QueenZone discussion #1190495

Pim Derks wrote: Just to be clear, my comment was not directed at JSS but at another forum member.

  Pim Derks wrote: Just to be clear, my comment was not directed at JSS but at another forum member.

Sebastian wrote: Fred usually used his right hand for broken chords and built-in melody (e.g. the Keep Passing the Open Windows 'solo') and his left mostly for octave bass, with little to no arpeggios... that's why the Bach things are probably basic (e.g. French overture would sound brill with his phrasing), and his renditions of other tracks are probably chord-driven. His left-right interactions were nice but occasional (e.g. Leroy Brown), and his rhythm sense is quite distinctive. The 'lazy hand' thing he did would definitely have an effect on the Bach works... I wonder how he did to pass Grade IV - either standards were lower back then or his technique was more formally-acceptable during his childhood and he became 'sloppier' in his twenties.

John S Stuart wrote:

  Sebastian wrote: Fred usually used his right hand for broken chords and built-in melody (e.g. the Keep Passing the Open Windows 'solo') and his left mostly for octave bass, with little to no arpeggios... that's why the Bach things are probably basic (e.g. French overture would sound brill with his phrasing), and his renditions of other tracks are probably chord-driven. His left-right interactions were nice but occasional (e.g. Leroy Brown), and his rhythm sense is quite distinctive. The 'lazy hand' thing he did would definitely have an effect on the Bach works... I wonder how he did to pass Grade IV - either standards were lower back then or his technique was more formally-acceptable during his childhood and he became 'sloppier' in his twenties.

Would it be fair to say that Freddie had a 'clunky' technique? (Not that I am saying he lacked finesse - rather his touch was not on the light side?) Also drop me a PM - and I will send a sample of the Bach bit - when I get round to it.

John S Stuart wrote: Question concerning FM's Home recordings link I just read the following thread with interest. I could have written this answer there, but as this reply goes off on a tangent, I thought it may be a good idea to provide it with a life of it's own - so to speak. To the point. Sometime in the early 1990's not long after Freddie's death, I bought a home cassette tape from a certain gardener which I did not doubt as genuine. I have written about this in my 'Ultimate Collection' threads, but as a reminder: Freddie Mercury: Jim Hutton Garden Lodge Piano Home Demos - 1988 Bach Prelude                        Unreleased: Home Mini-Disc Send In The Clowns               Unreleased: Home Mini-Disc Amazing Grace                     Unreleased: Home Mini-Disc The tape was not part of the Barcelona collection because the Barcelona material was recorded on reel-to-reel. This material was just recorded on a bog standard home cassette tape, therefore I deduce that the two unconnected The tracks are all piano instrumentals and do not conatain any banter or other external clues. The fact that the tape came from Freddie is undisputed. The fact that it was sold as genuine is also undisputed. The fact the source was close to Freddie - so did not need to sell a 'fake' - is undisputed. I do not know if the tracks are improvised, or sight-read. There are certainly very few mistakes - even though it was recorded 'live' as it were, so the pianist does have some modicum of talent. So it boils down to this - although everything checks out as 'kosher', (c20 years down the line and being far more cynical) how do I know the tracks were recorded by Freddie himself - and not Mike Moran, Peter Straker, or even someother household staff like Pheobe - or even Jim Hutton himself? The tracks are from show-tunes. I know Freddie was gay - but was 'musical theatre - a really big 'gay' thing back then too? So is anyone experienced enough to tell the difference between Freddie's technique - and that of another pianist?

cacatua wrote:

  John S Stuart wrote:  

      Sebastian wrote:   Fred usually used his right hand for broken chords and built-in melody (e.g. the Keep Passing the Open Windows 'solo') and his left mostly for octave bass, with little to no arpeggios... that's why the Bach things are probably basic (e.g. French overture would sound brill with his phrasing), and his renditions of other tracks are probably chord-driven. His left-right interactions were nice but occasional (e.g. Leroy Brown), and his rhythm sense is quite distinctive. The 'lazy hand' thing he did would definitely have an effect on the Bach works... I wonder how he did to pass Grade IV - either standards were lower back then or his technique was more formally-acceptable during his childhood and he became 'sloppier' in his twenties.  

Would it be fair to say that Freddie had a 'clunky' technique? (Not that I am saying he lacked finesse - rather his touch was not on the light side?) Also drop me a PM - and I will send a sample of the Bach bit - when I get round to it.

I can certainly make no claims of being a musician, but I do remember that something is mentioned of Freddie's piano-playing technique on the DVD Freddie Mercury, Lover of Life...The Untold Story. The only thing I can recall for sure is something about him attacking the piano keys more from the front than holding his hands over them, if that makes any sense. I can't see that this would be of much help to you with just an audio recording, though there may have been something more helpful on the DVD. Not exactly a chore to watch it.

  Sunshine wrote:  

      cacatua wrote:      

              John S Stuart wrote:              

                              Sebastian wrote:               Fred usually used his right hand for broken chords and built-in melody (e.g. the Keep Passing the Open Windows 'solo') and his left mostly for octave bass, with little to no arpeggios... that's why the Bach things are probably basic (e.g. French overture would sound brill with his phrasing), and his renditions of other tracks are probably chord-driven. His left-right interactions were nice but occasional (e.g. Leroy Brown), and his rhythm sense is quite distinctive. The 'lazy hand' thing he did would definitely have an effect on the Bach works... I wonder how he did to pass Grade IV - either standards were lower back then or his technique was more formally-acceptable during his childhood and he became 'sloppier' in his twenties.              

Would it be fair to say that Freddie had a 'clunky' technique? (Not that I am saying he lacked finesse - rather his touch was not on the light side?) Also drop me a PM - and I will send a sample of the Bach bit - when I get round to it.

I can certainly make no claims of being a musician, but I do remember that something is mentioned of Freddie's piano-playing technique on the DVD Freddie Mercury, Lover of Life...The Untold Story. The only thing I can recall for sure is something about him attacking the piano keys more from the front than holding his hands over them, if that makes any sense. I can't see that this would be of much help to you with just an audio recording, though there may have been something more helpful on the DVD. Not exactly a chore to watch it.

But those melodies on that documentary were played by another guy or what do you refer to?

Sunshine wrote: Ah yeah now i know what you mean. Freddie's playing was very distinctive and yes, on the Opera dvd, Brian is talking about the preciseness of Freddie's playing. Technically, i dont consider Freddie as someone outstanding but the way he played was very original so to speak. I remember being on piano lessons as a kid and the teacher kept on repeating i should 'hold a mouse' in my hand while playing and not like Freddie is playing in Montreal:) And he turned out to become big with it and i am unknown.. I am going to sue that teacher...!