Topic: Simple, learnable, sound good piano (Read 8182 times)

Soidanae · « **on:** 08 Jun 2006, 12:59 »

So I'm looking to improve my piano ability (as that's the instrument I'd most likely play in a band [and do play in the sort of one we've got now], as what little guitar I do is jsut for me), and thus trying to find some nice, simple piano-based songs. The piano music that I have is generally fairly complex jazz, with only one or two exceptions. So, any reccomendations?

Mikendher · « **Reply #1 on:** 08 Jun 2006, 13:27 »

Not sure exactly what genre you're looking for... Elton John mabye?

Scandanavian War Machine · « **Reply #2 on:** 08 Jun 2006, 13:32 »

"This Protector" by the White Stripes

Thrillho · « **Reply #3 on:** 08 Jun 2006, 13:46 »

Okay, I am a self-taught piano player, so I was in exactly the situation you are in now.

My main suggestion to you would be to think of some guitar songs you can play that are fairly simple, and then transfer them over to the guitar. I learned to play loads of songs on the piano that way.

Okay, easy songs for the piano (most of which I will have learned through guitar) include:

Coldplay - The Scientist (1. Love them or hate them, this is a crowd pleaser, as is Trouble. 2. Don't bother trying to figure it out on the guitar from the recording, because the piano they use is out of tune. The chords are D minor, Bb, F(sus4) and C (which a little bit in between the C that you can figure out easily, it's just the whites notes between your root and your fifth))

Nick Cave - 15ft Of Pure White Snow
As I Sat Sadly By Her Side (these two songs are based around the same three chords, and their little piano are both really easy, but sound very cool and competent when you play them)

Robbie Williams - Feel (if you're American you may not know him)

Wilco - Poor Places, At Least That's What You Said, Ashes Of American Flags

That's all I can think of right now. If your guitar playing ability isn't quite enough to match this, or there was any of this you didn't understand, don't hesitate to ask.

Kai · « **Reply #4 on:** 08 Jun 2006, 13:47 »

15 Feet of Pure White Snow is a great song.

Thrillho · « **Reply #5 on:** 08 Jun 2006, 13:48 »

Quote from: Kai

15 Feet of Pure White Snow is a great song.

Yes it is. I think it's one of the finest of his recent career, and I love to play it. Especially if you play the chords with your left hand and the 'ba ba ba ba' the Bad Seeds are singing with your right, so that they harmonise.

Ravenbomb · « **Reply #6 on:** 08 Jun 2006, 13:52 »

Mary Had a Little Lamb
People Ain't No Good by Nick Cave

PoliceDiscoLites · « **Reply #7 on:** 08 Jun 2006, 15:08 »

If you're not Bright Eyes-phobic, When The Curious Girl Realizes She Is Under Glass is pretty simple and nice.

Inlander · « **Reply #8 on:** 08 Jun 2006, 16:44 »

Play something that's more than just hammering away at really boring chords. So that excludes about 90% of rock/pop songs written for the piano.

Thrillho · « **Reply #9 on:** 08 Jun 2006, 16:54 »

Quote from: Inlander

Play something that's more than just hammering away at really boring chords. So that excludes about 90% of rock/pop songs written for the piano.

The post implied that he's not really past the level of bashing chords yet.

vivouk · « **Reply #10 on:** 09 Jun 2006, 13:14 »

Quote from: DynamiteKid

Robbie Williams - Feel (if you're American you may not know him)

AGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH NO.

You may summon the Dark Beast, and that is NOT a good thing. If you live near me, I may hunt you down and kill you if I hear it.

Robbie Williams is the most despicable human being on this planet.

Other than that, the advice in that post is sound.

Inlander · « **Reply #11 on:** 09 Jun 2006, 19:21 »

Quote from: DynamiteKid

Quote from: Inlander
Play something that's more than just hammering away at really boring chords. So that excludes about 90% of rock/pop songs written for the piano.

The post implied that he's not really past the level of bashing chords yet.

Well there's only one way to get past that level.

Thrillho · « **Reply #12 on:** 10 Jun 2006, 05:35 »

Quote from: Inlander

Quote from: DynamiteKid
Quote from: Inlander
Play something that's more than just hammering away at really boring chords. So that excludes about 90% of rock/pop songs written for the piano.

The post implied that he's not really past the level of bashing chords yet.

Well there's only one way to get past that level.

Yes, but that wasn't the request.

ALoveSupreme · « **Reply #13 on:** 10 Jun 2006, 15:21 »

Quote from: DynamiteKid

Quote from: Inlander
Quote from: DynamiteKid
Quote from: Inlander
Play something that's more than just hammering away at really boring chords. So that excludes about 90% of rock/pop songs written for the piano.

The post implied that he's not really past the level of bashing chords yet.

Well there's only one way to get past that level.

Yes, but that wasn't the request.

I can see where both of your are coming from in this regard.

There's got to be some less chord based piano music that is still simple and effective.

The only name I can think of that comes to mind is Erik Satie. If you can transcribre by ear, that'd be great. Otherwise find the sheet music from the Trois Gymnopedies or the Trois Morceaux. Most of Satie's work is fairly minimalistic, but still has a great sound to it. I would recommend that and others similar.

Soidanae · « **Reply #14 on:** 10 Jun 2006, 15:31 »

I heard Satie played by another student of my voice teacher, so finding his music should be fairly simple.

And I wasn't clear in my first post--Not only would my guitar playing be primarily for me, it is also nigh-non-existent.

However, I've checked out a few of the songs you folks have reccomende,d and they sound like I should be able to learn them.

Thrillho · « **Reply #15 on:** 10 Jun 2006, 16:53 »

The Pogues! Fairytale of New York and Rainy Night In Soho are less chord based, much more melody and stuff...

rr112233 · « **Reply #16 on:** 10 Jun 2006, 20:11 »

Why not get piano-learning books, get better at playing harder songs, then select some songs that you like the piano in, and try your best to learn them. Then it'll at least be a little easier to play harder songs.

ruyi · « **Reply #17 on:** 10 Jun 2006, 22:34 »

hmm i agree with the coldplay recommendation. i actually have the sheet music for the scientist and trouble in pdf, so pm me if you want it.

as for classical pieces...satie is fun. also look for grieg's notturno and some debussy, like reverie. best thing though is just to keep practicing (: seriously! look up the chords for your favorite songs and then just try what feels right. have fun, but also be always aware of what your playing is sounding like. for me, that's the best way for me to improve my improv-type playing.

Soidanae · « **Reply #18 on:** 11 Jun 2006, 15:58 »

Quote from: rr112233

Why not get piano-learning books, get better at playing harder songs, then select some songs that you like the piano in, and try your best to learn them. Then it'll at least be a little easier to play harder songs.

Money, and I've got some piano learning books but they're the little kid's Alfred's, and a lot of it focuses on music theory that I already have a good grasp of. Thus, songs that I'll actually want to play again and again.

Johnny C · « **Reply #19 on:** 11 Jun 2006, 16:52 »

Thalia Zedek's "1926" is the song you're looking for. There are like three chords in it total but if you learn to play it right and sing it's basically able to make men and ladies alike swoon.

Shaft · « **Reply #20 on:** 11 Jun 2006, 17:04 »

Le Onde by Einaudi is easy as pie and lots of people seem to like it

ImRonBurgundy? · « **Reply #21 on:** 11 Jun 2006, 22:00 »

Fugazi- "I'm So Tired", maybe?

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Author Topic: Simple, learnable, sound good piano (Read 8182 times)

Mikendher

Ravenbomb

PoliceDiscoLites

vivouk

rr112233