Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody (cover on piano)

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  • Опубліковано 12 жов 2018
  • I was ten years old when I first heard this song. I knew I was a fan of Queen from that moment. How could I have known at the time that decades later I would still love Bohemian Rhapsody? Studying a song to learn it for a UA-cam cover always uncovers more meaning, more cleverness, more conventions and more depth. This is no exception. Learning Bohemian Rhapsody has taught me that a song can change key, change style and change mood and yet settle in the mind of those who know it as one cohesive piece of music. Obviously Freddie Mercury must have studied opera and applied its tricks to the operatic section. The heavy rock section is rich in its overlay of triplet rhythms. I am sad that this learning process is over for this song, but it is time to turn my attention to other topics.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 171

  • @rydo728
    @rydo728 5 років тому +37

    The lord of piano himself has gifted us with a beautiful rendition of this masterpiece

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  5 років тому +2

      Thank you. I have tried my best with this one :)

    • @hypersoniclightningfast1422
      @hypersoniclightningfast1422 3 роки тому

      @@paulwwells You haven't tried your best....YOU'RE SIMPLY THE BEST!

  • @gourmet53
    @gourmet53 5 років тому +29

    Holy Mother of God!.........Every time I listen to one of your songs I want to sell my piano and take up bowling................................Truly a one man band.

    • @tgo6292
      @tgo6292 5 років тому +6

      Almost took the words out of my mouth: "Holy Mother of God!.....Every time I listen to one of your songs I want take a bat and smash the sh*t out of my piano then take it to the driveway and run back and forth over it with my truck, then go over it again with my bat! Then on to my fingers, which yelling at does no good! I want to slam those effers in a door!! Finally, some hate mail to my parents!"

    • @JoseMedina-ep5rc
      @JoseMedina-ep5rc 5 років тому +1

      TGO jajajajajaja 👍

  • @ArthurSieg
    @ArthurSieg 5 років тому +12

    When you upload a new song, you just know it's going to be the best solo piano version on youtube.

    • @tH4ttUs
      @tH4ttUs 5 років тому +1

      Always!!!!

  • @hermeslord
    @hermeslord 5 років тому +2

    moved me to tears paul.. oh how I miss those glorious 70s and 80s.. God bless you man.

  • @darkrosemusic7663
    @darkrosemusic7663 2 роки тому

    I just love that base slide at 1:14

  • @rocketman998
    @rocketman998 5 років тому +5

    Absolutely MAGNIFICENT!!!!!

  • @pfffttrffy6967
    @pfffttrffy6967 5 років тому +6

    Damn this is the best cover I’ve heard... this masterpiece deserves at the least 1 million views

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  5 років тому +2

      Thank you. Exposure is in the hands of the UA-cam algorithm designers - and they increasingly favour channels with a new post every day over those with a lot of work behind each upload.

  • @tH4ttUs
    @tH4ttUs 5 років тому +4

    Paulwwells there is no better Keyboarder on UA-cam i know! The point ist you have no sheets and you are playing it on your ears. Brilliant technique! Best version. Best music! By the way: First i was the owner of Roland RD 700SX and now nord stage 2 ex. There is a smile on my face :D

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  5 років тому

      Hi Dominik. Thank you for taking the time to leave your very kind comment. It is interesting that we share the same choice in keyboards. I have had the Nord nearly two years, and I still find its sound very expressive.

  • @davidmccall4776
    @davidmccall4776 9 місяців тому

    Stunning Paul, abso-damn-lutely STUNNING!!!!! You'll never know how much your videos have helped me, and made my playing so much more enjoyable, both for myself.....and those listening! Thank you, thank you, thank you! 🎹👍🇬🇧🇺🇲🌎

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  8 місяців тому

      Thanks again for your comments David. It is good to know that my videos are useful. 😀

  • @rjbowman37664
    @rjbowman37664 5 років тому +6

    Wow! Now that's some killer Queen!!! Well done indeed!!! =)

  • @LawrenceMoranactor
    @LawrenceMoranactor 5 років тому +1

    FABULOUS!!!

  • @rafiqrawk
    @rafiqrawk 5 років тому +1

    Magic every single time!

  • @DanTheMan007
    @DanTheMan007 5 років тому +2

    Inspirational! Freddie will be looking down and smiling at such an epic version of his most wonderful classic

  • @RelleNess
    @RelleNess 5 років тому +2

    I am speechless! That was breathtaking

  • @evkessel020675
    @evkessel020675 5 років тому +1

    That was fantastic. Many thanks. Wow!

  • @johnbeaton1076
    @johnbeaton1076 5 років тому +1

    Paul...what a treat.Thank you!

  • @abafamny90
    @abafamny90 5 років тому +4

    I am in the midst of trying to cover this song myself which prompted me to look around YT and piece together different interpretation and arrangements.
    It made me wonder “I wish @paulwwells covered this song too” and lo behold here it is.
    There is no other youtuber out there who put enough emphasis on the use of split piano/bass which makes their covers feel a little less bassy. Coming here and watching you would not only be a good reference for keyboardist but also bassists.
    Having said that, this cover is truly immaculate! The layered pianos give a bright and colourful tone. The bass is solid and strong, with ghost notes mimicking the hand movements up and down the bass neck.
    The notes and choice of voicing is excellent. The dynamics make me want to cry.
    The multiple camera angles are lovely. The Nord itself is having justice done to it.
    All in all, fantastic cover, a difficult one for anyone trying to top.
    Keep it coming. This truly sent shiver down my spine. If you could see how I reacted to this video, you’d probably laugh.
    Thank you, Paul.
    Much Love and Aspiration from Malaysia,
    Abafamny90

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  5 років тому +2

      Thank you Abafamny for your comment and I wish you well getting your cover of this song ready. There's a lot which you have picked up on. Piano makers built pianos for live performance of classical music. Keyboard makers focus on replicating acoustic pianos. The result is less than ideal for modern music played back through iPhone speakers. I do care more about getting a good sound than getting an authentic sound.

  • @zahranuori485
    @zahranuori485 3 роки тому

    It sounds perfect

  • @Strawberrystrawberry713
    @Strawberrystrawberry713 4 роки тому

    Brilliant! I cannot stop listening to this at least once a day while at work!!!

  • @ShawnTewes
    @ShawnTewes 5 років тому +8

    That sent shivers down my spine. Great work.

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  5 років тому

      Thank you Shawn - that's a good thing, much better than body aching all the time which it has nearly done to me

  • @random275
    @random275 5 років тому +5

    Hi Paul - That sounded great ! and perfectly played ! I'm a rubbish keyboard player but my son Andrew is very good and as a music teacher he recently took his students to Rockfield Studios where they still have the actual piano Freddy Mercury used to record Bohemian Rhapsody - It doesn't now sound anywhere near as good as yours does on this recording - something to be very proud of. Cheers Phil

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  5 років тому

      Hi Phil. Thanks for your comment. The sound here is made up of two Nord and a Roland piano stacked (with bass guitar and a chime on the top octave). That's quite a lot for a single acoustic piano to compete with. It is interesting that the studio piano still exists - I saw a documentary about the studio gear, and learned that that piano was also used by the Beatles. I would certainly be interested in seeing it or playing it even, though it is obviously an artifact of rock history.

  • @budgetpack
    @budgetpack 5 років тому +1

    Fantastic arrangement Paul, the best I have heard.

  • @rhecoy2007
    @rhecoy2007 5 років тому +1

    wow and it's a great play...love it...

  • @nady2296
    @nady2296 4 роки тому +1

    Best cover of this song that I ever heard ! So much energy and emotions

  • @r.t.matila7647
    @r.t.matila7647 5 років тому +2

    Wow, that Nord keyboard sounds fantastic! And you sir, are a genius! The very best version I've heard thus far. Musicianship such as yours always makes me push to higher levels of advanced playing. Thank you very much for the encouragement!

  • @TXF9a
    @TXF9a 5 років тому +1

    Phenomenal. Bravo👏

  • @mantrapotro
    @mantrapotro 5 років тому +1

    The best versión I´ve ever seen so far…!! Thanks a lot…!!

  • @mplehmann
    @mplehmann 5 років тому +1

    Perfection.

  • @susanbeverly2186
    @susanbeverly2186 5 років тому +1

    Awesome!

  • @peterdaubney3100
    @peterdaubney3100 5 років тому

    absolutely brilliant!!

  • @Johnnyleealdridgeofficial
    @Johnnyleealdridgeofficial 3 роки тому +1

    You are soooooo talented please don't ever stop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • @Claytononline
    @Claytononline 5 років тому +4

    Best Piano cover of Bohemian Rhapsody by a mile. Awesome stuff Paul :)

  • @jorgem9635
    @jorgem9635 5 років тому +2

    Excelente!!!!

  • @vincentdeluca9459
    @vincentdeluca9459 5 років тому

    Unreal. Incredible playing and piano part. I never appreciated the difficulty of this piece until I saw you play it. Amazing.

  • @jonathonchoy220
    @jonathonchoy220 5 років тому +2

    You’d already won me over with a subscription to your channel earlier but this just brought a smile to my face

  • @rolandgerard6064
    @rolandgerard6064 5 років тому +3

    You feel this song very deeply, to be able to translate the emotion of an all band that well with only a piano is really amazing. Great skills and emotions = art.

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  5 років тому

      Thank you - but that's the power of Freddie Mercury's imagination in putting all this together. Yes, it's a deep song with a lot of personal meaning and with plenty to express.

  • @dru1
    @dru1 5 років тому

    That was soo good!

  • @edgarwingeyer2135
    @edgarwingeyer2135 5 років тому +1

    FANTASTICO!

  • @crcc23
    @crcc23 5 років тому +1

    Best cover!

  • @jordanjay5901
    @jordanjay5901 5 років тому +1

    Excellent and timely with the film about to come out, too!

  • @hardware4200
    @hardware4200 5 років тому +1

    Amazing. Nice performance

  • @MetaView7
    @MetaView7 3 роки тому

    This is breathtaking. Thank you.

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  3 роки тому +1

      Thank you MetaView7 - I'm glad you like my humble rendition. This song will surely live on down the generations.

  • @benjaminpeternorris
    @benjaminpeternorris 5 років тому +1

    Amazing!! Best cover yet...! It must have taken you a long time to master this classic. Fantastic job!

  • @claudio3504
    @claudio3504 5 років тому +1

    PERFETTO!!!BRAVISSIMO!!!!

  • @hernansalcedo1
    @hernansalcedo1 5 років тому +1

    Thank you so much for posting this video

  • @gduqueg
    @gduqueg 5 років тому +1

    Excelente interpretación... me gustó !!! Congratulations !!!

  • @vlad2896
    @vlad2896 5 років тому

    PERFECT!!!!! I think you cannot desire anything else from your life! You already have everithing!!

  • @marisha1406
    @marisha1406 4 роки тому

    Amazing! 👍💗

  • @eltisch
    @eltisch 3 роки тому

    awesome.

  • @santiagochambi4692
    @santiagochambi4692 Рік тому

    Magnific! Brilliant! Genial! Amazing!

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  Рік тому

      Thank you for your comments Santiago - and sorry it has taken me so long to respond to your kind words.

  • @clearprop
    @clearprop 5 років тому

    Never tire of watching your videos. You can render such complexity and intensity with such apparent ease.

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  5 років тому

      Thank you Dan. Your comment is uplifting and encouraging - a good reason to keep making these videos.

    • @clearprop
      @clearprop 5 років тому

      @@paulwwells My pleasure. Please do keep uploading!

  • @oconnb00
    @oconnb00 5 років тому +3

    I haven't commented on you tube in years. Oh my God that is some serious playing. I would give my right arm to be able to play like that. Get it?

  • @mikemike4030
    @mikemike4030 3 роки тому

    Asombroso!!! 👏👏👏👏

  • @eshyman
    @eshyman 3 роки тому

    Ugh too good!! I’m going to spending most of 2021 watching this at different speeds while attempting to learn it!! As ever amazing work and thanks for uploading

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  3 роки тому

      Thank you Eshyman. It's a very rich song - I'm glad to have lived through the Freddie Mercury era.

  • @tomandriunas3700
    @tomandriunas3700 5 років тому +1

    you bless me every time i hear you play even from the very start of your vids i have loved them

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  5 років тому

      Thank you Tom for your very kind comment - encouragement like this is what keeps me learning more songs.

  • @audio138
    @audio138 5 років тому +1

    Superb!

  • @0800338833
    @0800338833 5 років тому +2

    Smashed it 💪🏻👍🏻😀

  • @Garzaboy79
    @Garzaboy79 5 років тому

    I’ve been silently checking in with you here and there over the past few years. You’re a genius, sir. Love watching/listening to you play.

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  5 років тому

      Alfredo, thank you for commenting. Encouragement is always welcome. I'll keep pushing for a better result. Thank you for your continued support.

  • @Soryt
    @Soryt 4 роки тому

    Excellent 🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹👍👍🎶🎶

  • @gregt4202
    @gregt4202 5 років тому +1

    Well, I can't do much from this distance, but I did stand up when I punched the "like" button. Outstanding job once again. Thanks.

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  5 років тому +1

      Thank you Greg. I felt the force with which you hit the like button. Thank you for your ongoing support.

  • @rafiqali15
    @rafiqali15 3 роки тому

    Best cover on YT. There are many good covers you played more than 10 years ago . I suggest you should play them again on this instrument for better video quality

  • @kaplefff
    @kaplefff 5 років тому +1

    Bravo!

  • @lucgerman3939
    @lucgerman3939 5 років тому

    Eccellente !!!!!

  • @Yes_Piano
    @Yes_Piano 4 роки тому

    Amazing, You make me happy, thank you very much 💖👌🌹

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  4 роки тому

      You are welcome. Congratulations on your creative use of backgrounds for your synthesia videos, they look really calming.

  • @mora1975
    @mora1975 5 років тому

    bellisimooooo desde uruguayyy abrazoooo

  • @richardtoll958
    @richardtoll958 4 роки тому +2

    How could anyone hit the thumbs down for that? Absolutely brilliant.

  • @carloscodling5084
    @carloscodling5084 3 роки тому +1

    Brilliant!

  • @JoseMedina-ep5rc
    @JoseMedina-ep5rc 5 років тому

    👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 bravisimooo 🎹

  • @paulinep7010
    @paulinep7010 Місяць тому

    Thank you for uploading this piece, you are great !! 😘

  • @WalterBislin
    @WalterBislin 5 років тому +1

    Bravooo!

  • @katikatarina15
    @katikatarina15 5 років тому +1

    Fantastisch, ich gratuliere!

  • @jelbermello1771
    @jelbermello1771 4 роки тому

    incrível muito bom mesmo!

  • @TheCrazyAve123
    @TheCrazyAve123 5 років тому +1

    I Wish I could play the piano like you

  • @juliomurrieta7692
    @juliomurrieta7692 4 роки тому

    Magnifica interpretación., me encanta

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  4 роки тому

      Thank you for commenting. I am glad you like my interpretation.

  • @ignacioboza7232
    @ignacioboza7232 5 років тому

    Very well , you have mi congratulations, king regards from Spain.

  • @lucianneesteves2208
    @lucianneesteves2208 5 років тому +1

    Wonderfulllllllllllllllllllllll

  • @chucklefun487
    @chucklefun487 4 роки тому

    Good video you play the piano well well done keep up the good work.

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  4 роки тому

      Thank you. With your encouragement I'll keep going.

  • @jcn3115
    @jcn3115 3 роки тому

    Félicitation depuis la France ! C'est la 1ere interprétation au clavier que je vois (que j'entends), complète et magnifique... bravo encore ! On aimerait avoir, bien sûr, la partition...

  • @jono2575
    @jono2575 5 років тому

    Paul that was amazing bet that took a long time to learn

  • @micp01
    @micp01 3 роки тому

    Nice and no left hand crossing👏

  • @MOSHE0515
    @MOSHE0515 3 місяці тому +1

    WOW BEST VERSION IEVER SEEN/ HOW MUCH TIME WAS THAKE YOU TO LERN FROM 0 TO 10

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  3 місяці тому

      Thank you. This took about the same duration to learn as Sultans of Swing, Bring on the Night or Stairway to Heaven - about two years.

  • @ericwarncke
    @ericwarncke 5 років тому +12

    2:08 the moment you realize this guy is not playing around.

  • @honzikjk7979
    @honzikjk7979 5 років тому

    I didn´t hear an original, but this is amazing! Keep it up. :)

  • @michelenap.1768
    @michelenap.1768 5 років тому

    nice

  • @rpetrano
    @rpetrano 4 роки тому

    Thank you very much Paul for recording this. I've incorporated a few of your details into my own arrangement of this song. I like how you play the melody part of the ballad with your left thumb in C minor :D Also I love the sound of stacked pianos and a beautiful blend of electric bass and a piano. BTW, I think it's funny, I've also had a RD-700 and now I'm selling it for Nord Stage 2. I see a lot of people have done the same.

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  4 роки тому

      Thank you Robert. I'm pleased that you have picked up so much of the detail of my approach to recording this song. I do have a bit of a habit of feeding the tune over to the left hand for the odd note here and there. I think that it is something which a musty old upright piano would not let you do but these digital pianos have cutting clarity down at least an octave below middle C. I did buy a Roland 800 but liked none of its new piano sounds and after a few days realised I was not going to be able to live with it. I'm still nowhere near bored of the Nord. Layering pianos stretches its polyphony to the limits but does deliver a monstrously rich sound.

  • @ilikespk7850
    @ilikespk7850 4 роки тому

    So nice! I like ;)

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  4 роки тому

      Ah - thank you very much :)

  • @BrunoSantos-ko7fl
    @BrunoSantos-ko7fl 5 років тому

    Demaissss

  • @barrysilver1875
    @barrysilver1875 5 років тому +4

    My God, man.

  • @JohnCurtisPiano
    @JohnCurtisPiano 5 років тому

    rock on

  • @Mithrandir4444
    @Mithrandir4444 5 років тому +1

    Hey Paul,
    another masterpiece of outstanding and great music well set and played by you.
    You really do a wonderful job. There is just one little, little thing I dare to add, regarding some of the syncopes, I would played most of the times that parts more straight.
    But anyway, double thumbs up, brother and thank you

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  5 років тому

      Thanks Dietrich. Please tell me where in particular so that I can check.

  • @jonblock
    @jonblock 5 років тому

    This was not bad. I play this song too and you've got some voicing in this I think I'll make my own. Thanks for posting!

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  5 років тому

      Thank you. The interesting thing about this song is hearing how other people translate it to piano.

    • @jonblock
      @jonblock 5 років тому

      @@paulwwells Here's how I've been playing it: soundcloud.com/poppianocovers/bohemian-rhapsody-my-piano-arrangement

  • @colblimp
    @colblimp 5 років тому +1

    Well it's just exceptional, isn't it?!

  • @KevinFordPiano
    @KevinFordPiano 5 років тому +7

    Well that notification certainly interrupted the important job I was doing!

  • @pianoman19541
    @pianoman19541 5 років тому +1

    Paul ... Paul ... Paul .... Fantastic !
    .... BUT ....
    did you have to tease me with this great, learning camera angle ?
    So .... There goes the rest of my day .. week .... months... and months ... probably year !
    And i guess I'm supposed to THANK YOU ? ? ? (lol)
    Thank you.

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  5 років тому

      You are welcome Jack. Exactly - a camera angle which hopefully shows it's detail for your learning pleasure.

  • @johngero9047
    @johngero9047 3 роки тому

    WOW!! Amazing cover. Now...are you going to put this sheet music on your website? Sheet Music Boss sheets do not compare to your cover. Just asking, thanks Paul! Greetings from sunny Southern California!

  • @nicflay
    @nicflay 5 років тому +1

    I don't suppose you'd ever consider doing Oh Lori by the Allessi Brothers. All your covers are absolutely astonishing (and this may be the best yet) and I think you'd murder the bass on that song, haven't seen anyone else able to do it,

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  5 років тому

      Thanks for this suggestion. I do know the song - although I didn't recognise it by name. It certainly has plenty of shape to it, which is good for a piano cover. I haven't heard it for many years, and it is a lot more jazzy than I remember. I'd struggle a little at the end of the chorus which is just drums.

    • @nicflay
      @nicflay 5 років тому

      paulwwells Thanks for the response. Yes, the bass is great on that song, but I struggle to follow it over the chorus. If you were to manage it it’d be great, but whatever you cover is brilliant so always look forward to your uploads

  • @BladeJones
    @BladeJones Рік тому

    This is a REALLY hard song! I'm a beginner, but it has taken me about 2 weeks just to be able to play 3:51 - 3:53 one time. It's still dicey. I play it right about 1 in 5 attempts after some warm up.

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  Рік тому

      Yes - those choppy chords are a challenge but certainly make one of the most immediately identifiable snippets of the song.

  • @jackkelso4776
    @jackkelso4776 5 років тому

    Please make a cover on this

  • @krisevan1337
    @krisevan1337 5 років тому

    You should definitely do a cover of John Miles - Music. I think this would fit your style very well!

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  5 років тому +1

      Just listening now. Yes, a good suggestion, thank you.

  • @kamranhamidfar1725
    @kamranhamidfar1725 5 років тому

    You are great at what you do

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  5 років тому +1

      Thank you Kamran

    • @kamranhamidfar1725
      @kamranhamidfar1725 14 днів тому

      @@paulwwellsCan you remember I commented on a song which you covered by mentioning You check out guitar George, he knows-all the chords. But You know more chords than George?

    • @paulwwells
      @paulwwells  14 днів тому

      @@kamranhamidfar1725 Thank you. Yes, you have been commenting on many of my videos over about nine years. I appreciate all of the encouragement. Well, to answer your question: by definition, it is impossible to know more chords than Guitar George, because he knows all of them. This is a kind of Divine Command Theory applied to chords. If I know a chord which George does not know - then it cannot be a real chord because George knows all the chords.

    • @kamranhamidfar1725
      @kamranhamidfar1725 14 днів тому

      @@paulwwells Thanks for your sense of humour. You are an inspiring musician. Respect