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

Goofing off after the West Coast Ragtime Festival, Tom and Adam began playing "Chopsticks" on two pianos. Last time this happened was two years earlier at Sutter Creek, the first time Adam and Tom had played together. Back then, Adam had begun playing the tune as a joke, unaware of how far Tom would run with it -- and Adam didn't know the tune beyond the first few bars so had to learn it on the fly (this is what my comment at the beginning of this video refers to). See that amazing moment here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-8bSZa4Fjg

This time, Adam was well prepared to run with it. And so they did, for nine minutes! Like the first time, Adam eventually turns it into "Tiger Rag" (though the first time he had gone to "Bill Bailey" first then put "Tiger Rag" on top of it once Tom took "Bill Bailey"!).

Being that this is just goofing around and completely unrehearsed, there are times when they end up switching keys on each other, creating brief periods of dissonance. Remember that this is not a concert -- just a couple of guys having fun at a party. It's nearly a "cutting contest" in true historic ragtime tradition.

Adam is 18 years old, a three-time (and thus "retired") winner of the World Championship of Old-Time Piano Playing (also a three-time Junior champion at the event prior to his first entry as an adult at age 15). He is on YouTube as "adamgswanson". He also has a web site: http://www.adamgswanson.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• ragtime
• piano
• rag
• duet
• duo
• tango
• pianos
• pianists
• party
• chopsticks
• waltz
• tiger rag
• yamaha

[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".

[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".

[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.

[sleeplessdreamrz]

Stunned.

[kutibotond]

blown away :O!!!

[SeanRodrieguez]

Jesus christ...

[knolenunderline91]

I love toms laugh!

[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!