Learning minor piano pieces! (jazz, metal, tunes, classic, quote)

Befall · 04-25-2009, 12:53 AM

Hello everyone, new to this forum, so I suppose this is a formal hello.

I've always had a sweet spot for melancholy piano/classical music; usually with piano/cello most prominent. Examples include "Sargasso Sea" by Suzanne Ciani, and in metal (my love), "Best Case Scenario" by Mortal Treason.

Anyways, I would love to learn piano, and most preferably, very minor, dark songs to play. Anything from somewhat easy to intermediate would be great. Just some suggestions.

Hell, if you threw in links to instructional videos/sites, that'd be phantasmagoric as well!

Thanks in advance everyone!

Adonai · 04-25-2009, 02:35 AM

Piano is not the easiest instrument to pick up

Befall · 04-25-2009, 10:54 PM

First of all, that's almost entirely useless to say.

Second, I've been playing for a year or so, but no real songs; fingerings, rhythms, chords and light technique.

Try to be a bit more constructive.

SATCHMO · 04-26-2009, 01:59 AM

I am a self taught pianist who loves to play the same style of piano music that you do, and, despite the fact that its jazz I think you would really love Frank Kimbrough's It Should Have Happened a Long Time Ago. Its very slow and evenly paced and its very dark and introspective. Also try Eric Satie's Gymnopedies composed specifically for players with limited hand dexterity.They're very beautiful. If I think of anymore I'll let you know.

peterbaby7 · 04-26-2009, 04:14 AM

nice, good playing!

Befall · 04-27-2009, 01:58 PM

Thanks so much! That's truly beautiful! I'll certainly look into that stuff!

DReills84 · 04-28-2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adonai

Piano is not the easiest instrument to pick up

What a useless comment!

I'm afraid I've no help on the subject, but I definitely wouldn't encourage anyone NOT to learn to play any instrument!

Arya Stark · 05-01-2009, 05:19 PM

Nobody told you not to pick up the instrument. Just know that it may be difficult to play. You never told anyone how long you'd be playing...

darkcornerinthecloset · 05-03-2009, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DReills84

What a useless comment!

I'm afraid I've no help on the subject, but I definitely wouldn't encourage anyone NOT to learn to play any instrument!

recommendation: start out with some scales and cadences and little kids songs first then move up to classical. its also good you want to learn classical; that might actually get you somewhere cause people who start out playing showtunes are the ones who are doomed to fail. thats the same with guitar because its such a common instrument as well. i dont think piano is difficult if you know the basics. however, it took me 2 years to learn the basics and 5 more to get where i am now. how difficult it is depends on how much spare time you have to work up to your ability. do it slowly theres no rush unless your dying in a month. good luck with it

ixtlan22 · 05-03-2009, 07:36 PM

Satie's first Gymnopedie was one of the first tunes I ever learned on piano. I don't retain it entirely well if I don't practice it... and I definitely recommend trying some easier stuff to learn technique first (take a few lessons too so you don't hurt yourself). But on the upshot, it is a relatively easy tune, is very learnable, and extremely beautiful.

04-25-2009, 12:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
Befall Groupie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 3	Learning minor piano pieces! Hello everyone, new to this forum, so I suppose this is a formal hello. I've always had a sweet spot for melancholy piano/classical music; usually with piano/cello most prominent. Examples include "Sargasso Sea" by Suzanne Ciani, and in metal (my love), "Best Case Scenario" by Mortal Treason. Anyways, I would love to learn piano, and most preferably, very minor, dark songs to play. Anything from somewhat easy to intermediate would be great. Just some suggestions. Hell, if you threw in links to instructional videos/sites, that'd be phantasmagoric as well! Thanks in advance everyone!

04-25-2009, 02:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
Adonai An ambient-loving cookie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Riga, Latvia Posts: 139	Piano is not the easiest instrument to pick up __________________ Grace of Vengeance

04-26-2009, 01:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
SATCHMO Al Dente Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 4,708	I am a self taught pianist who loves to play the same style of piano music that you do, and, despite the fact that its jazz I think you would really love Frank Kimbrough's It Should Have Happened a Long Time Ago. Its very slow and evenly paced and its very dark and introspective. Also try Eric Satie's Gymnopedies composed specifically for players with limited hand dexterity.They're very beautiful. If I think of anymore I'll let you know. Last edited by SATCHMO; 04-26-2009 at 02:24 AM.

04-26-2009, 04:14 AM	#5 (permalink)
peterbaby7 Groupie Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 22	nice, good playing! __________________ [ad removed by moderator. Please read the The Newcomers Guide to MusicBanter]

05-03-2009, 07:36 PM	#10 (permalink)
ixtlan22 Loves Jan Terri Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 184	Satie's first Gymnopedie was one of the first tunes I ever learned on piano. I don't retain it entirely well if I don't practice it... and I definitely recommend trying some easier stuff to learn technique first (take a few lessons too so you don't hurt yourself). But on the upshot, it is a relatively easy tune, is very learnable, and extremely beautiful. __________________ "Peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God." -Bockonon-

04-25-2009, 10:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
Befall Groupie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 3	First of all, that's almost entirely useless to say. Second, I've been playing for a year or so, but no real songs; fingerings, rhythms, chords and light technique. Try to be a bit more constructive.

04-27-2009, 01:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
Befall Groupie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 3	Thanks so much! That's truly beautiful! I'll certainly look into that stuff!