I like the separation of the melody, drawn with lines, and the chords, drawn standalone. Is this caused by the way the midi/mamplayer file is written, or is it a new feature?
@Meyermagic I don't use the (freeware, publicly-available) MAM MIDI Player software to make my videos (though I use something that's similar). The 4-note group (with heavy lines) is a feature I added to use in Contrapunctus 3 (a few weeks before this); the thin lines (for the rest of the melody notes) is a much older feature ... many years old.
trying to study for a history test...my eyes always stuck to this incredibly beautiful video and my ears don't listen history, they stuck to this incredibly beautifully played music...:)
@terrybeaton "The arabesque is a form of artistic decoration consisting of "surface decorations based on rhythmic linear patterns of scrolling and interlacing foliage, tendrils" or plain lines,[1] often combined with other elements."
I am a computer programmer and I always considered my job as a work of art. I've been following your work for years and I can tell your technic evolve confirming my ideas of programming as a work of art. Congratulations.
I like this visualization, in particular the spheres rather than circles. (I presume there's some reason to distinguish the two) I'm a sucker for FX, I guess. :D I also thought it would be nifty to have some random panorama, slightly out of focus with muted colors, scrolling by in the background during these, although that may be detracting. Thank you for all your work.
In classical ballet, the term arabesque (aa-rah-besk; literally, "in Arabic fashion". Specifically, "arabesque" references an architectural design term that describes and is a spiral. The arabesque design linearly, is parallel to the balletic position, because the body "spirals" from the crown of the head through the back and then straightens through the extended leg, as does the design of the same name.
@TheTazzietiger I read that Wikipedia article too, but I'm not sure it does the term "arabesque" justice. In arabesque art an upright stem will branch off to become a stem to another branch over and over, or end in a leaf or flower shape, always combining geometric forms as well as those plant forms. I think the dance position shows the body as a strong supporting trunk from which one leg branches out. Perhaps the music offers central or thematic notes from which others branch out?
Debussy piecea are always very unique, in that they take an alternate path with music, with randomised sections and numerous incidences where the notes act as a natural jazz chord. This is why I like it very much; it adds a story feel to his pieces.
I really love the color scheme in this, and the change to the white background. It gives it almost a cleaner look. Your performance is also really wonderful. Great job. :)
WOW !!! Thank you very much for this beautiful peace of work you made. I love it! It's not the beauty of the presentation alone, but also my understanding of the music that develops meanwhile.
I love your videos and the music. I want to thank you for what your are doing. You are making the Internet a better place. But, friendly advice, this particular visualisation is really bad. Happy new year!!!!!!
@smalin I can't talk for vtoutzia, but I find the "loupe" effect afwul. It makes stressing following the notes. If you wanted to make more visible the groups of three notes, it would habe been a better idea just to increase the scale. Also, I don't like the colors, and prefer horizontal bars and rectangles to the circles and ovals, but that is subjective.
@smalin i think i preferred the black background personally, and i somewhat dislike the weird fog/fading around the low notes. however, i am a more scientific/precise person so that is probably why. keep doing what you are doing though this is wonderful!
@smalin One thing I would say about this visualisation, and it's not so much a huge deal to me, but rather an element I would do differently is the white-centred notes with the blurring. Because of the degree of shading, it gets to be what is to me a bit busy, especially when successive chords with different colours are close together. It's not quite so pronounced when the note is being played, as the lighter colours stand out, and it's not to the point where I would take the time to redo it.
@smalin Just to finish with my thanks, as I ran out of room: I really appreciate the work you do, and the time you put into these videos. Whenever I see a new video uploaded, it makes my heart jump, and I usually put everything aside to watch it. Thanks for also being level-headed, responding with the desire to make your videos better. It truly shows your passion. Happy New Year, Stephen!
@smalin Have you thought about adding color changes for dissonances? I'm not sure how practical that is, or if it would even be a good idea in the end :P.
and, I love this visualization. Especially for this piece, because the white background feels lighter than the black one.
@TheCatsPajamas098 I've experimented with that a bit. You should read the history section of my website, and look at my animation for the Chopin nocturne opus 27, #2.
@vtoutzia that's interesting, I rather liked it; the motion and (literal) harmonic colour did a great job conveying the subtleties of what was being heard. Thanks smalin :)
@steampunknation If I'd known how little talent mattered (compared to experience), I would have started younger, practiced more, started playing contrapuntal music earlier, started recording my performances (and listening to and critiquing them) earlier, listened to (and tried to imitate) other pianists performances earlier and, if it had been available back then, spent a good amount of time practicing using the conductor program.
@smalin How much weight should I put in the foundational information. Like music theory and learning how to read. Should I just go get a piano or should I spend some time in the books first?
@steampunknation You need to learn music theory to be able to read music fluently and with comprehension. The first thing to get is a good teacher; the teacher can help you choose a piano, and can guide your selection of books to read. Find a teacher who can teach you how to write music (one who has a good foundation in harmony, counterpoint, etc.). An organist at a big church would probably be a good place to start.
@blackleejack That system uses the same coloring system as I do, but applies the colors to the noteheads in conventional music notation. What I've found is that it's pretty hard to see the colors when only a tiny notehead is in color. That's one of the reason I use the graphical notation I do. (Another reason is that conventional notation is symbolic, which means you have to learn the meaning of the symbols in order to fully understand it.)
@smalin That's an interesting point. So, on the same dimension of distinction where you point out that conventional music notation is symbolic, your notations are iconic.
@b43xoit Yes, exactly --- though I steer away from the word "iconic" when I describe it, since it is an ambiguous term: it has connotations that both "symbolic" and "non-symbolic."
Have you ever considering making it so that the neon spheres emit light that scatters around other spheres or animation elements? The unlit elements would of course still be visible.
How about the Death Waltz by John Stump? There are MIDI's all over the internet, and a few animations, but they're all made with Synthesia, I bet you can do better!
@Tensin14 The notes in Smalin's videos lately have been depicted differently based on the type of sound they bring to the piece. the bubble notes with curvy lines connecting them have more of a light whimsical feeling to them and the more bold oval shapes are stronger back notes. This of course is just what i think i remember reading on a previous video where he stated he was experimenting with it.
I love how its always different styles and trying to find the best display for each piece.
The white background is much more tolerable without the measure lines. Excellent animation and performance. If I could I make a suggestion for a future video, try changing the color of the notes based on their volume instead of pitch. Like shades of purple, blue and green for soft notes and yellows, oranges and reds as it gets louder. Obviously a song with lots of dynamics would work best. It's up to you though. Your videos make me listen to more classical works than I would otherwise. :)
1st and 2nd should be switched. 1st is so much more beautiful and thats the one that should be left in the audience's head
AcousticDude17 1 week ago
balloons ~~
eynadearie 2 weeks ago
I like the separation of the melody, drawn with lines, and the chords, drawn standalone. Is this caused by the way the midi/mamplayer file is written, or is it a new feature?
Meyermagic 2 weeks ago
@Meyermagic I don't use the (freeware, publicly-available) MAM MIDI Player software to make my videos (though I use something that's similar). The 4-note group (with heavy lines) is a feature I added to use in Contrapunctus 3 (a few weeks before this); the thin lines (for the rest of the melody notes) is a much older feature ... many years old.
smalin 2 weeks ago
The graphics remind me of atoms...
Invisiblegirlswatchn 2 weeks ago
cute !!!
cymchen 3 weeks ago
what does arabesque mean?
PianoDude1011 1 month ago
@PianoDude1011 It can mean various things (see Wikipedia); I'm not sure which meaning (if any one in particular) Debussy had in mind.
smalin 1 month ago
trying to study for a history test...my eyes always stuck to this incredibly beautiful video and my ears don't listen history, they stuck to this incredibly beautifully played music...:)
kiralogy 1 month ago in playlist Lisää videoita käyttäjältä smalin
@kiralogy hahah the exact same thing is happening to me right now
ntoulme 2 days ago
really good in white bcground too... love
TuriyaSurya 1 month ago
Did you perform all of these videos?
MissMiaLisette 1 month ago
@MissMiaLisette Not all. It usually says who the performer is; if it doesn't say, it's almost always me.
smalin 1 month ago
@smalin Well you are an amazing pianist. Thank you or posting all of these videos, I enjoy them tremendously!
MissMiaLisette 1 month ago
I like this performance alot more than some of the others I've heard. They are way too fast, but this is the perfect tempo.
muffinsarelife1 1 month ago
- Ангелы играют в снежки....)))
irinakobyakova 1 month ago
This what musicians see when they trip on LSD? :p
PianoMan325 1 month ago
fenomenal ,bravo, bravisimo.I like your work
jaimecastroruiz 1 month ago
I really like the harmonic and melodic note differentiation in this visualization.
Why do the black lines jump lower than the lowest of the four notes?
kgmstwo 1 month ago
@kgmstwo Because it's a spline curve.
smalin 1 month ago
When a ballerina or balerin does an arabesque, they jump up and flutter their feet.
nannymac47 1 month ago
@terrybeaton "The arabesque is a form of artistic decoration consisting of "surface decorations based on rhythmic linear patterns of scrolling and interlacing foliage, tendrils" or plain lines,[1] often combined with other elements."
fountainmusicstudio 1 month ago
I am a computer programmer and I always considered my job as a work of art. I've been following your work for years and I can tell your technic evolve confirming my ideas of programming as a work of art. Congratulations.
Is2012TheDate 2 months ago
Love it :-)
brycedavis98 2 months ago
Its like little water molecules making beautiful music!
Reed12223 2 months ago
this piece is pretty good The visualization is very good.
2413pianoandmore 2 months ago
@terrybeaton the term signifies something decorative, ornate. and like you mentioned, arabian architecture did and does embody those
qane89 2 months ago
I ove this production, and your playing!!
franielee38 2 months ago
I like this visualization, in particular the spheres rather than circles. (I presume there's some reason to distinguish the two) I'm a sucker for FX, I guess. :D I also thought it would be nifty to have some random panorama, slightly out of focus with muted colors, scrolling by in the background during these, although that may be detracting. Thank you for all your work.
SurrealSam 2 months ago
In classical ballet, the term arabesque (aa-rah-besk; literally, "in Arabic fashion". Specifically, "arabesque" references an architectural design term that describes and is a spiral. The arabesque design linearly, is parallel to the balletic position, because the body "spirals" from the crown of the head through the back and then straightens through the extended leg, as does the design of the same name.
TheTazzietiger 2 months ago
@TheTazzietiger I read that Wikipedia article too, but I'm not sure it does the term "arabesque" justice. In arabesque art an upright stem will branch off to become a stem to another branch over and over, or end in a leaf or flower shape, always combining geometric forms as well as those plant forms. I think the dance position shows the body as a strong supporting trunk from which one leg branches out. Perhaps the music offers central or thematic notes from which others branch out?
sutherlandjoan 2 months ago
@sutherlandjoan arabic art reminds me of Mandelbrot sets
TheTazzietiger 1 month ago in playlist More videos from smalin
Tres bien, as always. Happy New Year, smalin.
amadeus5889 2 months ago
@terrybeaton I always assumed it had to do with the ballet move, but now that you mention it, it could refer to lots of other things.
smalin 2 months ago
This visualization is not aesthetically pleasing.
dajpd 2 months ago in playlist Favorite videos
wonderful as always...!!
charissamarluk 2 months ago
Debussy piecea are always very unique, in that they take an alternate path with music, with randomised sections and numerous incidences where the notes act as a natural jazz chord. This is why I like it very much; it adds a story feel to his pieces.
Chrisirhc1996 2 months ago
I really love the color scheme in this, and the change to the white background. It gives it almost a cleaner look. Your performance is also really wonderful. Great job. :)
CrossoverGenius 2 months ago
WOW !!! Thank you very much for this beautiful peace of work you made. I love it! It's not the beauty of the presentation alone, but also my understanding of the music that develops meanwhile.
hesterdekoninck 2 months ago
black background plz
salemaw 2 months ago
I love your videos and the music. I want to thank you for what your are doing. You are making the Internet a better place. But, friendly advice, this particular visualisation is really bad. Happy new year!!!!!!
vtoutzia 2 months ago
@vtoutzia Can you tell me what you don't like about it?
smalin 2 months ago
@smalin I think we are used to the black background, not the white one.
The colors don’t matter, dude you are a genius. Happy 2012! :))
Flecha57 2 months ago
@smalin I can't talk for vtoutzia, but I find the "loupe" effect afwul. It makes stressing following the notes. If you wanted to make more visible the groups of three notes, it would habe been a better idea just to increase the scale. Also, I don't like the colors, and prefer horizontal bars and rectangles to the circles and ovals, but that is subjective.
ajgelado 2 months ago
@smalin i think i preferred the black background personally, and i somewhat dislike the weird fog/fading around the low notes. however, i am a more scientific/precise person so that is probably why. keep doing what you are doing though this is wonderful!
spamthewow 2 months ago
@smalin One thing I would say about this visualisation, and it's not so much a huge deal to me, but rather an element I would do differently is the white-centred notes with the blurring. Because of the degree of shading, it gets to be what is to me a bit busy, especially when successive chords with different colours are close together. It's not quite so pronounced when the note is being played, as the lighter colours stand out, and it's not to the point where I would take the time to redo it.
wbasc 2 months ago
@smalin Just to finish with my thanks, as I ran out of room: I really appreciate the work you do, and the time you put into these videos. Whenever I see a new video uploaded, it makes my heart jump, and I usually put everything aside to watch it. Thanks for also being level-headed, responding with the desire to make your videos better. It truly shows your passion. Happy New Year, Stephen!
wbasc 2 months ago
Comment removed
muziekacademiecello 1 month ago
@smalin Have you thought about adding color changes for dissonances? I'm not sure how practical that is, or if it would even be a good idea in the end :P.
and, I love this visualization. Especially for this piece, because the white background feels lighter than the black one.
TheCatsPajamas098 1 month ago
@TheCatsPajamas098 I've experimented with that a bit. You should read the history section of my website, and look at my animation for the Chopin nocturne opus 27, #2.
smalin 1 month ago
@vtoutzia that's interesting, I rather liked it; the motion and (literal) harmonic colour did a great job conveying the subtleties of what was being heard. Thanks smalin :)
fountainmusicstudio 1 month ago
awesomeness; thank you!
revanslc 2 months ago
Oh, Chemistry!
maechel200 2 months ago
You have inspired me to learn how to play. If you were to start over and learn to play again what would you do differently?
steampunknation 2 months ago
@steampunknation If I'd known how little talent mattered (compared to experience), I would have started younger, practiced more, started playing contrapuntal music earlier, started recording my performances (and listening to and critiquing them) earlier, listened to (and tried to imitate) other pianists performances earlier and, if it had been available back then, spent a good amount of time practicing using the conductor program.
smalin 2 months ago
@smalin How much weight should I put in the foundational information. Like music theory and learning how to read. Should I just go get a piano or should I spend some time in the books first?
steampunknation 2 months ago
@steampunknation You need to learn music theory to be able to read music fluently and with comprehension. The first thing to get is a good teacher; the teacher can help you choose a piano, and can guide your selection of books to read. Find a teacher who can teach you how to write music (one who has a good foundation in harmony, counterpoint, etc.). An organist at a big church would probably be a good place to start.
smalin 2 months ago
@smalin Thank you!
steampunknation 2 months ago
Love it
boldkitten 2 months ago
Soo enchanting! Thank you! And Happy New Year to you!
KyotoMelody 2 months ago
Beautiful performance!
blackleejack 2 months ago
notes are separated by colors? I liked it.
Last week I thought about showing you Virtuoso Spectrum Color Eletronic Sheet Music. have you ever seen it? there are some videos here on youtube.
blackleejack 2 months ago
@blackleejack That system uses the same coloring system as I do, but applies the colors to the noteheads in conventional music notation. What I've found is that it's pretty hard to see the colors when only a tiny notehead is in color. That's one of the reason I use the graphical notation I do. (Another reason is that conventional notation is symbolic, which means you have to learn the meaning of the symbols in order to fully understand it.)
smalin 2 months ago
@smalin That's an interesting point. So, on the same dimension of distinction where you point out that conventional music notation is symbolic, your notations are iconic.
b43xoit 1 month ago
@b43xoit Yes, exactly --- though I steer away from the word "iconic" when I describe it, since it is an ambiguous term: it has connotations that both "symbolic" and "non-symbolic."
smalin 1 month ago
That was fucking amazing. Thank god it was an excellent performance.
Laudan08 2 months ago
what do each of the circles mean? the left and right hand?
PianoDude1011 2 months ago
Beautiful again, thank you!
Booza70 2 months ago
Have you ever considering making it so that the neon spheres emit light that scatters around other spheres or animation elements? The unlit elements would of course still be visible.
Amarelaoo1 2 months ago
You are a dual artist. I love the color scheme changes for the key signature changes. Lovely, enchanting. Thank you.
nannymac47 2 months ago
How about the Death Waltz by John Stump? There are MIDI's all over the internet, and a few animations, but they're all made with Synthesia, I bet you can do better!
ikschrijflangenamen 2 months ago
this is beautiful
peachykeen970 2 months ago
I want the original blocks back, not these teeny little bubbles! They're too distractive!
aaronlaw97 2 months ago
Awesome.
willou901 2 months ago
This is by far the best looking and such a beautiful choice of music
KawiLover250 2 months ago
Stephen, do you ever get rowdy drunk?
ItsFizikal 2 months ago
@ItsFizikal Drunk, yes; rowdy, no. I'd had a few glasses of champagne when I performed this.
smalin 2 months ago
I have a possibly noobish question: what do the curvy bolded lines represent? Do they have something to do with the pedal work?
Tensin14 2 months ago
@Tensin14 The notes in Smalin's videos lately have been depicted differently based on the type of sound they bring to the piece. the bubble notes with curvy lines connecting them have more of a light whimsical feeling to them and the more bold oval shapes are stronger back notes. This of course is just what i think i remember reading on a previous video where he stated he was experimenting with it.
I love how its always different styles and trying to find the best display for each piece.
urchin34 2 months ago
@Tensin14 I'll add something to the FAQ about this.
smalin 2 months ago
What are those clouds around some of the notes?
sharrynuk 2 months ago
Merci pour tous ces bonbons acidulés et mes meilleurs voeux pour cette nouvelle année et que Euterpe vous protège !
Thank you for those acid drops of candy. Best wishes for this new year, Euterpe will protect you.
orendi2 2 months ago
The aura you give those static notes is just too much. Otherwise, I like the way the circles look. Good job.
ZucchiniSky 2 months ago
i miss your old animation, sir!
gsarci2011 2 months ago
i love how you interpret this piece. wonderful performance!
chikkc 2 months ago
Spec...tacular!
OnHarkness 2 months ago
The white background is much more tolerable without the measure lines. Excellent animation and performance. If I could I make a suggestion for a future video, try changing the color of the notes based on their volume instead of pitch. Like shades of purple, blue and green for soft notes and yellows, oranges and reds as it gets louder. Obviously a song with lots of dynamics would work best. It's up to you though. Your videos make me listen to more classical works than I would otherwise. :)
The0IdMan 2 months ago
Lovely way to start my 2012! Thank you once again Mr Malinowski.
eltanzuk 2 months ago 37
@eltanzuk that's right!
blackleejack 2 months ago