"Advanced" Pop/ Movie Score Arrangements

[alexf26]

Hi! I'm fairly new to piano (about 6 months), been practicing with determination (minimum 2 hours) every day since I started.
In the beginning I always wanted to play popular pieces, but I am a very structured and patient learner so I'm taking a classical path (which I ended up loving so much) - so I'm following the RCM syllabus for repertoire progression. 90% of what I play is classical - hoping one day to reach level 10 (and who knows work beyond that).
 
My main question is (for the experienced pianists around here) how would you classify these more advanced arrangements of popular songs according to the RCM system (1-10, ARCT), and how in general this level of arrangements compare to playing classical.
This would really help me objectify my goals. Thanks!


Arr 1. GOT theme:

Arr 2. Part of your world (I believe this one is more advanced than 1.)

[ranjit]

The first arrangement would be around grade 3-4, the second around 5-6 ABRSM. I'm not quite sure how RCM grades compare but I would guess grade 4-5 and 7 respectively.

As to how it compares to classical, most of it is melody+arpeggios. Classical is more diverse in that regard. However, you do get slightly more complicated left hand patterns as a result, which you may need to get used to.

[alexf26]

Thank you so much!
Guess it's the arpeggios that make it sound nice / more "full" / harder.

This really gave me a boost of motivation.

Would you say that if you get to a level, let's say an "easy"/medium beethoven sonata..., you can pretty much tackle any popular arrangement ?

Seems the complexity of patterns and nuance found in classical at the higher level is always harder than pop in general?

 

[fftransform]

I'd say they're both like a 6, defo harder than a 3-4.  The second one is harder just cuz of the octaves.

Mostly just wanted to say to try video game stuff, if you're into that.  There's a bigger subculture of piano trans stuff for VG music.

[ranjit]

Would you say that if you get to a level, let's say an "easy"/medium beethoven sonata..., you can pretty much tackle any popular arrangement ?

You'll be able to tackle 90% of them. But some will still be hard.
Take this for example, I've always wanted to play it but it seems to be solidly conservatory level if you want to pull it off well.

[alexf26]

Oh yea! I forgot Jarrod  and of course his Pirates of the Caribbean arrangements.

Seems like when you get to this level they start utilizing some classical patterns like fast scales and arpeggios, big jumps, octaves and whatnot.

There are even some guys putting some Liszt passages on popular songs. I guess the sky is the limit if we consider you can use any elements from classical or jazz advanced techniques.

But to be honest once you get to the "virtuosic" arrangements they start to sound quite concert hall / conservatory like - which traces back to classical again.

I hope you can play it one day!  I'm aiming lower for now, gotta go back to my Clementi sonatina LOL.

Thanks again

[visitor]

Generally many "arranged" concert transcriptions will.habe many devices you'd encounter inost early advanced thru late /term advanced repertoire and technique patterns etc.
The more proficiency you have at handling them the less work will need to be put in on learning it and more convincing performance youl be able to give

You'll every so often encounter more transcription with some original content making them more like paraphrases ie reharmonization, thematic transformation etc those can be a bit tougher depending on who did and the type of pianist it's written for etc

Example one of my favorite current media composers /producers and pianist /performers is Sonya Belousova, her content from a few years ago befor her career in composing and such took off and this project went. Dormant , her writing is very much romantic /neo or post romantic In flavor ,  I am working thru a transcription she did ( not this one linked below) , but a lot of her devices are very Liszt and company like , good command of leaps , navigating quickly the entire 88 , complex modulation and distance key changes etc , the more adept one is at literature that has these elements , it becomes more about interpretation and putting the pieces together , she writes quite effectively for the piano ,you can feel a lot was done probably at a keyboars ( not like Brahms very orchestra and at time awkward style )
Here's one she did from the super man movie(s) is awesome.

[perfect_pitch]

Here's one she did from the super man movie(s) is awesome.

Mind if I get your opinion on my Superman version... curious to see what you think Visitor.

I tried to avoid the excessive frill (like Jarrod Radnich does), but still keep the theme as authentic as I could. This funnily enough, I did notate without touching the piano once... it was only after I was finished with my notation that I actually started practising it.

[alexf26]

You are amazing perfect_pitch.
Hope to reach that level one day.
Also your channel deserves more recognition, loved it.

[perfect_pitch]

Thank you very much... that's why I wanted to get into Piano arrangements - help inspire people to stick at the piano so they can play these one day.

I remember when i was 9 and looking at the music of Fur Elise thinking... I wish I could play that; and years later, I did.

Persistence is the key Alex. You'll get there someday.