Reminds me of the scene in Good Will Hunting where Matt Damon describes how Beethoven saw a piano and he could just play. I took lessons. I could sight-read pretty well. But composing and improvising is a whole different thing. Elton can just play. There's a lot of solid theory in there, a lot of work and practice. But you can't teach how he gets into the soul of his melodies. Performing is so different from playing. You have to feel the anticipation and the limits of your listeners, reach out to them and send them. I got good enough to have fun playing, but this just blows me away. He sees beyond anything I was able to envision. Such control of fast and slow, loud and soft, he never just mails it in-- all with the utmost care.
The level of actual musical ability among pop stars has plummeted. Elton has always been superb. In the seventies and eighties, guys like Elton, Billy Joel, Mark Knopfler, Sting, Donald Fagen, the guys in Floyd or Queen, Joni Mitchell, Carole King... stunning instrumentalists considered ‘pop’ acts. Imagine Sam Smith or Harry Styles mustering anything more than a few chords, let alone anything like this
I've never ever seen the Elton's piano performance from this angle. This video is so precious one for the person like me to learn Elton's piano performance. We'll never see this performance with commercially available video. Thank you so much for your uploading !
I had pretty much the same view at the last sole Elton concert I attend, sat behind the stage less than 50 feet from him, great view of his hands playing the piano. Could watch those hands move for ever.
What stands out for me with Elton is the complexity of his playing whilst singing...almost unrivalled in that respect. The Ephesus concert is testament to his gift...I personally struggle to sing at the level I can whilst playing...so frustrating and watching Elton infuses me with more than a hint of jealousy lol
HowToDoItDude Billy could never do this. Let’s be honest here. No improvisation of Billy’s would reach this level. In my opinion we love our musicians to a great extent but on different sides of the spectrum. You’re a huge Joel fan, I’m a huge John fan. We’ll never stop on the topic of who’s better, I say we stop here. Say our final Fuck You’s to each other and move on.
@@fanaticaldueling6337 I think Elton is a mord technician on the piano which is why I prefer his playing. Having said that I never gave Joel his due because I never really heard any solos from him but Joel is excellent also
Ken Webb Nice version, yes. A cover like that has been done before. Several times. You don't make it easy for that version to succeed here when you garnish it with such an arrogant introduction.
Very basic chord structures, the very essence of beginners within the bounds of his hand size. Watch carefully and his hands are always in the same position making his own form of playing, easily replicated by competent pianists. Interesting clip.
Bobby D In my opinion, chord structure does not matter at all. It depends on how you take advantage of it. He used his in a genius way. And, you are completely wrong about his hands being all in the same position. I’m fairly sure you didn’t analyze the video well enough and should rewatch it.
I agree with you. Elton even admitted his playing is based around chords. Yes he is great, but to an Elton John fan he is a genius. There are plenty of more talented pianist out there. Elton would not have made it this far with just his piano playing. His success is a compilation of his talents with Bernie.
Fanatical Dueling I’ve watched it frame by frame. My observation is correct. I am a qualified musician pianist and organist, composer and singer. Elton John isn’t a “genius” by any means.
HowToDoItDude Correct, and the REAL musicians he has had working for him. Much of it kidology on his part. If he had studied music properly then he wouldn’t have made it this far, for sure! There wouldn’t have been time!!
Just Musicians: Taste is in the ear of the listener. I was once a big fan of EJ but he took to playing these mindless, tedious intros which a Grade 8 Royal Conservatory piano student could play. I've got better ways to waste my time. Don't tell me I have no taste. Look at yourself in the mirror buddy. There's always going to be someone who'll tell you what you listen to is crap.
Suzanne Ito However you seem to deny the fact that he is playing with an impressive amount of skill here far beyond most pianists dreams. And a song doesn’t need to be difficult to be genius. And I assure you, nothing he has written is tedious (except the album leather jackets.) And you also don’t seem to consider the major extensions and piano solos he adds to his songs in his concerts, as well as exquisite improvisation.
Suzanne Ito And don’t do that retarded “buddy” shit, if you think I value your opinion in anyway you’re wrong. I’m just showing you you’re wrong. Or just getting the satisfaction that you’re wrong. Don’t know. Don’t care.
Reminds me of the scene in Good Will Hunting where Matt Damon describes how Beethoven saw a piano and he could just play. I took lessons. I could sight-read pretty well. But composing and improvising is a whole different thing. Elton can just play. There's a lot of solid theory in there, a lot of work and practice. But you can't teach how he gets into the soul of his melodies. Performing is so different from playing. You have to feel the anticipation and the limits of your listeners, reach out to them and send them. I got good enough to have fun playing, but this just blows me away. He sees beyond anything I was able to envision. Such control of fast and slow, loud and soft, he never just mails it in-- all with the utmost care.
amazing to watch isn't it.I try to play a little myself and am mesmerised when seeing his piano solos
The level of actual musical ability among pop stars has plummeted. Elton has always been superb. In the seventies and eighties, guys like Elton, Billy Joel, Mark Knopfler, Sting, Donald Fagen, the guys in Floyd or Queen, Joni Mitchell, Carole King... stunning instrumentalists considered ‘pop’ acts. Imagine Sam Smith or Harry Styles mustering anything more than a few chords, let alone anything like this
they cant do it!
12:25 Just when you thought this footage couldn't get any better, he looks right into the camera! What a lucky shot!!!
Ray Cooper always looks like he's enjoying himself :-)
I've never ever seen the Elton's piano performance from this angle. This video is so precious one for the person like me to learn Elton's piano performance. We'll never see this performance with commercially available video. Thank you so much for your uploading !
Elton is a musical genius. His melodies to someone else's lyrics are always impressive.
He makes it look so easy... a true master at work...
I had pretty much the same view at the last sole Elton concert I attend, sat behind the stage less than 50 feet from him, great view of his hands playing the piano. Could watch those hands move for ever.
It's just unreal how this man plays!
What stands out for me with Elton is the complexity of his playing whilst singing...almost unrivalled in that respect. The Ephesus concert is testament to his gift...I personally struggle to sing at the level I can whilst playing...so frustrating and watching Elton infuses me with more than a hint of jealousy lol
Darren Carter I could not agree more.
Absolutely genius!!! I am so mesmerized watching his hands sail across that piano!!!
Obviously, the sound quality could be much better. But the view is stunning.
I love that little smile he gives before "Don't Let the Sun....". As if he saying, "Yeah all these years later, I still got it".
he never ceases to amaze me!
Ray Cooper is amazing too! Elton's right hand man.
He would make a fine jazz pianist!!
Amanglophile His fingers & hands are not big enough!!
Bobby D As long as you’re fast enough.
HowToDoItDude Billy could never do this. Let’s be honest here. No improvisation of Billy’s would reach this level. In my opinion we love our musicians to a great extent but on different sides of the spectrum. You’re a huge Joel fan, I’m a huge John fan. We’ll never stop on the topic of who’s better, I say we stop here. Say our final Fuck You’s to each other and move on.
More of a blues player. He’s just doodling on the piano. A warm up exercise.
@@fanaticaldueling6337 I think Elton is a mord technician on the piano which is why I prefer his playing. Having said that I never gave Joel his due because I never really heard any solos from him but Joel is excellent also
Absolute Brilliance
I would need 20 fingers and 3 brains to be able to play they like. Bewildering talent.
Best pop rock pianist ever and Ray Cooper is great too !
Brilliant... !!
KING ELTON !!!
(Captain) Fantastic!
very educational video for an intermediate piano player who aspires to play at least a half as good as this one day :) thanks!
Also, the genius of Ray Cooper.
Very true
Great camera angle, love it thanks for posting :)
Great song!
I could watch those hands ALL DAY
If only the audio on this had been Genius!
yessss love this view!
nice to see you got a wave at the end
Look at Him Go he is the Best Go Elton🐕🐕😎
Oh yes genious 😄😄😄😄
00:37 - 00:40 nice 'Bill Evans' like voicings'
This would have been great.. Audio was terrible...
how does he do it?
I don't know! 😜
rob mcla , do what?
The inimitable Ray Cooper.
I second the comment below but the view makes you for any poor sound.
So great video. But the sound..😣
Solo?
Brady Cummings more like doodling.
run for his money...you mean like a gadfly climbing on his back. He has been doing this for 50 years+
Solo
Piano man!
Kate Preston piano man #2
pity abt the distortion
Marialidiamelo
Old dude is going off on the drums
You mean Nigel Olsson?
The man can still play the piano, but his singing voice is long gone. He retired just in time...
dty paleblue , amen.
Here's a brand new cover that really gives Sir Elton a run for his money. (and he has a lot of money!)
ruclips.net/video/3uzYGpvrD88/видео.html
Ken Webb Nice version, yes. A cover like that has been done before. Several times. You don't make it easy for that version to succeed here when you garnish it with such an arrogant introduction.
No it doesn’t. It was quite generic and no where near the skill level here.
His voice isn't so good but his skills at piano are better and better
Very basic chord structures, the very essence of beginners within the bounds of his hand size. Watch carefully and his hands are always in the same position making his own form of playing, easily replicated by competent pianists. Interesting clip.
Bobby D In my opinion, chord structure does not matter at all. It depends on how you take advantage of it. He used his in a genius way. And, you are completely wrong about his hands being all in the same position. I’m fairly sure you didn’t analyze the video well enough and should rewatch it.
Bobby D And again, his form of playing is what drives his actual playing making it greater than most people’s. Trust me. This is genius.
I agree with you. Elton even admitted his playing is based around chords. Yes he is great, but to an Elton John fan he is a genius. There are plenty of more talented pianist out there. Elton would not have made it this far with just his piano playing. His success is a compilation of his talents with Bernie.
Fanatical Dueling I’ve watched it frame by frame. My observation is correct. I am a qualified musician pianist and organist, composer and singer. Elton John isn’t a “genius” by any means.
HowToDoItDude Correct, and the REAL musicians he has had working for him. Much of it kidology on his part. If he had studied music properly then he wouldn’t have made it this far, for sure! There wouldn’t have been time!!
He's great on the piano but he sucks on a organ!
It’s a joke, get it?
Believe me. He didn't make it up. That lame joke has been around forever. 🙄
As Rick Wakeman said, Elton is "a bloody good piano player, but he never did like playing the organ". This doesn't mean that "he sucks on a organ".
Rock Hudson
didn't have any friends, but he had Nabors up the ass.
I can think of a lot of adjectives for Elton John and 'genius' is NOT one of them...
dry paleblue, ?
This guy should try to make a career out of performing.
Boring.
Suzanne Ito No you just have no taste.
Just Musicians: Taste is in the ear of the listener. I was once a big fan of EJ but he took to playing these mindless, tedious intros which a Grade 8 Royal Conservatory piano student could play. I've got better ways to waste my time. Don't tell me I have no taste. Look at yourself in the mirror buddy. There's always going to be someone who'll tell you what you listen to is crap.
Suzanne Ito However you seem to deny the fact that he is playing with an impressive amount of skill here far beyond most pianists dreams. And a song doesn’t need to be difficult to be genius. And I assure you, nothing he has written is tedious (except the album leather jackets.) And you also don’t seem to consider the major extensions and piano solos he adds to his songs in his concerts, as well as exquisite improvisation.
Suzanne Ito And don’t do that retarded “buddy” shit, if you think I value your opinion in anyway you’re wrong. I’m just showing you you’re wrong. Or just getting the satisfaction that you’re wrong. Don’t know. Don’t care.
Impressive but I agree, it gets boring fast.