Griffinator Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Really? I'm just absolutely stunned at how diminished my pure piano skills have deteriorated over the years. I'm sitting here with the little music-box piano part of "Carry On Wayward Son" and finding it difficult just to get through the first two bars. Someone tell me this piece really is as challenging as it seems, and it's not just that I suck so bad I've taken on a project I can't handle... A bunch of loud, obnoxious music I USED to make with friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrimsonianKing Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Hmm...I know the chords but i've never played it exactly like the album, so i don't know how difficult it is, it sounded easy enough, i don't know. Now the organ solo took me some time to learn, so i could unlearn it and play it my way, did you get to that yet? "The purple piper plays his tune, The choir softly sing; Three lullabies in an ancient tongue, For the court of the crimson king" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffinator Posted November 27, 2011 Author Share Posted November 27, 2011 Hmm...I know the chords but i've never played it exactly like the album, so i don't know how difficult it is, it sounded easy enough, i don't know. Now the organ solo took me some time to learn, so i could unlearn it and play it my way, did you get to that yet? Actually, the organ solo came much easier than this. Of course, the organ solo is one-handed, so my very rusty two-hand synchronization didn't come into play... A bunch of loud, obnoxious music I USED to make with friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EscapeRocks Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Griff... This might help, and at least get you close. As long as you can "arpegiate" with your left hand. [video:youtube] David Gig Rig:Roland Fantom-08| Yamaha MODX+ 6 | MacBook Pro 14" M1| Mainstage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrimsonianKing Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Hmm...I know the chords but i've never played it exactly like the album, so i don't know how difficult it is, it sounded easy enough, i don't know. Now the organ solo took me some time to learn, so i could unlearn it and play it my way, did you get to that yet? Actually, the organ solo came much easier than this. Of course, the organ solo is one-handed, so my very rusty two-hand synchronization didn't come into play... I see, well, there's nothing you can do but practice the piano part. Or play a simplified version of it, it's not like anyone in the crowd will notice or care. "The purple piper plays his tune, The choir softly sing; Three lullabies in an ancient tongue, For the court of the crimson king" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffLearman Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Maybe I'm missing something, but I always thought it was just Am G | F G | Am F | G F Dm C | Bb | Dm C | G That's leaving out a pasing C at the end of the 6th measure. The trick isn't the chords, it's the voicings, but you can play something simple and it serves the purpose quite well. For starters I'd just play 2nd inversions and mimic the movement in the top two notes (e.g., C D D . B G G . for the first measure). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffLearman Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Hah, Escape Rocks posted a youtube while I was verifying! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffinator Posted November 27, 2011 Author Share Posted November 27, 2011 Griff... This might help, and at least get you close. As long as you can "arpegiate" with your left hand. Oh, I've got the notation on it. It's the mechanics that are killing me... A bunch of loud, obnoxious music I USED to make with friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffLearman Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Then don't sweat it -- play something simple that comes naturally. But I bet you can get this into your fingers with a bit of woodshedding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EscapeRocks Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Griff... This might help, and at least get you close. As long as you can "arpegiate" with your left hand. Oh, I've got the notation on it. It's the mechanics that are killing me... Here's what I do to get mechanics of a song down...of course YMMV. Take the left hand in this song for example: I would sit and simply begin slowly playing the notes in order.. A C E C, G B D B, etc.. until the notes became muscle memory for my left hand. Yes this sounds simplistic, but it has worked for me. I'll keep playing the pattern over and over working up to proper tempo until I'm sick of playing it. Then I'd do the same with the right hand...getting it to "memorize" it's part. After I feel comfortable with the parts separately, I will start over again playing both part together very slowly...again repetition is key. The best analogy I can give is the old pat your head while rubbing your stomach. Try doing that, and then switching hands. Again, I know this is very facile, but it has worked with a couple kids I've shown some piano parts to. Another thing I've shown the kids is to have them bang out the rhythm patterns of each hand on a table, forget about the piano for a bit. So hit the 8th notes with the left and 1/4 note with the right. It becomes second nature and soon you won't even think about the patterns you have to play for this song...you'll just do it. Once again, not trying to talk down to or seem very simple... it's just something I've used before to help people. David Gig Rig:Roland Fantom-08| Yamaha MODX+ 6 | MacBook Pro 14" M1| Mainstage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffinator Posted November 27, 2011 Author Share Posted November 27, 2011 No offense taken, Escape. Absolutely helpful advice. What I'll probably do here is dumb it down for this next rehearsal, then dedicate some time to it regularly until I can play it flawlessly over the next few months before our first gig. A bunch of loud, obnoxious music I USED to make with friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle ggurl Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Yeah, I like Escape's advice as a way to get it under your fingers ... aside from playing a simplified version, there isn't a short-cut. In the scheme of things, it's really not a hard part, and I think it's just that your hands/muscle memory are not used to it. BUT, I'm sure it's within your abilities after you just get over that initial awkwardness. No harm at all in drilling just the left hand at very slow tempo and progressing from there. BTW, kudos to the guy who made that video. It was very well broken down and I appreciate seeing folks who take the time to really break down parts and not be stingy with their knowledge. Original Latin Jazz CD Baby "I am not certain how original my contribution to music is as I am obviously an amateur." Patti Smith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allan_evett Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 I played this one in a road band, back in the 80's. It was part of a medley, so I never did end up learning the organ solo. The hand and muscle memory part is the challenge, indeed. Taking the time, and having the patience to work through it is tough. Isolating sections, repetition, working 'hands separate' are all techniques I use, and constantly recommend to students. It isn't always easy to put in the time, and build up technique, but it pays off. 'Someday, we'll look back on these days and laugh; likely a maniacal laugh from our padded cells, but a laugh nonetheless' - Mr. Boffo. We need a barfing cat emoticon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EscapeRocks Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 No offense taken, Escape. Absolutely helpful advice. What I'll probably do here is dumb it down for this next rehearsal, then dedicate some time to it regularly until I can play it flawlessly over the next few months before our first gig. Sounds like a plan. The best part is that both hands are playing in even time. No syncopated stuff like Maple Leaf Rag, which my teacher tortured me with when I was 9 David Gig Rig:Roland Fantom-08| Yamaha MODX+ 6 | MacBook Pro 14" M1| Mainstage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timwat Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 The best part is that both hands are playing in even time. No syncopated stuff like Maple Leaf Rag, which my teacher tortured me with when I was 9 I still get a tic reflex whenever I watch "The Sting" on cable. .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EscapeRocks Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 The best part is that both hands are playing in even time. No syncopated stuff like Maple Leaf Rag, which my teacher tortured me with when I was 9 I still get a tic reflex whenever I watch "The Sting" on cable. +1 My 9 year old brain had a hard time with the concept of keeping, what seemed to me at the time, two differing time signatures at once. aiieeeeeeeee David Gig Rig:Roland Fantom-08| Yamaha MODX+ 6 | MacBook Pro 14" M1| Mainstage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffinator Posted November 27, 2011 Author Share Posted November 27, 2011 Yeah, I like Escape's advice as a way to get it under your fingers ... aside from playing a simplified version, there isn't a short-cut. In the scheme of things, it's really not a hard part, and I think it's just that your hands/muscle memory are not used to it. BUT, I'm sure it's within your abilities after you just get over that initial awkwardness. No harm at all in drilling just the left hand at very slow tempo and progressing from there. BTW, kudos to the guy who made that video. It was very well broken down and I appreciate seeing folks who take the time to really break down parts and not be stingy with their knowledge. That guy made complete videos of all the parts to the song, and I have been drilling with him. His performance of the solo was invaluable to me shedding it into some semblence of competence. A bunch of loud, obnoxious music I USED to make with friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_3guy Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 You can get this. Just put the time in. I would struggle with it like you are but I know I would get it eventually. Besides doing it at the gig, it'll be cool to play it when you're at the local music store. . . . Steve www.seagullphotodesign.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanL Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 The part that tripped me up for a while was the riff behind one of the guitar solos where it's all on the upbeats and leads back into the main riff part. (the video guy didn't play that part!) Live: Korg Kronos 2 88, Nord Electro 5d Nord Lead A1 Toys: Roland FA08, Novation Ultranova, Moog LP, Roland SP-404SX, Roland JX10,Emu MK6 www.bksband.com www.echoesrocks.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEB Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Thing the killed us back in the day was the vocals. "It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne "A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!! So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffinator Posted November 28, 2011 Author Share Posted November 28, 2011 Thing the killed us back in the day was the vocals. We have a soprano for that purpose, and I'm not ashamed to say that I'm damned good at pounding out harmony parts for the three of us "backing" singers. A bunch of loud, obnoxious music I USED to make with friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iconoclast Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 Dude, this thing killed me too. Doesn't seem that hard but I had a heck of a time putting it together. I would agree that even though the organ solo is wicked fast it's almost easier than that damn piano part. You want me to start this song too slow or too fast? Forte7, Nord Stage 3, XK3c, OB-6, Arturia Collection, Mainstage, MotionSound KBR3D. A bunch of MusicMan Guitars, Line6 stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffinator Posted November 29, 2011 Author Share Posted November 29, 2011 Dude, this thing killed me too. Doesn't seem that hard but I had a heck of a time putting it together. I would agree that even though the organ solo is wicked fast it's almost easier than that damn piano part. I think the tempo is half the problem on that piano bit. It's soooo deceptively quick. A bunch of loud, obnoxious music I USED to make with friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iconoclast Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 It really killed me because I love Kerry Livgren and pre-Monolith Kansas. I'm a guitarist/keyboardist too. The hands independently were very easy as I remember. There was just something about putting them together that really killed me. I'm getting ready to dust this one off again next month as we just got a new singer who can actually sing it. With the new singer I'm looking forward to starting many new threads about how do I play the Boston/Journey/Kansas/Rush/Triumph/Rainbow song that we never could play because the singer couldn't hit those notes. You want me to start this song too slow or too fast? Forte7, Nord Stage 3, XK3c, OB-6, Arturia Collection, Mainstage, MotionSound KBR3D. A bunch of MusicMan Guitars, Line6 stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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