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Hi

My wife has just recorded this for our kids (future memories etc) and was wondering what the general consensus is on the video style, playing style, recording, performance and interpretation

Helen Clarke piano video

Thanks in advance. Constructive criticism is welcomed and will help us make it better next time as this is only her second video.

Regards

John

What do I think ? I think this may well be spam:- quote from Youtube page

"Helen Clarke professional pianist based in the UK. Renowned Classically trained pianist performing covers of pop, rock, shows, piano music and original songs. Resident pianist of the Petwood Hotel, playing worldwide. Relaxing emotive piano ballads played with Helen’s unique style."

Only her second video sure..... there are 8 on her youtube page alone.

I apologise if I am misreading the situation but honestly it doesn't ring true!

I watched and listened to your wife's YT music video and she plays very well. The digital piano sounded great, and the video quality was good. My Casio digital doesn't sound nearly as good.

I liked the outdoor scenery. Is that Scotland? Northern England?

I don't have any constructive criticism cause I can't play nearly that well.

You might also post to the Pianist's Corner, and the Pianist Corner, Non-Classical sub forums here on PW. Also, you could post your video on the Piano teacher's forum and likely get some constructive feedback like you mentioned.

Welcome to Piano World!

Rick

Looks like self promotion to me, those you tube clicks do ad up.

I agree it seems like spam / self promotion, just from the deliberate clickbait title of this thread and the fact it's the poster's first post.
When I see the name 'Helen Clark(e)', I think of the former New Zealand prime minister:

Perhaps a stage name might be in order.

Self-promotion may well be the case for this OP's first post. In any event I find the visual a little distracting; there are too many different clips from different angles without any visual transition. The video content strikes me as being composed of too many short "snippets" pieced together, which I guess it actually is.

Regards,

You may be right about the self promotion, Bruce, along with Oztack, Learux, and Ben_NZ.

I try to see the best in people, especially new members here on PW, hence my polite and generous response.

And, when Oztack mentioned the additional music videos on YT, and the OP's statement that this was only their second video, suddenly their credibility was in question. But I got to thinking, this could very well be their second video, and the others followed. Again, I try to see the best in others.

As for the video recorded with a drone flying over the pianists, I thought it was pretty cool, although you could see the shadow of the drone a times. And, I do like to see the remains and relics of old, medieval castles, or any castles. I like old castles.

But I'll admit, the video doesn't look like it was recorded by a novice, and the pianist was certainly no beginner.

If they want to make real money on YouTube, they will need more music videos and a LOT more views than they will get here on PW.

I wish Ms. Helen Clarke, and associates, well.

Rick

Honestly, if you want to be a Youtube star you either have to be extremely talented, extremely click-baity, or extremely sexy, there is no in-between!

(Not kidding on the third category - there are women who play pianos in their skivvies, who have hundreds of thousands of subscribers. I'd post a link but I'm afraid it's strictly PG-13!)

Which one of those is Rickster? He's up to 7.5 million views.
I know what you mean though. Brendan Kavanagh only started having success after trying clickbait videos where he'd dress up as a construction worker etc.
Young female pianists like Gamazda seem to know they have certain advantages to supplement their musical talent.

Gee, thanks for the honorable mention, Ben_NZ!

But I can assure you that I'm not extremely talented, clickbaity, or extremely sexy. Heck, I'm not even just plain sexy (okay, maybe a little).

I do, however, think that my music videos on YT are original, genuine, wholesome, and somewhat different from the norm. I think my subscribers like the originality more than anything, and they really like my "Boogie-Woogie". But I can't play boogie-woogie nearly as well as Brendan Kavanagh. He is a superb entertainer/piano player, and I love to watch his videos.

Of course, I try not to brag or boast too much, and I know better than to use PW for the purpose of self promotion. Although I've probably done it before, as has other members, whether intentional or not.

Rick