Chopin, Nocturne, opus 27 #2, piano solo (animated interval graphic), ver 3

[kholt1776]

how long have you been playing the piano? and is it a career, or just a serious hobby? i'm asking ebcause i just started to play as a hobby, but i aspire to one day be this good

[musanim]

@kholt1776 I've been playing for about fifty years. When I was young, I sometimes did it for money, but for most of my adult life it was a serious hobby. Now that I'm retired, I work on music projects full-time, and all the money I earn (which is not a lot) comes from it, so I guess you could say that it's now my "second career" (or third, depending on what you count).

[kholt1776]

@musanim wow, that is great. thank you :)

[xauxe]

This is nice, some people like me have gone completly visual.

This kind of video make it easier to me to understand music.

[cmonutube]

do you play these on the piano and a program corresponds the points to each note you play?

[musanim]

@cmonutube  Something like that, yes.

[EvaSlash]

i love how the colors work to identify the intervals too! very clever

[EvaSlash]

amazing! u are a true god! I cant read music but this is simply the next best thing

[maishomem]

OMG thi is so epic, my generation dont have this music.

[Asdelvolante]

I literally love you now.

[jadeOshin1234]

This is just beautiful. <3

[rainbowchik98]

by far the best song i heard

[pianooo4447]

3:54 just made my life,

[AuralExcremental]

Why not to compose geometric shapes and listen result ? I'm waiting for the perform.

[BovichCurve]

wow



[OmegaQuave]

Please do Raindrops. ^^

[ssw166]

@OmegaQuave I would love to see that too.

[andrespereyda]

thanks for the math

[iwakoz]

Not only "music has reached Stars," but also graphic interpretation of Chopin:) Thanks and regards !

[Kellserz1]

I loved this oh so long ago, even as a child (this piece that is), but then I found your animated version here, and the spark lit up again! I can't stop watching this.

[mikepenny01]

I'd love to see a musical animation of Chopin's berceuse. Not sure if you're a fan of that berceuse, but the visualization of that piece with its ostinato below and lilting melodies on top could be really interesting to watch.

[musanim]

@mikepenny01 Funny you should mention that piece --- I was just playing it yesterday. I've done a video of it, and it is quite nice. However, Edward Tufte, who has done a lot to help me promote my work, shows it as part of his one-day course (Presenting Data and Information), and I'd like to let him have an "exclusive" on it.

[ertwro]

@musanim Dude, Edward Tufte!! That guy is a demi-god of information to me. I knew your stuff was awesome but, holy crap!

Oh, and thanks. Your work improved my composition skills/understanding of music a lot.

[lynx48k]

Hi Smalin. I assume the active lines are in accordance with what the MIDI is saying is being played (ie: note ON/OFF messages) at the time? If so, IMO what you need to do is get the recording as a WAV, then FFT it to get the *actual* volume of each note as time progresses. Then, blend the colour of the connecting lines with the background in accordance with the actual volume information, rather than just full colour vs. entirely OFF. This might be interesting.

[pengypzio]

Beautiful, love this piece and you play so well.

[ericjlein]

You should do this with Jeux d'eau by ravel, and definitely some schoenberg!!! Very cool though.

[sophsdtr]

Ahhhhh! TRIANGLES! "Now" I get it!!

[crsmoulton]

love it, working a miracle for my soul right now... thanks

[RaCh3L521]

Fantastic!

[dicul]

so beautiful it makes me want to swear in joy

[velvetlithium]

I never seen before a paint by Chopin.

[chayg2]

This is amazing

[Mastela00]

beautiful 

[natashaclapp93]

MY HERO!!!!! <3

[steelyspielbergo]

full screen!

[guguigugu]

this is so cool



[deansusky]

Nice job and thanks for being honest and answering all the Q

[1337ASM]

I've got to say, this version is better then the way top "professionals" play it. I like the relaxed, walking pace of your performance.

Top notch.

[theastralproject]

Poster seems so exasperated at the dullness of youtube commenters XD

[Lecksy7804]

This would make an amazing lazer light show. :O

[FeralArtist]

This guy has a crazy right hand.

[dianeboss]

verry nice!!!!

[DaGuittarMan]

I strongly suggest you use Dinu Lipatti's rendition of this music in your video. It would be both amazing to eyes and ears!!

[musanim]

@DaGuittarMan I don't have permission to use his recordings.

[DaGuittarMan]

@musanim That blows :/

[Idiotequation]

@musanim Perhaps you should look around to see if you can find permission?

[cockatoo777]

1 word. Talented.

[5hawnK3lly]

so cool how i can see chopin's right hand

[1970835]

muito bem conseguido.

[redshark618]

wait a minute... what happened to smalin?

[playerofbeans]

how can a piano be so gut wrenching? very pretty.

[HedsLaMent]

I'm working on this piece for the past couple months and I have everything under my fingers EXCEPT for 3:54 - 4:06 ... I don't know if I'll ever get that part...

[HedsLaMent]

The big D-flat majors look like Ursa Major...

[emanfirstlast]

Why must this mans work be lowered in value because he used drugs? Reality is a thing of beauty, created by substance interaction, this mans work is a thing of beauty, creating interaction between substances right now, if you believe drugs are bad, you condom yourself to viewing reality through a tv, you wont be able to accept that you are truly 'part of it'.

[SkiFantic]

Stop arguing over his drug use. Enjoy the video, you can not argue that drugs produced more negative than positive for him. I can't imagine anything being so negative it outweighs the beauty of his work

[dekoork1]

thanks for the video. i really enjoy this particular nocturne and it sounds good! :)

[markmeson]

not only is this an awesome visualization, but it is also the best interpretation of this piece on youtube. beautiful !

[epiplp6]

I've bene playing my entire life and never would have thought to show music like this. Brilliant!

[SmokingBombDigzZ]

Hi mrs Corkum

That was an interesting song thingy

[hk19950329]

just..............beautiful

[areluke]

I have to say, the stale rythm and consistency that probably comes from this being MIDI really fits the piece. Its a nice relief from the professional recordings where the performers use way too much "feel"

[forthcomingstar]

Chopin always makes me feel beautiful, calm and relaxed. I adore his music....

[takezosan]

ten peoples are disproved of the brain!

[OnlyARide]

There should be a different color for each of these interval types: Unison/Octave, Minor 2nd/Major 7th, Major 2nd/Minor 7th, Minor 3rd/Major 6th, Major 3rd/Minor 6th, Perfect 4th/5th, and Tritone.

Seven colors doesn't sound too overwhelming, and would give a much more accurate representation of the harmony of the music.

[roach1229]

4:04 tears it up like a boss.

[nihtml]

You're my hero.

[migas28]

that slide at 0:39 just melts me

great piece

[willmich1]

I am new at playing the piano. Is this in the key of B?

[willmich1]

@willmich1 I see five flats, and I believe that is B. Or is it a minor chord?

[xRikux89]

@willmich1

Should be in D-flat major. :)

[BrendonClassic]

Brilliant.

[Saxophonerus]

how did drugs help you do this? it's beautiful

[musanim]

@Saxophonerus You should visit my website (musanim) and read the History.

[RicardoSS85]

@musanim I've just done that and I've found nothing related to drugs...

[musanim]

@RicardoSS85 It's a veiled reference; the first page of the history thread mentions an "hallucination" ...

[hikmah]

Amazing.

[MrJerrymok]

super

[TheParkourextremist]

nice o wait- ....!!!! 48-TUPLE NOTE SPREE?????

[vioguy]

Gorgeous

[MachineMalfunction]

This is so brilliant! You can visually see where the tension is in this piece. Such an awesome visualization.

[Liuskan]

i used to play this with one hand ... now i do it without hands ^^ 

[Losieusatra]

its too woody. i prefer natural pyaing :) but for machine is good tho

[tjmbcool]

Absolutely beautiful. No other words for it.

[DiscoIku]

@NaoiKawaii Obviously someone who has no idea what good music really is. Doesn't have to be a rock head, speaking as a metal head myself. Just 10 poor souls i feel sorry for.

[lilchopin1]

is there a recording of you actually playing it? O.o

[musanim]

@lilchopin1 Please see the FAQ.

[1001muffins]

wow, i tried to play this on my piano and i just couldn`t because it was so hard! i love this peice of music, its truly beautiful.

[ScrollingMusic]

I'm glad this version scrolls a bit faster, we can see the relationships between notes of shorter duration easier. This is an amazing video. Has such a great educational potential. Thanks!

[darklyperfect]

truely the hardest composer ever

[aghaanantyab]

what is the difference of this one and last one??

[MrAgnost]

@aghaanantyab 360PP giving better resolution and let's you see the images a lot sharper than before. Also I think the audio Improved with it but I didn't bother comparing, just auto clicked the link to the better version

[Danthaman1971]

even the shapes of music are beautiful.....

[KVDiveyev]

getting sleepy and bored of this MIDI computer playing................

no way to "paint" human playing??

[virtuosoism]

@KVDiveyev You couldn't be more wrong. You can absolutely paint a musical score. You just have to understand the correct mathematics which correlate the languages of color and sound. This information can be found on the virtuosoism website.

[mencot89]

On the drugs q,I think so too.how the contrasting colours of the animation,also the shapes,the way the whole thing looked and it's motions resembles something about drugs.Being high.Psychedelic.Creativity can come in different forms for each people I think (in no means drugs is encouraged mind you).Anyway,you call can try go to smalin's website.He has written some kind of biography but idk if it' still available.

[mencot89]

@mencot89 Sorry typo.You call - You all

[Michlnizzal]

is this inspired by drugs ? (no offense ! )

[musanim]

@Michlnizzal Originally, it was, yes. But that was a long time ago.

[klusmanp]

@musanim An honest and humorous response!

[Bamchucknorris]

@Michlnizzal Well ya can't blame the guy; Everyone did drugs in the 70's LOL

[Michlnizzal]

@Bamchucknorris

I dont ! :D and .. not only in the 70's...

[tigershark50]

@Michlnizzal I've never taken drugs - is this what its like?

[lilchopin1]

Do have any sheet music for this piece? Thanks

[swedentracknfield]

@lilchopin1 I have the sheet, I can send it to you if you give me your email :)

[pandora3994]

2:20 - 2:50 ... omg my favorite part... I love Chopin. Thanks for making yet ANOTHER great video musanim!!

[bones76ful]

God I wish I could play this way. I'm taking lessons but Im nowhere as good as this......

[CommieAl]

Beautiful piece of music. I respect the musical ability, and genius, of the composer, knowing I will never match it.

It's not my favourite type music, but I hold peices of music of this type to be the greatest example of Human music, genius and emotion. I especially like Toccota and Fugue (If I'm spelling it right.) in D minor.

[tortellini989]

This song is so peaceful and calm, and really beautiful. Nearly makes me cry ;-P

[ironcladvessel77]

I like both your versions of this but this is the best one. Is it ever too late to learn to play like this?

[musanim]

@ironcladvessel77 Being able to play like this takes between 5000 and 10000 hours of practice. If you've got the time, you can do it; the only question is whether you will. People talk about "talent" but what that really means is that you have what it takes to stay interested and keep working at it. Almost all people who spend 5000 to 10000 hours practicing the piano get really good. Of course, there are geniuses who are better than average, but you don't have to be a genius to get good.

[sprevitera]

@musanim I agree entirely, and if only I would, then I know that I could. Trouble is who would I get to do all that other stuff that I normally do during the day?

[sprevitera]

@musanim

[Flumphinator]

@musanim I've never seen a figure put on it like that. That's very interesting. I recall hearing somewhere that it takes between 8000 and 12000 hours of study to become fluent in a language. Perhaps being able to express yourself through piano music is a language of its own.

Cheers. Your videos, and the videos of others, have inspired me.

[musanim]

@Flumphinator Yes, the 5000-to-10000-hour number applies to "mastery" in many areas.

[MrAgnost]

@musanim sucks to be human I guess

[ajuicejemas]

@musanim

When you say "play like this", are you talking about the animation that you created, or the piano piece itself?

I really enjoyed the video, by the way.

[virtuosoism]

@musanim That figure can be shortened by learning music using Spectrum Color specifically through the virtuoso methodology. This methodology can develop motor skills at a faster rate because the repertoire is designed around harmonic logic. An average individual taking this methodology will be able to play advanced material such as Beethoven's "Waldstein" piano sonata after only 250 hours of practice. They will fluently understand complex rhythm and can read well in every key signature.

[virtuosoism]

@virtuosoism The 5000-10000 hour figure is mostly a consequence of theWestern language of music being abstract. The application of Spectrum Color to all aspects of the music language creates an unprecedented logic which allows the user to understand harmonic structures in depth from the very beginning. By being able to visualize the mathematics and wave structures of music immediately, the musical mind and motor skills can develop at a much faster and more efficient rate.

[otirudam]

Oh yes i like this version much more, its much better. Congratulations, great job. I beleive Chopin and the stars go together quite well. Of course, nocturne,darkness, stars, yes. I will always love Chopin and the people that love him .

[ilmariul]

If Chopin had lived today, he would have his own Piano Hero -game. And you couldn't win a duel against him

[robeluca]

Thank you for providing me with Music that has given me A's in college. \m/

[slayerrules114]

7 Lil Wayne fans watched this video.

[Dpl8body]

chopins composations have something like jazz in it i think .. its like romantic and silent jazz its a combination old classic like mozart played and a jazz style .. hes a great compositioner :)

[critchley3819]

Beutiful, makes my soul float up to say hi to my brain

[missrozar]

I wish my brain could make these visualizations whenever I listen to music.

Beautiful song.

[musanim]

@missrozar What drugs have you tried?

[Toffsen2525]

@musanim Forget the drugs, how do I stop playing to it over and over? :o)

[jOOxxxxx]

@musanim xD i agree...definetly drugs involved in this statement

[egrojve]

@musanim XD

[beastlypianoplayer1]

@musanim hahaha

[Hazelrat10]

@musanim Smalin, do you really do drugs? I hope not, that's kind of a let down.

[HisAngeL971]

@musanim what drugs ? whut the ... o___o " weird question for missrozar

[piip4]

@missrozar

I hear some shrooms have a music enhancing effect.

[missrozar]

@piip4, that's actually what my friend was telling me when I showed him this video. :]

[sirmacbain]

@missrozar Your brain does this, you just can consciously access it.

[virtuosoism]

@sirmacbain You can learn to consciously see color as a musician by studying the science of Spectrum Color. Not only can you visualize the color of notes but you can develop summation color skills which provides the combination color as a result of blending the color of a particular pitch with the associated color of the rhythm to which it is attached. You can learn more about this science on the virtuosoism website.

[Toffsen2525]

This version is so much better

[buccoroo]

This is raw emotion turned to audio. He loved poland so very much.

[KaeruGaman]

this video is a masterpiece.

thank you for visualizing this music masterpiece with dots and lines.

it creates a completely new experience for music... lately SEE what we already felt all the time.

good work.

just a craftsman's work, but not less a masterpiece that lets people feel good.

thank you.

[transformerwreckage]

i fell asleep listening to this song just now... so relaxing...

[klusmanp]

This is really lovely. Would you be interested in licensing this to film makers? I get lots of good classical tracks from shockwave-sound(dot)com under royalty-free licensing but this selection is not available. I don't have a particular use in mind at the moment but I like to have a "library" of classical music I can turn to.

[EIPtuningR32]

cool....

[schism1986]

to me this only proves how much of a genious you need to be to compose this! gj!

[AirFlow101]

Cool concept.

[Fr3derick]

Simply Beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing:)

Grandma mary

[lennic95]

It's like some deformed spider is rock-climbing horizontally...I love it!

[wollin20]

My ex neighbour was a good pianist (and very bad violinist: I play better), and was playing the piano a couple of hours a day at least, just on the other side of my room, separated by a thin wall. He brought my attention to Chopin; I miss now the beautiful noise he was making...Incredible Chopin! And great video!

[cats122894]

its just one of those things that.. i end of starting at mystified for 6 min and i dont know why, but im glad i did. nice. i like it alot.

[millerbeezie]

what about dynamics?

[musanim]

@millerbeezie Sorry, for dynamics, you'll have to get a REAL pianist.

[virtuosoism]

@millerbeezie Dynamics can be colorized in Spectrum Color by using a program such as Apple Logic or Steinberg Cubase. You can learn about the science of colorizing dynamics and the sone dynamic scale at the virtuosoism website.

[Anthony5555]

I'm a huge fan of your videos, I've watched almost all of them. And I can say without a doubt that this is the most visually incredible video you've made to date. It's breathtaking, I absolutely love it, please make more videos in this style.

[Wachetpower]

I'm attempting to play this song for the first time, but am having a bit of trouble. I'm wondering if there are any tips, or obvious things I'm missing that would make it much easier.

[musanim]

@Wachetpower If there are, I don't know them. The only way I've found to make it easier is to become a better pianist, which means: getting the mechanical part so automatic that I don't have to think about my hands at all, and can focus 100% on the music --- the expression. I'm nowhere near that for this piece. Someday ...

[bytmig135]

@musanim try to memorize the notes patterns in chords..the remember the chords..ive just finished learning this piece and suppose to plaay it in church tomorrow but they said its too long ... really frustrating and i prepared quite some time for it

[cbkidder]

@musanim Sounds like good advice. It gives me patience to keep practicing,

[xFaIIenAngel]

@Wachetpower dont worry, people need 2 years or more to learn this piece (info gotten from some comments on the song on youtube). i myself finished elementary piano school having a very very strict teacher who happened to be a perfectionist too. not just playing, you had to be properly dressed to play on smaller occasions like class concerts for our parents, so i learned very much from her. im still practicing to get op.9no.2 perfect, this one is my next one =)

[mudyar]

@Wachetpower Would not hurt to practice each hand separately. The left is simple but requires some attention. That helped me.

[JackKnifeAlpha]

Very trippy and it looks like it must've taken you a long time to play and make this video! *Subbed*!!

[DogSoop]

orgasm for the eyes @ 3:54

[skylessearcher]

@peter17dude I love Dexter! You're talking about the show right? lol. I only started watching it last season..was this song in an episode?

Anyway, I really enjoyed this piece and the animation. This song makes me kinda sad though. And those people who gave this a bad rating have shit in their ears.

[rumirpr]

@skylessearcher i agree! this is a somber masterpiece!

[ITO198]

thanks steven you are great



[intertekst]

Traumhaft

[intertekst]

Traumhaft...

[TheHTrox]

This is so beautiful.

[Apriljahr]

I love chopin and I can understand you.....in his music....

[lovelyjuliet16]

watching that almost made me fall asleep! lol!!

[carmillacoffin]

simply wonderful! my best compliments.

[peter17dude]

Dexter inspired me to look this up. how unsophisticated am i^^

[returnofsimple]

oh my god, this is mind-blowingly awesome.

[mitermaster]

I love your videos. Thank you Stephen.

[fototropico]

amazing work. has given me a new perspective on music. thank you very much.

[eduardomarcs]

Some people can't recognize a piece of art...

Some times it's necessary to relax in order to feel it...

And this video is a very good relaxing execise!

Well done!

I know how suggesting pieces work, so this isn't a suggestion as such.