What are your thoughts on these kind of "visualized" top-down piano videos?

[masterraro]

Hey everyone,

I've been seeing these a lot lately, and decided to take a stab.  How does everyone feel about these though? I guess they're supposed to sort of channel the "Guitar Hero" video game experience that seems to be the only way the average person can tolerate something like classical music... am I being too cynical? 

Perhaps these videos are good for learning, because it provides a very clear presentation of what's going on in the music and on the keyboard (although you can't accurately observe what the pianist is doing physically on the z-axis - all the vertical movements and stuff) and of course, none of these "performances" are on a real piano.

 At any rate, it was actually pretty fun to make this and to mess around with a high quality VST piano sample 

Looking forward to comments and discussion on this topic!

M

[bwl_13]

I find these videos pretty cringey and take them with a grain of salt most of the time. I guess it's interesting to see what a midi roll of the piece looks like but that's about it. It's not that the pianists aren't talented or don't play well, but when I see this format I'm instantly seeing something that's meant to be presented to the lowest common denominator and assume that the performance just won't be the same quality as it may've been otherwise. It seems a lot of the time the pianists in these videos overpedal and use very romantic interpretation no matter the period. Again, not a huge deal but it's not what I'm looking for.

Edit: I want to be clear that I still think these are interesting in concept, and you play well. I just am talking about the "genre" if you will.

[perfect_pitch]

I hate them. People upload them because they know that suckers will spend HOURS AND HOURS rewatching over and over, bumping up their uploaders views. It looks flashy and I'm sure people gawk at the pretty colours but it turns the piano into some idiotic 'Piano Hero' style joke (like masterraro mentioned).

I avoid them like the plague. Again, it's not because of the performer as usually the performer can play with a very high degree of nuance and pianism (and technical ability), but the sound is usually awful (as you said, VST's don't sound the same as a real piano), so it brings down the quality of the video.

I don't ever click on them unfortunately... ever.

[frodo1]

I think the top-down piano videos are beneficial to some students learning to play.  But I think this is a step or 2 backwards for you.  I'd rather see you play a few more movements of the Brahms piano sonata #3 op 5 on a real piano.  You did a nice job on the first movement of this sonata performed on a real piano.  Or play this Chopin etude on a real piano.  Your performance here was very good from what I can tell.

[perfect_pitch]

I think the top-down piano videos are beneficial to some students learning to play.  But I think this is a step or 2 backwards for you.  I'd rather see you play a few more movements of the Brahms piano sonata #3 op 5 on a real piano.  You did a nice job on the first movement of this sonata performed on a real piano.  Or play this Chopin etude on a real piano.  Your performance here was very good from what I can tell.

I have to concur... there are too many people out there with those idiotic synthesia style coloured dotted videos... it's nauseating to watch and cheapens the playing. Your other videos are very good, and I'm currently listening to your Liszt Concerto 2 for 2 pianos. Don't be one of those awful piano players who resort to the Piano-hero style videos... it's beneath you.

[frodo1]

I have to concur... there are too many people out there with those idiotic synthesia style coloured dotted videos... it's nauseating to watch and cheapens the playing. Your other videos are very good, and I'm currently listening to your Liszt Concerto 2 for 2 pianos. Don't be one of those awful piano players who resort to the Piano-hero style videos... it's beneath you.

I missed the Liszt Concerto 2 with piano reduction.  This is a very fine performance.  Congratulations to Masterraro and his accompanist (who also made the piano reduction)!

If this Chopin etude was performed on a real piano without the light show, this overhead camera view would be a nice thing to do occasionally IMO.  I think it would be great for any student learning this piece.  It shows how quiet the hands can be when this etude is performed by a highly skilled performer with an average size hand.  Showing only the XY plane (with vertical Z-axis removed) is not a problem IMO because it catches the very large share of what is going on here with the hands for this piece.  Also, the XY plane is mostly what a person sees when viewing their own hands playing the piano.

[frodo1]

My apologies to Masterraro.  Masterraro in his original (unedited) post said the y-axis represents up-down.  My post suggested that the Z-axis represents up and down.  My description follows the “earth coordinate frame” where X-axis is east/west, Y-axis is north/south and Z-axis is up/down.  But in math, X axis is Left-Right, Y axis is Up-Down and Z axis is Forwards and Backwards.  It’s been a while since I worked on 3-dimensional calculus. 

Edit: Actually, the standard up/down axis for math is tough to answer.  My calc books show it equally both ways - sometimes Z-axis is up/down, sometimes Y-axis is up/down.  Online - I see just as many saying Z-axis is up/down as I see Y-axis is up/down.  None have X-axis as up/down as the standard, although I'm sure it is used occasionally in math.  This is a little off topic - Sorry!  My apology still stands to Masterraro.

[masterraro]

haha, frodo - I did change my original post because your comment made me give it a second thought!  From the top-down perspective, I think the z-axis for the vertical plane indeed makes the most sense

[masterraro]

First off, thank you for the kind words on the Liszt concerto!  I know this crowd appreciates the real meat and potatoes... I think my next upload will be a performance I gave of the Brahms 2nd sonata for violin and piano, with my friend from the NY phil

To respond to perfect_pitch and others... I think I generally agree.  I found/still find these videos pretty cringey, and it's unsettling to me that a single robotic midi-file upload of a great masterpiece like a Chopin ballade or Beethoven sonata can have more online views than the entire collection of great recorded interpretations COMBINED... So I wondered A. How hard are these to make? (not hard at all) and B. Could they possibly sound a little more human and express an artistic interpretation? (sort of... Check out the top channels doing this, some of them are absolutely horrendous if you want to know my real opinion).

Anyway, it's an experiment.  I think I'll stick to more serious stuff, concert uploads, the occasional music video, etc...but I had enough fun making this that I think I may give it one or two more tries

[ranjit]

First off, thank you for the kind words on the Liszt concerto!  I know this crowd appreciates the real meat and potatoes... I think my next upload will be a performance I gave of the Brahms 2nd sonata for violin and piano, with my friend from the NY phil

I will look forward to that!

To respond to perfect_pitch and others... I think I generally agree.  I found/still find these videos pretty cringey, and it's unsettling to me that a single robotic midi-file upload of a great masterpiece like a Chopin ballade or Beethoven sonata can have more online views than the entire collection of great recorded interpretations COMBINED...

They are fun and novel, and that is part of the appeal. I have found in certain cases that I either prefer listening to a proper interpretation, or a robotic midi, with no in between, because the robotic midi can almost feel like you're reading the score and then you can put in your own emotion into it and aren't bound by the interpreter's. I don't think this is how most people view it, but it's food for thought. Another thing it does well is serve as a source of the notes for those who can't read well. I know there's some prejudice against this, but it works for some (worked for me and still does). I don't think it's fair to judge them though. In the past, it was because I was primarily an ear player and almost never read notes. I used to use midi videos to get an idea of the chords and arpeggio patterns, and maybe some tricky right hand runs or trouble spots. This helped me grasp songs very quickly, and still does. Recently, I remember someone asked me to play a Beatles song, and with synthesia I had it basically learned in 5 minutes. I know it's possible to do this with sheet music as well, but I find it harder (even though by now I've improved a bit at reading) and it takes me longer. So, it serves as an in-between, where those who like the music but can't actually read well can see the notes and follow along.

B. Could they possibly sound a little more human and express an artistic interpretation? (sort of... Check out the top channels doing this, some of them are absolutely horrendous if you want to know my real opinion).

Agreed that some of them are really bad. I don't think everyone can tell the difference, I have found that it takes a certain talent to be able to tell good playing from bad when people listen to a piece. I wouldn't say it's uncommon, but it's not universal. Once I showed someone Rosseau and Cziffra playing HR6, and said, see, obviously there's a difference! They did not get it. That was a revelation.

[anacrusis]

I hate them. People upload them because they know that suckers will spend HOURS AND HOURS rewatching over and over, bumping up their uploaders views. It looks flashy and I'm sure people gawk at the pretty colours but it turns the piano into some idiotic 'Piano Hero' style joke (like masterraro mentioned).

I avoid them like the plague. Again, it's not because of the performer as usually the performer can play with a very high degree of nuance and pianism (and technical ability), but the sound is usually awful (as you said, VST's don't sound the same as a real piano), so it brings down the quality of the video.

I don't ever click on them unfortunately... ever.

I disagree that there is anything wrong with presenting your playing in a way that appeals to people I mean why not? I enjoy music being mixed with visuals - I think music is very colorful and goes together well with colorful visuals - including "piano hero" style visuals. If it helps you get eyes on your playing and increase your income - and you personally have nothing against it - why not do it?

[frodo1]

I disagree that there is anything wrong with presenting your playing in a way that appeals to people I mean why not? I enjoy music being mixed with visuals - I think music is very colorful and goes together well with colorful visuals - including "piano hero" style visuals. If it helps you get eyes on your playing and increase your income - and you personally have nothing against it - why not do it?

To me, it's kind of like - We have a great cut of steak cooked to perfection.  Someone wants to put catsup on his portion of the steak.  Who are we to say this person should not enjoy his steak with catsup?

[perfect_pitch]

I disagree that there is anything wrong with presenting your playing in a way that appeals to people I mean why not? I enjoy music being mixed with visuals - I think music is very colorful and goes together well with colorful visuals - including "piano hero" style visuals. If it helps you get eyes on your playing and increase your income - and you personally have nothing against it - why not do it?

Because it's sad to see now that people are watching these types of videos for the cool colours, glowing keys and stupid VFX - not to take in the actual level of piano playing. I refuse to do it because it looks tacky, and anyway - I put my arrangements on Musicnotes, so if people want to play it - they can get the music there.

People don't care about the piano player, they care about the pretty lights. If that's the way to get subscribers, then I won't *** myself out like that and do it.

It's like Gigolo work - sure it pays a LOT of money, but you could never live with yourself afterwards.

[ranjit]

Because it's sad to see now that people are watching these types of videos for the cool colours, glowing keys and stupid VFX - not to take in the actual level of piano playing.

I'm not so sure this is the case. Are you sure people don't care about the playing quality? I feel like they often simply can't tell the difference easily.

[masterraro]

People don't care about the piano player, they care about the pretty lights. If that's the way to get subscribers, then I won't *** myself out like that and do it.

It's like Gigolo work - sure it pays a LOT of money, but you could never live with yourself afterwards.

I have to say... I generally think this way 99% of the time. But it doesn't seem to have served me.  It's a hard time to be an artist.  Sometimes I wish I was born in Russia 150 years ago, or anywhere in Western Europe 200 years ago... instead we live in the era of instagram and celebrity child-kings. Taylor Swift has more influence than Beethoven.

[perfect_pitch]

Think about it ranjit... people don't care about quality or substance any more. Look at people like Pewdiepie who sits on his arse playing computer games and making idiotic jokes. This guy has more subscribers than the population of AUSTRALIA AND GREAT BRITAIN COMBINED!!!

And what does he post? Inane sh*t that no one cares about. Think about it - what videos usually have more views - some twat falling off a skateboard and smashing into the ground, cracking his head open, or informative intellectuals who usually wish to use the media to bring to our attention important details about climate change, or new inventions that will change the world...

It's usually the videos of people getting gonked in the genitals doing stupid sh*t. People will watch any old crap now, but it seems they have to add pretty colours and clip art to sustain peoples attention for more than 6 seconds.

[sarahnoia]

They're for people who want to learn a song the wrong way. I guess if it works it works but it's a terrible medium for anything beyond the keys that are pressed. There is so, so much more to a performance than just blocks on a MIDI piano roll. If someone is seriously interested in learning how to play, they will at best burn in very bad habits early on.

It's almost as bad as those videos where they try to transcribe via numbers (e.g. "Play 11315541!") which is completely nonsensical and misleading. Do I care though? Not really, I'm hardly qualified to go music policing these videos in comments.

[perfect_pitch]

I think the problem is that there are people who want to learn piano, so as a starter they begin to do these for a while and get used to them, and when they REALLY want to take it seriously, they contact a piano teacher.

Then it comes down to the piano teacher to correct every bad habit they've picked up off of these videos. I've had to do it a few times, and even kids who were taught using 'simply piano' (hate that *** app) for the first year.

It's actually making piano teachers lives harder and harder, because these apps are top-down videos are EVERYWHERE!

[lelle]

I enjoy watching them sometimes, if the visuals are pretty and the pianist plays well. Different strokes for different folks I guess? Personally I think it's wrong to say that people are wrong for liking them or making them. Kinda elitist.

[pianobern69]

Paul Barton does top-down videos, but on a real piano, and his channel is among the most insightful classical piano music channels on YouTube.

[j_tour]

Well, against my better judgment, I have to agree with perfect_pitch.   

In short, I think they're a kind of hideous gimmick created for children who have some kind of defect that impedes their ability to concentrate on anything.

I'm sure the makers have the best intentions and probably some of them are very good musicians.

Then again, I play chess, gin rummy, and pool, not video games, so, obviously I'm not the target audience.  I also don't need paint-by-numbers instructions on how to play a given piece:  just the score, maybe a few recordings, and some instruction, formal and informal, are plenty for me, and have been since I was a small child. 

[ranjit]

For me, I suppose a large part of it is nostalgia. But I just love looking at this, for example. Wonder if anyone here shares the sentiment.

[perfect_pitch]

But I just love looking at this, for example. Wonder if anyone here shares the sentiment.

I sure as hell don't. I'd prefer just to look at the score than a bunch of silly, coloured dots.

[masterraro]

Lol...So this Chopin etude I posted was my one and only attempt at making such a video. Reflecting on it more, I think the biggest issue with these kinds of videos plaguing YouTube is that they are mainly very poor interpretations, rigidly unmusical, and worst of all - fake.  So many of these videos are grossly sped up and have the notes edited.  Does anyone really believe that there are all these exclusively YouTube-pianists out there that can play the complete Chopin/Liszt etudes perfectly clean and at blistering tempi?  Where are Rousseau or Kassia's live performance videos? Btw, Paul Barton is a massive offender of this too, I noticed it years ago.  Many of his Chopin etude videos are crazy sped up.

I feel like I might make one or two more of these just to continue to the experiment, but my channel is comprised 90% of uploads of performances that get like 3 views, so I'll likely just stick to that

[ranjit]

Lol...So this Chopin etude I posted was my one and only attempt at making such a video. Reflecting on it more, I think the biggest issue with these kinds of videos plaguing YouTube is that they are mainly very poor interpretations, rigidly unmusical, and worst of all - fake.  So many of these videos are grossly sped up and have the notes edited.  Does anyone really believe that there are all these exclusively YouTube-pianists out there that can play the complete Chopin/Liszt etudes perfectly clean and at blistering tempi?  Where are Rousseau or Kassia's live performance videos? Btw, Paul Barton is a massive offender of this too, I noticed it years ago.  Many of his Chopin etude videos are crazy sped up.

I feel like I might make one or two more of these just to continue to the experiment, but my channel is comprised 90% of uploads of performances that get like 3 views, so I'll likely just stick to that

Well, I still maintain that I like the synthesia videos.

[Bob]

Lights are distracting.  I'd rather see it moving horizontally.  The play piano roll view is kind of interesting for listening, to literally see that a sound should be there.  I'd rather see the score though or just the pianist's hand, but probably more from the side.  It would be interesting if someone had the score moving along with the note lit up or emphasized a little at just the right time with the music.

[frodo1]

Well, I still maintain that I like the synthesia videos.

I don't have any problem with this!

[frodo1]

Lol...So this Chopin etude I posted was my one and only attempt at making such a video. Reflecting on it more, I think the biggest issue with these kinds of videos plaguing YouTube is that they are mainly very poor interpretations, rigidly unmusical, and worst of all - fake.  So many of these videos are grossly sped up and have the notes edited.  Does anyone really believe that there are all these exclusively YouTube-pianists out there that can play the complete Chopin/Liszt etudes perfectly clean and at blistering tempi?  Where are Rousseau or Kassia's live performance videos? Btw, Paul Barton is a massive offender of this too, I noticed it years ago.  Many of his Chopin etude videos are crazy sped up.

I feel like I might make one or two more of these just to continue to the experiment, but my channel is comprised 90% of uploads of performances that get like 3 views, so I'll likely just stick to that

I noticed your top-down has 9700 views and 155 likes after being on youtube for 1 month.  The 2nd highest for you is Scriabin Etude op 8 no 12 with 5300 views and 281 likes after 11 months.  I wonder why less likes with more views for the top-down?  I mainly wish your top-downs were on a real piano.

I wonder how many more people are interested in classical music thanks to the mostly poorly done videos.  Could these top-down actually be a good thing that introduces many to classical music that otherwise would not be introduced??

As far as Barton goes - I just recommended his Chopin op 10 no 1 tutorial which I feel is great.  You are saying he sped this up without raising pitch?  Even so, I think his video is very helpful to learning this piece. He does very well at piano for being a portrait painter.

[perfect_pitch]

Paul Barton is a massive offender of this too, I noticed it years ago.  Many of his Chopin etude videos are crazy sped up.

I hate to break it to you, but there's no flaws in Paul Bartons videos, and they are NOT sped up. It's rather obvious when people speed up videos, and I've seen many of his videos. If he was guilty of that, I'd have known a long time ago.

He's a very respected pianist, and has been playing for decades. I'd like to see just one video where you think it's sped up.

[ranjit]

I hate to break it to you, but there's no flaws in Paul Bartons videos, and they are NOT sped up. It's rather obvious when people speed up videos, and I've seen many of his videos. If he was guilty of that, I'd have known a long time ago.

He's a very respected pianist, and has been playing for decades. I'd like to see just one video where you think it's sped up.

Yes, I found this puzzling as well. The tempo seems fairly normal to me. I've heard that Paul Barton was trained to be a concert pianist, but left that path midway.

[lelle]

Paul Barton's stuff is definitely not sped up.

Yes, I found this puzzling as well. The tempo seems fairly normal to me. I've heard that Paul Barton was trained to be a concert pianist, but left that path midway.

Interesting, that would certainly explain his skill. Where did you hear this?

[bwl_13]

I wonder how many more people are interested in classical music thanks to the mostly poorly done videos.  Could these top-down actually be a good thing that introduces many to classical music that otherwise would not be introduced??

I think there's a lot of validity to this. I also want to add that the top down angle can be very useful to check out fingerings and hand movements. The flashing lights and midi roll distract from this most of the time, but Paul Barton for instance has the angle while also having notated music above the keyboard, and this can be very useful when studying a piece of music.

My preferred approach is still sitting down with a physical score and following along, but the top-down angle and the midi roll AfterEffects situation are two different things.

[j_tour]

I think there's a lot of validity to this. I also want to add that the top down angle can be very useful to check out fingerings and hand movements. The flashing lights and midi roll distract from this most of the time

I'm happy to back down from rather harsh criticism of the piano roll graphics:  it's obviously not meant for me, but if it can spark some interest among younger people, I don't see why not.

However, kids who are into performing classical music are a bit different, anyway. 

Is it probably correct that it takes much more effort to produce a view of the keyboard in real-time, integrated with some use of the standard notation, than to prepare a synthesthesic type "orgy for the senses" kind of visualization?

I'm not sure of that.  I do know that I've never been able to capture any kind of acceptable video using tablets/phones, and the sound is either barely audible or just mediocre.  For me, it's more effort than I'd ever expend, but then again, I don't have a reason to make video content.

[flyusx]

Does anyone really believe that there are all these exclusively YouTube-pianists out there that can play the complete Chopin/Liszt etudes perfectly clean and at blistering tempi?  Where are Rousseau or Kassia's live performance videos?

I'm quite certain Rosseau's videos are sped up by how fast his hands disappear from the keyboard, but I know Kassia has unlisted videos with clocks ticking in the background whilst playing some of her more popular and faster works. Slowing some down show her playing isn't flawless either.

Edit: I should state that I don't really worry about the graphics of videos. I tend to avoid visualisations like the plague, but I'm willing to at least listen to Kassia because her playing can be nice at times.

[bwl_13]

I'm quite certain Rosseau's videos are sped up by how fast his hands disappear from the keyboard, but I know Kassia has unlisted videos with clocks ticking in the background whilst playing some of her more popular and faster works. Slowing some down show her playing isn't flawless either.

Edit: I should state that I don't really worry about the graphics of videos. I tend to avoid visualisations like the plague, but I'm willing to at least listen to Kassia because her playing can be nice at times.

Kassia is a good pianist, but again, I find the graphics are way over the top. Rousseau offers music to the lowest common denominator and it in his sound. The playing is almost clinical, scrubbed from any sort of human qualities.

[flyusx]

Kassia is a good pianist, but again, I find the graphics are way over the top. Rousseau offers music to the lowest common denominator and it in his sound. The playing is almost clinical, scrubbed from any sort of human qualities.

I agree, though I have to admit Kassia's interpretations aren't bad (studied piano at University, I believe). Rosseau is boring, nothing more.

[bwl_13]

I agree, though I have to admit Kassia's interpretations aren't bad (studied piano at University, I believe). Rosseau is boring, nothing more.

Oh that's what I mean. I didn't mean it to come across as though I'm saying Kassia's playing is clinical. I think she is a good pianist, far more interesting than Rosseau.

[goethefan69420]

I DONT KNOW if anyone else left this comment but...

Just do overhead view with sheet music on a real piano.

Best for students, you get to use real piano. and can get a lot of views. Just do some educational pieces, there aren't many high quality performances of bach invention with hands above, stuff like mozart sonata/kuhlau sonatina, stuff from childrens albums etc.

That can get you a good viewer base and not really selling out + probably doing something fun that won't take as much time, and OFC you can upload major rep in this format as well, but, it could be more challenging and the key to youtube is to be uploading frequently I believe.

[lelle]

I DONT KNOW if anyone else left this comment but...

Just do overhead view with sheet music on a real piano.

Best for students, you get to use real piano. and can get a lot of views. Just do some educational pieces, there aren't many high quality performances of bach invention with hands above, stuff like mozart sonata/kuhlau sonatina, stuff from childrens albums etc.

That can get you a good viewer base and not really selling out + probably doing something fun that won't take as much time, and OFC you can upload major rep in this format as well, but, it could be more challenging and the key to youtube is to be uploading frequently I believe.

I think there is a market for both! I personally prefer overhead + sheet music on a real piano though.

[pianowhisper]

I haven't read the entire thread but I am guessing that a lot of people must have expressed their dislike towards such videos. I gotta admit I even got encouraged to learn to play certain pieces by watching some of those.

My two cents is that although they are a bit "cheap" for solely getting views and becoming popular, they have a certain appeal to the general audience. They can introduce people to classical music if they have never really listened to it. Music is also visual, so for the average person to see the "shape" of the sound across time and space seems a nice stimulus...?

For fellow pianists around the world, sure, an overhead view with sheet music is absolutely great... but not everyone is a musician.

Yes, they are cringy, but those millions of views on such videos are coming from people who are at least being influenced somehow by this type of genre, and a "cringy" entryway into appreciating classical music is better than no entryway at all.

[anacrusis]

I don't find them cringy at all, even if they're not to my taste.

I haven't read the entire thread but I am guessing that a lot of people must have expressed their dislike towards such videos. I gotta admit I even got encouraged to learn to play certain pieces by watching some of those.

Just because of this I think these videos have great value. Whatever gets people interested in classical piano music is good

[pianowhisper]

Whatever gets people interested in classical piano music is good

This is precisely what sums up my view on this type of content.

PS: I find them a bit "cringy" in that most of them are made solely to get views and fame, in a way. The "classical music appreciation" purpose is then somewhat overshadowed by the seeking for attention. Either way, I still watch them from time to time for fun and for new perspectives.

[transitional]

Why do you need Rousseau videos for this kind of thing. Why does the Rousseau La Campanella video on YT have 43M views while the Lang Lang video has 8M? Seriously, if you want expressionless piano visualization, just head over to https://app.midiano.com/. You can even upload other midi files, it has just as extensive library as Rousseau or Kassia, and even better, if you care for ridiculous speed, you can speed it to something like 1000% for all I care!

I mean, do those visualizations all you want, I won't try to stop you. But how come live recordings get less views than feeble Rousseau? Just go to Midiano or some other place for the visualizations. It just annoys me when people say they love classical music because it's relaxing. Then they sometimes go on to say that Rousseau is their favorite pianist. (These are usually the people who have a favorite piece such as Fur Elise.) I also see these kinds of people debating about Rousseau vs Kassia like it's something like Schiff vs Brendel or Rubenstein vs Arrau or you name it.

[ego0720]

I enjoy watching them sometimes, if the visuals are pretty and the pianist plays well. Different strokes for different folks I guess? Personally I think it's wrong to say that people are wrong for liking them or making them. Kinda elitist.

I’m a little taken aback by the strong reaction here. I love piano and watching ppl play and for the non-musicians this is a way to get them to look & listen and appreciate more fully. The implication that piano is a bitter pill that needs to be sugarcoated by lights.. I mean there is some truth to it but in the context of adaptation for a different medium. I feel it is difficult for non-musical ppl to appreciate all the subtleties of piano unless one engages in the practice.  It’s like for an uneducated audience this is easier to digest (it was the same for mixed martial arts where to the untrained eyes it looks “gay” but that indicates more of the ignorance of that interpreter — and for that industry it was important to educate the public to appreciate the skills involved so they understand what the process involves and help with the entertainment aspect).  For a different target audience these videos are good and don’t really insult on the art. It’s just catered to a different population via different viewership mode. Watching piano or other performance art like that of a magician is different on tv than it is actually being there to see the person. Experience isn’t t the same and requires modifications to make that platform thrive as a mode of immersion.

Also, the lights are a gimmick anyone can recreate (I have a family member who looked into it and showed me how to do it). It was not designed as a means for teaching ppl how to play said song (I thought that at first) but its intent was to emphasize how complex music can be to the person viewing, as in the uninitiated. For this group of non-musicals.. they can’t fully interpret how difficult a piece is via the sheets so the lights are another way to communicate that complexity. I don’t believe anyone actually tries to learn by that and I know I certainly could not. It’s too fast and maybe for like simple arrangements some ppl can do it to a limited extent but will fail as a learning method when the translation for a piece becomes involved as to be impossible to adapt other concepts (other than notes).

Remember that, at least in USA, there is something to be said when classical music is ranked #9 of 10. We shouldn’t be dismissing the experience of the casuals. These videos help bring awareness to classical music and it helps ppl get exposed to this genre. Our job, as “experts” be it professional or hobbyist or super fan, is to help ppl understand this genre and maybe build a little bit of that literacy even if it’s just a tiny bit. Being nurturing of their response, rather than being dismissive, can help cultivate a bigger collectiveness and build a larger base.

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I suppose so. But at least make visualized videos with decent playing. I suppose Kassia is good. Traum is okay and has amazing technique. Rousseau's stuff just sounds like it went through a midi file. The OP, masterraro, plays the etude in this kind of video brilliantly. I wonder what these videos would look like when famous pianists (not famous youtube pianists. I mean even Martha Goldstein has a wikipedia page. Does Rousseau? no.) use them. There must be a reason why they don't...

[ego0720]

I suppose so. But at least make visualized videos with decent playing. I suppose Kassia is good. Traum is okay and has amazing technique. Rousseau's stuff just sounds like it went through a midi file. The OP, masterraro, plays the etude in this kind of video brilliantly. I wonder what these videos would look like when famous pianists (not famous youtube pianists. I mean even Martha Goldstein has a wikipedia page. Does Rousseau? no.) use them. There must be a reason why they don't...

Think bc it requires information that of digital form.  Acoustics are harder to interpret for the software if it’s not connected via usb. There is a learning curve in using modern technology that, in itself, is time consuming.  Also, I feel ppl do piano to get away from technology.. to enjoy a recreation free of digital connectivity.

I would always go for a live performance of a real piano player. But like 200 years ago, I still think that piano is majestic and symbol of opulence that doesn’t resonate too well with the regular joes. I think the digital piano, with a few shortcomings, has one advantage.. accessibility.  And not only accessibility to those who might not ordinarily play piano but giving versatility to bringing piano to everyone.  YT videos are one product of the upcoming era but we still need to respect the evolution in all forms if we are to encourage ppl to join.

[lelle]

I suppose so. But at least make visualized videos with decent playing. I suppose Kassia is good. Traum is okay and has amazing technique. Rousseau's stuff just sounds like it went through a midi file. The OP, masterraro, plays the etude in this kind of video brilliantly. I wonder what these videos would look like when famous pianists (not famous youtube pianists. I mean even Martha Goldstein has a wikipedia page. Does Rousseau? no.) use them. There must be a reason why they don't...

I mean, famous pianists in the traditional vein are busy practicing and performing in concert halls. Famous pianists on youtube are busy making videos for youtube. Pianists who are a mix of both do both. I think it's that simple

Not all pianists wanna perform in traditional concerts either. I'm a decent player I guess and have a performance degree, but I have not been interested in putting in the work and going through the stress involved in doing live performances as part of my living for a long time. I do some work in the music business but it's more behind the scenes and I have found I prefer it that way for the moment.

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I actually saw a "visualized" video today that had a decent interpretation

Just goes to show that it's good to keep your eyes open. If you guys see any good ones, please let me know.

[pianopro181]

Aren’t they just people playing on normal keyboards with a light effect representing the different intervalic positions? I found it quite interesting and even a tad useful for larger works where they were AI modified to performances of famous pianists playing things like Brahms 2, Prok 2 and Rach 3 etc. But many of the ones where the pianist is playing some etude or something have clearly been tampered with eg sped up and overly enhanced. A prime example of that is that guy called ‘Rousseau’. Obvious fraud yet the general public totally buy into it.

[perfect_pitch]

But many of the ones where the pianist is playing some etude or something have clearly been tampered with eg sped up and overly enhanced. A prime example of that is that guy called ‘Rousseau’. Obvious fraud yet the general public totally buy into it.

Total bullshit. You can tell when someone has tampered with the timing or sped up footage. Rousseau doesn't need to 'fake' his performances.

I'm not saying I'm a fan of him - because I'm not. I'm not a detractor either, but you can tell that the player has talent.

Me thinks someone is a little jealous that they can't play like Rousseau...