The Haunted Mansion (Disneyland) on piano

Back in the day, Disney was fond of creating a new theme song for each Disneyland attraction. Most attractions, anyway. The Haunted Mansion is one of the most outstanding examples of this. "Grim Grinning Ghosts", composed by Buddy Baker and featuring lyrics by X Atencio, is first heard while guests are in line and is last heard as they walk back to the "mortal world." The fact that no one gets tired of the piece after hearing it used so pervasively says something, I think.

The only place in the attraction in which the music does not rely on GGG is the attic, where Richard Wagner's famed "Bridal March" undergoes a demonic transformation into the version you hear in this video. This is the only piece in this recording that was originally intended for piano.

As always, the original recordings of all this are better, and I highly recommend listening to them if you haven't. But I do enjoy playing all this on piano, so hopefully that joy will somehow spill over onto you as the listener.

I always appreciate well-thought-out critiques! Don't hesitate to tell me how I've screwed up. =D Oh, and check out my video response for a superior version of the foyer organ!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Haunted
• Mansion
• grim grinning ghosts
• Buddy Baker
• piano
• Disneyland
• organ
• creepy
• waltz
• here comes the bride
• Wagner

[pikmin1318]

I play this whole thing on piano too. But what notes and chords are those for the ballroom. I've been going, Am, B, Am, B♭, Am, F, Am, F, Am, E, Am. What is it your doing?

[1taken]

@pikmin1318 Those are the basic chords that "Grim Grinning Ghosts" is based on, but for the ballroom, the organist really went crazy with all kinds of indescribable chords. Cluster chords, minor major 7ths, major in one hand and minor in the other, all kinds of stuff. I've never been able to figure it all out exactly. The theater organ timbre makes it especially difficult to pick out all the pitches. =P

[solidmario1]

Why didn't you do the seance circle?

[1taken]

@solidmario1 On piano, it wouldn't have sounded different (or interesting) enough to justify including it. It's a very interesting cue in its original form, but on piano, it just becomes another slow rendition of the melody to "Grim Grinning Ghosts."

[conner623]

I have a request:

could you do the music for the Haunted Mansion holiday?

[1taken]

I'm actually working on that right now. =D Hopefully I'll have a chance to polish my arrangements and record them before too long.

[dudisguy]

Hey, would you mind doing a seperate video of just the Briadal march? It's my favorite song of the ride. BTW, where did you get the music?

[ashbyta]

creepy !

[Rainheart45]

Amazing!

[barley5551]

hurry back hurry back make sure to bring your death certifecate we've been dieing to have you ha ha ha ha ha. ok i think i spelled that wrong : I

[MyFlyingchicken]

You, sir are my hero.

[theSuperLuigi2401]

the way comic book guy would say it "best song ever!"

[solidmario1]

@1taken That makes sense. I Like your piano vids by the way. The Haunted Mansion's my favorite ride.

[solidmario1]

Wonderful. Absolutley Marvelous, you have blown my mind away this. The Haunted Mansion is my favorite at Disneyland.