Improvised two-piano Chopsticks redux -- Tom Brier and Adam Swanson

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  • Опубліковано 9 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 159

  • @SgtDrPedro
    @SgtDrPedro Рік тому +15

    i've watched just about every video there is of Tom playing. He is mind boggling to watch, and his sight reading ability in the other videos is just absurd. Glad there are people in the world like him who push the boundaries of what you can do on a piano. He blows my mind with his ability to improvise and to make any song his own. I know his accident was huge, and he may never fully recover, but I really hope this man is able to compose and play again someday. Over the last few years he has become one of the main inspirations for me to keep playing and to keep improving. He's truly incredible

  • @muntusmaximus
    @muntusmaximus 9 років тому +125

    those 5 people who disliked it, must of got here expecting to see someone using 2 pianos to eat their meal..

    • @givecamichips
      @givecamichips 8 років тому +19

      Which, to be fair, is pretty high expectations. I can see why they would be let down.

    • @mrmaniac3
      @mrmaniac3 8 років тому +4

      Another one was disappointed

    • @pierretousignant9781
      @pierretousignant9781 7 років тому

      muntusmaximus q

    • @mrarab5125
      @mrarab5125 4 роки тому +1

      In 4 years only 8 more people disliked it, just craxy

    • @isambo400
      @isambo400 4 роки тому +3

      In my 10+ years of watching ragtime videos on youtube, this is the best comment.

  • @jhorne18
    @jhorne18 9 років тому +67

    If this is improvised, I can't imagined a planned/organized/serious piece. Wow!

    • @maggiewelland4154
      @maggiewelland4154 4 роки тому +1

      theres no way its improvised

    • @Fromagefrais15
      @Fromagefrais15 4 роки тому +42

      maggie welland watch other Tom Brier videos and I think you’ll find yourself reconsidering that statement

    • @pinkfloyddwc
      @pinkfloyddwc 3 роки тому +7

      ​@@maggiewelland4154 It's improvised! (on a theme)

    • @dannywalker6872
      @dannywalker6872 3 роки тому +4

      @@maggiewelland4154 I think it's improvised, they just relay ideas to eachother as they play, and they also done chopsticks before

    • @Ramlich.
      @Ramlich. 2 роки тому

      This sentence doesn't even make any sense. Improvisation is a lot more impressive, than original piece, because it's about your experience and your skill. Playing already a piece is just about practise and brings nothing new so it would sound the same, regardless of the player. Or perhaps you meant something like a pre-written modification of the piece.

  • @bencarter8324
    @bencarter8324 3 роки тому +15

    I seriously cannot get over the level of complexity of their improv. Tom's bit at 4:43 is absolutely genius...

    • @jollylawyer9999
      @jollylawyer9999 2 роки тому +3

      4:12 This too!

    • @Koolius
      @Koolius 5 місяців тому

      I really love that Adams answer too. it was extremely similarly in structure to toms improv beforehand. It's actually like hearing people "talk" in music.

  • @MrCrowebobby
    @MrCrowebobby 4 роки тому +24

    I love Adam's "What the hell is he doing now?!" look at 7:57.

    • @sethbarry8811
      @sethbarry8811 8 місяців тому

      Leading into grandpa spells 😂

  • @akatz000
    @akatz000 3 роки тому +10

    I just keep coming back to this video. There is something so pure about the improv duet and the tricks being played here. It really makes my heart hurt thinking about what happened to Tom. Such talent!

    • @sulemare557
      @sulemare557 2 роки тому +4

      It's really sad what happened to him, I first discovered his talent from the super mario world ending and than I remained for the rest, which was even better. I hope he's doing ok and that later in his life he'll be able to play the piano like this again. We can at least be sure that he enjoyed every bit of it when he could

  • @Wistbacka
    @Wistbacka 8 років тому +70

    Dafaq? 18 years old and three times winner??? I thought you'd have to have many decades of experience to win such a competition. I'm amazed beyond what I thought was possible... And here people make Bieber a world star.... Sometimes I hate our world. But then again you have sparks like these two guys and you find the will to live again.

    • @Keeper1st
      @Keeper1st  8 років тому +8

      +Wistbacka Check out this one of when Daniel Souvigny was only 12 years old: ua-cam.com/video/AyaEzMTeSZk/v-deo.html -- or when Daniel was 11: ua-cam.com/video/-PBxeoZqmjE/v-deo.html

    • @trantuananhnguyen714
      @trantuananhnguyen714 4 роки тому +4

      World ain't fair man, these talented people should be appreciated more, instead of bieber shit and all the kinds of new gen rap

    • @jollylawyer9999
      @jollylawyer9999 3 роки тому

      @@trantuananhnguyen714 Ikr

  • @JulienNeel
    @JulienNeel 14 років тому +45

    Just fascinating to watch, to listen to, and to watch again, and to listen to again, and again...
    Hats off to your amazing talents, sense of humor and good taste in music. I really enjoy the content you post, thank you!
    Cheers from a happy subscriber,
    Julien

  • @Arkelk2010
    @Arkelk2010 7 років тому +7

    Not only was it great fun listening to them play, but it was fun watching them laugh and joke with each other as they went along.

  • @btbuster1
    @btbuster1 7 років тому +7

    I have been listening to this for 6 years (I checked!) I never get tired of it!! Still love it!!

  • @noahmay7708
    @noahmay7708 4 роки тому +4

    There truly is no better genre for piano duets than ragtime. Fast-paced, action-packed improvising.

  • @btbuster1
    @btbuster1 13 років тому +9

    This was awesome! Everytime I listen to it, I can't help but smile! (especially since chopsticks is one of the only things I can play on the piano!) I think I like the goofing off sessions the best!! Those two are amazing together!

  • @edwarddoran3478
    @edwarddoran3478 8 років тому +8

    THIS IS DYNAMIC RAGTIME . THANK YOU BOTH FOR SHARING YOUR TALENT.

  • @StrangeSounds2009
    @StrangeSounds2009 11 років тому +27

    My computer chair is smokin' from me dancing in it!

  • @torriemadden3773
    @torriemadden3773 7 років тому +5

    7 people must have failed piano class 101. Such jealousy. Adam Swanson and Tom Brier give me hope for the musical future! They re tremendous!!

  • @Ibeatganon4fun
    @Ibeatganon4fun 12 років тому +8

    I could watch these two play for hours.

  • @Ben-xc3rw
    @Ben-xc3rw 7 років тому +6

    i am completely mind blown at how this is an improv

  • @ErikCPianoman
    @ErikCPianoman 8 років тому +18

    This looks like a lot of fun. Love me some dominant to tonic motion.

    • @georgie984
      @georgie984 5 років тому +1

      Nice to see you here, dood

    • @sasshole8121
      @sasshole8121 5 років тому +1

      Yeah, I like whatever that is too.

  • @isambo400
    @isambo400 14 років тому +7

    I was waiting for the Tiger rag the whole time, I knew it was coming!

  • @toutix9880
    @toutix9880 3 роки тому +2

    The BEST piano's video I ever seen !!! Wooow that's crazyyyy !!!
    I'm terribly sad to learn what happened to Tom Brier about the 2016 car's accident 😢

  • @CandlestickEdward
    @CandlestickEdward 14 років тому +1

    Seeing two people wholeheartedly enjoying what they're doing so much only adds to the charm and atmosphere of this video.
    Wonderful.

  • @Coco_EC
    @Coco_EC 5 років тому +4

    This is the kind of music that describes the word "joyful"

  • @christianlaruelle
    @christianlaruelle 10 років тому +2

    Fantastic artists.
    A great moment of pure pleasure.

  • @NewZman23
    @NewZman23 13 років тому +2

    what a perfect antidote to a cold winters evening - you two were just fantastic- you made me laugh and smile as you ran those keys ragged ! Man, if that was the after-festival entertainment, then the festival must have been amazing ! Wow you have both caught that same wavelength and just cruisin along together in unison- thanks so much for this post- you inspire me :-)

  • @syncopeter
    @syncopeter 13 років тому +2

    This is such musical genius by both gentlemen. It keeps me absolutely amazed. What a talent and the sheer fun they are having to get the other out of his keys./the nust already have been playing for 10 odd hours or so, but they are trill as fresh as daisies. Great fun.

  • @ulexite-tv
    @ulexite-tv Рік тому +1

    Oh, that tango take! WOW! That deserves to be a whole entire song in its own right!

  • @alwaysbearded1
    @alwaysbearded1 5 років тому +1

    One of my favorite videos of these two talented men. I'll be able to see Adam tomorrow when I visit my parents.

  • @Grebnedlog55
    @Grebnedlog55 12 років тому +12

    Nothing is too simple to be Brierized.

  • @normthehat
    @normthehat 13 років тому +1

    Fabulous stuff for lifting the spirits. The sheer joy of it, wonderful.
    I envy their skill. If only I had worked at those piano lessons my Dad paid for when I was a kid.

  • @Keeper1st
    @Keeper1st  13 років тому +5

    @souvetlernar That's the famous Tiger Rag. The pounding on the low keys is meant to be the roar of a tiger (usually it's done by rolling the forearm down to the elbow, making a sort of glissando). Another famous ragtime piece that uses pounding on the low notes is "Grandpa's Spells".

    • @alaeriia01
      @alaeriia01 7 років тому

      Keeper1st Lesser known is Blood on the Keys, by Perfesser Bill Edwards.

  • @Squarerig
    @Squarerig 12 років тому +3

    I find it stimulating that there such gifted pianists still strutting their stuff.What a contrast with the pulp served up for the young under the name of POP.Not music at all,merely noise.Thank you so much for this lively and most entertaining clip.

  • @YakYo
    @YakYo 9 років тому +10

    Trying to up the ante, the duo later performed blindfolded.
    Absolutely nothing changed.

  • @gustavobraga582
    @gustavobraga582 3 роки тому +5

    Hey Ron!
    Do you see the right hand melody at 6:52 to an answer to what you just said about a chinese restaurant? I always thought so!

  • @stephanwinter3097
    @stephanwinter3097 5 років тому +1

    Es is einfach der Megahammer, wenn diese beiden Klavierspielen. Denen könnt ich stundenlang zuhören!!!!!!

  • @Squarerig
    @Squarerig 11 років тому +3

    Keeper.This certainly "cuts" it with me!A great performance-thank you for the clip.

  • @santhemooncrystal796
    @santhemooncrystal796 11 років тому +5

    This reminds me of my orchestra director, he's also my accompanist. He messes around while I unpack my cello and sometimes I'm just sitting there and he's like JUST WAIT IM NOT DONE YET

  • @Koolius
    @Koolius 8 місяців тому +1

    I think this has become my favorite video on the internet

  • @TheCactuar124
    @TheCactuar124 10 років тому +16

    Adam is a 22-year-old ragtime prodigy.

  • @jackkenefick2696
    @jackkenefick2696 6 місяців тому +1

    2:38 "Hey man, what key you in!!?"

  • @Superminyme
    @Superminyme 14 років тому +2

    Wow! Love watching some great musicians having a good time like this. Also like your detailed description, thanks. : )

  • @MrRagtimefan
    @MrRagtimefan 13 років тому +2

    oh my goodness!!!! perfect! 9 minutes of music celebration! could listen to this 1000 times in a row.....

  • @lizardltd
    @lizardltd Рік тому +1

    This is incredible
    I wish I could improvise to this level
    Looks like they're having so much fun

  • @tobiasnoskow672
    @tobiasnoskow672 7 років тому +2

    This is one of the greatest rag improvisation that I have ever heard. 😍😍😍😍😁😁😁😁

  • @Keeper1st
    @Keeper1st  13 років тому +3

    @dele3344 Back in the ragtime era, these sort of piano battles were known as a "cutting contest".

  • @souvetlernar
    @souvetlernar 13 років тому +1

    @Keeper1st Thanks a lot for the information! And congratulations for Tom and Adam. Their performances are great.

  • @StrangeSounds2009
    @StrangeSounds2009 11 років тому +5

    This just so TOTALLY ROCKS!!!!!

  • @sammajcher2778
    @sammajcher2778 9 років тому +5

    How the hell can people do this kind of thing. It amazes me. Good job.

  • @WillowEpp
    @WillowEpp 8 років тому +5

    It takes them a while to get up to speed, but once they do it's right brilliant.

  • @Keeper1st
    @Keeper1st  13 років тому +1

    @blackhearted4ever Adam plays annual at festivals in Columbia, Mo., Sedalia, Mo., Rockhill Furnace, Pa., Sacramento, Calif., and Kecskemét, Hungary. Tom plays at annual festivals in Columbia, Mo., Oakhurst, Calif., Sutter Creek, Calif., and Sacramento, Calif. I can give you details of any of those if you're interested.

  • @doumelepirate6867
    @doumelepirate6867 4 роки тому +1

    Thank you for the joy !

  • @gilbert01284
    @gilbert01284 5 років тому +1

    Now that's a dazzling performance...

  • @turpinator
    @turpinator 14 років тому +1

    We need more piano battles like the one at the end here. This was so epic.

  • @JohnHowieson
    @JohnHowieson 4 роки тому

    I'm so glad to see these guys going at their duets & it looks as though Tom is back to being himself. WOW!

    • @Keeper1st
      @Keeper1st  4 роки тому

      This was recorded in 2010, six years before Tom's accident.

  • @Codmaster4488
    @Codmaster4488 8 років тому +9

    Exactly how long has tom been playing piano? Because I want to be able to improvise music like this (that part at 8:20 was PERFECT btw)

    • @Keeper1st
      @Keeper1st  8 років тому +9

      Since he was about 5 years old, so... almost 40 years.

  • @Bryan_Kay
    @Bryan_Kay 5 років тому +2

    4:30 i absolutely love this man :)

  • @croco64
    @croco64 11 років тому +6

    4:29 I love when Tom bursts out laughing when he realizes what adam's playing :P

  • @Keeper1st
    @Keeper1st  14 років тому +2

    @turpinator77 Yeah. Be sure not to miss the "Epic piano duet" video I posted a few months ago. I've got some more similar to this yet to post. Tom has said that one of his favorite videos is "Fun with two pianos" featuring himself and Vincent Johnson trading ideas for seven minutes.

  • @therainforest4314
    @therainforest4314 7 років тому +9

    If a person's not smiling after listening to these two on their pianos, perhaps they'd better check for a heartbeat. ;-)

  • @RyanZPianoGuy
    @RyanZPianoGuy 8 років тому +6

    Tom Brier is the Marc Hamelin of rag.

  • @maussie9942
    @maussie9942 2 роки тому

    Their laughter is obviously from musician humour which I must admit is well and truly over my head xx

    • @Keeper1st
      @Keeper1st  2 роки тому +1

      It's from the quoting of other pieces.

  • @EU_DHD
    @EU_DHD 14 років тому +1

    I was on my way to the bathroom when I clocked on this, but I stopped in my steps and just stood hunched over the screen watching the whole vid. By the end I was dancing like a maniac and almost wetting my pants. I could not stop watching until the end and as I type I'm growing more and more worried that I wont make it so I'm going to stop btypimngn noww.-

  • @Degenerate_Gen
    @Degenerate_Gen 11 років тому +16

    4:12 on-wards, how the hell does Tom do that with his fourth finger??!!

    • @isambo400
      @isambo400 4 роки тому +1

      Train every day from birth

    • @Kitsunika
      @Kitsunika 4 роки тому +1

      Practice 40 hours a day

  • @ta455driver
    @ta455driver 14 років тому +3

    Well, you just got your 34th like after I watched this.. Lovely to listen to.

  • @mdgraller
    @mdgraller Рік тому

    Man, what I wouldn't give to teleport Tom back to a rough-and-tumble frontier saloon. He would tear the place *down*

  • @75egcg
    @75egcg 14 років тому +1

    tom brier and adam swanson awesomefies everything they play

  • @majordimbulb4742
    @majordimbulb4742 3 роки тому +1

    What a duo!!!!!!

  • @sohaeljw
    @sohaeljw 6 років тому +1

    dude this is so cool

  • @ThisIsKuroCat
    @ThisIsKuroCat 14 років тому +5

    HAHA xD
    4:32 TOM MADE ME CRACK up xDD
    Epic video !!! +9 minutes damnnn

  • @dennisnuman9741
    @dennisnuman9741 8 років тому +2

    fantastic!!!!

  • @akg_table
    @akg_table Рік тому +1

    8:30 just casually improvising a 9.5th

  • @MikeBohl
    @MikeBohl 12 років тому +1

    Tom Brier never fails to make me beam.

  • @GoTFCanada1230
    @GoTFCanada1230 14 років тому +7

    WOW... I wish I had as much improv power as you guys... I'm starting to get the gist, but I still need to advance more. How do you guys do it? Would love to know!

  • @sjpiran
    @sjpiran 7 років тому +2

    Absolutely brilliant!!!!! :)

  • @nathang.1744
    @nathang.1744 4 місяці тому

    8:00 that phrase he put to together was very cool

  • @Keeper1st
    @Keeper1st  12 років тому +3

    That part is not in the originally published version, no. I don't think I've ever seen it written down. It shouldn't be too hard to figure out, though, as it's just three chords, then a fourth new chord, then three of that followed by another new chord, and so on, with the "roars" in the middle. Just work out the chords and you're golden. You probably can transcribe the chords from Perfessor Bill's MIDI performance, in fact.

  • @jollylawyer9999
    @jollylawyer9999 3 роки тому +1

    7:19 Love that transition

    • @nathang.1744
      @nathang.1744 4 місяці тому

      I was just about to say something about that D strain that was really melodically interesting

    • @jollylawyer9999
      @jollylawyer9999 2 місяці тому

      @@nathang.1744 Dude its so awesome. Thats a part I kept playing back

  • @GeneralLeeStudios
    @GeneralLeeStudios 7 років тому +3

    i wish someone could do a ragtime version of the dukes of hazzard theme, i think it'd be hilarious

  • @ragtimest
    @ragtimest 12 років тому +1

    wow wonderful!

  • @BotondKuti
    @BotondKuti 13 років тому +2

    blown away :O!!!

  • @coronapapi
    @coronapapi 6 років тому +1

    My cat is batting her tail to the beat.

  • @ThisIsKuroCat
    @ThisIsKuroCat 14 років тому +1

    Hollyyy fuck!! I am still listening to this :D
    This is epic up the assss !!!!!!!!!!!

  • @Keeper1st
    @Keeper1st  12 років тому

    Ted Tjaden's site has a copy you can download. Google search "ted tjaden ragtime" and go to the "Ragtime at the Zoo" section.

  • @isopath1
    @isopath1 8 років тому

    I've been playing since I was 5 years old too. Played my first ragtime piece at 9 years of age - before then I was only allowed to play 'exam' music.

  • @sleeplessdreamrz
    @sleeplessdreamrz 13 років тому

    Stunned.

  • @turpinator
    @turpinator 14 років тому +1

    @Keeper1st And I wholeheartedly agree!

  • @zoop2174
    @zoop2174 4 роки тому

    Fantastic!

  • @rockythewerepuppy2253
    @rockythewerepuppy2253 Рік тому

    Classic song

  • @jblack6903
    @jblack6903 8 років тому +1

    THAT IS FUN !!!

  • @charlotteeden8860
    @charlotteeden8860 3 роки тому +1

    how are their fingers not cramping up from that

  • @jollylawyer9999
    @jollylawyer9999 3 роки тому

    Im speechless......

  • @maxpower4910
    @maxpower4910 9 років тому +5

    What's playing at 4:30?

    • @joshgirndt4896
      @joshgirndt4896 6 років тому +5

      Sounds like Yankee Doddle to me, playing another song in the middle of Chopsticks improv might explain Tom's laughter!

    • @jollylawyer9999
      @jollylawyer9999 2 роки тому

      It was adam

  • @souvetlernar
    @souvetlernar 13 років тому +1

    Amazing! Incredible.
    What's the name of the piece that Tom start at 8:08 and finish at 8:36???Is there any similar piece which hits the piano like that?

  • @trantuananhnguyen714
    @trantuananhnguyen714 4 роки тому

    2:36
    the transition is so good, anyone know the tune started after by Tom ? i'd like to know it

    • @Keeper1st
      @Keeper1st  4 роки тому +3

      He's just making it up.

  • @classicmwk
    @classicmwk 8 років тому +1

    Wow Wow Wow!!!!

  • @pilargomez-m1e
    @pilargomez-m1e 7 днів тому

    Geniales 😊

  • @tdub1941
    @tdub1941 14 років тому +1

    Nice Catch Ron!
    Ya done good.
    5*****
    RJM Tom

  • @kopikostar
    @kopikostar 6 років тому +1

    I am the 800th like. Feelsgoodman.
    4:31 is my favorite part

  • @EunoiaJean
    @EunoiaJean 12 років тому

    I'm confused. I played it through and i can't seem to find out where the left forearm rolls down the piano. Is it just me?

  • @MrHamthepig
    @MrHamthepig 8 років тому +3

    How would they know which key to play in?

    • @Keeper1st
      @Keeper1st  8 років тому +4

      Agree upon a starting key and go from there. Call out any key changes, as you hear in some of these jam session videos. Or get lost for a moment and listen to hear what key the other person has changed to, which you also hear in some of these jam session videos.

    • @MrHamthepig
      @MrHamthepig 8 років тому

      Interesting how they can do that. Do you know what keys they went through throughout the improvisation session?

    • @Keeper1st
      @Keeper1st  8 років тому +6

      From what I can tell, C, F, G, D, then Tom tries to go to A but Adam goes to A-flat, to which Tom adjusts, then D again, then B-flat, and finally G again.

    • @nancylinda4207
      @nancylinda4207 8 років тому

      MrHamthepig i love the way Adam will move his head sort of up and down sometimes with the rhythm - he's amazing. Brier wastes little energy but sort of sways to the rhythm - love this duo.

  • @EunoiaJean
    @EunoiaJean 12 років тому

    I have been looking everywhere for sheet music to the tiger rag. Might you know where i may find it?