everybody wants to go home after playing for disneyland for 45 minutes. Poor Alan, I wish him a job where he gets to feel good while playing favourite songs.
Folks are always impressed by speed, like guitar shredding, etc. He has great skill and his job is to entertain, not advance the rag-boogie repertoire in some deeply artistic way - he is even dressed in a tongue-in-cheek outfit. It is for fun, the second tune is slower. I like him.
Awesome playing. These guys are piano virtuosos and they can play as fast as they want to play. People at Disneyland's Coke Corner aren't dancing. The pianist isn't there to get people to dance. They are just entertaining and showing off their talent in various styles and speeds. It's a "wow, check out the piano player" type thing, not to get people to dance. Disneyland isn't a Bar Mitzvah or wedding.
For the comments about him playing fast, I suspect he's probably aware. When I play ragtime or a boogie mix for my kids, it's usually "Dad play it fast." (Which is when they proceed to jump around like wild animals) Given this is Disneyland, the kids probably just get a kick out of watching his fingers move quickly.
This was my dad’s favorite spot to hang out at while my mom took my siblings and I on rides. After my second or third time coming there, I started to realize why he always sat there. Nothing better than a cherry coke and cream cheese pretzel to go with live music haha
Thanks for posting - I'd congratulate him on his fun job! and props to Disneyland for hiring a live musician - Ragtime with emotion-based dynamics - now there's a future endeavor (voice/emotion-tied melodic phrasings dynamics are missing - which is why people become bored with it)... as to the performance - you must remember that ability is everything - which includes the ability to show-up for your job in a reliable manner... (but who can resist the Maple Leaf Suite? 6:17 ) and I wonder what the key-weighting is on that Yamaha? If it is anywhere near their DGX-630, his hands would be mashed-pulp after five minutes...
Playing ragtime seems like alot of to me, but at the same time, people shouldn't have to play a song at the recommended bpm. Me being a jazz player, if you play a song and you get into it, you should be allowed to speed it up or slow it down as per what you think sounds good. Not everybody likes the same thing so let them play it as they want and don't criticize them how they play a song. it's kinda like an improve solo in jazz. you play how you feel. i respect your guys' opinion but its kinda annoying seeing comments about maple leaf rag being to fast. let them play it how they want.
it's mostly the joplin fans who know how to play maple leaf rag and the entertainer and think they're masters at the piano. they misinterpret joplin's "not fast" to mean very slow. anything over 60bpm seems to be too fast
I'm a fan of improvising the speed but even for me that maple leaf rag was so fast you almost can't distinguish it like hitting fast forward on a cassette tape. (for you kids that's what we used way back in the 1980's when I was a kid) The guy has crazy skills!
Jazz came from ragtime. The players began improvising on the songs because they played them over and over again. That included changing tempo. Even in the classical world, "purists" bitch and moan about correct tempo and playing exactly what was written, but in the old days, there was a lot of improvising going on. In my opinion, recordings started all that nonsense: people wanted performances that sounded like the recordings.
Einmalig diese "Orginal Rag-Time Piano Spieler",- die einfach zu Disney- Land dazugehören. Längst zur Tradition geworden und immer wieder gerne gehört,- selbst von den Disney-Land Besuchern,- wie man unschwer sehen kann. Perfekte Stars des oder "Ragtime-Palette",
And I still want to go on - he has learned the songs by heart very well, but... he doesn't have pressure points. Songs seem to just be in a hurry, kinda like "aa sheesh ,well, I'll just play this and then quicklt make it back home". Still, respect for a person, who playes rag time.
This guy is amazing, especially when he plays fast like that. How do people memorize all those notes and know exactly which key to strike? They all look the same.
It's not really memorizing, It's the same set of keys going left (lower pitch) and right (higher pitch) about eight times. And the black keys have a visul pattern that indicates where each key is too.
Same with the music he's playing. He's improvising rather than memorizing. Say you have knowledge in sculpting, then you decide to augment a bit of things as you go along.
He doesn't memorize a thing. This is all improvised on the spot. He couldn't duplicate what he played if his life counted on it. Blues, jazz, rock and country players with any talent, can all improvise.
You born with some natural skills thats a fact. But with hours and hours and more hours of practice during some of years you can develop your ability more and more. You will be amazed of your own capabilities. Trust me, in my case after 5 years playing now i can make a few ragtimes i thought i could never do.
Hello. I see I'm getting into this conversation rather late, but nonetheless........... I heard Alan at Disneyland many years ago. I am as impressed today (with this video) as I was then. I was at Disneyland about a month ago and inquired about him, but no one seemed to know anything. I'm wondering if anyone knows where Alan is now (6/16/17) and where he might be playing. More importantly, I have two of his CD's. Has he produced any more and where are they are available? Thanks!
Glad you liked it Sandra. I was using a new camera and it was recorded with monaural sound. I then did some tricks to get it to be artificial stereo but hope to get Alan again with better sound too.
+Jeff Ryan They're called sleeve garters, back in the late 19th and early 20th century men wore them to easily change sleeve length, as shirts back then usually didn't have buttons on the ends of the sleeves like they do now. Since they were worn during ragtime's prime, generally piano players that specialize in ragtime (or boogie-woogie in this case) wear them when performing.
can someone please identify the song that starts at 13:25 right after he mentions songs from toy story? that song is beautiful and so fun at the same time. i have a piano and i MUST KNOW THE NAME OF THIS SONG PLEASE SOMEONE OUT THERE WHO IS AWESOME??
The ones on his elbows are part of the costume they wear and the gloves are probably his when I watch the Jonny may video on RUclips he didn't wear gloves or they are part of the costume they wear at disneyland
@@ashleynielson609 gloves are part of the winter attire for the pianist at coke corner, but it depends on the player if they wear them. you can see that robert, the other pianist is also wearing them at 4:32
Cool, but this is blues/stride piano, which is the successor playstyle of rag time. :) Have spare time? Look up a documentary called "The Story of Jazz". A very interesting 2,5 hours (or was it 1,5?)
+la flame The one in Anaheim, CA. It's at the 'Carnation' shop near the 'Penny Arcade' on Main st. There are only limited time slot that they perform. You can ask the employees there and they will let you know when the piano playing will happen. enjoy!
Glad you enjoyed it Sandra. Loved your videos on your channel by the way :)
everybody wants to go home after playing for disneyland for 45 minutes. Poor Alan, I wish him a job where he gets to feel good while playing favourite songs.
Who cares if it's 'ragtime' or not this is awesome!!
Did you even watched the whole vid?
That guy plays SO GOOD and he is so young too! amazing!
"So what's it like spending 24 hrs, 7 days a week in character?"
"Kill me"
Folks are always impressed by speed, like guitar shredding, etc. He has great skill and his job is to entertain, not advance the rag-boogie repertoire in some deeply artistic way - he is even dressed in a tongue-in-cheek outfit. It is for fun, the second tune is slower. I like him.
I like how the old lady in the back was smiling and expecting a calmer, older tagtime tune and then going all ' - ' face when it went full blown jazz.
that kind of talent is amazing
Awesome playing. These guys are piano virtuosos and they can play as fast as they want to play. People at Disneyland's Coke Corner aren't dancing. The pianist isn't there to get people to dance. They are just entertaining and showing off their talent in various styles and speeds. It's a "wow, check out the piano player" type thing, not to get people to dance. Disneyland isn't a Bar Mitzvah or wedding.
+Jeff Ryan True dat
For the comments about him playing fast, I suspect he's probably aware. When I play ragtime or a boogie mix for my kids, it's usually "Dad play it fast." (Which is when they proceed to jump around like wild animals) Given this is Disneyland, the kids probably just get a kick out of watching his fingers move quickly.
Chrisorah youre a cool dude
Martin Rosas *you’re
This was my dad’s favorite spot to hang out at while my mom took my siblings and I on rides. After my second or third time coming there, I started to realize why he always sat there. Nothing better than a cherry coke and cream cheese pretzel to go with live music haha
This just came up and I loved it. Especially Misty. Greetings from Australia. 🦘
Alan T. is gifted as an excellent pianist, handsome guy as well.
I enjoy his music. Very entertaining and soothing at the same time.....Excellent!
Give this man a raise
I would kill for those arrangements!
I love how he plays "Somewhere my Love"
I don't care if he plays boggie or what. For me he is an excellent pianist.
Thanks for posting - I'd congratulate him on his fun job! and props to Disneyland for hiring a live musician - Ragtime with emotion-based dynamics - now there's a future endeavor (voice/emotion-tied melodic phrasings dynamics are missing - which is why people become bored with it)... as to the performance - you must remember that ability is everything - which includes the ability to show-up for your job in a reliable manner... (but who can resist the Maple Leaf Suite? 6:17 ) and I wonder what the key-weighting is on that Yamaha? If it is anywhere near their DGX-630, his hands would be mashed-pulp after five minutes...
Playing ragtime seems like alot of to me, but at the same time, people shouldn't have to play a song at the recommended bpm. Me being a jazz player, if you play a song and you get into it, you should be allowed to speed it up or slow it down as per what you think sounds good. Not everybody likes the same thing so let them play it as they want and don't criticize them how they play a song. it's kinda like an improve solo in jazz. you play how you feel. i respect your guys' opinion but its kinda annoying seeing comments about maple leaf rag being to fast. let them play it how they want.
it's called ragTIME for a reason, if you want to play it fast go ahead, but it isnt ragtime, and it goes against most of ragtimes core principles.
it's mostly the joplin fans who know how to play maple leaf rag and the entertainer and think they're masters at the piano. they misinterpret joplin's "not fast" to mean very slow. anything over 60bpm seems to be too fast
I'm a fan of improvising the speed but even for me that maple leaf rag was so fast you almost can't distinguish it like hitting fast forward on a cassette tape. (for you kids that's what we used way back in the 1980's when I was a kid) The guy has crazy skills!
Jazz came from ragtime. The players began improvising on the songs because they played them over and over again. That included changing tempo. Even in the classical world, "purists" bitch and moan about correct tempo and playing exactly what was written, but in the old days, there was a lot of improvising going on. In my opinion, recordings started all that nonsense: people wanted performances that sounded like the recordings.
*a lot
My goodness. How many of you are listening beyond the first 5 minutes of the video before proclaiming "IT'S BOOGIE WOOGIE!!"!?!
Luficarius Ratspeed Because it's fun to listen to. Have a good day! 😊
Exactly my thoughts, and it’s...boogie played straight? How odd, although his riffs are nice
This man is REALLY EXCELLENT!******
AMAZING PERFORMANCE!!!!
Splendid fun. Thank you ;)
Einmalig diese "Orginal Rag-Time Piano Spieler",- die einfach zu Disney- Land dazugehören. Längst zur Tradition geworden und immer wieder gerne gehört,- selbst von den Disney-Land Besuchern,- wie man unschwer sehen kann. Perfekte Stars des
oder "Ragtime-Palette",
And I still want to go on - he has learned the songs by heart very well, but... he doesn't have pressure points. Songs seem to just be in a hurry, kinda like "aa sheesh ,well, I'll just play this and then quicklt make it back home".
Still, respect for a person, who playes rag time.
This guy is amazing, especially when he plays fast like that. How do people memorize all those notes and know exactly which key to strike? They all look the same.
I play piano and i don't know how to explain, it's just memorizing. But the memorizing come with the practise. It's easy and fun. Especially ragtime.
It's not really memorizing, It's the same set of keys going left (lower pitch) and right (higher pitch) about eight times. And the black keys have a visul pattern that indicates where each key is too.
Same with the music he's playing. He's improvising rather than memorizing. Say you have knowledge in sculpting, then you decide to augment a bit of things as you go along.
You get used to the keys looking different. They have patterns
He doesn't memorize a thing. This is all improvised on the spot. He couldn't duplicate what he played if his life counted on it. Blues, jazz, rock and country players with any talent, can all improvise.
spectacular playing
o my gash . my mind is so blown not only from his amazing playing but "you got a freind in me" and the"Cruella de Vil" song are the same .....THE SAME
i dont beleive it, amaaaaaazing
that was a great performance! very well done! perfect to get the household done while listening to this! keep it up my dude!
Dude is a beast!
I love this!
Great job !!!
This was awesome :)
Alan, you are just wonderful
Well he absolutely owns all over my ragtime skills. I also am wondering how do you even?
6:11 Maple leaf rag !!
Phenomenal player!
Only Disney would be hokey enough to get away with this... AND I'M NOT COMPLAINING. If only I could play like that, that'd be the perfect job!
me encanta el piano, si yo supiera tocarlo lo tocaría 22 horas al día
When can i be as good as this?!?!!
You born with some natural skills thats a fact. But with hours and hours and more hours of practice during some of years you can develop your ability more and more. You will be amazed of your own capabilities. Trust me, in my case after 5 years playing now i can make a few ragtimes i thought i could never do.
Could you please list all the rags here, would be really appreciated.
Like your playing and especially like your name! Alan J P. Thompson.
I enjoyed that! :)
Shout out to Yamaha they're literally the best!
Alan can make any piano sound great I'm sure.
what is the tune starting at 13.45? i try to learn it , amazing ! bravo alan t
What a great performer
Hello. I see I'm getting into this conversation rather late, but nonetheless........... I heard Alan at Disneyland many years ago. I am as impressed today (with this video) as I was then. I was at Disneyland about a month ago and inquired about him, but no one seemed to know anything. I'm wondering if anyone knows where Alan is now (6/16/17) and where he might be playing. More importantly, I have two of his CD's. Has he produced any more and where are they are available? Thanks!
How's the song called between the Maple Leaf Rag f.e. at 7:24 ? Somebody know the title? I like it :-) Awesome pianist!!!
Sounds great to me.
This music rocks and has way more edge than contemporary pop. Yeah, I sound old fashioned, but it's the truth.
Awesome!!
Glad you liked it Sandra. I was using a new camera and it was recorded with monaural sound. I then did some tricks to get it to be artificial stereo but hope to get Alan again with better sound too.
Pardon me, but what song is playing at 19:27 ? It sounds astonishing
is that Sylvester Stylone in the background? (in the beggining)
12:00.. "When you wish upon a star" in ragtime..Unbelievable!!
what song goes on at 7:24?
the power of rag time :o
Awesome
What is the song starting at around 21:00??? I really like the quick chord thing he does in it.
Think it's St. Louis Blues
Those who thumbed down, don't deserve thumbs.
Cool! :)
great job asom
Does anybody happen to know what those black bands are around his arms?
+Jeff Ryan They're called sleeve garters, back in the late 19th and early 20th century men wore them to easily change sleeve length, as shirts back then usually didn't have buttons on the ends of the sleeves like they do now. Since they were worn during ragtime's prime, generally piano players that specialize in ragtime (or boogie-woogie in this case) wear them when performing.
Whatever it is Little Richards way of playing Rock n Roll obviously came from this.
Solace parts C&D @ 3:58
can someone please identify the song that starts at 13:25 right after he mentions songs from toy story? that song is beautiful and so fun at the same time. i have a piano and i MUST KNOW THE NAME OF THIS SONG PLEASE SOMEONE OUT THERE WHO IS AWESOME??
goodnight sweetheart goodnight, its the name of the song you wanted...
SankoProperties thank you!
Mfw he segues into the Dr Zhivago theme. :D I would cry if I heard that live.
that's my favourite part of that beautiful video. thanks for mentioning the song name!
Bravo...
What is the name of the second song he plays?
Awesome!!! Could anyone pls tell me the name of the part at 4:55, thx
Solace by Scott Joplin
Sweet spot 9:05.
41.43 sounds like Peacherine. Scott Joplin
I wish I could have his job!
I like it. "It's music". I think you can play it anyway you like. Fast slow or what ever. If it feels good do it. Hobo Bill
Someone please tell me the name of ALL of those piano pieces!!
Wonderful
does anyone know the name of the song that starts at 33:46 ? i would very much like to know! much obliged!
Sounds like the unbirthday song from Alice in Wonderland xD
Colonel bogey march
song list?
Im thinking sitting around Refreshment Corner listening to music will never happen again
Life goals
Would it matter that Alan does not read music. Everything you hear him play he learned by his ear. I think that is pretty impressive.
Has anyone ever played Joplin with a Chihuahua in the room.
Funny! Funny! Funny!
Chill, man! 😲
What's the name of the song around 2:00? Need to know that! :O
PineTop Boogie Woogie
Duffy Mastin
Thank you :)
Steve-o doesn't like playing musical chairs...
I guess if he had some kind of injury in elbow and wrists, he was wearing gloves like Quervain tendonitis and some other in the elbow.
The ones on his elbows are part of the costume they wear and the gloves are probably his when I watch the Jonny may video on RUclips he didn't wear gloves or they are part of the costume they wear at disneyland
@@ashleynielson609 gloves are part of the winter attire for the pianist at coke corner, but it depends on the player if they wear them. you can see that robert, the other pianist is also wearing them at 4:32
Boogie Woogie!!!!!
what song is at 7:24?
Cool, but this is blues/stride piano, which is the successor playstyle of rag time. :) Have spare time? Look up a documentary called "The Story of Jazz". A very interesting 2,5 hours (or was it 1,5?)
Song at 18:40?!
which Disneyland is this?
+la flame The one in Anaheim, CA. It's at the 'Carnation' shop near the 'Penny Arcade' on Main st. There are only limited time slot that they perform. You can ask the employees there and they will let you know when the piano playing will happen. enjoy!
+Beengie ayyy thanks! I'm going there soon!
Does anyone know the name of the piece/song at 41.43? I've been looking for it for years.
MrThrond Are you sure the part from 41.43 until 42.15 is part of this too?
Nicolas Denutte It's called "Fascination" recorded by Jane Morgan and later a big hit for Nat King Cole.
I take it back - not blues but New Orleans (also known as Dixieland) style.
SOLACE!
4:00
whats the song at 21:21
+daniel kamulali Hotline Bling
23:45 Gershwin :)
i get bioshock infinite vibes
Solace sounded a bit weird but all great!
NICE