Improvised two-piano Chopsticks redux -- Tom Brier and Adam Swanson

[souvetlernar]

Amazing! Incredible.

What's the name of the piece that Tom start at 8:08 and finish at 8:36???Is there any similar piece which hits the piano like that?

[Keeper1st]

@souvetlernar That's the famous Tiger Rag. The pounding on the low keys is meant to be the roar of a tiger (usually it's done by rolling the forearm down to the elbow, making a sort of glissando). Another famous ragtime piece that uses pounding on the low notes is "Grandpa's Spells".

[souvetlernar]

@Keeper1st Thanks a lot for the information! And congratulations for Tom and Adam. Their performances are great.

[sleeplessdreamrz]

Stunned.

[kutibotond]

blown away :O!!!

[SeanRodrieguez]

Jesus christ...

[knolenunderline91]

I love toms laugh!

[dele3344]

This is the piano equivalent of battle rapping. We just hear music; these two are actually talking shit to one another.

[Keeper1st]

@dele3344 Back in the ragtime era, these sort of piano battles were known as a "cutting contest".

[syncopeter]

This is such musical genius by both gentlemen. It keeps me absolutely amazed. What a talent and the sheer fun they are having to get the other out of his keys./the nust already have been playing for 10 odd hours or so, but they are trill as fresh as daisies. Great fun.

[kingy002]

This is just plain fun!

[blackhearted4ever]

I have never head this song played better. You guys were amazing! If you ever do a show, lemme know!

[Keeper1st]

@blackhearted4ever Adam plays annual at festivals in Columbia, Mo., Sedalia, Mo., Rockhill Furnace, Pa., Sacramento, Calif., and Kecskemét, Hungary. Tom plays at annual festivals in Columbia, Mo., Oakhurst, Calif., Sutter Creek, Calif., and Sacramento, Calif. I can give you details of any of those if you're interested.

[ekksmann]

what a perfect antidote to a cold winters evening - you two were just fantastic- you made me laugh and smile as you ran those keys ragged ! Man, if that was the after-festival entertainment, then the festival must have been amazing ! Wow you have both caught that same wavelength and just cruisin along together in unison- thanks so much for this post- you inspire me :-)

[normthehat]

Fabulous stuff for lifting the spirits. The sheer joy of it, wonderful.

I envy their skill. If only I had worked at those piano lessons my Dad paid for when I was a kid.

[btbuster1]

This was awesome! Everytime I listen to it, I can't help but smile! (especially since chopsticks is one of the only things I can play on the piano!) I think I like the goofing off sessions the best!! Those two are amazing together!

[MrRagtimefan]

oh my goodness!!!! perfect! 9 minutes of music celebration! could listen to this 1000 times in a row.....

[thevuutrain]

6:51 made me laugh

[AceWissle]

Very nice!

[ta455driver]

Well, you just got your 34th like after I watched this.. Lovely to listen to.

[turpinator77]

We need more piano battles like the one at the end here. This was so epic.

[Keeper1st]

@turpinator77 Yeah. Be sure not to miss the "Epic piano duet" video I posted a few months ago. I've got some more similar to this yet to post. Tom has said that one of his favorite videos is "Fun with two pianos" featuring himself and Vincent Johnson trading ideas for seven minutes.

[turpinator77]

@Keeper1st And I wholeheartedly agree!

[tdub1941]

Nice Catch Ron!

Ya done good.

5*****

RJM Tom

[75egcg]

tom brier and adam swanson awesomefies everything they play

[nineko]

Best video ever. We all know Tom Brier is probably the best pianist ever existed, but that Adam Swanson seems to be very talented too. When they play together they always make something awesome, I love how they can be perfectly in sync, as if their minds are connected.

Best video ever, all life long.

[ThisIsKuroCat]

Hollyyy fuck!! I am still listening to this :D

This is epic up the assss !!!!!!!!!!!

[Maturkus]

I was on my way to the bathroom when I clocked on this, but I stopped in my steps and just stood hunched over the screen watching the whole vid. By the end I was dancing like a maniac and almost wetting my pants. I could not stop watching until the end and as I type I'm growing more and more worried that I wont make it so I'm going to stop btypimngn noww.-

[XxDEBUGxX]

Seeing two people wholeheartedly enjoying what they're doing so much only adds to the charm and atmosphere of this video.

Wonderful.

[ThisIsKuroCat]

HAHA xD

4:32 TOM MADE ME CRACK up xDD

Epic video !!! +9 minutes damnnn

[zizamada]

brb going to masturbate to this

[Shane88L]

NICE !!!!!!!!!

[isambo400]

I was waiting for the Tiger rag the whole time, I knew it was coming!

[GoTFCanada1230]

WOW... I wish I had as much improv power as you guys... I'm starting to get the gist, but I still need to advance more. How do you guys do it? Would love to know!

[trudbol]

Just fascinating to watch, to listen to, and to watch again, and to listen to again, and again...

Hats off to your amazing talents, sense of humor and good taste in music. I really enjoy the content you post, thank you!

Cheers from a happy subscriber,

Julien

[forfaox]

This is great! Performances like these were a major reason for me to start focusing on ragtime, and I hope to some day be able to do this as well. Thanks Tom and Adam, you continue to be an inspiration to me :)

[Superminyme]

Wow! Love watching some great musicians having a good time like this. Also like your detailed description, thanks. : )

[Dammationz]

<3