"Sonic the Hedgehog" "Gumball Rag" Played by Tom Brier, Gumball Machine Theme

[MrBobz1998]

WHY is he an "asshole" uploader?

[sacrisesma]

Asshole uploader aside, the guy playing is really good.

[verybigrifle]

@sacrisesma Thanks for your comment..........VBR

[TheMadFedje]

okay i've watched a few videos now. subscribed.

[Sirenhound]

Watch out for Sylar, Tom!

[WarnyBoy]

Would you ask Tom to play more sonic tunes? This one is really good.

[verybigrifle]

@WarnyBoy I just happened to be there when keeper1st, who transcribes the music from those games and gives to Tom. I have never heard of the games, and Tom doesn't know them either......I have NO control over what Tom plays.......He plays what HE wants, WHEN he wants........Thanks for your comment.........VBR

[SavageArms357]

@verybigrifle I'm surprised you hadn't seen a commercial for Sonic the Hedgehog, he was heavily advertised as SEGA's mascot throughout the 90's and early 2000's.

[verybigrifle]

@SavageArms357 If i heard/saw it i wasn't aware....Never play video games, not interested in them and DON'T know anything about them...I have a REAL habit if watching TV, NOT to watch commercials.....have a magazine or paper in LAP and when AD comes on i read for 4 minutes :-) Just ordered a SAVAGE F CLASS RIFLE. (reference to your sig) SO I STILL to this day know nothing of video games or even care:-) I do REAL things, not in front of monitor :-) Thanks for comment. VBR

[SavageArms357]

@verybigrifle I dropped TV a few years back myself, just nothing interesting on it these days.

I read about those F-Class rifles, supposed to be accurate as all hell. Great guns.

Also, you should give games a chance someday, you'd probably be surprised at how fun some of them can be (I could recommend a few). But, to each his own.

[verybigrifle]

@SavageArms357 Thanks for offer. I like to DO things physically, Ride Super Fast Motorcycles all my life and touring. Giving up that because of age related stuff, 70 yrs old. Landscape Photography, and started back to ACCURATE SHOOTING again, as bike skills eroding :-) Digital Photography shot in RAW and many hrs in front of monitor developing to my likes. Used to practice piano, but lost cause from spinal nerve injuries that effect right hand. Games don't replace activity. Thanks. VBR

[keiyakins]

@verybigrifle You're an asshole. Not because you don't play video games, that's fine, but "I do REAL things" makes you sound ridiculously snobbish.

[verybigrifle]

@keiyakins Do you actually think that I CARE, what you think, sperm breath? "Liitle Boy", you keep riding that monitor/keyboard, and I will be OUT in the REAL world, racing at the edge of my tires through curves in the Sierra mountains on my Ducati, Landscape Photograpy in North America, Accuracy Benchrest shooting/reloading, and other "REAL STUFF" :-) No keyboard piss contest here, as I am done replying, as it will never end with people like you... Been there..............VBR

[JmillMoreno]

His brain is a super computer compared to my TI-83 -_-"

[verybigrifle]

@JmillMoreno Probably true :-)......VBR

[GuyPyro]

I put this song every time I want to be in an especially good mood <3

[Woolong742]

I'd pay for an album full of ragtime video game songs. God would I pay for it.

[Sonoskeakigawa]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH I LOVE THIS

[theresignation00]

I've seen play piano before but holy shit his left hand in this video is so crazily accurate.

[verybigrifle]

@theresignation00 He is special for sure.............Thanks for the comment......VBR

[marians95]

Tom never play "Flight of the Bumblebee? :)

[verybigrifle]

@marians95 I have never heard him .................It is NOT ragtime so probably WON'T hear him play it. He could play it easily if he chose to......thanks for comment........VBR

[75egcg]

@marians95 Flight of the Brierbee

[verybigrifle]

@75egcg hahahaha  :-) NICE..........VBR

[a1hypnosis]

I would pay to download these old-skool video game renditions, Tom should make an album!

[TackyRackyComixNEO]

@a1hypnosis He does have an album of ragtime compositions, though none of video game tunes.

[highscoresweden]

This song doesn't get all love it deserve and this version is simply amazing!! 

[destroyOCTS]

AMAZING!!!! Hat's off to Mr. Brier.

[cgaragiola15]

how can i recommend a song to mr. brier. I think he is an incredible pianist and I am a huge fan of his video game musical selections!!

[verybigrifle]

@cgaragiola15 I sent a MESSAGE to your YouTube Channel ..VBR

[verybigrifle]

@MrAngieclarkson Respond HOW?

[Zerobadniks]

Outstanding!

[verybigrifle]

@Zerobadniks YES? Thanks for the comment and looking. VBR

[Taterzz]

its a good thing you don't play joplin, he'd be pissed to see someone ragging faster than they should. but from the rest of us ragtime fans, keep up the amazing freestyles

[gigadeathlord]

sounds like something from a silent film LOVE IT!

[ianjcameron]

Great playing, but it's too fast, and I don't mean faster than written, 'cause I don't know the piece. It's too fast for me to follow - I THINK there are some nice progressions there, but they go by so fast I can't appreciate them - even after three times. Is there a slower version anywhere?

[verybigrifle]

@ianjcameron That is the speed he played it at when music was first placed in front of him. I turned on video and this is what you got.....I am pretty sure he has NEVER played it again, as the music placed in front of him was NOT his. Most people love these things fast. Slow it would NOT be spectacular. Thanks for watching. VBR

[WhispersOfEssence]

@ianjcameron This is actually slower than the original.

[Tigerplata]

@ianjcameron The actual speed of the piece, in case you were curious, is about as fast (by my estimate) as he plays it on the final run-through.

[MrSambaboy]

The one guy who didn't liked it, is a gumball.

[verybigrifle]

@MrSambaboy True That!!!! Thanks.... VBR

[ThatMellon]

I get it i just watched this video at a different angle :P

[supersonicdrawer]

this is absololtely incredible!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE THIS!

[verybigrifle]

@supersonicdrawer Yes it is and glad you enjoyed it so!! Thanks for your input. VBR

[supersonicdrawer]

@verybigrifle lol very modest XD

[jadenyuki]

Great job

[KoopaMedia64]

Whoever thumbed this down, obviously was a Nintendo Fanboy.

... Or just somebody who hates Piano...

[chaosfox333]

@KoopaMedia64 or just a douchebaggy troll

[zomgcontraishard]

@KoopaMedia64 Why can't we all just stop concentrating on the people who dislike or like this video, and just indulge in the wonderful music this musical genius played just for us?

[travelsonic]

@KoopaMedia64 Oh just give it a rest with this overplayed and unoriginal meme. >_< People will dislike things, it isn't a fucking mystery or anything.

Had this playing in my head all day. ^_^

[WHEREisUPLIFT]

how do people play the piano, thats so insane

[verybigrifle]

@WHEREisUPLIFT It does take special talents, the way Tom plays........Thanks for looking. VBR

[GuessIIIwho]

This man doesn't play music. He lives trough music. Give me the chills, seeing how he can improve with his own personal touch any music, instantly... Wish i could meet Tom Brier!

[verybigrifle]

@GuessIIIwho ..Unless you can communicate musically on his level, he looses interest quickly. I can't converse musically with him but he allows me access. I would consider him a composing and playing musical genius. He shuns that assessment. He is a very nice person at these events but functions on a higher level than I. Unless the subject is music, on his level, nothing for him to relate to you with!

[GuessIIIwho]

@verybigrifle Actually, if i met him, i'd mostly listen to his amazing talents. I probably wouldn't be able to discuss with him, as you stated. Maybe on a few things, but wouldn't last long.

Still, i'd like to see him, like for real, playing. Even if i'm not even talking :D

[verybigrifle]

@GuessIIIwho .We all do, listen to the amazing talent. He jokes after hours, with those he is comfortable with, as he works on some very difficult stuff. He trusts me NOT to post something if he says DON'T. Just completed Festival at 1am I was among lucky 6 people locked in a room with him playing his latest (219) composition, penciled on paper. He OK'ed me for a post. Not performed publicly yet. I feel very fortunate to watch him LIVE. Have 150 vids from ALL performers, so check back at times

[IAmTheClayman]

@verybigrifle I can tell from other videos I've seen of him just how high of a level he operates on. Do you happen to know anything about his musical training--schools, private teachers, self-taught, etc?

[verybigrifle]

@IAmTheClayman--Started picking tunes on parent piano at age 4. Then a local piano teacher at around 5 yrs. I asked him how long? He said he took lessons for 8 yrs. Learned sight reading from the start, now second nature. At the start he advanced his own genius and composing all his life. His updated stats to date are 219 of his own original compositions. I have posted his newest here, "Southern Tradition" He is still writing ever more difficult things, to challenge himself. Thanks. VBR

[isambo400]

Somebody show this man the Third Man theme.

[wasp2020]

Oh, love this song! Big surprise to hear such an obscure number get the Brier treatment, love it!

[SonicTheJackrabbit]

Sounds like Sonic 3 Gumball Bonus Stage music and Earthworm Jim "Who Turned Out The Lights" music combined together. lol

[sutterchip]

As verybigrifle commented, there's nothing like standing over Tom's shoulder and watching him sight read and fill in the music on the fly; incredible!

[verybigrifle]

@sutterchip .Thanks for posting and commenting Chip.....Thanks for hosting, in your home, the concert and afterglow, late in the evening where I captured Tom playing this........... VBR

[Shane88L]

It is so hard to believe this is sight read --- Tom Brier is just amazing

[verybigrifle]

@Shane88L ..Amazing he is......has been that way since a child actually........Just gotten better as he matured.....

[nineko]

This is way better than awesome. I am a pianist too, but this is far beyond what I can do. I don't know if you take requests, but since I am a Sonic fan, I'd love to hear what you would be able to do with Sonic 3D's Special Stage music (the Genesis version, not the Saturn version), I think its genre would be well suited for you, I'm sure you would be able to pull off another masterpiece.

[verybigrifle]

@nineko ..Awesome is good......Not a lot can do what Tom can? I passed on your request to Keeper1st on Yo uTube who does transcribe certain games and place in front of Tom......I forwarded your request, but he gets inundated at times with this...As sheet music is mostly not available he has TO WORK seriously to do these things...I don't have that talent.......Thanks for looking and commenting....VBR

[Keeper1st]

@nineko That tune is basically ragtime when you strip it down. I see one person did a bad attempt at a score -- wrong time signature and wrong key signature! -- but at least that is something from which I could potentially make an actually useful score.

[nineko]

@Keeper1st That's great, I'll look forward to it. I knew it was a suitable song.

[noobirdoh]

@Keeper1st Sorry to bother but I have to second this request. Tom is amazing and I'd love to see what he can do with that song.

[Bovineprogrammer]

@noobirdoh Thirded.

[MisterMulluc]

I love how he crosses over so fluently at 1:51, this really is terrific

[ArcanisSolanum]

Damn, this is incredible. ^^

[Bovineprogrammer]

I need to learn how to play this. It sounds great.

[Bovineprogrammer]

@Bovineprogrammer Actually, never mind that. This guy is flat-out amazing.

[verybigrifle]

@Bovineprogrammer ---You've got it as he is amazing.......THanks.......

[verybigrifle]

@Bovineprogrammer ---Glad you liked it. Remember it sounds great because Tom is improvising and playing a LOT of notes NOT on that single sheet of music put in front of him!!!! Basic tune with and incredible pianist learning it as he plays and gets better while playing it.......GOOD LUCK......Thanks for commenting........

[SassiTheKitty]

wow this was epic, sounds fantastic, notes actually sound a lot easier on the piano than they do on the game itself haha

[verybigrifle]

@SassiTheKitty ....Believe me it was fantastic watching/listening to Tom Play this looking over his shoulder!! Epic is a good critique.....I love it.....About 1:20 into the video he is getting comfortable playing and is really filling and improvising on the fly as he is learning as he goes...Remember, he never heard tune, or saw music before Ron O'Dell placed it in front of Tom, and we turned on the video cams and away we went..... He is famous on YouTube for his sight reading, Thanks

[SassiTheKitty]

@verybigrifle oh I can see that :)

This is brilliant, must be amazing learning to play without lessons and stuff

[verybigrifle]

@SassiTheKitty ...He, starting at age 5, had 8 yrs of lessons.....started picking out the tunes at that age from parents player piano. They got a teacher. He is musically gifted. He learned to sight read early. He NOW can as evidenced look at a piece, scan it for a few seconds and start playing. SO talented musically, he plays MUCH more than on the page, filling in, using full octaves, 10ths, full chords etc. and at some speed. Thanks for comments....I also subscribed to your channel

[verybigrifle]

@SassiTheKitty ..ALso notice at 1:50 in video he reverses and plays melody with the left hand to vary what you hear and make it interesting and suttle changes as each time he plays the page......Believe me it was better standing over his shoulder hearing it as he played it, than this vid comveys but you all get the idea of his genius.