Composers loved Fred because you could understand every word that they wrote! I do believe that Fred and Ginger will be immortal. Just like the music of Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach, Fred and Ginger will be watched 200 years from now! Thanks for the post:)
I did want to add that Fred's playing is being sweetened just a little bit by a second pianist off camera. When he plays the bridge, listen for the progression that somebody else is playing so his hands are free to cover the rhythm and the melody. Fred did the same thing when he played "I won't Dance" on the piano, except the second pianist was visible. I'm sure Fred himself wanted it that way, being the perfectionist he was.
I'm an old rag time piano player, and have been for over 50 years now. I have always loved Fred's style of playing. It's a mix of ragtime, stride, and, well, Fred. Fred called his style "dirty piano", most likely because he plays by ear, but the chords and riffs he is coming up, are anything but simplistic. What a talented man!
@HaWkBeAtLeSnElSoN There is a reason: the stool was at the wrong height. But perhaps you are too young to remember piano stools. Today pianos are always sold with benches.
@HaWkBeAtLeSnElSoN Of course it's a barrel, if it was an actual stool it wouldn't be funny. He spins it to make the visual pun, which is reason enough. When you said, "for no apparent reason" I thought you didn't get the gag or understand the visual reference.
the ending... when he puts his elbow on the piano and uses his hand to remove the cig with that dreamy look in his eyes like he usually does... HEAVEN!!!
I'd be super-neat if you can upload Fred singing this song and his and Ginger's dance sequence. The only one on youtube is someone filming the TV... Not good! :)
Fred plays; then he sings, then he dances in their only purely comedic paired dance....which includes not only dancing, but skillful pantomime by Ginger Rogers.
Fred was a great musician...and Gershwin favorably commented upon his piano playing...asking about Fred's special riffs...which he had noticed immediately. It's difficult to exaggerate the attraction to Fred on the part of the county's greatest composers. And F&G paired, were loved from the New York Times to the New Jersey State Pen.
Astaire hung out at the the music publishing house where Gershwin worked. George would make Fred play and made him repeat stuff. I can see why he liked it. It's totally cool .
Someone has probably already told you, you can watch him play "I Won't Dance" in "Roberta." Astaire attributed his piano style to informal coaching with George Gershwin during shows such as "Lady, Be Good" and "Funny Face."
Greatest all round entertainer who ever lived--Dancer, Singer, Actor, Musician, even Songwriter. His contribution to popular music as a singer of songs that became standards is arguably greater than both Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. The list of songs he introduced is staggering.
I agree, although I love Bing and I think he was the greatest crooner. Frank in my opinion is overrated (I know a lot of people will kill me for that, oh well. :P) But Fred had the whole package: brilliant dancer, pianists could learn from him, good singer, easy charm, and a nice humble guy.
@llanbradach Fred Astaire played something like 10 musical instruments, including drums. He was a musical/rhythmic genius. Watching him play is a joy. His whole upper body, arms and hands fairly dance across the keyboard!
Thanks for pointing that out, never noticed it before. There is a bass line that doesn't match his left hand a few places later in the piece. I wonder if that is an accompanying piano or if he re-recorded his own playing and changed the left hand after the fact. Either way, a good observation.
@Ellimir The other pianist is, in all likelihood, his rehearsal accompanist Hal Borne. In addition to "I Won't Dance" from ROBERTA, you can see Fred play the piano on "I've Got My Eyes on You" from BROADWAY MELODY OF 1940 and in an instrumental number and dance from the movie LET'S DANCE.
Can't agree more here, Fred Astaire can do anything and do them all well! What a great geniu, a gentleman, one of the most elegant icons in history of modern times.
I haven't seen Roberta in years. Thanks for reminding me to add it to my queue. I don't remember his playing, just the duet with Ginger and the dancing. And, of course, Irene Dunne's extraordinary rendition of Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.
I love this scene! From the deadpan little joke where he spins the barrel as if altering the piano stool height, to the brilliant jazzy "feelthy piano" version of "I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket" - Fred is just BRILLIANT!!! BTW also check out the "I Won't Dance" clip with his piano playing at the start - he's obviously having a whale of a time!
in the description it says he hasnt played any more piano, he did, in Roberta he played a magnificent piece of piano with the 'I wont dance" song
MultiFroggies 1 day ago
This man could dance from his finger tips to his toes!
pirate2138 1 month ago
I turned my audio all the way up but it's still terribly quiet :(
meimeiswan 3 months ago
How could ANYONE dislike this??
ALD1296 5 months ago
Composers loved Fred because you could understand every word that they wrote! I do believe that Fred and Ginger will be immortal. Just like the music of Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach, Fred and Ginger will be watched 200 years from now! Thanks for the post:)
damone77 6 months ago
super stud!
doviejames 7 months ago
I did want to add that Fred's playing is being sweetened just a little bit by a second pianist off camera. When he plays the bridge, listen for the progression that somebody else is playing so his hands are free to cover the rhythm and the melody. Fred did the same thing when he played "I won't Dance" on the piano, except the second pianist was visible. I'm sure Fred himself wanted it that way, being the perfectionist he was.
erniemanguy 9 months ago
I'm an old rag time piano player, and have been for over 50 years now. I have always loved Fred's style of playing. It's a mix of ragtime, stride, and, well, Fred. Fred called his style "dirty piano", most likely because he plays by ear, but the chords and riffs he is coming up, are anything but simplistic. What a talented man!
erniemanguy 9 months ago
eh!, he can play piano, too?! what a man of various talent !
41933193 9 months ago 2
How come I don't hear a thing?
ChrisWalkenFan 10 months ago
P.S.: In another part of the movie, Fred and Ginger have a cute "rehearsal" dance to this same number. Somebody should put it up, too!
brynfarr 1 year ago 3
@brynfarr That routine follows directly on the piano solo. Someone has it up. Just search for I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket.
Ellimir 1 year ago
Astaire liked to call his keyboard style "filthy piano"....I should play so good!
brynfarr 1 year ago
Does anyone know the chords for this???
telsonater 1 year ago
i love how he turns the barrel for no apparent reason=)
HaWkBeAtLeSnElSoN 1 year ago 4
@HaWkBeAtLeSnElSoN There is a reason: the stool was at the wrong height. But perhaps you are too young to remember piano stools. Today pianos are always sold with benches.
It's a sight gag, of course.
Ellimir 1 year ago
@Ellimir its a barrel, it didn't change in height. but ya I see the sight gag.
HaWkBeAtLeSnElSoN 1 year ago
@HaWkBeAtLeSnElSoN Of course it's a barrel, if it was an actual stool it wouldn't be funny. He spins it to make the visual pun, which is reason enough. When you said, "for no apparent reason" I thought you didn't get the gag or understand the visual reference.
Ellimir 1 year ago 2
@Ellimir i gotcha, i forgot abt the stool thing. I do know that there were spin stools, i just forgot that.
HaWkBeAtLeSnElSoN 1 year ago
the ending... when he puts his elbow on the piano and uses his hand to remove the cig with that dreamy look in his eyes like he usually does... HEAVEN!!!
animeeclipse 1 year ago
nope never seen follow the fleet
Tootsy39 1 year ago
I'd be super-neat if you can upload Fred singing this song and his and Ginger's dance sequence. The only one on youtube is someone filming the TV... Not good! :)
gregoryagogo 1 year ago
Fred Astaire was brilliant....
marinagipps 1 year ago
Fred plays; then he sings, then he dances in their only purely comedic paired dance....which includes not only dancing, but skillful pantomime by Ginger Rogers.
Fred was a great musician...and Gershwin favorably commented upon his piano playing...asking about Fred's special riffs...which he had noticed immediately. It's difficult to exaggerate the attraction to Fred on the part of the county's greatest composers. And F&G paired, were loved from the New York Times to the New Jersey State Pen.
followthefleet1 2 years ago 2
FRED PLAYED THIS IN "FOLLOW THE FLEET" HE SINGS IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS......... WONDERFUL !
Thank you.....
astaire8 2 years ago
Astaire hung out at the the music publishing house where Gershwin worked. George would make Fred play and made him repeat stuff. I can see why he liked it. It's totally cool .
see Howard Pollack p. 265
karpopper 2 years ago
Someone has probably already told you, you can watch him play "I Won't Dance" in "Roberta." Astaire attributed his piano style to informal coaching with George Gershwin during shows such as "Lady, Be Good" and "Funny Face."
ednayarkspay 2 years ago 3
Thanks so much. I've been told about many scenes of him playing since I posted this one. I had no idea about the Gershwin lessons, though.
Ellimir 2 years ago
Greatest all round entertainer who ever lived--Dancer, Singer, Actor, Musician, even Songwriter. His contribution to popular music as a singer of songs that became standards is arguably greater than both Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. The list of songs he introduced is staggering.
peacemonger1967 2 years ago 9
I agree, although I love Bing and I think he was the greatest crooner. Frank in my opinion is overrated (I know a lot of people will kill me for that, oh well. :P) But Fred had the whole package: brilliant dancer, pianists could learn from him, good singer, easy charm, and a nice humble guy.
ShawDAMAN 2 years ago 19
I had no idea that he even played the piano, not only that, he was a brillitant pianist
llanbradach 2 years ago
@llanbradach Fred Astaire played something like 10 musical instruments, including drums. He was a musical/rhythmic genius. Watching him play is a joy. His whole upper body, arms and hands fairly dance across the keyboard!
FreeGiftOffers 1 year ago
I had also no idea. A great surprise to me. My respect to him.
guweck 1 year ago
He's incredible!!!
Btw: at 0.54, you can hear a grand piano accompaining/supporting him...
k6l11h58 2 years ago
Thanks for pointing that out, never noticed it before. There is a bass line that doesn't match his left hand a few places later in the piece. I wonder if that is an accompanying piano or if he re-recorded his own playing and changed the left hand after the fact. Either way, a good observation.
Ellimir 2 years ago
@Ellimir The other pianist is, in all likelihood, his rehearsal accompanist Hal Borne. In addition to "I Won't Dance" from ROBERTA, you can see Fred play the piano on "I've Got My Eyes on You" from BROADWAY MELODY OF 1940 and in an instrumental number and dance from the movie LET'S DANCE.
ziggyfollies 1 year ago
I LOVE FRED !
astaire8 2 years ago 3
Sheeeeese He`s Awsome!!!!
roybo1930 2 years ago
That's rockin'!
lastcrazyhorn 2 years ago
Continually amazed by Mr. Astaire! He has no equal. Not even (insert name here)!
georgetoon 2 years ago 2
0:15 and 0:22...I just died...
animeeclipse 2 years ago 2
He can also play the Trumpet, Guitar, Drums, Accordian...hold on, I have a list somewhere...
He is BLOODY GENIUS!!
animeeclipse 2 years ago 2
i loooove follow the fleet. top hat is my 2nd fave
Echelonninja 2 years ago
Can't agree more here, Fred Astaire can do anything and do them all well! What a great geniu, a gentleman, one of the most elegant icons in history of modern times.
foupoisson 2 years ago 8
Its incredible the way he plays! I wish I could play like that!
ALD1296 2 years ago
he sounds like Victor Arden!
KawhackitaRag 2 years ago
lol this guys is awesome
true preformer.
epicsheep 2 years ago 3
I love Fred-- I've never seen this movie, but I think I'll go search for it now ;). Thanks so much for posting.
Classic1940s 2 years ago 2
Follow the Fleet was my first Fred & Ginger movie & I was hooked.
winkieandleah 2 years ago
Genius! I just love him:)
annalovesfilm 3 years ago 7
AWESOME!
tcrownprince 3 years ago 3
Fred Astaire is so amazing...
he could do anything!!
Connie193 3 years ago 17
this is one of my favorite!! love love love him
LaCheerio 3 years ago 2
Love it!! Thanks for posting! :)
Have you seen him play the song I won't dance in Roberta? It's amazing too!
moviegirly88 3 years ago
Glad you enjoyed it.
I haven't seen Roberta in years. Thanks for reminding me to add it to my queue. I don't remember his playing, just the duet with Ginger and the dancing. And, of course, Irene Dunne's extraordinary rendition of Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.
Ellimir 3 years ago
Fred was a genius.
daughterrevolution 3 years ago 4
Could anybody tell me where I could find the sheet music for EXACTLY what Astaire played? Please!!
maestroxvii 3 years ago
Sorry, there are no sheets. He's improvising.
Ellimir 3 years ago
You might check with a pianist named Jack Gibbons, who has transcribed many stride piano pieces (though mainly George Gershwin works, I think).
YNGR 3 years ago
I love this scene! From the deadpan little joke where he spins the barrel as if altering the piano stool height, to the brilliant jazzy "feelthy piano" version of "I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket" - Fred is just BRILLIANT!!! BTW also check out the "I Won't Dance" clip with his piano playing at the start - he's obviously having a whale of a time!
frazzled41 3 years ago 3
He is amazing!! this has got to be one of my favourite scenes of him!! a genius with both hands and feet :)
BriefEncounter1987 3 years ago 5
FANTASTIC!!! I didn't know Fred Astaire could play piano like this... I didn't know he could play at all!
KawhackitaRag 3 years ago 3
WOW!!! That's really good!
transtremm 3 years ago