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Topic: Rate my recording? Rachmaninoff prelude G#m  (Read 3604 times)

Offline noambenhamou

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Rate my recording? Rachmaninoff prelude G#m
on: June 18, 2011, 07:18:54 PM
I have no strong musical education although playing the piano is what I love most in life.
This video of me is not a function of narcissism. I have recorded myself in the past but I felt some of the professionally made videos of pianists made it seem much better psychologically. I'm talking about presentation.

Here is what I was thinking. I really like this guy who plays Rach. I think he has great technique and I like his interpretation.

But the presentation sucks. From the sound quality, to the camera placement, lack of transition effects with the camera, and the way he wears that hooddie. I own a fairly decent software company and I know from our sales department, that one cannot overlook the art of presentation.

So again, the test here is to see if this guy, Cambry, which is obviously and clearly a better pianist than me would "seem" better than me if I had a more decent presentation.

So, with 2 cheap video cameras, a set of two neumann microphones which are pretty good, and me dressed up decently so I don't look like a hobo! :) Then I spent 4 hours messing/learning around with windows movie maker (which was a lot of fun) to get a decent effect. Not professional but a hint of it:

Here it is:






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Offline pbryld

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Re: Rate my recording? Rachmaninoff prelude G#m
Reply #1 on: June 18, 2011, 08:05:44 PM
Liked it. Could definitely have had better image (video) quality though.


PS: One can only spend 4 hours making a 3 minute video if they use Windows Movie Maker.
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General info:
Started playing music in the summer of 2010
Plays on a Bechstein B
Lives in Denmark

Offline nyiregyhazi

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Re: Rate my recording? Rachmaninoff prelude G#m
Reply #2 on: June 19, 2011, 03:09:58 AM
I don't follow the idea at all, sorry. Maybe if you had a professional director there would be some interesting psychological issues. However the sight of a piano against a backdrop of a pretty ordinary looking street is not exactly "professional"- even if you cut from one shot to another from time to time. It might be interesting to see the difference in perception caused by filming someone in a major concert hall and having professional TV cameramen and editors. However, for me I couldn't give a damn whether a pianist happens to be wearing a hat, or whether the camera angle occasionally shifts or not. If you want to go beyond the norm, you need to go a lot further still for the production values to stand out. Perhaps it would be enough to change the impression of your average guy off the street, but it certainly doesn't do much to influence mine.

Your playing sounds pretty good by the way, although there's room for more differentiation between melody and accompaniment and more variety in general. I don't think Cambry's really anything special musically btw. His uses of dynamics is especially bland and monochromatic, compared to a serious top-level concert player. Good technique, but there's very little excitement or musical phrasing.

Oh and look at Lola Astanova's films. No special production in those, but the sound of the playing very quickly reveals something special.
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Offline noambenhamou

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Re: Rate my recording? Rachmaninoff prelude G#m
Reply #3 on: June 19, 2011, 03:30:26 AM
"Perhaps it would be enough to change the impression of your average guy off the street, but it certainly doesn't do much to influence mine." That's pretty much the point.
I think I person who plays well can easily overlook clothes, camera angles, and so can I.
You really think that with that portable mp3 recorder we can get to appreciate Cambry's playing? I was under the impression that we can't really tell regarding his dynamics with such a poor recording quality. I was only listening for technique since the sound quality was so poor.

My recording certainly showed me that the melody is not standing out enough, which is why I'm very happy I have recorded it. I think I'll use recording as a tool to better my playing.

Thanks very much for your comment nyiregyhazi, it was very helpful.

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Offline gerryjay

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Re: Rate my recording? Rachmaninoff prelude G#m
Reply #4 on: June 19, 2011, 03:53:15 AM
Dear Noam,
I like your idea, and the video is fine. Some comments that, perhaps, may be useful.

1. There is a serious problem of lighting. Basically, your camera 1 is in the worst possible position: against your main source of light. Nevertheless, the framework is good, the classic open view of a piano. In my opinion, the mic gives a sense of recording session, of work in progress that helps enhancing the climate I think you want to produce.

2. I don't like your camera 2. What do you want to show? It annoys me a bit, to be honest. Since you have a standard position on one, why not trying something different? My favorite view is from the top, to show the full keyboard and your hands and fingers traveling through it. Another idea is the frontal view, showing the dampers, the strings.

3. Another issue that deserves more thinking is the changes between cameras. Sometimes, it seems that you changed the camera just for the sake of changing the camera, since there was nothing particularly interesting to see close up. Furthermore, I have my doubts about the transitions, but that is my personal taste: many people do love transitions.

4. The opening screen makes me think about a powerpoint presentation. Why don't you put the information right on your image playing?

These are some ideas for a classic looking video. And I don't think you are wasting time, because your performance is quite good.

Best regards,
Jay.
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Offline nyiregyhazi

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Re: Rate my recording? Rachmaninoff prelude G#m
Reply #5 on: June 19, 2011, 04:05:46 AM
Quote from: noambenhamou on June 19, 2011, 03:30:26 AM
"Perhaps it would be enough to change the impression of your average guy off the street, but it certainly doesn't do much to influence mine." That's pretty much the point.
I think I person who plays well can easily overlook clothes, camera angles, and so can I.
You really think that with that portable mp3 recorder we can get to appreciate Cambry's playing? I was under the impression that we can't really tell regarding his dynamics with such a poor recording quality. I was only listening for technique since the sound quality was so poor.


Try this:



Vastly worse sound, but it's abundantly clear how much better her musical shaping and voicing is. When musicians with serious range play into a bad microphone, there still tend to be more than enough pointers as to their ability.
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Offline noambenhamou

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Re: Rate my recording? Rachmaninoff prelude G#m
Reply #6 on: June 19, 2011, 05:04:12 AM
nyiregyhazi: point WELL made with that video!!! Seriously. Horrible quality, but definatly amazing dynamics :) I'm very happy to see this.

gerryjay - after making this video I notices all those things you have mentioned.
Ideally, I'd have my apartment pitch black, with controlled lighting over the keyboard, piano, me etc...But it's impossible to get my apartment dark because it is all windows and the blinds are pathetic. It gets dark at 10pm which is too late to play the piano here...

The camera on my right hand was an absolute flop! The right hand is completely un-interesting in this piece (I noticed after I recorded). Regardless, I transitioned to it often for "no reason" just because I wanted to learn how to do transitions on the video editing software.

Great suggestions Jay. I think practice makes better in all aspects. My playing and also presentation.
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Offline gerryjay

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Re: Rate my recording? Rachmaninoff prelude G#m
Reply #7 on: June 19, 2011, 05:47:59 AM
Dear Noam,
Practice always makes better! I wish you very good luck (and tons of patience) with your further explorations.
Best regards,
Jay.
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Offline angeleyescj

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Re: Rate my recording? Rachmaninoff prelude G#m
Reply #8 on: June 19, 2011, 05:21:03 PM
I liked the video. I think the city background creates a beautiful contrast with the music.
The sound quality was also pretty good.

Overall, you created some very pleasing aesthetics. I love the way you looked so relaxed while playing; your unaffected posture and facial features helped me to enjoy the music.

Keep playing and experimenting! :)

CJ
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Offline asiantraveller101

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Re: Rate my recording? Rachmaninoff prelude G#m
Reply #9 on: June 20, 2011, 03:32:43 PM
Great performance: clear execution, nice range of dynamics, relaxed technique (no tension) and you seem to have digested and internalized the music. I am wonderfully surprised that you have not have strong musical background. You do love piano and it shows in your playing. Keep up your good work. Thanks for sharing!
Ps. Love the background. It reminded me of my condo which had similar view of a downtown and freeway.
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Offline john90

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Re: Rate my recording? Rachmaninoff prelude G#m
Reply #10 on: June 21, 2011, 03:13:44 AM
Good to see your piano arrived safely!

Video wise, in terms of entertainment, Cambry, with the MP3 recorder, the really poor sound to start with until the levels auto adjust, scruffy clothes, really looks like the underdog. 500K views, Pros struggle to get that many. That is something in its self, a cult movie for whatever reason. Camby misses the point entirely, and tries to direct people to a cleaned up version. Many comments say they prefer the original, Lol! In terms of Joe Public, even Valentina and Lola in full makeup can't compete with this in terms of hits.

Low light wise, the simplicity of this works well.

The piano sounds like it needs a tech to seriously go over it. 200k views.

This I find stunning video wise. Nice font for the title, we get to see the full Steinway D, totally naked. It starts with a shot of human, machine, and a bunch of mics.

Really good HQ camera work. Totally awesome playing, perfect piano, still not as many views as Cambry yet, but getting close.

This is my personal favorite of Lola

It has everything, good clear video, nice wholesome, personal chat with Lola, great camera work, naked piano shots, hair makeup, slightly revealing casual clothes, all perfect, only 75k views.
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