| Sebastian 28.06.2007 14:11 |
Hello everyone. My piano abilities are very poor so it's more difficult for me to compare but I've always wondered: is there anybody in the rock/pop business whose piano skills are more or less the same as Freddie? I'm asking because most of them are either notably inferior (e.g. Axl Rose, Paul McCartney) or much much much better (e.g. Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson). |
| Micrówave 28.06.2007 16:28 |
Hmmm... interesting topic if you really get into it. But first we need to seperate the organ and synth players right off the list. I would say the top piano players would include the likes of: Professor Longhair Bruce Hornsby Greg Philliganes Herbie Hancock Rick Wakeman These are the type of guys that can have two seperate trains of thought going at once... prestidigitation. ---------- Next, I would have the great songwriter/players, they can't do the runs and arpeggios as well (without hitting a button), but they're damn fine players: Elton John Jonathan Cain Donald Fagan -------- Then there's your guys that can play, but it's their secondary skill: Freddie Alan Parsons Danny Elfman Peter Gabriel -------- And the guys that can play, secondary skill, and really have to watch their hands and look nervous: Brian May Paul Rodgers Eddie Van Halen -------- Finally, there's the ones that should have their piano's taken away from them: The guy from Maroon 5 The guy from Lincoln Park 84.7% of all current R&B players and rappers Axl Rose |
| teleman 28.06.2007 16:43 |
Tony Banks(Genesis), Nicky Hopkins(Session player all over alot of classic rock), Tony Kaye(Yes)listen to The Yes Album, Jon Lord?(Deep Purple) ground breaking Hammond player, John Paul Jone(Led Zep) never gets credit for his keys work. YMMV |
| Pim Derks 28.06.2007 16:48 |
I don't think Freddie could play the piano as well as Tony Banks. Just listen to Firth of Fifth or Mad Man Moon - no way Freddie could play that I think. |
| Micrówave 28.06.2007 17:26 |
teleman wrote: Tony Kaye(Yes)listen to The Yes AlbumI was keeping it to non-organ players, because get Tony away from the Hammond and he sucks. 90125, Big Generator, Talk... remember? Tony Banks and Jon Lord, though, ah yes! But if you mention them, you have to mention the man... Jimmy Smith. |
| freddieparis 28.06.2007 17:39 |
I think Freddie could had been a good keyboardist in many famous band, but don't forget his main skill is vocals... However it's quite evident that keyboardist like Rick wakeman, Eddie jobson or Geoff downes have a higuer technical levels, it's their full time job..! |
| wstüssyb 28.06.2007 17:56 |
Elton is/was a better Piano player then Freddie. Billy Joel of course There is not so many bands that really focus with Pianos, keyboards maybe, but keyboards you can always add so much to those sounds. Hard to compare some bands, like maybe Toto or Jounrey, when they pretty much have piano/keyboards on all songs, towards the later stage Freddie was really not playing the Piano as much live. |
| gmhmagic 28.06.2007 18:24 |
There are a lot of musicians that are or were better pianists than Freddie... Freddie was a skillful pianist, he was really good indeed... but there are/were many out there better than him... You should listen to keyboard players such as Wakeman, Emerson, etc... I play the piano, and IN MY OPINION, when talking about Rock/Pop, Elton John is one of the best piano players in popular music... as well as Billy Joel (with a more classical style) And there are many more, that are quite or a little bit more unknown... |
| DavidRFuller 28.06.2007 19:04 |
Nigel Tufnel's "Lick My Lovepump" is a beautiful delicate peice. |
| teleman 28.06.2007 20:37 |
Micrówave wrote:I've been on a B3 kick. Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, Joey Defrancesco etc.teleman wrote: Tony Kaye(Yes)listen to The Yes AlbumI was keeping it to non-organ players, because get Tony away from the Hammond and he sucks. 90125, Big Generator, Talk... remember? Tony Banks and Jon Lord, though, ah yes! But if you mention them, you have to mention the man... Jimmy Smith. Pim, I'm inclined to think Freddie could have played Firth of Fifth and Mad Man Moon among others on piano. Freddie was capable but didn't always apply himself strictly to piano(I wonder if Freddie had ADD) |
| Joeker 28.06.2007 22:00 |
Ray Manzarek from the doors is a great player...even if the organs are a bit different that stuff is amazing...cmon baby light my fire! |
| masterstroke_84 28.06.2007 23:18 |
Any of these answers about better and worse piano players are written by people who knows MUSIC or piano? just wandering. P. |
| john bodega 29.06.2007 01:37 |
I see mention of Elton John and Billy Joel... I reckon they're both probably better at piano than Freddie was, but Billy Joel is a bit more versatile in that he can sort of go out of his own style, a bit? Elton John, doesn't matter what he's playing... sounds like Elton John. Of course, that's not a negative... just an observation. I think it's prudent to mention Pete Townshend. People quite often overlook his piano/keyboard work, there's a couple of neat bits in there. |
| Nummer2 29.06.2007 03:20 |
The piano bits from Supertramp sound a bit like Freddie's. Not too complicated technically, but with a lot of feeling for rhythm and melody. |
| My Melancholy Blues 29.06.2007 04:16 |
Fredde's pianoplaying often reminds me of some classical piano tunes, because of tremolo or arpeggio he often used in his tunes and some melody parts. But moreover what impresses me especially is the way he played piano. Well, one of the best examples for that is Love Of My Life, especially, its interlude part: his pianoplaying of that part expresses his rising and settling emotion so well by using crescendo and decrescendo naturally and effectively. I'm sure he was well trained classically. I remember classical piano teachers always said that you have to feel music and to play piano with feeling. And I often used to think how I should play. Without any feeling your playing will be monotonous and no good, however swiftly your fingers may move on the keys. The same thing is true for other arts, i.e. any composition made by only one's technique without feeling can hardly touch people's heartstrings really. And I think he was taught so in his young days while he was learning piano. I also think he understood that so well and he liked that so much as well. His instinct for the music talent might tell him to do so. So, surely his fingers naturally moved to express his feelings as he was taught by his music teachers. At that point, his pianoplaying is superb like his vocal, even though there are many technically better players. I think there are other versatile pianoplayers who might play as if they remind me of Freddie. But it would be more natural for Freddie to play piano "dolce" or "expressivo" or "cantabile" than some of them would do so. |
| mercury20 29.06.2007 06:18 |
Freddie didn't consider himself to be a great piano/keyboard player,which is why Mike Moran was used for his Barcelona album.He wrote a lot of his songs on it but although his skills were good he knew he was not in the top league.Same with the guitar,he could strum a bit,but he obviously had the curly one to do that! On the other hand,as a frontman,for quality of voice and songwriting ability,there was NOBODY to touch him. |
| saltnvinegar 29.06.2007 06:18 |
To those people who can play the piano: I remember on the director's commentary on the We Will Rock You DVD when Saul Swimmer said that when the band watched some of the show in the editing room, they all laughed at the way Freddie let his wrists drop down at the keyboard. Is this a common bad habit for pianists? |
| Nummer2 29.06.2007 08:44 |
@saltnvinegar: Yes, it is, definitely. When I started to have piano lessons, my teacher told me not to do that. And it's obvious: If you play with your wrists in an angle like Freddie does, it's very straining to play fluently and fast. It soon starts to hurt. With straightened wrists you can play fast parts much better. Freddie must have had a lot of practice to get things done like the DOTL intro. |
| maxpower 29.06.2007 09:05 |
erm what about mike moran? he's alright aint he? |
| Micrówave 29.06.2007 11:45 |
teleman wrote: I've been on a B3 kick. Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, Joey Defrancesco etc.Check this out, you can find it at a lot of used bookstores, but is well worth the price for everything you ever wanted to know historically or internally. link masterstroke_84 wrote: Any of these answers about better and worse piano players are written by people who knows MUSIC or piano? just wandering.A lot more than you have to offer. Your profile says you're 22. I've played piano for ten years more than that, junior. |
| gmhmagic 29.06.2007 12:28 |
masterstroke_84 wrote: Any of these answers about better and worse piano players are written by people who knows MUSIC or piano? just wandering. P.Si, yo Patricio, toco el piano desde chico, con una formación plenamente clásica y derivado al Rock & Roll! =P Me pregunto que s de tu vida, jaja hace mil que no hablamos! |
| Sebastian 29.06.2007 12:59 |
maxpower wrote: erm what about mike moran? he's alright aint he?Yes, he's obviously much better than Freddie. Now, who plays better between Brian and Paul Rodgers? |
| Poo, again 29.06.2007 16:06 |
DavidRFuller wrote: Nigel Tufnel's "Lick My Lovepump" is a beautiful delicate peice.Indeed. |
| Bobby_brown 29.06.2007 17:24 |
Micrówave wrote: And the guys that can play, secondary skill, and really have to watch their hands and look nervous: Brian May Paul Rodgers Eddie Van HalenMan, Edward Van Halen´s secondary Skill is the guitar. He has learned to play the piano and won three competitions in a row playing Mozart and other classical stuff. If you hear tracks like Jump, Why Can´t this be love, and Right now, you´ll see a master of the instrument. But live he doesn´t play Keyboards very often (thank God!). Take care |
| Sahin_Gu 29.06.2007 18:07 |
Freddie's piano playing level wasn't extaordinarily high but remarkable, however his style of play piano and approach to establishing harmony was unique. Elton John is theorically one of the best in pop/rock. And Peter Hammill, may be ? |
| saltnvinegar 29.06.2007 18:54 |
Nummer2 wrote: @saltnvinegar: Yes, it is, definitely. When I started to have piano lessons, my teacher told me not to do that. And it's obvious: If you play with your wrists in an angle like Freddie does, it's very straining to play fluently and fast. It soon starts to hurt. With straightened wrists you can play fast parts much better. Freddie must have had a lot of practice to get things done like the DOTL intro.Thanks for the info Nummer2 :) I guess Freddie could get away with it because there were only a few songs using the piano in their shows, especially later on. Actually, I have another piano question-is it possible to guess who's playing just by their style? I only ask because to me, Brian seemed to play very softly compared to Freddie-like the beginning of 'Save Me' and 'Teo Toriatte' live. Freddie seemed to play with more bravado to me. |
| My Melancholy Blues 29.06.2007 19:10 |
Yes, he dropped down his wrists too low. He might be told to make his wrists supple once in his young years. And in order to do so, he began dropping down his wrists and couldn't stop doing so. I'm not sure, though. |
| deleted user 01.07.2007 06:00 |
Matthew Bellamy from Muse is a guitar and piano virtuoso |
| Micrówave 02.07.2007 18:47 |
Bobby_brown wrote: If you hear tracks like Jump, Why Can´t this be love, and Right now, you´ll see a master of the instrument.LOL!!! Good one. Oh wait, you were frickin' serious? I learned to play Jump when I was 14 on an old Korg Poly 61. Took me about 8 minutes to learn it. You call that a solo? What competitions did he win? I won my piano recitals when I was in nursery school, too. And if Eddie's such a virtuoso, why does every Van Halen purist distance from Eddie's keyboard songs? |
| john bodega 03.07.2007 09:05 |
Freddie's league.... I don't know his name, but that guy from Treasure Moment is definitely up there. |
| Bobby_brown 03.07.2007 10:38 |
Micrówave wrote:Because, as you said, they are purists, and as you know purists don´t like Van Hagar. THat´s why they distance from Eddie´s keyboard songs. Not because they´re no good, but to make a statement that Van HAlen without Diamon Dave is not Van Halen.Bobby_brown wrote: If you hear tracks like Jump, Why Can´t this be love, and Right now, you´ll see a master of the instrument.LOL!!! Good one. Oh wait, you were frickin' serious? I learned to play Jump when I was 14 on an old Korg Poly 61. Took me about 8 minutes to learn it. You call that a solo? What competitions did he win? I won my piano recitals when I was in nursery school, too. And if Eddie's such a virtuoso, why does every Van Halen purist distance from Eddie's keyboard songs? Now, you come here with your attitude try to justify what? that he´s a nervous keyboard player? If you put him at the same level as Brian you simply don´t know what you´re talking about. Read is Bio. He won three competitions in a row. Google it! Peter Gabriel in the same level as Freddie? Right... In case you don´t know- at least you should, because you´re such a performer- when in a band with a vocalist you don´t write "difficult runs" like Lizt. That´s not what it´s all about. Eddie is a great keyboard player and songwriter no mather what you say...If you learnt to play Jump in your teens good for you, but to say that that is not a solo because you could play it!? Now, could you write such a solo? Could you write a better solo for that song? And i mean now, with your age. That´s what i´m talking about. Because it´s ridiculous to say that Elton John is a great songwriter and then say that songs like "Right Now" are not good! I know that it´s only taste but it´s not congruent. Take care |
| Micrówave 03.07.2007 13:37 |
Bobby_brown wrote: Now, could you write such a solo? Could you write a better solo for that song? And i mean now, with your age. That´s what i´m talking about.Actually, yes, I could. They're arpeggios, the same boring shit he does on guitar solos. It gets old after a while. He's doing 3 key arpeggios, one a C chord, one a G chord and one an F chord. Gee... THAT'S TALENT. Then he simply changes the chords with where the bass goes. DAMN, That is good, how would I think up that? Obviously he's a great song writer and guitarist. But a keyboard player, hardly. I've got bullshit awards also. By the way, Diamond Dave was singing this song!!! Not Van Hagar. In case you don´t know- at least you should, because you´re such a performer- when in a band with a vocalist you don´t write "difficult runs" like Lizt. That´s not what it´s all about.I am a performer, for many years. I don't need to scoreboard you or show off, but I did make $600 last weekend for 3 hours of playing, and that's about a normal weekend for me. Is that "Qualified" enough? Pianists know what I'm talking about. You say "difficult runs" - "that's not what it's all about". Then what are Eddie's solos? They just difficult runs. You just contraticted yourself. And yes, Peter Gabriel is just as good if not better than Freddie. Don't just listen to Sledgehammer, check out the old Genesis stuff. Try playing Lamb. You take care also, a good debate, eh? Don't take my tone as attitude, I just say what's on my mind and appreciate your point-of-view. |
| Bobby_brown 03.07.2007 16:28 |
Micrówave wrote:Look, i didn´t ask you if you could play it, i asked you if you could have writed it. Because you talk as if writing a good song is the easy (or difficult) thing in the world. Arpeggios or not, it fits the song and i found it very creative. And it´s no accident that it´s their biggest hit to date. As a guitar player myself let me tell you that Eddie doesn´t usually play arpeggios on guitar solos except for some exceptions(unless you´re talking about his tapping). Actually Eddie´s solos are not spectacular in difficulty. He´s one of the best rythm guiatrrists in the world and very few people realise this. . But do you have anything against the use of arpeggios?Bobby_brown wrote: Now, could you write such a solo? Could you write a better solo for that song? And i mean now, with your age. That´s what i´m talking about.Actually, yes, I could. They're arpeggios, the same boring shit he does on guitar solos. It gets old after a while. He's doing 3 key arpeggios, one a C chord, one a G chord and one an F chord. Gee... THAT'S TALENT. Then he simply changes the chords with where the bass goes. DAMN, That is good, how would I think up that? Obviously he's a great song writer and guitarist. But a keyboard player, hardly. I've got bullshit awards also. By the way, Diamond Dave was singing this song!!! Not Van Hagar. In case you don´t know- at least you should, because you´re such a performer- when in a band with a vocalist you don´t write "difficult runs" like Lizt. That´s not what it´s all about. I am a performer, for many years. I don't need to scoreboard you or show off, but I did make $600 last weekend for 3 hours of playing, and that's about a normal weekend for me. Is that "Qualified" enough? Pianists know what I'm talking about. You say "difficult runs" - "that's not what it's all about". Then what are Eddie's solos? They just difficult runs. You just contraticted yourself.No way! In a song you do what´s best for the song. You´ve said that the keyboard Solo from Jump wasn´t good because it lacks difficulty or don´t have creativity. Well, i think he has donne the perfect solo for that song. My opinion! And Eddie´s solos are not just difficult runs. He hardly does extended solos (except for his live one), and they´re not that difficult either! At least not as difficult as Malmsteen´s or Paul Gilbert. And yes, Peter Gabriel is just as good if not better than Freddie. Don't just listen to Sledgehammer, check out the old Genesis stuff. Try playing Lamb.I´m not trying to denigrate Peter Gabriel, because i think he´s a genius. But Freddie could play and sing live like i´ve never seen Peter doing. If i´m wrong more power to Peter. You take care also, a good debate, eh? Don't take my tone as attitude, I just say what's on my mind and appreciate your point-of-view.Maybe i´ve missunderstood you, sorry! But it´s just that in the last couple of weeks people said very nasty things towards other artists here in Queenzone to prove their points. That´s why i said you´re having "the" attitude. Maybe i´m getting old for this forums? Take care |
| Micrówave 03.07.2007 16:37 |
Hey, no sweat Bobby Brown. I'm just not convinced of Eddie's greatness. Great player, but did you know when Michael Jackson had him play on Beat It he liked Steve Lukather's rhythm guitar better and just kept Eddie's solo intact. Michael (like me) believes Luke to be the superior player. And judging from that day forward, I would have to agree. Eddie started sparing us to death and the albums just weren't the guitar rock we liked previously. Meanwhile, Luke decided to learn how to play guitar again. Toured with Larry Carlton for a year and credits LC with that. Result? The new Toto album works much better than Balance or Carnal Knowledge ever did. |
| Rompez 03.07.2007 16:40 |
Micrówave wrote: And yes, Peter Gabriel is just as good if not better than Freddie. Don't just listen to Sledgehammer, check out the old Genesis stuff. Try playing Lamb.That's incorrect becouse all keyboards in Genesis were always played by Tony Banks. |
| Micrówave 03.07.2007 16:40 |
Rompez wrote:You are incorrect, sir.Micrówave wrote: And yes, Peter Gabriel is just as good if not better than Freddie. Don't just listen to Sledgehammer, check out the old Genesis stuff. Try playing Lamb.That's incorrect becouse all keyboards in Genesis were always played by Tony Banks. |
| Rompez 03.07.2007 16:42 |
In what Genesis songs Peter played keyboards? I don't know any. Read the album sleeves. |
| Micrówave 03.07.2007 16:53 |
Rompez wrote: In what Genesis songs Peter played keyboards? I don't know any. Read the album sleeves.I have the album sleeves. Read book that accompanies the Genesis Archives set. And also, most of the keyboard arrangements for Lamb were written by Peter and given to Tony. Why does this website say John Deacon - bass and Brian May - guitar. Does that mean John never played guitar? |
| Rompez 03.07.2007 17:01 |
I don't have a box set so I can't say nothing about it. But if Peter could composed that keyboard parts that doesn't automatically means that he could performed it live properly. That is a big problem for myself, becouse I'm composing music in the computer sequencer program but can't perform it good on my own. Anyway even if Peter played something hardly noticeable on the records all signature and most hard keyboard work in Genesis was done by Tony. So comparing Peter (with Genesis material) and Freddie in pianoplaying is still incorrect. |
| Sebastian 03.07.2007 17:28 |
Even if Freddie was a much better singer than Peter, it's very true that as pianist and all-round musician and artist, Peter's just as good. |
| teleman 03.07.2007 20:03 |
I saw Peter Gabriel on his first solo tour(feeling very old now) He played piano on Lamb Lies Down, as an extra encore after the house lights had come on. He can play well enough but it's understandable if people assume Tony Banks was responsible for all Genesis keys. Tony Banks has proven to be quite adept on keys as well. |
| Knute 03.07.2007 20:28 |
Freddie greatly surpasses everyone living and dead. Chopin couldn't come close to the god-like abilites of Freddie. He could never write such complex and catchy things. Beethoven was a midget compared to the vast giantness of Freddie. Franz Liszt on piano? Forget about it! Freddie ran circles around him. This is the truth and all who don't accept it are fools. |
| Bohardy 03.07.2007 21:17 |
I heard Freddie taught Art Tatum how to play. |
| Smitty 03.07.2007 21:19 |
Zebonka12 wrote: Freddie's league.... I don't know his name, but that guy from Treasure Moment is definitely up there.Argh, don't even joke like that man! |
| Rompez 04.07.2007 04:51 |
teleman wrote: I saw Peter Gabriel on his first solo tour(feeling very old now) He played piano on Lamb Lies Down, as an extra encore after the house lights had come on. He can play well enough but it's understandable if people assume Tony Banks was responsible for all Genesis keys. Tony Banks has proven to be quite adept on keys as well.It would be interesting to hear. I didn't know that Peter ever played piano on Lamb. I had a video from his first solo tour where piano was played by musician from his band (intro was prety awful by the way). I would like to hear Peter's interpretation. |
| gmhmagic 04.07.2007 09:48 |
Knute wrote: Freddie greatly surpasses everyone living and dead. Chopin couldn't come close to the god-like abilites of Freddie. He could never write such complex and catchy things. Beethoven was a midget compared to the vast giantness of Freddie. Franz Liszt on piano? Forget about it! Freddie ran circles around him. This is the truth and all who don't accept it are fools.LOL!!!!!!! Funny one ;) I guess, he was also better than Rachmaninov! =P |
| FriedChicken 04.07.2007 10:51 |
No one was in the same league as FReedy and no one will every will even come near. Freddie, Rodger, Brain and Jhon will always be the best |
| Bobby_brown 04.07.2007 11:40 |
Bohardy wrote: I heard Freddie taught Art Tatum how to play.Art Tatum was Freddie´s urine ; ) |
| Knute 04.07.2007 13:51 |
FriedChicken<br><font size=1>The Almighty</font> wrote: No one was in the same league as FReedy and no one will every will even come near. Freddie, Rodger, Brain and Jhon will always be the bestANd don't forget taht Pual Rogers sucks and has his voice to low to sign Freddie's songs. |
| deleted user 05.07.2007 11:32 |
Alright, sorry to rain on all of your parades, but I do in fact know people who are better on the piano than Freddie. Seriously now, I am a pianist myself. I do not believe that I come close to Freddie's abilities at all and I don't. But I have been playing for a VERY long time and I have sat with and played with many who blow Freddie out of the water. I can think of a couple who could bypass him on the piano in the music industry. How's about that Billy Joel. He IS called the PIANO MAN for a reason. Next is Elton John. These two seriously rock on the piano. Freddie does a great job. I absolutely love the stuff he does with the piano but no one is truly the greatest. Not even our beloved Freddie. |
| Bobby_brown 05.07.2007 15:07 |
<i><font color=0066FF>Catsuitchick wrote: Alright, sorry to rain on all of your parades, but I do in fact know people who are better on the piano than Freddie. Seriously now, I am a pianist myself. I do not believe that I come close to Freddie's abilities at all and I don't. But I have been playing for a VERY long time and I have sat with and played with many who blow Freddie out of the water. I can think of a couple who could bypass him on the piano in the music industry. How's about that Billy Joel. He IS called the PIANO MAN for a reason. Next is Elton John. These two seriously rock on the piano. Freddie does a great job. I absolutely love the stuff he does with the piano but no one is truly the greatest. Not even our beloved Freddie.Welcome to Queenzone! Of course you´re right, we´re just joking with a Queenzone called Atheist who states that Freddie is the GOD of the universe. Look for his posts, there´s a lot of food for your intellectual brain (i read your profile) ; ) Take care |
| Sebastian 05.07.2007 16:30 |
Yes Catsuitchick, there have been many pianists much better than him, but I was asking about those who're on his same level (neither higher nor lower). |
| deleted user 05.07.2007 17:09 |
Sorry, I kind of went off the rocker... I was just expressing my views toward the others who were saying that he was the best. I was making sure everyone understands that every musician has his or her own uniqueness. Basically I believe that no one is ever on the same level as anyone else. In the end my opinion is a little harsh, so I quess I could say that Billy Joel and Elton John are on the same page as Freddie, but the level cannot be defined. I have never heard Freddie on just piano. Which is kind of odd. |
| The Real Wizard 05.07.2007 18:00 |
FriedChicken<br><font size=1>The Almighty</font> wrote: No one was in the same league as FReedy and no one will every will even come near. Freddie, Rodger, Brain and Jhon will always be the bestHahahahahaha!!! <i><font color=0066FF>Catsuitchick wrote: Alright, sorry to rain on all of your parades, but I do in fact know people who are better on the piano than Freddie. Seriously now, I am a pianist myself. I do not believe that I come close to Freddie's abilities at all and I don't. But I have been playing for a VERY long time and I have sat with and played with many who blow Freddie out of the water.Oh, we all agree with you! Err, most of us. All of the evangelistic posts in this topic are basically making fun of two members of the forum who believe Freddie was better than everyone at everything (including Mozart), and that their rinky-dink band is better than every current band. So, let's continue on with the fun, shall we!? |
| gmhmagic 06.07.2007 00:31 |
<i><font color=0066FF>Catsuitchick wrote: Alright, sorry to rain on all of your parades, but I do in fact know people who are better on the piano than Freddie. Seriously now, I am a pianist myself. I do not believe that I come close to Freddie's abilities at all and I don't. But I have been playing for a VERY long time and I have sat with and played with many who blow Freddie out of the water. I can think of a couple who could bypass him on the piano in the music industry. How's about that Billy Joel. He IS called the PIANO MAN for a reason. Next is Elton John. These two seriously rock on the piano. Freddie does a great job. I absolutely love the stuff he does with the piano but no one is truly the greatest. Not even our beloved Freddie.I´m a pianist too (classical end popular), and I totally agree with you... especially about Billy and Elton... they are two of the best Rock/Pop players ever... I´ve already said it...! I´m a Queen fan and like Freddie´s style though... but Elton´s playing is amazing...! ;) |
| gmhmagic 06.07.2007 00:33 |
Sir GH<br><h6>ah yeah</h6> wrote:I want to be part of this... atheist is the funniest clown since BPP! ;)FriedChicken<br><font size=1>The Almighty</font> wrote: No one was in the same league as FReedy and no one will every will even come near. Freddie, Rodger, Brain and Jhon will always be the bestHahahahahaha!!!<i><font color=0066FF>Catsuitchick wrote: Alright, sorry to rain on all of your parades, but I do in fact know people who are better on the piano than Freddie. Seriously now, I am a pianist myself. I do not believe that I come close to Freddie's abilities at all and I don't. But I have been playing for a VERY long time and I have sat with and played with many who blow Freddie out of the water.Oh, we all agree with you! Err, most of us. All of the evangelistic posts in this topic are basically making fun of two members of the forum who believe Freddie was better than everyone at everything (including Mozart), and that their rinky-dink band is better than every current band. So, let's continue on with the fun, shall we!? |
| The Real Wizard 06.07.2007 02:46 |
gmhmagic wrote: I want to be part of this... atheist is the funniest clown since BPP! ;)Pfft... you're just jealous because you don't know as much about music as Atheist does. ;) |
| deleted user 06.07.2007 09:36 |
Wow, I am slightly jealous...I only wish I knew as much as Athiest...and how to take a joke...haha. I always seem to ruin the fun for a moment. Well who all thinks Freddie is the greatest piano player whoever lived?? Eh? It would be fun to hear an intelligent explination of WHY he is the greatest whoever lived...and since Athiest seems to know SO much about music why does not HE tell us..or how about YOU friedchicken, who publically acclaims that no one else is better? |
| The Real Wizard 06.07.2007 12:09 |
Oh no, Chicken is kidding too. As for Atheist... he has taught us an important life lesson: intelligence is optional. |
| steven 35638 06.07.2007 12:30 |
So we're talking about Atheist? Well, here was the first time I met him! The discussion got pretty wild from what I can remember, so check it out. link This thread was just plain stupid. link |
| Bobby_brown 06.07.2007 12:40 |
<font color=FF0033 face=symbol>Freddie wrote: So we're talking about Atheist? Well, here was the first time I met him! The discussion got pretty wild from what I can remember, so check it out. link This thread was just plain stupid. linkThose two topics are pearls of Wisdom! Let´s not forget that the starter of the first topic is Atheist brother, wich explains a few things. In the end i think that they´re just taking the piss out of queenzoners ; ) And i love those discussions ; ) Take care |
| deleted user 06.07.2007 12:43 |
Haha, I just can't seem to pick on the right people... Sorry chicken! Hey there Ramiez I thought this was a piano thread...what's your opinion to this whole mess of Freddie being the best, only there seems to be a whole bunch of people who harness the same skill at the same level. Athiest, and just Athiest at the moment can't get past this... I think?? I must appear SO DUMB! *cries* |
| steven 35638 06.07.2007 13:43 |
You hardly appear dumb, Sarah. You just have some things to learn about this here Queenzone. ;) Here are my thoughts upon the matter at hand: Freddie Mercury, although one of rock's legends, was not the best pianist. Several people have listed pianists who could surpass and even cripple poor little Freddie when it comes to abilities and experiance. The one thing Freddie Mercury has over all the rest might be the fact that within such a limited amount of ability he was able to improvise extremely well. He demonstrated this very well at several performances and I shall share with you some of my favorite moments. This is one of my all time favorite moments with Freddie Mercury making an improvised introduction to Bohemian Rhapsody. link The following example is Freddie Mercury fooling around on the piano which gently leads into In The Lap Of The Gods...Revisited. link In the end, Freddie Mercury wasn't the greatest rock and roll pianist of his time, but he certainly knew how to get around that. His creativity and pure ambition to be the best he could be is what won me over. |
| Boy Thomas Raker 06.07.2007 21:09 |
I just looked for it, but I couldn't find an article from a guitar magazine that did a full analysis on Bohemian Rhapsody. I'm going by memory here, but recall how the reviewer said that Freddie's compositional skills, understanding of theory and his use of certain piano tricks (inverted chords, pandiatonic? scales and a few other things were "light years" ahead of his contemporaries. Doesn't mean he was a better player than his peers, but he had a great musicality, and certainly a unique style which set him apart. |
| Boy Thomas Raker 06.07.2007 21:21 |
Further to my previous post, a group of music scholars got into it about Quantz, and how We are the Champions using a similar structure. One guy said "what's the advantage of using this terminology for music like Queen? I think the obvious objection is that it has no familiarity to the students, and may confuse them by suggesting that Johann Joachim Quantz and Freddie Mercury think about their phrases in the same way. Is that the message you want to send? The following respone came from the Instructor of Music History at a college in Minnesota: "Given the collective educational background of the members of Queen, (for instance Brian May holds a Master's in Astronomy and recently was awarded an honorary doctorate) I wouldn't necessarily rule out Mercury's familiarity with Quantz. In my teaching experience, I have found that using examples from Queen helps students understand basic concepts behind the terms we tend to use when describing Western Art music." So again, whether he was a great player or not, Freddie knew his stuff, and sometimes more than his peers did, which reflected in his unique writing. |
| gmhmagic 07.07.2007 01:41 |
Sir GH<br><h6>ah yeah</h6> wrote:Oh god! how did you know????????gmhmagic wrote: I want to be part of this... atheist is the funniest clown since BPP! ;)Pfft... you're just jealous because you don't know as much about music as Atheist does. ;) >=( hahaa =P |
| gmhmagic 07.07.2007 01:43 |
Sir GH<br><h6>ah yeah</h6> wrote: Oh no, Chicken is kidding too. As for Atheist... he has taught us an important life lesson: intelligence is optional.LOL!!!!! well, that could be a good explanation! ;) |
| Dusta 07.07.2007 02:21 |
Great post!! I have a vague recollection of someone explaining this to me, years ago(a true Queen fan, and, certainly not as expertly:I don't think Quantz was mentioned), and, as I was reading through this thread, it was tickling my memory.Boy Thomas Raker wrote: Further to my previous post, a group of music scholars got into it about Quantz, and how We are the Champions using a similar structure. One guy said "what's the advantage of using this terminology for music like Queen? I think the obvious objection is that it has no familiarity to the students, and may confuse them by suggesting that Johann Joachim Quantz and Freddie Mercury think about their phrases in the same way. Is that the message you want to send? The following respone came from the Instructor of Music History at a college in Minnesota: "Given the collective educational background of the members of Queen, (for instance Brian May holds a Master's in Astronomy and recently was awarded an honorary doctorate) I wouldn't necessarily rule out Mercury's familiarity with Quantz. In my teaching experience, I have found that using examples from Queen helps students understand basic concepts behind the terms we tend to use when describing Western Art music." So again, whether he was a great player or not, Freddie knew his stuff, and sometimes more than his peers did, which reflected in his unique writing. |
| Dusta 07.07.2007 02:34 |
Those were wonderful! I think I have become powerless over youtube, and, my life quite unmanageable!Thanks for posting those links!<font color=FF0033 face=symbol>Freddie wrote: You hardly appear dumb, Sarah. You just have some things to learn about this here Queenzone. ;) Here are my thoughts upon the matter at hand: Freddie Mercury, although one of rock's legends, was not the best pianist. Several people have listed pianists who could surpass and even cripple poor little Freddie when it comes to abilities and experiance. The one thing Freddie Mercury has over all the rest might be the fact that within such a limited amount of ability he was able to improvise extremely well. He demonstrated this very well at several performances and I shall share with you some of my favorite moments. This is one of my all time favorite moments with Freddie Mercury making an improvised introduction to Bohemian Rhapsody. link The following example is Freddie Mercury fooling around on the piano which gently leads into In The Lap Of The Gods...Revisited. link In the end, Freddie Mercury wasn't the greatest rock and roll pianist of his time, but he certainly knew how to get around that. His creativity and pure ambition to be the best he could be is what won me over. |
| Sebastian 07.07.2007 08:14 |
Boy Thomas Raker wrote: I just looked for it, but I couldn't find an article from a guitar magazine that did a full analysis on Bohemian Rhapsody. I'm going by memory here, but recall how the reviewer said that Freddie's compositional skills, understanding of theory and his use of certain piano tricks (inverted chords, pandiatonic? scales and a few other things were "light years" ahead of his contemporaries. Doesn't mean he was a better player than his peers, but he had a great musicality, and certainly a unique style which set him apart.Indeed, as a player only he wasn't anything special (well, sort of, but not so much), but as composer he was unique. |
| Danne 07.07.2007 18:00 |
I'm surprised that noone has mentioned Tori Amos yet, but it might be that noone remembers her, because she's from a rock generation, not famous for their pianists. In my opinion she's one of the best pop/rock pianists around, with a very unique style, where she shifts between subtle chords (almost in a Debussy style) and great outbursts of violent emotion. |