[VIDEO] Arabesque No.1 - Debussy - More New Camera Angles

[pianoroom]

I’ve added in some new sheet music cuts but think it looks a bit cheesy. Any thoughts?

[blazered]

Soo cheesy omg but so good! I love your playing!

[lowk-_-y]

Lovely playing.

I wouldn't necessarily say cheesy, though somewhat stilted maybe. I'm not sure what your intention is to cutting to the music at some points and not others but overall I think it would be nice at moments like the beginning and whenever musical material is repeated as we've already seen your hands tackle these parts and so wouldn't mind some variation visually.

Also the stilted feel may have come from the fact that some of the shots were panned quite rapidly for a short time. It was there, then immediately gone, maybe you have a reason for this, I don't know. But personally I desired slower and longer cuts, fits the mood too.

[perfect_pitch]

General rule, as someone who does multiple shots for his YouTube performances; don't change every couple of seconds, it can be a bit nauseating and it doesn't entice us to enjoy the performance. Also, try to change the camera angle with the musical phrases - NOT in-between slurs and passages as it again breaks the enjoyment of watching you play.

As for the sheet music shots - I don't like them. Sometimes the camera takes a few seconds to adjust the focus and just as you get to see the music, WHOOOM - you're cutting to another angle anyway. Plus, only musicians will really enjoy the looking at the sheet music, but it's sometimes too small to even read when you add the shots in.

I would maybe think of doing static close ups of the music, but ONLY in the beginning of Major sections (and maybe at the end of the piece).

Have a look at some of my videos where I use 4 different shots.

I generally use this rule:
Above keyboard shot: Large expansive moving hands all over the keys, dramatic.
Behind the piano: slow passages that don't move much and can see the hammers whistfully moving.
Whole body and piano: Usually when the music is grand but not too fast so you feel like you're seeing the piece as an audience member
Close up of keys: small intricate passages or major left hand work.