ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ม.ค. 2025
- If you've seen my other videos of Tom sight-reading ragtime sheet music that I've put in front of him, this video should come as no surprise to you.
I had not yet finished correcting the awful score that is available online for this tune (I did put it into the correct time signature, but it still has some really funky chords and other problems), nevertheless I put a copy of it as it stands in front of my amazingly talented friend Tom Brier this weekend.
This was the result.
Tom is a highly regarded pianist and sight-reader in the ragtime community. I have other videos of him you can find (and more to come) which will give you an idea why.
There are so many amateur pianists out there playing these rags from video games, but I thought it would be nice to see what a pianist who specializes in ragtime music would make of them.
This tune is by Koji Kondo (近藤浩治) and is one of the most famous tunes of all music from Nintendo video games. It first was used in Super Mario World, though I didn't know that at the time I made this video! "Athletic Theme" simply refers to the type of game levels on which it was heard.
I still haven't cleaned up the score completely. Here it is as Tom was reading it -- no repeats, some questionable chords, etc.
www.keeper1st.c...
I have a web page now with a lot of other VGM and TV show sheet music: www.keeper1st.c...
Imagine being able to travel back in time, like in the late 1800s, going around saloons playing these type of tunes and becoming famous lol
Like the movie "Yesterday" kind of
Well it is a ragtime tune, which were famous at this time in the USA, so it would be a classic like "The Entertainer" now, since it is a very good and catchy composition.
Not to say, that it isn't a "classic" in this sense.
Who Neves thought that though
They used that concept a lot in the HBO show West World. The player piano would play modern tunes.
This guy speaks Piano. It's like reading a book for him. Wtf.
... and notice how he just keeps looking at the sheet paper, and never at his hands...
@@ownerfate he has no choice if he wants to sight read it
No one can do this unless he/she has a perfect ear to guide them through the process.
No, Tom did this himelf on his first ever attempt at it, I know it's hard for some people to believe, but people are just this talented.
@Graphite No one said anything against that.
It's 14 years later. Whomever is still in contact with Tom, I hope you tell him that we're still enjoying his musings and wish him a timely recovery! Thank you Tom, you still make me smile.
I believe he passed away, unfortunately…
He's still alive thank God but unfortunately he was involved in a nasty car accident a few years ago and is now paralyzed as a result.
@@negrotaku6299 if that's true, what a damn shame. All the talent in the world, and yet he had such a salt of the earth attitude. He will be missed.
@@negrotaku6299 Where is that info? I couldn't find anything.
@@Byrvurra Indeed, but do be wary though, some people seem to be spreading info without so much as saying where they got it.
He SIGHT-READ this?! Dang, he's good!
^^ I'm there with ya :O
I hope he gets the glory he deserves.
He sightread the ORIGINAL version and made it a rag.
@@The_SOB_II the original version is already a rag-time song^^
He add some features^^
@@Yamchadb414 Well someone, IDK who, changed the bassline, and it was swung rather than straight like the original.
He reads music better than I can read words...
Adrian Reyes I think he also reads music better than he can read words.
@;op 4 thanks for the reminder.
@;op 4 oh I’m sorry. I thought you were just reminding me that Brier got into a car accident.
@;op 4 don’t worry about it man. We all forget things sometimes. I pray Tom is doing better as well
@;op 4 they did release an update on him - he’s getting somewhat better.
Every so often the algorithm brings me back here. Maybe once a year. Since 13 years ago when I discovered Tom, every single time I've never rewatched these videos without a smile. Good vibes and fast recovery Tom~
Welcome back! :-)
How does he process all of the crap on the paper and play flawlessly then add his own spin? My mind has been blown for more than a year by this man
+Evan Reno It's sort of like how you can read a script and improvise or embellish the lines. He learned to read music from such a young age that it's practically like reading English to him, he says.
+Keeper1st that's really cool
+Ben Rosenbach LMAO! Made my day
@@chbrules It's not that hard to believe lol. Incredible musicians exist.
I think that is how its written its just a full version and the tempo is slower
The hair from his head moved to his neck to hear the music better.
LOL
Nasty nasty Dan. Oscar knows better..
That... That doesn't even make sense
xD Hahahahaha! 10/10
Hahahahaha oh shit that's funny
I'm writing this 12 years after it was made. Please know that Tom and his extraordinary talent still touches and amazes people 😊.
Unfortunately, he’s been in the hospital for years now
@@nunyabusiness9699 :(
@@nunyabusiness9699 If it only was in an actual hospital, having a chance to recover... but in reality he is being held at home by his family that stopped the rehabilitation treatment after barely three months and blocked almost all contact to his ragtime friends...
@@hagenl.2975 yikes... are his ragtime friends doing a gofundme or something for him? Because his family sounds toxic AF... As an American, I understand how Hospital Bills are so terrible people would rather die but still, if people are willing to help then... let them.
@UCAq4VijqX3QzwGyl6p93Muw Yeah sure. Go ahead and send the Link. I'm certain others are generally curious too. Should they come down these comments they might want to know more, too!
And goodness... That sounds miserable... So people have suspicions that hia family was leeching off of his misfortunes? That's shady if they did that...
2:33 he noticed he had only 100 seconds left before the time ran out!
dududuDUN dududuDUN dududuDUN DUN-DUN
*music gets faster*
The problem is it's not seconds. It's weird. 15 units of time in SMW is 10 seconds.
LOL that's fantastic. Too bad the video only went on for 75 seconds at that point, but then again I suppose he just finished the level!
@@hypersonicspeedgrov really? That's so awkward! I did always wonder why the seconds seemed so short haha. Is there an explanation?
@@Zwodo I have no idea why the time isn't seconds, so to answer your question, no.
Came for the music, stayed for the beard.
sacpilot came for the music, stayed for the whole package.
Is that the neckest of beard or the muttonest of chops? This is the important question.
YO SAME
Jiggydawg That had me laughing for so long. Thank you.
664th like, waiting for 666th like
I hope Tom recovers and is given the therapy he needs. He's gotta be one of the best pianists of all time and we need more
He won't unfortunately. Once neurons die they don't grow back, except for ones in the hippocampus and olfactory nerve. He may regain some ability but not entirely.
Jim Raynor we only hope for miracles
Sabrina Palis The human brain is truly an amazing thing.
@@jimraynor7788 brains have incredible elasticity. Neurons make up for other neurons lost. People can even live a happy functional life with large parts of their brain removed.
Do not underestimate the power of technology or the human will
This is by far the _coolest_ way to play Mario.
Hey, good joke! Also, happy 2017!
@@SteveHarlow-j6o oh yeah yeah
Lol happy 2020, well it's not exactly happy but you know what I mean
@@SteveHarlow-j6o thanks
2:28
Tom: “Piece of cake”
Keeper1st: “That must be why people can play it so fast”
Tom: “This isn’t even my final form....”
Now this is the real athletic team
The clock dropped under 100!
This brings me back to simpler times..the feels!
wow one day ago!
Hey Dazs!
Grow up
@@cosplayeranime what the fuck man?
Wow you must be really, really, really old. Like 140.
"Tom doesn't play video games." That's probably one of the reasons why he can play the piano so well.
True. My biggest regret as a musician is that I wasted most of my teenage years goofing off and playing video games rather than practicing.
This is the man your girl told you not to worry about
I mean, you can do both and stuff. Balance. :)
Actually I played video games and able to play Beethoven’s pieces, but then again I wasn’t a video game addict
Matthew Goodwin stfu
@Nicholas Woods: You mean fast and sloppy with no embellishments? That's precisely why I gave the tune to Tom. As a dedicated ragtime pianist, he knows how this type of music really should sound, and was able -- even the first time seeing the music -- to bring it to life in a way that no one else on TH-cam had before.
This guy is freaken awesome!!! Is he a piano teacher or something! I can't help but smile every time I hear him play!
if anyone complains, then put it to 1.5 speed
Benjamin Lanoue or maybe even 1.25 speed
Dorrivix 1.25 is probably the upper limit for tempo I'd like a piece like this to be at. Some of the speed demons that play this song just never let the music breathe!
***** Nope. Ragtime = a ragged right hand over a steady, march-like left hand. It doesn't mean just "raggedy" in general.
Sad to hear about his accident. I hope he recovers
what happened
car accident. he currently does not speak more than a word or two at a time and his playing ability was set back significantly
Anthony F that’s awful!
Why life is so cruel..
Any updates?
I like how it was made in 2008 but it looks like it was recorded in the 80s
Apparently you've never seen video recorded in the '80s. Much worse! This was recorded with a camera purchased in 2006.
+Keeper1st oh
Add some VHS artifacts. There, instant 80s stuff.
Right on brother
+MOAB mauler I like how both your profile pics are super up close pictures of Jon tron
2:33
Oh shit, we've got 100 seconds to finish the level!
hurry up!
Gotta go fast!
sonic confirmed
It must be incredible not yet hearing the music in your head that you're gonna play fluently on an instrument and the music just coming from you tapping on stuff and playing an instrument. Just a song coming out fluently out of not hearing it in your head first and being a song that already exists. This must be an amazing feeling he experiences. I'm jealous but happy to see it.
Usually musicians who are as good as he is CAN hear it just by looking at the music… which is arguably more impressive. When you’re that fast, you doesn’t “read” the notes, just like when you’re skimming a book, you don’t actually read every word. People like him are just incredibly talented at taking a glimpse at the sheet and understanding the way it all gets put together, not a note or measure at a time but by entire phrases and sections.
@@smelma Cool, didn't think of it that way yet as in skimming or "global reading".
Little did he know that when he sped up he was playing at the normal pace of the song
He plays the original tempo later on in the video though
When you sightread, you're supposed to play below tempo.
Bailey McDermott That is what Bradley said. This piano man is really good at piano.
@@baileythesleepless9966 you clearly misunderstood what he said
@@wrath1785 You're right, not sure what I read back when I said that.
I like how you see him start to really enjoy the music after a few bars.
I’d love to see Koji Kondo’s reaction to these rag covers!!
I often think about that too. I imagine him just smiling with pure joy
2:53 of course he doesn't play video games... he is busy becoming a piano god.
Just imagine if he did though. All that tech skill.
he's in the hospital now because of a car accident, though his actual job was programming, not piano.
dwalters98
Hope he gets better.
Mans was a prodigy. No wonder he was this good
sometimes gods wear people clothes
To camouflage themselves. It is only when asked to play are they obligated to reveal their true power.
And cause us to stand in awe when their true power shines
...and have MONSTER neck beards.
i thought you said 'sometimes gods wear purple clothes' and i was like WALUIGI-
*what if God were one of us, just a pianist like one of us*
Tom deserves so much more recognition for the absolute mastery and beauty he produced from the piano. Breaks my heart to know what happened to him. Nobody understands ragtime like Tom 💖
Every one of these videos make me smile and feel good. I heard Tom was in an accident. I hope he is doing ok.
There has been no significant improvement in the past six months. He has very limited motor skills -- especially in the right hand -- which makes it impossible for him to type, he can grunt a word or two at a time but it takes a good ear to understand what he's trying to say.
Keeper1st Do you plan on using this platform to spread awareness and raise money? Even if he doesn't need the money I would think that the response would help build his spirit.
Joe Boyle If you search Tom Brier Caringbridge on Google and scroll through the journal you should be able to find directions posted by the family on how to donate
@@Keeper1st I miss Tom Brier
The fact that this guy can just do this like it's nothing has got to be the most inspiring thing I have ever seen.
My fav part of these videos is when he gets in the swing of the song and starts improvising. Bravo
is the neckbeard the source of this man's incredible ability?
Adam M. 64 likes....... HMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmm *dem super Mario 64 references*
... yes.
Funny and original
Neckwarmer*
This is the best version of this song I've ever heard, and it's the first time he's ever played it! Amazing what a top tier ragtime performer can do! Wish cameras were better back then for better quality.
I've been coming back to this video for over a decade now and it still amazes me every time. I hope you and Tom are doing well.
The Super Beard Bros brought me here. This man is incredible!! Thank you for this moment!
same
Haha same
When this song is done justice even with a crappy camera mic, that really gives you a feel of this guys talent
I got to meet this guy and hang out with them for a day really cool and one of the most humble people I've met.
Just dropping in to leave a comment. I sincerely hope Tom is doing better. I'll never forget his epic sight-reading. Much love to you and yours!
Give this guy a million dollars. He is now one of my favorite musicians ever.
Christian Gervasi
It was the same with me! I couldnt believe his skills before, but now i watch his videos since 4 months and i watch every single day. He amazes me every day new. At my "channel", if you can say so, i've made a Playlist with Tom Brier videos... unbelievable performances
Nov 2024 i'm just now seeing this. You're wonderful, sir!
Always puts a smile on my face
The power comes from the amazing neck beard!
All he needs now is a fedora and he'll be set!
VinnDiddy fedora's drain power. The true wizards only have neckbeards.
So fucking euphoric
Legend, Tom Brier.
This guy was one of my highest inspirations for starting to learn piano 3 years ago, especially this video here and the animaniacs theme. Hope he eventually is capable of playing again.
Tom’s videos are the ones I keep coming back to year after year. Simply amazing talent.
I come back to this once in a while. Its comforting, like a snug blanket on a chilly day
The fact that this is a sight-read is insane, but completely taking that music and molding into ragtime? Unreal. It’s almost hard to comprehend 😂
So much of early Mario music is just Japanese synthesized ragtime
No matter how many times I watch/listen to this, I'm always left with the stupidest smile. I love it.
DeimosComaBlack now I can't help but cry. Please get better Tom.
Is this is truly sight read, this man is not human. He is processing that arrangement as a machine.
that second run through put me back to being an anxious 5 year old trying to finish before the timer runs out
Still as amazing as it was when I first heard this. Wishing Tom luck, love and support
I played this for my brother and he couldn't recognize it until I changed the speed to 1.5. I love the way you played it though... amazing.
All hail the supreme master of the neckbeard.
2:33 "no no no no nonononono! Shoot! Im almost out of time! WHY IS THE KOOPA THERE!? It wasn't there last time!"
Lol!
He was totally embellishing some of it like a boss
By far, the best piano playing sloth I've seen on the Internet.
It's times like this I wished I still knew how to play piano. Hated taking lessons as a kid. I would have been more invested in it had I had pieces like this to play..
You say that, but given the chance again you'd be too lazy to learn it still.
+hypermetalsonic Same here.
+hypermetalsonic I started with ragtime (genre in the vid) I got pretty hooked to piano ever since
true
Rag is just such a beautiful genre. Always brings a smile to my face.
This is one my feel-good videos. Ive watched it at least 30 times through the years
Not any comments for several years...sad. More people need to see this, I watch it all the time. I would love to be able to play this myself, and I tried...Tom makes it look so easy, I hope he recovers from his accident, and I am amazed at his level of talent. (Play the first time he reads it on 1.25 speed and it sounds just like the original).
So this is a life without video games, I see no difference, just a different console and a guy who can speed run a game first try without taking damage.
It’s funny I have seen this in my recommended nearly every single day for ~6 years, every year or two I come back, but youtube seems to NEED me to watch it and know that it still exists.
I love this video, this tune, this guy, with all my heart- the best SMW rendition ever made. But if youtube were everyone’s only source of media, this would be the most popular video in the world.
With how many days of the year I see this as I scroll, I’d think it has 50billion views. But no. Somehow, YT just seems to want me personally to watch this video every single day like there’s some deeper meaning to it all.
The fact he never heard the tune before, and at the end he looked like he was on auto-pilot playing it faster. Awesome 👍 👏 👏 👏
For someone who's not into videogame he plays it like Koji Kondo himself. This is awe inspiring.
This is the first video I ever saw of Tom playing so many years ago. It's been a roller coaster of emotions ever since, but I'm looking forward to seeing him back in action. You're well on your way bud!
Has he had any improvements recently to where he is able to function better?
Hope Tom's doing alright - I heard about his awful accident. Give him my best, the world needs him!
"Sorry boss, we accidentally sent the music to 1889, not 1988."
*People that found the music in 1889:*
This has been up forever and I still come to watch every now and then. Amazing.
See all yall here again in another 12 years
this should be an official version.
You fill me with so much joy right now, 25 years since I've played the game and heard this song it brought a tear to my, much love brother.
Imagining Mario and Bowser in a drunken barroom brawl in a dirty saloon with the pianist playing this in the background.
Thank you Alex Faciane for letting me know about this.
I'm no piano player and not even a huge mario fan but I keep returning to these videos. You're in my prayers Tom!
love u tom
What if that is actually how fast he played it lol
thalo44b
If he practiced it a bit, he probably could... Check the end of this one: th-cam.com/video/_ChNUW4HtP8/w-d-xo.html
or you can wait until the 2:30 mark and watch him play it at that speed
William McCarthy holy fuck nothing pleases you
If you watched the whole video you'd know that he sped it up.
How on freaking earth can he play this?
2:34 Oh crap I'm running out of time!
David Vermillion
Chris Spreitzer That's my name don't wear it out!
wtf...i don't even remember typing that LOLOL
David Vermillion
best comment of the day
probably my favorite pianist of all time, love his playstyle and aptitude for all pieces
So talented. His "Challenge accepted" = level timer running out
I come back to this video every couple months and it still fills me with awe every time i watch it
EDIT: Thanks for 1 like
Same. I also like to check to see how Tom is doing
What a Wizard, what a talent. Watching these videos brings me so much joy.
Tom, Sir, thank you. I wish you all the very best, from the bottom of my heart.
it's hard to believe that a computer programmer, out of all people, hasn't played a single video game in his life XD but still, he's a piano god!
He seems like a chess and/or Dungeons & Dragons type dude to me
My dad is a programmer, and aside from some really old games that came out before I was born, does not play video games. He definitely hasn't played any console games and the only reason he knows who Yoshi is is because I've always been a big Yoshi fan, lol.
@@suburbanindie If he played D&D he's definitely the bard of the group.
Man with fingers like his he SHOULD play video games.
Tom Brier is a perfect example of the results of practice. Naturally, he is an incredibly talented musician, but his devotion to the language of music has allowed him to play this piece to perfection. Excellent.
i find it hard to believe THIS GUY has never heard the song before...
As a musician... I meet in person musicians whit the "first sigth sheet habilities"... its an amazing but real skill.
Progarges of course it is, but not here.
MrGrizmint Yes, it is. I have plenty of other videos of Tom sight-reading ragtime music. (And a few of others as well.) He's been focusing on sight-reading since the mid-1970s, so he's quite good at it. He has a vast collection of obscure ragtime sheet music (was even interviewed on a TV show about collectors), and regularly takes a few out to play in his sets. He doesn't memorize many tunes, because he doesn't have to.
Keeper1st i still dont believe that someone that huge of a nerd has never heard the song before. i believe you that he can sight read better than most people... but not here.
MrGrizmint You say it because he made variations?... that's simple. When a musician plays a lot of a same style, some things "sound" to him in some way, iven if he read it in the sheet in another (directors and composers always piss of of this, but its instinctively). I saw another videos of this guy and of course he plays first some parts of the sheet first and later plays the whole tune. Maybe he "read" the chord entirely, no note by note when finally play the song. But the amazing fact is he do this in minutes whitout the need to study the sheet, and this is what musician calls "first sigth skill".
This sentient beard is the best piano player I’ve ever seen.
My ears are in love! Sooooo pleased I got to hear a beautifully slowed version as well as a flipping stonking uptempo rendition! Magnificent
0:48 You can tell this is a sight-read right here, because anyone who's heard this will know the tempo is a little off here. Still, it sounds beautiful, what a marvelous play through. I wish Tom the best!
Edit: I forgot to mention that when he went to double time it sounded perfect.
Legend has it, his left pinky is able to lift an entire piano
God I hope he gets better. this man was a gift to humanity
When he plays it fast, oh my god my anxiety. Any mario level with this music is so stressful.
this guy is like the definition of "what if we used 100% of the brain"
No, that's just being skilled. Using 100% of your Brain would mentally make you a god.
@@RXDSARI your right.
Toms more on the 200 scale.
@Satan except me during a test
We all literally use 100% of our brains all the time, every day.🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤡🤡💩💩👎👎
@@guntherbgunnerson8989 ^*you’re, not your
^*Tom’s, not toms
Try using at least 10% of your brain.🤦♂️🤡🙄
Only those who can play piano are really able to understand and appreciate the difficulty of sight-reading a piece of music at this level of conformability.
Neck beard level...infinite.
***** Can confirm. Am Challenger in League, moderate 4chan board /a/ and several popular subreddits and haven't shaved for a very long time.
cool
The neck beard is where the skill is stored
It's an extension to the part of his brain that is responsible for hand coordination.
Oh, shit! He starts riffing at 1:40! Man is feeling it!
He knew the song before he looked at the paper, it played from his heart and soul. Love transcends time and allows musicians to play like this, the sheet music is there just to show what direction to go in.
if you use the youtube 1.5 speed thing, it goes into the in game tempo
Oh my gosh...this is amazing.
And it's come true
I hope Tom’s doing ok.
This guy is simply incredible. So much fun to watch these videos, I've probably watched this one over 20 times now. Please, please get better Tom the world needs guys like you!
I wonder how much people enjoy this tune when they haven't enjoyed Mario as opposed to those that do enjoy Mario.
Amones-Ray I have played this game, and I still enjoyed the song at the slower tempo. It actually sounds really good at that speed.
It looks like the hair on the top of his head grew on the bottom of his head. That being said, this is amazing!
You should be very proud of the work that you have put in to becoming this person. I could listen to this on repeat for the rest of my life because the little fills you put in are adding another level. You're very smart and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you.
ALSO!! What is not an obvious applaud but whoever transcribed that music is a mind-blowing musical person
Right about the 1:40 mark you can see Tom had read most the piece and starts to really understand and love it, embellishing a bit. Get well Tom and come to TH-cam!