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Download the MP3 for FREE here: http://thepianoguysfreestuff.com (limited time only)
Support us by downloading this song at one of the following lin...
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Download the MP3 for FREE here: http://thepianoguysfreestuff.com (limited time only)
Support us by downloading this song at one of the following links: Our site: http://thepianoguys.com/newstore/some... iTunes - http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/the... Amazon.com - http://www.amazon.com/Somewhere-Over-...
SUBSCRIBE to our YOUTUBE Channel here: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_c...
Follow ThePianoGuys here: http://www.thepianoguys.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pianoguys Twitter: http://twitter.com/pianoguys
Story behind the song: Jon Schmidt and Steven Sharp Nelson were booked for a Piano Guys show in Hawaii. How could we resist filming our next video in the land of Aloha -- beautiful beaches, green mountains, and fresh pineapple?? We went to our Founders and Facebook fans to ask what song they wanted us to play there. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" was the nearly-unanimous response. But you know how we are ... we couldn't "just" do this tune by itself...so in the studio we found a made-in-heaven matchup in the timeless melody from the Shaker Hymn "Simple Gifts" written in the 1800's (also used by Aaron Copland in his Ballet "Appalachian Spring"). We feel it's an especially appropriate mash-up because of our profound love and respect for the Hawaiian culture -- a people who are so good at finding happiness in simplicity. As you probably could hear we borrowed a lot of ideas from Iz's version which has become the stuff of legend. This arrangement is, in part, a tribute to him.
Getting a piano onto a sandy beach and then onto a big hill in a famous ranch within the SAME day (we only had 8 hours to film) was no small feat. The only thing harder would be to be predict Hawaiian weather, which ended up being our biggest challenge.
"We had a little extra help on this one. My mother, Lynne Sanders Nelson -- a main source of my inspiration for pursuing music -- passed away early in life from the effects of a brain tumor. She was an incredibly-gifted musician and taught me to play music passionately rather than just playing 'notes' on a page. 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' was one of her favorite songs. We finished this arrangement on what would have been her 70th birthday. Somehow she helped. I miss her so very much, but when I play songs like this I feel like I get to be with her again. This song is dedicated to her." -Steven Sharp Nelson
Thank you so much to the Kualoa Ranch who bent over backwards last-minute for us and provided us such a beautiful place to shoot. Visit their site at http://www.kualoa.com -- when you visit Hawaii be sure to stop by and take a tour -- its where dozens of huge blockbluster movies/tv shows have been filmed.
This song is dedicated to Lynne Sanders Nelson, The Hill Family, J. Mueller, & the people of Hawaii
Filming locations: Beach Scene: Pounders Beach, North Shore, Oahu Hawaii Finale: Kualoa Ranch, North Shore, Oahu Hawaii (This is the place to go for sightseeing on Oahu!) Toll Free: (800) 231-7321 Tour Desk: (808) 237-7321 http://www.kualoa.com
Credits: Over the Rainbow music written by Harold E. Arlen in 1939 for the movie "Wizard of Oz" -- originally performed by Judy Garland Published by EMI Feist Catalog, Inc. Inspired, in part, by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's cover Simple Gifts written by Joseph Brackett in 1848 Arrangement produced by Al van der Beek & Steven Sharp Nelson Arrangement written by Jon Schmidt, Al van der Beek & Steven Sharp Nelson Video produced by Paul Anderson and Tel Stewart Piano: Jon Schmidt Electric/Acoustic Cellos: Steven Sharp Nelson Vocals: Al van der Beek Percussion: Steven Sharp Nelson & Al van der Beek Recorded, mixed & mastered by Al van der Beek at TPG Studio
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JesEKar favorited a video
(3 days ago)

Become a Piano Guys Founder and get our Limited Edition Piano Guys Album (YouTube Hits Vol. 1) here: http://www.thepianoguys.com/music
Support us by...
more
Become a Piano Guys Founder and get our Limited Edition Piano Guys Album (YouTube Hits Vol. 1) here: http://www.thepianoguys.com/music
Support us by downloading this song at one of the following links: Our site (Limited Edition) - http://thepianoguys.com/newstore/yout... iTunes - http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hits...
Follow ThePianoGuys here: http://www.thepianoguys.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pianoguys Twitter: http://twitter.com/pianoguys
After our Taylor Swift Coldplay mash-up, lots of people wanted more song combos. This led us to the creation of a cool hip hop/classical mash-up, but again we could not get permission. Instead of scrapping the great ideas, we used them to create an original tune. You will hear influences and inspiration from other artists. Try and guess them.
On the recording, Steven Sharp Nelson laid down over 100 tracks including cello textures never known possible. Every single sound on the video was made using only the instruments shown: piano, cello, mouth percussion and kick drum. We utilized some cool effects on lots of stuff...for example the U2-style delay on Steve's pizzicato at the beginning.
The extra string on the electric cellos (the black cello has an extra high string and the white cello has an extra low string) allowed us to cover the full range of the orchestra. The deep bass drum sound is a bump on the body of the cello with a little help from some effects. The shaker sound was created by Steve rubbing rosin on his bow. The record scratch is Steve scratching a quarter on the strings...you get the idea.
Special SPECIAL thanks to Paul Anderson and Tel Stewart "The Piano Guys" who put as much of themselves into the video as we did and without whom the video would never have happened. (please "Like" them on facebook, they are awesome!!!) http://www.facebook.com/PianoGuys
Produced by Jon Schmidt Arrangement written by Jon Schmidt, Steven Sharp Nelson & Al van der Beek Co-produced by Chuck E. Meyers & Jake Bowen Piano recorded at Big Idea Studios by Jake Bowen Cello recorded at TPG Studios by Al van der Beek
The Piano Guys website: http://www.ThePianoGuys.com Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/PianoGuys
Devin Graham: http://www.youtube.com/user/devinsupe... Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Devin-S...
This video was filmed at The Muse in Provo, Utah. http://musemusiccafe.com
Video Production Crew
Producer: Paul Anderson
Director & Director of Photography: Devin Graham
Editor & Special Effects: Tel Stewart
Behind the Scenes Video: Shaye Scott
Gaffer: David Thorpe
Piano Movers: Jeremy Crawford & Frank Nelson (They're the only guys I trust to move this piano)
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JesEKar liked a video
(4 days ago)
My little sister doing her thing at my aunty's 50th birthday. She did this of her own free will unrehearsed, just got up and sang. Very proud of her.
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My little sister doing her thing at my aunty's 50th birthday. She did this of her own free will unrehearsed, just got up and sang. Very proud of her.
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JesEKar favorited a video
(2 months ago)
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JesEKar favorited a video
(2 months ago)
possibly the greatest childrens book ever written
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he sings it with such emotion the words
'Pour a little salt we were never here'
i see it in a innerconflicting sense just wanted to let you know
love ya chude :)