| queenlegends 04.02.2006 21:47 |
How about this one? Freddie got to grade 5, elton grade 7. Both different styles but how different? Elton was not really classicaly trained and to go with that he has very short fingers. Whats your thoughts? |
| biggest_fan_K 04.02.2006 22:02 |
Freddie is better |
| queenlegends 04.02.2006 22:12 |
How is he better though, how is that argument clear without any technical exclamation. |
| cherrypotter 05.02.2006 00:20 |
They're both great, but in very different styles. Elton is imo a better piano-player than singer. |
| The Real Wizard 05.02.2006 02:16 |
queenlegends wrote: How is he better though, how is that argument clear without any technical exclamation.It's pretty clear that biggest_fan_K is pro-Freddie anything, no matter what. I've learned not to take this person's posts seriously, and the same goes for a few others here. My take: Elton and Freddie have very different piano styles, so it's tough to compare. |
| liam 05.02.2006 08:37 |
freddie had a very elegant classical style, while elton had a more contemporary pop style. |
| chauncey 05.02.2006 10:09 |
I'll bet that Elton took a lot more time studying music theory than Freddie. Elton understands his jazz chords and their inversions very well. So Elton has the edge in technicality. But Freddie's elegance and showmanship are far superior on the keys. |
| ~-:Moet et Chandon:-~ 05.02.2006 10:14 |
I'm always biased as are many Queen fans. But trying to be objective, yes Elton's technical skills are superior. I remember reading (or hearing?) some Elton quote to the effect of: that rotter Freddie has the most amazing voice, so he can concentrate on his piano playing, and although piano comes naturally to me (playing since 5?) I struggle with my voice! That's totally paraphrased, I can't remember the exact words. Anyway, but then i.m.o Freddie's overall musical "genius", if you will - the combination of eccentricity, charisma, elegance, stylishness, grace, feeling, taste and once again just genius - elevated his piano playing to a level beyond what his qualifications would suggest. And sure Freddie wasn't a great technical player (then again, even Elton John, generally regarded as rock's best pianist, cannot even begin to compare to most session player's keyboard abilities...think Fred Mandel), but his piano playing sure sounded beautiful! |
| Asterik 05.02.2006 10:41 |
I think Elton had the edge but Freddie could still play well. |
| Adolfo and the spiders from Mercury 05.02.2006 12:27 |
at the fmt while elton was singing bohrap, he was playing only the chords on the piano, wich made me think he wasnt that good |
| deleted user 05.02.2006 12:59 |
My sister and I always say that Elton plays the piano so effortlessly, I love both of their piano playing, but I think Elton is better because he's had more experience and he has more detail in it? But Freddie wins everything else! |
| wstüssyb 05.02.2006 13:05 |
Watch both play the Piano, Freddie has to look at his Keys more, Elton don't. A greater amount of Eltons songs include him playing the Piano, For Queen, maybe early on compared to later, Freddie grew into wanting to be more of a "free-from-being-in-one-spot" to being a showman. |
| Sebastian 05.02.2006 13:27 |
Elton |
| Chamo25 05.02.2006 14:16 |
I read somewhere that Elton John said he was a better piano player than Freddie, but Freddie was a better singer. It was something like this: Elton: "When I'm performing a song, I have to concentrate more on my singing than my playing; instead, Freddie concentrate more on his playing than his singing...that bastard could sing whatever he wanted to without paying attention!!" it was something like that. |
| Bono Mercury 05.02.2006 14:23 |
freddie piano playing is better elton is totally shit |
| Sherwood Forest 05.02.2006 15:19 |
i love Elton, he is VERY talented but i like Freddie a lot better with paino playing |
| Agr123456 05.02.2006 15:52 |
biggest_fan_K wrote: Freddie is betterHAHAHAHAHA Freddie was maybe one of the best singer ever, but as pianist... |
| teddybear 05.02.2006 15:57 |
Elton is more classically trained and it shows. Freddie's style has alot of improvisation in it, which I personally love - as it is more creative that way and spontaneous - I love the bits he plays or makes up before he goes into "Bo Rhap" and things - Freddie's style more makes me think he played by the heart - but Elton is more of a perfectionist due to the training he had. I prefer Freddies style - but I think Elton would be the better player if you wanted to "do it by the book". |
| queenlegends 05.02.2006 16:37 |
Well Elton didnt do it by the book at all as a matter of fact. Everything or almost everything Elton played on piano when performing was improvised, I mean when he plays a piece it will be a different variation everytime. This goes for Freddie too! alot of what freddie plays is what he feels at that moment. |
| John S Stuart 05.02.2006 18:06 |
Let's see Semi Final: Freddie Mercury Vs. Mike Moran Elton John Vs. Jerry Lee Lewis Final: Elton John Vs. Mike Moran Winner: Elton John Says it all really! |
| Last Cyborg 05.02.2006 22:30 |
There's been loads of topics about how Freddie wasn't all that on the piano, but you might as well start talking about how Vai and Satriani are technically a billion times better on the guitar than Brian.. I'd rather listen to Brian any day. The stuff he comes up with just sounds good. Ditto Freddie's piano playing. Who cares about technical proficiency? I listen to music to enjoy it, not to sit with my notepad analysing each individual note and comparing it against a list of technical criteria. You can measure a player's speed and efficiency and knowledge of scales etc etc etc but how do you measure or grade a player's ability to come up with good parts? It's not a scientifically measurable quantity.. Personally I can only imagine how tedious Brian and Freddie's material would have been if they'd had a great theoretical and technical knowledge and used all the scales and stuff from that rather than coming up with their own original ideas and styles. |
| HyP 06.02.2006 11:49 |
I've been playing for nearly 30 years and still find Elton's pieces much more difficult to play, let alone learn by ear. |
| e-man 06.02.2006 14:36 |
elton john is a better paino player compared to fred. never heard fred really stretch out in his piano playing - maybe cause of the song limited it, or maybe he didn't have the skill but put the two on seperate pianos I think Elton John would kick his arse I've seen Elton John live on his solo tours, where it's only him and the piano - and I don't think fred would have been able to do a tour like that where the playing didn't suffer btw; if you wanna see how talented elton john really is - go see his solo tours - playing and singing alone like that takes massive talent to pull off |
| e-man 06.02.2006 14:42 |
I don't think it's fair to compare piano skills and guitar skills like that. especially when it comes to fred and elton. I agree that I'd listen to brian any day compared to steve vai. but elton john is not excatly a techichian who never wrote a good song. shit - he has written some of the best pop songs ever written, and that probably ever will be written. his first 6 or 7 albums contain an insane amount of good songs - which was all done over a few years period. like elton or hate him - but the guy is a songwriter tour de force |
| Bono Mercury 06.02.2006 15:47 |
would'nt go to see elton john if u paid me man |
| e-man 06.02.2006 16:25 |
I wouldn't go and see dream theater. but there's no denying their great talent |
| Micrówave 06.02.2006 16:47 |
paul o brien wrote: would'nt go to see elton john if u paid me manWell, that's your loss. It's not like he gets up there and "gays-out" or anything, dude. Of course, if it becomes The Disney songs show, then I agree with you. (Anybody remember the NAMM show???) |
| queenlegends 06.02.2006 18:08 |
Yes I agree with Elton and his solo tours, those shows are my favourite, with the song right down to its basic form. I like alot of his classic stuff like skyline pigeon, sixty years on, take me to the pilot, border song etc really good! |
| John S Stuart 06.02.2006 19:07 |
Linda Of The Valley wrote:Not really - the finals took place in Japan!John S Stuart wrote: Let's see Semi Final: Freddie Mercury Vs. Mike Moran Elton John Vs. Jerry Lee Lewis Final: Elton John Vs. Mike Moran Winner: Elton John Says it all really!you spelt Freddie wrong :P |
| Sebastian 06.02.2006 21:06 |
> Not really - the finals took place in Japan! And the worst part is that I was living in Tokyo at the time, but had to work that day so I couldn't attend. I'm glad I didn't since I think it was completely unfair: Elton is better than Mike just as much as a Fiat is better than a Ferrari ;) Btw Steve Vai wrote many outstanding songs. And songwriting isn't related to instrumental technique, otherwise Elvis, Cocker and Daltrey would be lousy singers and Yo Yo Ma'd be an awful cellist. And McCartney would be better pianist than Vladimir Feltsman. |
| Mr. Barcelona 07.02.2006 00:47 |
I hate to be honest but elton was a better pianist than freddie, but freddie was also good. Freddie was the better vocalist of the two and songwriting is a matter of opinion, depending whose songs you like. I think freddie was a little more original in his songwriting, if you listen to early elton some of it sounds like the beatles, but freddie only sounded like himself. their two of the best. |
| biggest_fan_K 07.02.2006 01:47 |
how dare you even compare Freddie to Elton. Elton sucks and Freddie is a MUCH better pianist! |
| e-man 07.02.2006 05:10 |
this is not about musical taste. it's about ability to play. I listen to freddie and queen everyday, whereas I listen to elton john every once in a while. but elton john is still a better piano player than freddie mercury. state of fact. now wheter you like elton's music or not is a different story - but it is a state of fact that elton's ability to play piano surpasses (is that the word?) freddie's |
| Agr123456 07.02.2006 07:22 |
biggest_fan_K wrote: how dare you even compare Freddie to Elton. Elton sucks and Freddie is a MUCH better pianist!Hilarious! :D :D :D I play piano since i was 6 years old (i´m 23 now) and i can say that Freddie´s playing level´s normal. Elton does very difficult music. If someone says Freddie is much better pianist than Elton, the unic thing that i can do is to laugh. :D :D :D Let´s be serious biggest_fan_K |
| queenlegends 07.02.2006 11:39 |
In my opinion the hardest part of playing Elton john on piano is his syncopation(off the beat notes). |
| HyP 07.02.2006 12:46 |
Thank you. I was wondering if any other PLAYERS would answer this thread. And everyone knows that a Bruce Hornsby or a Herbie Hancock plays light years ahead of both, but neither "suck". |
| Mr. Barcelona 08.02.2006 00:03 |
I agree, both freddie and elton/billy joel arn't the greatest piano players ever. Their very good for pop music, but if you compare them to jazz pianist their pretty ordinary. I personally think "tori amos" is a better piano player than elton and billy joel, she's amazing for pop music. |
| Nummer2 08.02.2006 04:29 |
Freddie's piano compositions are very straightforward, not exceptionally complex, rather simple, but – and that's the secret – effective, catchy and sheer beautiful. And his piano playing, no wonder, matches those compositions perfectly. He beats the piano to its limits and – exactly as he does with his voice – creates very dramatic emotion. It's not subtle or soft at all. I've never heard someone play the piano like him and still sounding good, I'm sure it depends on the kind of music he plays that way – it just matches. By the way, his improvisations are very simple and basic, I even doubt they are 100% improvised, I guess he practised a bit before. |
| Erin 08.02.2006 09:34 |
Elton takes this one hands down. |
| The Real Wizard 17.02.2006 20:56 |
Time for me to change my stance on this. I watched an Elton John DVD today, and hands down, he is a way better pianist than Freddie was. |
| teleport8 18.02.2006 08:31 |
I'd agree that Elton is the better piano player live, at least these days. For some reason the Queen piano sound on stage -judging from the DVDs- does not convince you that Steinway is such a superior brand after all. Could it be that Elton's piano sounds much better, irrespective of how it's played? And where does Billy Joel make it on this list? |
| rwon041 19.02.2006 19:30 |
I read in Lesley Ann Jones bio of Freddie that he passed up to and including Grade 8 in practical and theory. Hmmmm.......... I'd prob say Elton is better because when people thinkn Elton John they think 'piano' as well. However when people think Freddie Mercury or Queen he's not really remembered as a master piano player. Saying that, Bohemian Rhapsody. That is my favourite piano piece of all time to play! I don't think it's that hmmm 'simple'. I mean, it ain't hard to play but in terms of sounds, sweeping arrangements and how it changes style, it's brilliant. I always get a huge reception when I play it at a party! |
| Sebastian 19.02.2006 21:52 |
Billy uses a Steinway as well, and it sounds notably better. It demonstrates once again that the most important part of the piano is the pianist. |
| LASPALABRASDEAMOR 22.02.2006 08:12 |
I dont care who is better in the piano, really but, all I know that Freddies piano sound better you know more melody, i dont know but freddies style to play the piano is something from other planet |
| The Real Wizard 24.02.2006 03:45 |
LASPALABRASDEAMOR wrote: I dont care who is better in the piano, really but, all I know that Freddies piano sound better you know more melody, i dont know but freddies style to play the piano is something from other planetMore melody...? Another planet? As long as your assertion is an informed one. |
| The Man On The Prowl 24.02.2006 15:00 |
As a musician I can say Elton is much better. Of course Freddie has a good technique, as you can hear on the early albums till ANATO/ADATR, but Elton is a genius of piano, especially for his impromptus!!! He switches from ragtime to classical sonatas to blues to rock and roll, all in one impromptu, always keeping the theme and the athmosphere! Just look at the impromputs of Moscow 79, Barcelona 92, or Milano 2003 (I was there!) and you'll be convinced. |
| Seven_Seas_Of_Rhye II 27.02.2006 15:14 |
Guys, guys! Yes, Elton is better technically. BUT!(imho): - He wrote just SEVERAL beautiful songs - For a beautiful song a genius simplity is needed. Of course then this simple theme is playing up and growing up with additional notes but the main thing IS that simple catchy "tune". Moon Sonate is very simple (even Fred could play it! - for Eltons fans :-) but is much more beautiful that many List difficult passage's compositions. |
| Sebastian 01.03.2006 13:24 |
This isn't about the best writer, but about the best player. You can be a wonderful player without writting a note. |
| Kuku 08.03.2006 03:25 |
Elton's much better at piano (but I love Freddie much better). |
| pma 08.03.2006 13:13 |
When someone with a normal hearing (and vision) seriously believes that Freddie Mercury was a more skilled piano player than Elton John (of all people), in that case they are not necessarily high on drugs. Just high on stepfordism. |
| Sebastian 08.03.2006 14:06 |
pma wrote: When someone with a normal hearing (and vision) seriously believes that Freddie Mercury was a more skilled piano player than Elton John (of all people), in that case they are not necessarily high on drugs. Just high on stepfordism.Couldn't agree more. |
| john bodega 11.03.2006 03:48 |
I would actually say Elton John's pretty damned good, but his ability to adapt to other peoples styles is shithouse. I really don't like Billy Joel (actually I might have posted this earlier in the thread) but when he did a duet show with Elton John, Joel was able to do music from both catalogues pretty well, whereas Elton John was locked into his own style of playing. But anyway. |
| phoenixFire 11.03.2006 19:31 |
I greatly admire Freddie's piano playing and style, but I think Elton is better. I like the way Elton plays the piano like a "lead guitar", his blistering, piano-pounding excesses in some of his songs! :-) |
| Seven_Seas_Of_Rhye II 12.03.2006 18:43 |
Zebonka, agree with you 100%! Elton's palying is very the same in every song but Freddie's in different styles, Freddie is from Classic to Blues and (sorry) "Just-chords-songs" (like Play The Game), compare: Millionaire Waltz Nevermore You Take My Breath Away Bring Back That Lerroy Brown Death On Two Legs My Melancholy Blues Love Of My Life Lazy On A Sunday Afternoon All this is because his wild composing genius. But Elton can play more difficult passages that Freddie couldn't, I agree, Sebastian. P.S. Just catch my self on a thought: Who could be considered a better piano player Elton John or John Paul Jones? I think John Lord is above both. |
| Seven_Seas_Of_Rhye II 12.03.2006 18:46 |
Guys, can anybody give an explaination for piano graduation levels? Freddie got 5 and Elton 7, where can we read more about this? |
| Sebastian 12.03.2006 19:13 |
I think Elton's better than Jonesy but of course not as good as Jon Lord, or Rick Wakeman. |
| Cricket Nutter 13.03.2006 12:20 |
I heard that Freddie was grade 5 when he started with Queen, and advanced to grade 8 by the end. I'd say his work was more catchy and memorable, his riffs were better too, but theres no doubt Elton's overall ability was beyond Freddie's. The difference was, that Freddie played piano in songs that were also revolved around other instruments playing melodies, while Elton's at one time was all lead. Also Freddie wrote with the piano, Elton had lyrics written for him and put correct chords behind and elaborated. Elton is the greater and slightly more technically able pianist, but little basic passages like Play The Game by Freddie for example are extremely memorable. |
| Sebastian 13.03.2006 16:23 |
> I heard that Freddie was grade 5 when he started with Queen, and advanced to grade 8 by the end. He studied up until grade IV academically, but his self-teaching progress went beyond that. Same for Elton. > The difference was, that Freddie played piano in songs that were also revolved around other instruments playing melodies, while Elton's at one time was all lead. Perhaps that's a direct consequence of their skills in the first place. > Also Freddie wrote with the piano , Elton had lyrics written for him and put correct chords behind and elaborated. 1. Fred didn't write lyrics with the piano, he wrote them in paper :) 2. The fact Fred composed the lyrics doesn't affect his ability as a musician, but as poet. 3. None of Elton chords were more elaborated than Freddie's, but the way those were arranged. > Elton is the greater and slightly more technically able pianist, but little basic passages like Play The Game by Freddie for example are extremely memorable. Agree. |
| FriedChicken 13.03.2006 16:43 |
"I heard that Freddie was grade 5 when he started with Queen, and advanced to grade 8 by the end. I'd say his work was more catchy and memorable, his riffs were better too, but theres no doubt Elton's overall ability was beyond Freddie's." Come on man, how you write on piano doesn't mean you're a good piano. A starting guitarist can think of better riffs than lets say.. Brian May or Jimi Hendrix. But does that make him a better guitarist? I don't think so. Freddie wrote more catchy stuff than Mozart. But I'm sure Mozart kicked Freddie's ass so damn hard |
| Cricket Nutter 13.03.2006 17:59 |
Lol Sebastian, I know he didn't write lyrics on the paino X-D When I said he wrote songs on the piano, I meant chord structure, song arrangement etc. Hi FriedChicken, I think you misread what I said, or vise versa, my general point was that Elton's technical playing was beyond Freddie's, but Freddie's writing of riffs and memorable lines was more than Elton's, and he had a trickier task of piano writing with nothing to base it on, and while allowing room for other musicians, something Elton rarely had to do. But the greater pianist is Elton. |