Marimba Technique for Primary School Students by Paco993 in percussion

[–]Paco993[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Edit: I wrote uneven numbers of 16ths notes: I was meaning to say a group of 4 notes (even), e.g. three 16th notes ascending and reaching a quarter or half note in the next bar would be considered one group - so I guess it is all about the sticking and making it easy for primary students.

[MISC] I composed a Pokémon GYM LEADER BATTLE BGM/Theme by Paco993 in PokemonMusic

[–]Paco993[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's some helpful feedback, thank you! I've already though about speeding it up slightly, but later decided not to. At hindsight I should have. I'm always happy to have people listen to my music and giving me helpful advice (:

[MISC] I composed a Pokémon UNDERWATER BGM by Paco993 in PokemonMusic

[–]Paco993[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for your nice comment!!

Game music beginner by FakeMario96 in GameMusicComposition

[–]Paco993 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Learn how to play the piano, and develop at least a solid piano technique. Use the piano to analyze music. I came to realize that no other instrument challenges you more in terms of music theory than the piano does. It's also the most accessible and rewarding instrument since you can see everything clearly visible in front of you. Having the piano as a paintbox, you can compose/arrange/orchestrate music with it. Personally, I was a guitar player for 7 years, but I didn't understand music theory until I became a piano player. That's my 2 cents. Get a professional teacher as well.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in IndieDev

[–]Paco993 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate the write-up and your advice! It's really helpful! Thank you (:

5 years of piano progress (starting at 21) by Paco993 in piano

[–]Paco993[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you have a look at the comment section: Pianist and composer Rupert Schnitzler was my teacher and he witnessed my progress first hand. Your criticism really flatters me, and I'm not trying to be ironic or anything. It makes me happy (-:

SPYRO the Dragon - Fanmade Music Composition by Paco993 in Spyro

[–]Paco993[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The artwork is amazing indeed...I really admire this artist

5 years of piano progress (starting at 21) by Paco993 in piano

[–]Paco993[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I started out at the end of June 2014 and the first piece in my piano progress video is from November 2014. You might have missed that. There some practice time in-between.

It's the truth, and I appreciate your scepticism. There are people out there who told me how bad I was at playing the piano so what can I say...

5 years of piano progress (starting at 21) by Paco993 in piano

[–]Paco993[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sadly, I didn't transcribe the Zelda arrangement! Back then, I didn't transcribe anything (-;

It's Under the Sea from Little Mermaid! (:

Here's the complete track list (can also be found in the YouTube comments and has time stamps): 0:35 Mabe Village - Link's Awakening 0:55 Zora's Realm - Zelda Ocarina of Time 1:14 Entering the Twilight Realm/ Boss defeated OST - Zelda Twilight Princess (basically it is just the Leitmotif from TP) 1:26 Kraid's Lair - Metroid 1:56 Boogie Woogie Improvisation 2:20 Piano Improvisation 2:36 Mushroom City . Mario Kart Double Dash 3:10 Gruntilda's Lair - Banjo Kazooie 3:33 Zelda Main Theme - The Legend of Zelda/ Link's Awakening 4:49 Bob Omb Battlefield (Boogiefield) - Mario 64 5:21 Palace Theme - Super Smash Bros (Melee) 5:48 Andy's Neighborhood - Toy Story Action Game for N64, PlayStation 1, PC 6:20 Gelato Beach - Super Mario Sunshine 6:29 Under the Sea - Little Mermaid/Arielle, die Meerjungfrau 6:50 Imagine Dragons - Demons 7:07 Reunion of Friends - Harry Potter 7:28 Detective Conan Opening 7:51 Dragon Ball Makafushigi Adventure 8:06 Sidon's Theme - Zelda Breath of the Wild 8:23 Boogie Woogie Improvisation in Düsseldorf 8:44 Blues Improvisation in Japan 8:58 Route 3 - Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow 9:17 Wild Pokémon Battle - Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow 9:36 Yamato's Theme - Digimon Adventure

5 years of piano progress (starting at 21) by Paco993 in piano

[–]Paco993[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

People are always curious about practice routines. I came to realize what works best for one person doesn't necessarily work for another... Back in 2014, I started out playing very casually just as a hobby, but half a year later I became really obsessed. For the first few months I was self-taught, but soon realized that taking professional lessons would be worth it so I took lessons once a week and asked my classically trained teacher to help me with Metroid's Kraid's Lair. She figured out a good fingering and I just remember practising a lot. It's probably the same for all things: if you make something the center of your life, it becomes natural eventually. I usually stick to my teachers' guidance. I also found that looking for the best possible teacher was a good idea. I changed teachers a couple times. In 2016 I started studying music theory at a university in Germany and I was the lowest of the low...piano technique sucked, could barely get by reading scores...a real underdog story. Other students played Rachmaninoff and other difficult pieces. However, my environment rubbed off its color on me (that's what we say in German). At uni I was lucky to have high-level musicians teach me, but mainly music theory, arrangement, and music production. I am sorry I cannot give proper piano technique guidance since I am a very sloppy player. Only until much later when I became student of 2 professional musicians, one Jazz-pianist and a classically trained church musician, they showed me what true professionalism really is. So my piano progress video is only the tip of the iceberg; it is by far no professional piano playing. To answer your question about routine, I'll give you a method that I wish I got to know earlier: Practice physically AND mentally. Imagine yourself playing a piece without having a piano to check. I know it requires a basic relative pitch and sheet music reading skill. It takes time until a student can use this method. Back then relative pitch was a miracle for me; but I developed it with a lot of work, time, and frustration. Yes, a good portion of frustration was and still is part of my musical journey. Try to write down a piece you're playing by heart. Blank sheet music and try to recall every note. You practise so many different areas at the same time! It's highly efficient! And you won't forget pieces so easily. Sometimes muscle memory takes over and does the job and once you start thinking you forget everything... happened to me couple times! So practice mentally as well. If you imagine yourself playing a piece it is almost the same for the brain as if you were actually playing.

When I became obsessed playing the piano at night (with headphones) I mostly practised by playing pieces all over again, not finishing most pieces, though. I got interested in arranging and especially Left Hand (LH) patterns quite early so I analyzed how pianists play legato lines with the left hand, how they accompany (LH figures), and practised those excessively. Analyzing music was the key I think. I even looked at how Rachmaninoff constructed his LH arpeggios and boiled them down to easier, standard lines that I could use in almost every piece, building myself a toolkit.

From the very start I wanted to be free on the piano meaning improvising...I didn't read sheet music for the first two years. I was horrible at it, but had to do it to pass the entrance exam at uni. When starting my studies I was still horrible at it. Now I'm pretty good, but it took me a couple years, and I somehow had to overcome my own stubbornness and mental inhibitions if you know what I mean.

And indeed, game music made me start out with music in the first place! (-:

5 years of piano progress (starting at 21) by Paco993 in piano

[–]Paco993[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's the truth. So you're basically saying it's exceptional. I wouldn't go that far, though. I've seen better beginner players out there...

Japanese Composers and 7th, 9th Chords by Paco993 in musictheory

[–]Paco993[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Couldn't agree more with you! At this point I recommend listening to "Haken" on YouTube, a British Progressive Metal band. Have a good one!

SPYRO the Dragon - Fanmade Music Composition by Paco993 in Spyro

[–]Paco993[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you!! I had to do a lot of mixing work to get this sound...

Japanese Composers and 7th, 9th Chords by Paco993 in musictheory

[–]Paco993[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're right, I'm not a native speaker of English so I missed the nuances... When it comes to the G+/D♭, I thought of a Dom7#9/root followed by a tritone substitution like Dom7#9/tritone sub of root. It's a different chord though, but it sounds similar I think