The Video Game Pianist

[nasaboy007]

Well I just discovered this teenager who plays all of the video game theme songs on the piano by composing them himself, and he's good! I mean, at 18, that is a pretty good feat. I wish I could play like him... But I guess the fourteen years of lessons helped him

www.videogamepianist.com

 

[rojo]

Um, I think you mean arranging, or possibly learning by ear; not composing. The works had already been composed by others. (ex. Koji Kondo- Mario Bros., Nuobo Uematsu- Final Fantasy, etc.)

Nevertheless, good for him. If he truly does play them all, that`s quite a repertoire!

The genre of video game music is quite rich- many of the works are indeed very good.

 

[ApeXX]

I must say that although I know few of the songs (not a huge videogame finatic), it is still an impressive skill to transpose (correct word to use?) them to the piano. I looked through but I'm still curious if he picked it up all by ear, or if he purchased sheet music possibly.

Edit: I just watched one of the videos, and wow that is impressive!

 

[corno]

The correct word would be "transcribe" in this case - not that he might transpose it too, but to transform something to another "medium" is called "transcribing", and yes, it's indeed an interesting skill. (haven't seen or heard any of it yet though)

 

[ApeXX]

Thank you for helping me out there corno. Although I have played the guitar for most of my life, I know very little about the "technical" side of music. My father taught me a great deal about the guitar, and I have actually only taken 2 full years of guitar lessons with a qualified teacher.

When you get a chance corno, you should listen to it. I am not a huge video game fan myself (I think I mentioned that already, can't remember), however I still found his "transcribing" skills amazing.

 

[Colorful Mage]

I do enjoy his music, although much of it seems empty. He's only trying to replicate the pitches and time values of the songs, but not the emotion behind them. Whenever I listen to a song of his, I feel like there's something missing; it makes me feel a little lonely somehow.

But, it is a great skill that I hope to one day possess (I work on the piano a lot; I'll get there someday!).

 

[Underscore]

Added to my bookmark.

His versions of the music is very good and is obviosuly a very talented pianist.

I was so pleased that he had a go at Cid's Theme from FFVII, as it is my absolute favourite from the series. Just a pity it is so short.

I would buy his CD if he had one.

 

[JLS]

Forget the video game stuff -- did anyone listen to his Mendelssohn?

 

[music9]

Such an outstanding pianist and arranger! His rendition of "Sonic The Hedgehog 1 Themes", amazed me a lot! I could remember the times when I used to rip this game's music from our SEGA Mega Drive system, directly to an old-skool tape recorder

Oh wow, I guess it's just a great idea hearing a classical-ish medley of such themes, from "Green Hill Zone", the first stage, up to the "Game Over Theme". Kudos both to Masato Nakamura, original composer, and to Martin Leung, for his outstanding arrangements.

 

[methodistgirl]

pop cap games

I like the music from bejeweled 2. Just like the videogame pianist, I had
to try the first of the soundtrack on the Methodist church's pipe organ.
It sounded pretty good but it is really hard to play something where you
swap and blow up gem stones in a computer game. It takes a real good
synthisizer to get it right and this guy Skaven or Peter Hajba is a music
genuis. I play by ear myself. Today I will have to play by ear since I
forgot my reading glasses.:shake: My my! I don't remember like I used to.
judy tooley