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Tuesday, July 8th, 2008

Moonlight Sonata - take one
I suck at piano, but I really want to learn Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata (at least the first movement). I don't know very much yet, but I'm getting there, little by little. Anyway, I had a little time to myself tonight, so I thought it would be fun to record how much I know now and look back on it later when I know the whole thing (you know, in like two days).

A couple notes: I play it too slow. I know that. But if I played it at the right speed, it would be over so quick. So I'll work on that. Also I tend to give all notes a relatively equal importance when I play, and I need to be better about making certain ones quiet and other ones louder.

Note: if you want to see this song played the right way, check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6txOvK-mAk (and I promise it's not a Rick Roll)

And here's the third movement, which is absolutely ridiculous: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqSulR9Fymg
Tags:  music
33 Comments
stevenheinzel
1) The video part was real good!!!!!
stheinz   Tuesday, July 8, 2008
nheinzel
2) That was great, Dave!!!! Way to go!!!! It sounded just like it....almost!!!! No, seriously, I enjoyed it a lot. And the video worked great too!!!
!   Tuesday, July 8, 2008
stevenheinzel
3) I just checked out Wilhelm Kempff playing the first movement - the only difference between yours and his was that he wore a tie!!! Seriously, I thought he was going to fall asleep. Man, he came to life in the third movement, though. If I had three movements I would be dead.
stheinz   Tuesday, July 8, 2008
dennydeaton
4) Nice work dude! I can show you how to play chopsticks when I come visit in August. This is a good example of the quality we aimed for when we built Humzoo Video... long live the FMU!
Denny Deaton   Tuesday, July 8, 2008
nheinzel
5) Wilhelm was really feeling the music.
!   Tuesday, July 8, 2008
SallyPants
6) That's awesome. I think Wilhelm is going to be calling you up for tips soon.

I am super impressed that you're memorizing it. (unless there was sheet music I didn't see) I've only had a little experience with the piano but it seemed by far the most difficult musical instrument I've ever tried because one had is playing one melody and the other hand is doing something completely different. My brain asplodes.
SallyPants   Tuesday, July 8, 2008
George
7) That's good stuff Dave. I think you're doing the right thing playing it slow....once you've got it down then you can speed up and it should be all the correct notes. Sweet!
LimeyGeorge   Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Joe
8) Excellent job, Dave. I've never seen Piano Hero played quite so well.

Is it a requirement that Wilhelm not look at the keyboard? If his head does start to point in that direction, either he closes his eyes or immediately jolts his head back like he's been cattle prodded.
Joe   Wednesday, July 9, 2008
jnjnj05
9) As a piano player since the age of 5, I have to say you did a great job! I don't think it sounded all that different from when I play the song. Great job! You've found yourself a new talent!
Jenn   Wednesday, July 9, 2008
ChinaCalling
10) Where's your sheet music? Are you playing all that from inside your head? If so, you rank right up there with Beethoven. You need to spend more time developing this talent! Really nice job! Enjoyed it.
ChinaCalling   Wednesday, July 9, 2008
willnbek
11) WOW!!!!!! THe 3rd Movement has always been one of my Favorites!!!!!

You can do it Dave!!!!!
WillnBek.com   Wednesday, July 9, 2008
daveheinzel
12) Will, we all know which movement you like the best.
Dave Heinzel   Wednesday, July 9, 2008
spike
13) Love it! Keep it up!
Spike   Wednesday, July 9, 2008
dennydeaton
14) Did anyone else see the first comment left on the YouTube version of the 3rd Movement?? Nuh uh!
Denny Deaton   Wednesday, July 9, 2008
willnbek
15) The Bowel Movement???
http://www.humzoo.com/dennydeaton/photos/3/80/
WillnBek.com   Wednesday, July 9, 2008
courtneyheinzel
16) Beethoven's movements take way too long. He should have seen a doctor about that. Also, I think you're wasting your time on the first movement. Let's just skip to the 3rd. I had Ethan watch it. He'll be playing it next week.
Courtney Heinzel   Wednesday, July 9, 2008
dennydeaton
17) Actually I assumed Ethan taught Dave how to play that after seeing Ethan play when you guys were at our house. I call him Ethan John.
Denny Deaton   Wednesday, July 9, 2008
SallyPants
18) I have a dumb question for you Dave - how did you do the shot changes and keep the music seamless?
SallyPants   Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Russ
19) Awesome, Dave. Now just learn Canon in D and you'll be ready to start doing wedding ceremonies.
Russ   Wednesday, July 9, 2008
betsyradish
20) Good job Dizzle Hizzle. I like it.
Betsy   Wednesday, July 9, 2008
betsyradish
21) When you make the next video, I think you need more shots of yourself gazing into the distance in deep thought like Wilhelm Kempff.
Betsy   Wednesday, July 9, 2008
22) Good job Dave!
sandy Davis   Wednesday, July 9, 2008
dennydeaton
23) Sally, Dave never told you about his 3rd arm? That thing is cool!
Denny Deaton   Wednesday, July 9, 2008
SallyPants
24) Dang Denny, I'm his sister. That ain't right. Sounds like you've seen it. How does Niki feel about that?
SallyPants   Wednesday, July 9, 2008
dennydeaton
25) Actually she enjoyed it.
Denny Deaton   Wednesday, July 9, 2008
caseymeyer
26) Woo hoo! That's 1 minute more than I played that piano in the last year that I had it. Glad it's going to good use now :-D
Casey   Wednesday, July 9, 2008
27) you guys have a piano?
lanny   Wednesday, July 9, 2008
reera
28) Reminds me of Tom Hanks in Philadelphia.
dannie   Saturday, July 12, 2008
Ames
29) or Tom Hanks in Big
Ames   Saturday, July 12, 2008
reera
30) Yeah, forgot about that one but I was thinking of the agony in Philadelphia.
dannie   Saturday, July 12, 2008
lgrant
31) Very good, Dave. I don't think you suck at the piano. I took 6 years or something and remember none of it now. I've thought of getting a full-sized keyboard to learn over again. You have great hands for it and keep your hands raised off the keys nicely. My piano teacher would be proud--though she wasn't big on people playing things their own speed or by ear instead of looking at the music. :)

Three arms? Should be labeled ARMED and dangerous. :)
LGrant   Saturday, July 12, 2008
daveheinzel
32) Thanks LGrant. Oh and Sally, sorry I never answered your question. I taped this with the camera on a tripod 5 times in a row, and I just played the same thing each time. I used the audio from the overhead shot and just synced up any parts were you can see my fingers hitting the keys. Technology is our friend, not our enemy. Until it takes our babies.
Dave Heinzel   Saturday, July 12, 2008
_DELETED_znheard1
33) that's awesome. I was so relaxed and ready to take a nap and then you had to go and stop!
znheard   Tuesday, July 22, 2008
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