Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum At what grade is it required to play pop songs

Bennevis, It absolutely floats my boat and find her performances very moving

and yes I imagine you need some chops to play it like the way vk does, or not for more simple approach as the case may be, I said no more or less, not that you need those kind of chops to play POP in general. I am not sure we are on the same wavelength or that there was a need to say



that wasn't my point at all and I didn't say that.

Anyway, to each their own I suppose, Label it as you wish, spuedo-classical. Seems to me you have some strong opinions what and how POP on a piano should be done/approached, I am not quite as dogmatic perhaps or opinionated how music should be interpreted in this genre. but I see that in classical discussions too with many, it should be this or that, and not much room for much else, it is common, something I don't subscribe to though. I can see merits in different approaches and can enjoy them for what they in each case. As it happens I like the simpler approaches/arrangements to listen to as well, it just depends.

btw, I am certainly not one of the types something needs to be complex to sound good or pleasing, but it can be whatever genre. In fact my gripe with a lot of classical pieces when I hear them I find that to be the case, that they are just that, a display in technical prowess , but some of them don't do anything for me either. I am a classical lover too of course, however, gimme vk cover any day over many a Bach invention, that does not much for me either.

Try her "Riders on the Storm" cover --

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fGE07dATvc

It's more jazz/pop, not seen through the classical filter. And certainly not simple or easy.

Thanks for the link,John! Victoria's Biography responds very clearly the OP:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktoriya_Yermolyeva

She makes arrangements for herself, using the knowledge in the concert piano literature at the highest technical level.

http://www.twirpx.com/file/1337418/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RB8mQd00oo


http://www.twirpx.com/file/1337583/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChVJTZzHf7I

https://www.scribd.com/doc/105595288/Bohemian-Rhapsody-Vika-Yermolyeva

Unlike the performer of classical music, which does not have to worry about arranging the performed music , the responsibility for arranging pop music, blues and jazz lies either on the pianist, or he depends on the arrangers with their diverse levels of professionalism; that dictates the level of performance.

wow you guys have very profound replies

I tried my best to understand what you guys meant and what I can grasp is that learning classical and switch to pop definitely doesn't give you an edge but should be able to help abit.

Well, from my point of view, I am completely new to piano and currently I am touching G major scales from C major. (Yeah so its literally beginner standard)

So should I learn most of the scales first before attempting pop? Right now I totally can't understand the music sheet of most pop songs.

Most beginners in their first year with a teacher and perhaps preparing for a grade exam would only be expected to learn a small amount of scales. Two or three major scales in one octave and two or three minor scales would suffice. In subsequent years you can add to your scale knowledge and attempt them in two, three and four octave.

The first year is hard, very hard in my opinion, so not surprising sheet music seems incomprehensible right now. Anything that looks hard I would put away for the future and just concentrate on beginner material. It could be folk, pop or classical and really shouldn't matter, it is just to start you playing the basics.

Can you pick things out by ear, even if very slowly? There's a danger in starting with formal excercises - scales and the like - that you'll find the whole thing is so tedious and dry you'll just lose interest and give up.

No, you don't need to learn a lot of scales first. Start with a lead sheet for something you want to play. The lead sheet gives you a single note at a time melody line in the treble clef, and some chord symbols. Learn the melody line with your right hand, don't expect to be able to sight read it on day one, but eventually you'll get there. Learn the chords with your left, put them together, and you have the bare bones of it, and it sounds like music. All the rest of popular playing just builds and improves on that foundation.

+1.

There's a difference between "I understand the score, but my fingers can't play it!", and:

. . . "I don't understand the score."

You must take "baby steps" for a while. It doesn't matter much what type of music you study. A "classically-oriented" learning program -- the "Alfred's" books, or "Fundamental Keys" -- would get you reading music, and using your fingers, and learning a bit of harmony.

Playing by ear is good to do, as well. In order to use a "lead sheet", you must have a _good_ knowledge of harmony. IMHO (based on what you write), you aren't ready for that, now.