Коробейники sight-read & improvised from a lead sheet by Tom Brier

Sometimes called by the incipit "Коробушка" (Korobushka), this folk song (romanized "Korobeiniki") dates from the 1860s, though most people know of it from its use as the "Tetris A Theme" nearly 130 years later.

Here, Tom reads a simple lead sheet (just the melody line with the chord names written on top) and embellishes it into different styles, including changing the rhythm to 3/4 and 5/4.

I can't remember and can't find the Russian site from which I got this lead sheet (they had similar lead sheets for several Russian folk songs), but you can see it pretty clearly in this video, or view a copy of it (without the chord names) on this site: http://a-pesni.golosa.info/popular20/ojpolna.htm (it's the second version -- though the first version does have chord names written on top only it's in E minor instead of G minor (and uses archaic European notation, where "H" is used instead of "B")).

Of course, you game fans may notice that the version in Tetris was in A minor, so this performance may sound flat to you as the lead sheet is in G minor (which is how Tom "runs out of keyboard" at the end since the lowest note on a standard piano is an A, so he can't hit that low G he wants).

The lyrics of the song are quite suggestive, about a peddler trying to peddle his wares to a girl who is not willing to pay the price at first. At least, that's what they mean at face value, but the implication of what the "wares" are and the "price" he wants her to pay is quite evident.

Anyway, sorry about laughing so much during the video. I hate doing that, but just couldn't help it!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• piano
• pianist
• ragtime
• Russian
• sightreading
• leadsheet
• improvisation
• improv
• tetris

[EricJDuarte]

@Keeper1st If I'm not mistaken that looks like the Ice Cream Shop in Sutter Creek. I went there on vacation a few years ago and had a great time. Does Tom still play there? I love the way he plays!

[Keeper1st]

@EricJDuarte Yes, Tom plays there one night every odd-numbered month except November, plus of course during the Sutter Creek Ragtime Festival in August.

[210Bubbagump]

Get the man a piano that wasn't in the back of a Uhaul 10 mins earlier.

[Keeper1st]

@210Bubbagump I do have videos of him playing nice Steinways and Yamahas. Unfortunately these meetings take place in the ice cream parlor where that nearly 90-year-old piano gets a pounding on a daily basis, so it's a little the worse for wear.

[tertiumsquid]

@Keeper1st  Hey, as Rolf of the Muppets says, "I love it when they're out of tune!"

[Keeper1st]

@tertiumsquid As a matter of fact, from this same session, I also have a video of Tom sight-reading The Muppet Show theme...

[KitsunejinKitsune]

I really wanted to let out a "HEY!" or two while listening to this.

[Keeper1st]

@TackyRackyComixNEO Yeah, it's kind of a gauge of how much he's enjoying a tune: How long of an ending he makes up.

[javiertik888]

Ohhhhh! YEAH!!! BIEBER SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!! >_< |m|

[PHEEELife]

Не плохо. Привет из России =)

[Brego15]

Just add more tags like "Tom Brier" and this vid is going to have many more views very soon. He's great.

[MyGrassIsGreenest]

I'm very impressed with Tom's skill!

[plasticbudgie]

He may not be a looker, but i bet that guy is banging hoes all over the place.

[Trenholm]

@210Bubbagump In all honesty it sounds better for ragtime to have the piano sounding worn.

Gives it a warm fun feeling.