's music:P
On side note, this is probably the wrong place to ask The last lesson book I completed years ago was Alfred book 6, how much higher do the levels in piano go? and can I put more then one song on here?:)
I had another surprise this morning that was comical. A friend of mine wrote on my Facebook wall and said "Happy birthday amigo, I hope you live to be a hundred and then have another year left to repent".
Mr. Rickster, you are just full of surprises. Just when I had you pegged as a southern gentleman old time rock 'n' roller, you come up with this. Very nice work. The piano does sound good too. I've experimented a lot with mic placement, and it sure can make a difference. Are you using just one mic?
JazzWee "All the Things You Are" was nice. I'm good at improvising too, but I don't think I could do it in the style you do. It's a nice tune, and listening to it makes me want to do my own version.
Lary Larson: Mr. Rickster, you are just full of surprises. Just when I had you pegged as a southern gentleman old time rock 'n' roller, you come up with this. Very nice work. The piano does sound good too. I've experimented a lot with mic placement, and it sure can make a difference. Are you using just one mic?
Thanks for the complements, Larry.
Yes, I did use only one mic, positioned about middle ways of the sound board on a boom stand about 10 inches above the strings. It’s the one I use to sing. Actually, I use a Shure mic (don’t remember the model#) with a Roland keyboard amp that I use to amplify my digital piano on occasion. The Roland amp has a low impendence plug for the mic.
I’ve noticed that a lot big churches with real grand pianos use the mic’s and amplification.
Still catching up with all the great stuff here this month...
Jazzwee and Rickstser: I really enjoyed your playing/noodling/improv (whatever you call it)! Very creative and interesting! I think improvising is the most challenging thing to do.
Elssa - I'm glad you put this up on Youtube - the boxnet download of a movie file takes forever on my low-rent DSL connection. Very well played!! I like the tempo changes and the energy of this piece.
Here's your monthly dose of recorder and harpsichord.
It's a version of the aria Bist du bei mir by G.H. Stolzel from the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach. I used the G. Henle Verlag Urtext edition and transposed it to G to better suit the recorder. Laurie's cat Squeaky makes a guest appearance in the beginning.
The words to the aria in English (from Wikipedia):
Be Thou With Me
If you are with me, then I will gladly go to [my] death and to my rest. Ah, how pleasant would my end be, if your dear, fair hands shut my faithful eyes!
Beautiful job, Sam and Laurie. I'm starting to like the sound of the recorder. I'd never really considered it a serious instrument before. You have proven that preconception to be wrong.
John Frank - Soldiers Joy - That was one of the first tunes we put into a contra dance set, and ~ 10 years later we still play it. We flank it with Fireside Reel and Over the Waterfall.
I don't know why a hornpipe is called Soldiers Joy, but one of the alternate names for this tune is Payday in the Army - which makes sense. It's one of those tunes that went back and forth across the North Atlantic, and there's a Norwegian set dance to the same tune.
When we were looking for a band name we considered tune names to use, and I suggested we call ourselves Red-haired Boys and Soldiers Joys, but alas, we didn't. We're Roaring Jelly, whose folk etymology says RJ refers to a mining explosive - gelignite. The alternate name for that tune is Smash the Windows .
So I think it's fun that you played this tune - nice version, too.
John Frank - Soldiers Joy - That was one of the first tunes we put into a contra dance set, and ~ 10 years later we still play it. We flank it with Fireside Reel and Over the Waterfall.
I don't know why a hornpipe is called Soldiers Joy, but one of the alternate names for this tune is Payday in the Army - which makes sense. It's one of those tunes that went back and forth across the North Atlantic, and there's a Norwegian set dance to the same tune.
When we were looking for a band name we considered tune names to use, and I suggested we call ourselves Red-haired Boys and Soldiers Joys, but alas, we didn't. We're Roaring Jelly, whose folk etymology says RJ refers to a mining explosive - gelignite. The alternate name for that tune is Smash the Windows .
So I think it's fun that you played this tune - nice version, too.
EDIT: Oh, I lied. We flank it with Red-haired Boy ( ) and Whiskey Before Breakfast. Liberty is the tune we put between Fireside and Waterfall. How could I forget?
@Elssa: Two Guitars. Now I know the name of the song. Nicely played @John Frank: I didn't notice until about half-way through that my foot had started tapping @David Ruzicka: Beautiful. I wish my Bach playing had that much composure and smoothness @jotur: always good to have Happy Birthday in your back pocket. @Sam Smith: very cool. Nice recording
Hello all, my name is Martin and i'm a 44 year old male from England. I've been playing for 3 years and am studying for LCM grade 5 piano. Here is my first video, go easy on me
Elssa - I'm glad you put this up on Youtube - the boxnet download of a movie file takes forever on my low-rent DSL connection. Very well played!! I like the tempo changes and the energy of this piece.
Thanks, Bill! Yes, I'm going to use youtube from now on.. I'm finally used to how to do it.
Elssa - I like folk music, and that was a nice piece.
Sam and Laurie - of course I loved it There's an English county dance musicians workshop coming up in Albuquerque in January and I'm looking forward to the mix of instruments.
Thanks, Dennis. I think it's just about my all-time favorite song, and that video you posted is lovely.. Never heard that version before, but it's really nice!
Originally Posted By: Riddler
Your intro's, endings, and fills are so cool!
Thanks, Ed! BTW, I demonstrate all of these runs, fills, intros, endings, turn-arounds, etc in detail with the songs "Misty" and "Moon River" in my new instructional video (www.learnpianowithelssa.com).
I had a fairly good practice tonite and ended up with a little extra me time so i decide to stop in the bar for a few (to my misfortune I really haven't hung here that much).
WOW!!
Just wanted to say I thoroughly enjoyed all the pieces!! There really is a nice range of talent and I love the diversity.
Thanks, Ed! BTW, I demonstrate all of these runs, fills, intros, endings, turn-arounds, etc in detail with the songs "Misty" and "Moon River" in my new instructional video (www.learnpianowithelssa.com).
Elssa - love your song selections and your tasteful and highly listenable performances - so very enjoyable!
As I've said before, someday when I grow up I want to be able to play songs like that, like that!
I guess I'm just going to have to get into your instructional video, the link to which you smoothly and deftly make available in replies to compliments you get here - I like how you do that, in the best tradition of free enterprise marketing - I'd do the same if I had an instructional video...
I am finally back from my India trip - and I was amazed to see so many wonderful pieces played at the piano bar this month! Elssa, the Two guitars is awesome, it was a very popular gypsy dance melody in Russia in the 70s-80s, only there it is played faster and more cheerful - thank you for bringing some very nice childhood memories . I wish I had score for this melody, as I really would love to learn this piece one day.
David, I loved your Bach prelude also, very refined playing. I'd love to hear more from your baroque repertoire.
I see Rickster falling in love with Elssa hands... while I way away for two weeks Although seeing Elssa playing I totally understand why
I also so happy to see the new faces here and listen to your music. Welcome folks!
I still have a lot to catch up, but here is my November contribution that I recorded yesterday night - not polished enough (you'd notice an awkward pause after section A), but I fell in love with this little miniature and I will continue working on it.. I hope I got a decent interpretation (I never hear anybody playing it before).
Ruth Watson Henderson - Toccatina
Being in India and having quite a few oil massages and lots of Yoga there I found my fingers more flexible and sensitive, and my feel for the keyboard improved. But I missed my piano practice while I was away... Anyway, I am glad to be back
........ I guess I'm just going to have to get into your instructional video, the link to which you smoothly and deftly make available in replies to compliments you get here - I like how you do that, in the best tradition of free enterprise marketing - I'd do the same if I had an instructional video... JF
Yes, very enterprising and absolutely OK by me, as long as I continue to get my 15% for the compliments.
Actually, I was going to suggest that Elssa paint a few ads on her hands, which certainly get some attention at times, but I was concerned that might be considered a bit ... uh....heavyhanded.
Another great performance, Elssa. You have really mastered this style of playing.
I hardly ever learn extra pieces besides what I work on for the recitals but I was testing out the pianoteq 3.5 demo and noticed that I could make a recording of a short piece with it.
The piece is in the Best Of Ludovico Einaudi book and is titled Le Onde Conzone Popolare (Francia, 1500ca.)
This was likely Ludovico's inspiration for Le Onde. I only spent a few minutes working on it before pushing the red dot so I hope you don't mind the timing issues.
I went to visit my sister today; So we decided to play some Duets. We don't get to play them very much since I see her about once a month. Anyways this is one of the only songs we can play decent at the moment, so here is My Heart Will go on from Titanic:) I still can't turn pages but enjoy.
Anthony - what a nice warm-up before I go to the recital this really had a nice singing feel to it.
Augustina - I remember sitting down and playing through a book of duets with a friend of mine, it's great fun. What a treat to share the red dot with your sister.
Martin, this was a nice and very thoughtful performance. I am not familiar with this piece - is it supposed to be played slowly? I like your tempo, it really brings up the melody. The middle part sounds really exceptional.
Cathy and Joe, thank you so much for listening to Toccatina and commenting on it, I really appreciate this. This is not the type of music I'd usually play, but I thought I'd give it a good try
Here is my second contribution, this time from my usual classical/romantic repertoire - Arietta by Grieg, recorded yesterday.
I am finally back from my India trip - and I was amazed to see so many wonderful pieces played at the piano bar this month! Elssa, the Two guitars is awesome, it was a very popular gypsy dance melody in Russia in the 70s-80s, only there it is played faster and more cheerful - thank you for bringing some very nice childhood memories . I wish I had score for this melody, as I really would love to learn this piece one day.
Welcome back, and thanks so much for your kind comments. I'm enjoying listening to your new pieces too! You're absolutely right about Two Guitars.. It's a lively piece and should be played that way all the way through, not just at the end. I redid it and tried to put more pep into the whole thing this time. I couldn't play it too much faster, though, as my fingers would get all tangled up.
Martin, this was a nice and very thoughtful performance. I am not familiar with this piece - is it supposed to be played slowly? I like your tempo, it really brings up the melody. The middle part sounds really exceptional.
thanks for your kind comments, the score has a direction of 'thoughtful' which leaves a lot of room for interpretation!
Studio Joe - Very well played and professionally produced - I was kind of hoping that you would start singing at some point since your picture shows you with a microphone. Oh well, maybe next time.
I’ve enjoyed the November piano bar so far! All the submissions were excellent.
And, welcome back, Tatiana! I enjoyed listening to your latest submissions. I’m actually not a “two-timer” in regards to being in love with your lovely hands. Elssa has lovely hands too. Fact is, both of you have lovely hands and your music is just as lovely!!
I see your lovely hands and I hear your lovely music…. Sounds like a beautiful love song in the making!!
Welcome back, and thanks so much for your kind comments. I'm enjoying listening to your new pieces too! You're absolutely right about Two Guitars.. It's a lively piece and should be played that way all the way through, not just at the end. I redid it and tried to put more pep into the whole thing this time. I couldn't play it too much faster, though, as my fingers would get all tangled up.
BTW, I do have a score I could send you if interested, but this is mostly my own arrangement.
Elssa,
Your second take is outstanding! I can picture gypsies dancing while you are playing...
Yes, I would love to get your arrangement of the Two Guitars (not that I will be able to master it any time soon, but I will make an effort! ) Thank you so much for your kind offer.
Of course, this is a video of an early recital piece I did here on the ABF. I had a video of this on youtube but with extremely low quality audio so I took the time today to make a new video.
It was also a chance to play a bit more with pianoteq 3.5 as I'm using the demo and this is one of the few pieces that I know that does not hit any of the 6 disabled notes.
Thanks for listening/watching...
Now, I know it might be a bit late for those who just did the recital but another reason I made this video was that I was going to work on a tutorial of sorts for working with audio/video. How I use a few tools to line up the audio from different sources. I can give instructions for linux based systems fairly easily but I'll have to do some work in windows to find a program and get instructions for that. I know all the commands from my shell prompt but adding a gui in windows will make things much harder.
Sounded awfully good, Anthony, and superbly played as well; now, I guess You'll have to buy the full version or find more songs that don't use the 6 notes in question.
Sounded awfully good, Anthony, and superbly played as well; now, I guess You'll have to buy the full version or find more songs that don't use the 6 notes in question.
I just started work on a new one that avoids the disabled notes. I went through all the sheet music I have and got down to about 12 pieces out of over 70 or so that avoid the disabled notes (three of the sharps/flats in the bass section are the problem.)
Out of those 12 I can already play two but they aren't really difficult pieces. A few of the 10 left I might have a chance at playing. Monica's latest recital piece is one of the 10 left but somehow I don't see that one in my near future.
Your second take is outstanding! I can picture gypsies dancing while you are playing... Yes, I would love to get your arrangement of the Two Guitars (not that I will be able to master it any time soon, but I will make an effort! ) Thank you so much for your kind offer.
No problem. I sent it along to you.. Hope it went through O.K. Thanks again for your comments and helpful suggestion!
Of course, this is a video of an early recital piece I did here on the ABF. I had a video of this on youtube but with extremely low quality audio so I took the time today to make a new video. Thanks for listening/watching...
Very nice Anthony. That is some good musicianship. Pianoteq sounds great, especially controled by your nimble fingers
David Ruzicka, nice work on Bach's Prelude in E minor. Hope you post more of your music.
Sam Smith, I really like these harpsichord/recorder duets. They are so peaceful, serene. All is right with the world (for a few minutes, at least).
Martin, very nice. I was puzzled at first by the title, but it is indeed pensive! Well done.
Elssa, loved the Moon River. The cross handed thing was nifty! I think one of the keys to your success is that you integrate your right and left hands so smoothly, so that you can create a very full sound without needing any olympian acrobatic effort by either hand. If we only had the audio, we'd be thinking - geez, she must have ten fingers on her right hand. Well done!
Tatiana, both pieces were beautifully played. You have a very nice touch, nice expression. Well done!
Anthony, great job on the Einaudi piece. Very peaceful, calming. Also liked the video piece. Reminded me of The Piano.
Augustina, nice duet. Family fun at the piano can be such a wonderful experience. Well done to you both.
Joe, nice work on Blue Velvet. Brought back some memories!
Elssa, great work, and a nifty ending on the Two Guitars video.
Angelo, Greensleeves with rhythmic variations! Very interesting, dishes or no dishes!
And, welcome back, Tatiana! I enjoyed listening to your latest submissions. I’m actually not a “two-timer” in regards to being in love with your lovely hands. Elssa has lovely hands too. Fact is, both of you have lovely hands and your music is just as lovely!!
Rick
Hey Rick! I have to "hand" it to you - you're going to start making these ladies so self-conscious about their hands that they're going to wear gloves to play for their videos, much to the detriment and chagrin of the rest of us...
TRUE BEGINNER - A nice contribution/composition. Apt title!
BILL - Cool vocal effects! Another victorious entry in your repertoire! Thanks for including the scat, too.
RICK - You will never wear out your welcome with a rock and roll! I really enjoyed your pensive work here... Just a suggestion here: When you release your Rock and Roll CD to the public, mabe make "Restoration" the last tune on it. It has a great feeling to it, and it would make the perfect last song on a rocking CD!
And, in regards to my comments about the ladies lovely hands, the human hand is indeed a wonderful work of creation (or evolution, if that is what you believe), whether male or female. Just think about what all we can do with our hands…. the skills that can be accomplished with them.
Of course, some hands are better looking than others!
Well, last one for awhile before I get busy Its still not perfect, but I love this song:) here it is Oh I recorded the song with my mp3 player, so the audio is not that great, I couldn't find my camera lol:)
angelojf- You piano playing has gotten quite good - Very well done. I hope Santa brings you a recorder that better captures the high quality of your performances.
Now, I know it might be a bit late for those who just did the recital but another reason I made this video was that I was going to work on a tutorial of sorts for working with audio/video. How I use a few tools to line up the audio from different sources. I can give instructions for linux based systems fairly easily but I'll have to do some work in windows to find a program and get instructions for that. I know all the commands from my shell prompt but adding a gui in windows will make things much harder.
great video and excellent playing!. I'd be seriously interested in learning how to get that type of angle / low light shot since I love the whole black & white feel (kind of like the keys) - SC
angelojf, that is a really interesting version of Greensleeves with lots of variations. I hear some hints of the Guaraldi arrangement, but other variations as well. Nice!
Augustina, I love Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring. It has to be my favorite Bach piece. I can't play it for crap, but I love it. Thanks for this. Is that a string quartet voice? I usually HATE synthetic strings, but this seems pretty appropriate for the piece. Quite enjoyable.
Anthonyb Great job I enjoyed both your songs alot angelojf: Was very enjoyable thank you tatiana110: Both of your songs were pretty and you play well Studio Joe: I also enjoyed this one a lot Blue Velvet and liked the way you recorded it, was good TX-Dennis, thank you, I also love that song, and I messed around on my keyboard for a sound that would sound good with it, "Strings2 as they call it on the keyboard" is what I used? Playing Duets with my sister is a lot of fun. I just talked her into joining the forum actually, so she should be here soon:)
Aloha everyone, I decided to upload another piano piece that I played, this is one that George Winston wrote,called Thanksgiving, I decided to start learning to play this one almost 2 weeks ago and this is what I got so far, I only play by ear, no sheet music ( I wish I knew how to read music), comments are welcome. The upload is on my website at http://www.koawoodhawaii.com and right at the top of the page is 2 different songs that you can upload the second one is Thanksginging, the link says Download Unknown Artist - Thanksgiving so click onto that and tell me what you think, thanks and aloha.
Catching up after finally getting through the recital. I can't believe how much I missed just in a week.
@Elssa: I loved Moon River. For Two Guitars. Faster, faster, faster. Sorry, that piece just always gets me going. Really entertaining.
@tatianna110: Herderson's Toccatina was beautiful and Grieg really doesn't get much play around here. Thanks for sharing these. I really enjoyed them.
@AnthonyB: the Einaudi was too short. It was really drawing me in. The video in the second one was great. Really enjoyable performance.
@Augustina: the duet sounds like fun. I love Jesu as well. I've worked on it a few times. Mine is a clunker in the worst ways. Very enjoyable.
@Studio Joe: smooth. Just like velvet.
@angelojf: I loved this. I need to start on the Christmas carols. I've got Vince Guaraldi's Charlie Brown Christmas here (it was one of the things Santa brought me last year).
@kalai1: I remember this one. What you had so far sounded great.
Is anyone else have some issues with some of the Box.net stuff. The .wav's from angelojf and Augustina wouldn't play in Windows Media Player after downloading. RealPlayer played them. I'm pretty sure my drivers are up to date and they were just .wav files. Oh well. At least I got to hear them.
Hey everyone, first time posting in this forum/thread Decided to try and upload a piano piece I played. It's a very simple version of the Music Box Dancer. I'll have to go through and listen to everyone else's playing. :P enjoy! http://www.box.net/shared/l03apivz9f
@HomeInMyShoes thanks for listening and commenting. @TX-Dennis thanks also for taking the time to listen and comment on my new piano piece. I posted on the recital and from the comments I got it seems like I can say I play New Age Style Piano, I like it a lot and I am still learning all the terms and stuff, I am totaly self taught just by listening to George Winston, now I am trying to broaden my ability and listening to other piano music, and I must say PianoWorld has helped me listen to a lot of great and varied piano music, it is giving me new ideas and sounds to play around with, thanks and aloha.
Sounds good to me… I was thinking “For Californians Out of the Loop”, or “For Competent Outstanding Leadership”, how about “Forum Celebrities On a Locomotive” or “For Centuries On Land”, or maybe “Friends Can Offer Love”. Yea, that’s a good one.
And, in regards to my comments about the ladies lovely hands, the human hand is indeed a wonderful work of creation (or evolution, if that is what you believe), whether male or female. Just think about what all we can do with our hands…. the skills that can be accomplished with them. Of course, some hands are better looking than others! Keep up the good work everyone!
Thanks again, all, for listening and your kind comments! Well, I type all day for a living (medical transcription), so my fingers/hands are always busy and getting a workout.
Tatiana, maybe we should apply for one of those hand soap commercials - can't remember if it was Ivory or Palmolive, with Madge...("you're soaking in it!").
Thanks for the comments on my new blues tune, all!
Actually, I was just playing around on the piano Friday night and feeling kind of down (blues all over me ) and this song sort of came to me. It is a catchy little tune though.
The thing about blues music is that, after a while, it all seems to sound alike; although that doesn’t mean it doesn’t sound really good. I guess most all styles of music are like that to an extent. (I wish I had left off the silly laugh at the end, but my music does that to me… it puts a smile on my face most of the time; or either tears in my eyes! )
Anyway, the song is one I’ll add to my “homemade repertoire” .
Take care everyone, and keep up the great playing!
(I wish I had left off the silly laugh at the end, but my music does that to me… it puts a smile on my face most of the time; or either tears in my eyes! ) Rick
Dude, that chuckle at the end is your trademark, and it's got to stay!
As far as all blues music sounding the same, well, maybe that's true for bad blues music, but not for good blues music. Sure, the chord progressions are predictable and formulaic, but a lot of good stuff can happen within that structure. It's all about heart, and you've got plenty of that, so don't worry.
Isn't it nice to have such an outlet when we feel bad? It sure beats kicking the dog, or telling the wife "yes, in fact, your butt does look fat in those jeans..." Now there's a couple song titles for ya.....
Hi everyone, I'm making an 'appearance' again I've been busy gathering up my courage and working on a piece to submit for the Piano Bar (my first), but it still needs some polishing. I may end up submitting it next month...we'll see.
Meanwhile, I've been listening to some of the great contributions here (sorry, there are many so I won't be able to comment on some of the other performances!):
Ladypayne - such a cute piece! It gives me fond memories
David - Bach Prelude in G minor is so beautifully played too! Now I'm even more inspired to tackle some Bach - which I will, since I've just decided to concentrate on Baroque music next
Elssa - I really love the Two Guitars piece It's the first time I heard it. What voice/s did you use with your DP?
Rick - You've got a great voice! Goes well with the piano playing too
Studio Joe - Very nice playing in "The Shadow of Your Smile." Did you improvise that or were you reading from the sheet?
Studio Joe - Very nice playing in "The Shadow of Your Smile." Did you improvise that or were you reading from the sheet?
Thanks Marimorimo, Actually I started with an imoprov which I kept adjusting untill I had it like I wanted, and memorized. Then I wrote the sheet music accordingly.
When I recorded, I was reading from the music I had written. Below is a link to the music if anyone is interested.
I printed out your arrangement. I'm trying to get away from always doing oom-pah when I make my own accompaniment, and thought playing and studying yours would give me a boost. Thanks for letting us print it.
I printed out your arrangement. I'm trying to get away from always doing oom-pah when I make my own accompaniment, and thought playing and studying yours would give me a boost. Thanks for letting us print it.
Cathy
You are welcome Cathy, I hope you can make good use of it.
@ Joe: Neat! You make your own arrangements! That's like walking on the moon for me Thanks for sharing the sheet music - it's now going into my thick pile of "will play someday list"
Here's my first ever submission here at PW. I've practiced this short piece so much it's a miracle my ears aren't bleeding yet Not to mention the nnnth takes with the recorder on! This recording business sure is tough!
Fantasie by Telemann.mp3 (4shared link - you can play the file from your browser without downloading).
Feel free to flame my amateurish efforts at Baroque music and adding dynamics (I appreciate constructive criticism).
I recorded this as MIDI from my DP then added the piano soudfont and converted to mp3 using Synthfont, but I'm still looking for a good .sf2 soundfont. Anybody know one?
Btw, I didn't know Box.net required a membership fee!
hey marimorimo your fantasie piece was nice to listen to and box.net does not require a membership fee. They also have a free option you can sign up for. I think the other two options you can sign up for costs money
Great rendition.
It's amazing what a little dab of Pink Frost Polish will do to make the paws look spiffy. (I don't usually bother with it, but just thought I'd "dress up" for the video). 
. Are there any rules? However even if a beginner like me posts up something, it's bound to be some lame piano piece 
. Really entertaining.
Not to mention the nnnth takes with the recorder on! This recording business sure is tough!