The Role of the Performer: The Piano Guys

 

The Piano Guys 

The Piano Guys are an American musical group consisting of pianist Jon Schmidt, cellist Steven Sharp Nelson, videographer Paul Anderson, and music producer Al van der Beek. They gained popularity through their YouTube channel, where they create innovative and often visually stunning piano and cello performances of popular songs, classical music, and original compositions. The Piano Guys are known for their unique blend of classical and contemporary music and their creative and visually impressive music videos.

The Piano Guys began performing together and creating music videos around 2010. Pianist Jon Schmidt and cellist Steven Sharp Nelson initially started collaborating on YouTube, creating unique renditions of popular songs, classical pieces, and original compositions. Their early collaborations gained attention on YouTube, where they began to build a substantial following. One of their first breakthrough videos was a rendition of Michael Meets Mozart, a mashup of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" and Mozart's "Symphony No. 40." The success of this video encouraged them to continue creating unique and creative content. As their popularity grew, they expanded their group to include videographer Paul Anderson and music producer Al van der Beek. Together, they officially formed The Piano Guys. The addition of Anderson and van der Beek contributed to the production quality of their videos and the development of their distinct style.

I first discovered The Piano Guys through a Pandora station. I first listened to their version of “The Cello Song” an adaptation of the Prelude from Johann Sebastian Bach's Suite No. 1 for Unaccompanied Cello, also known as the "Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007." The original composition by Bach is a well-known and frequently performed work in the classical music repertoire.

The Piano Guys often take classical pieces and give them a contemporary twist, combining them with other songs or adapting them in creative ways. In the case of "The Cello Song," they added some original material and seven more cello parts stacked on top of each other. 

 The Cello Song - (Bach is back with 7 more cellos) - The Piano Guys

Steven Sharp Nelson, the cellist, often incorporates percussive effects on the cello, tapping and plucking the strings in addition to traditional bowing. This adds a percussive and rhythmic dimension to the performance. We can see a perfect demonstration of this in the video above. Another popular aspect of The Piano Guys is their visually pleasing and creative approach to creating music videos. We see Nelson performing The Cello Song alongside seven other versions of himself, adding personal touches to enhance the original composition, which creates the layered sound we hear while listening to the song. 

The next piece I heard and loved was their instrumental version of Christina Perri’s “ A Thousand Years.”  I had already liked the original version of the song, but when I heard this instrumental version, I instantly fell in love with it.

Christina Perri - A Thousand Years (Piano/Cello Cover)

In "A Thousand Years," Jon Schmidt plays the piano, and Steven Sharp Nelson plays the cello. This minimalist instrumentation allows them to create a rich and intimate sound. The cello takes on the vocal melody originally sung by Christina Perri. Steven Sharp Nelson's expressive cello playing adds a poignant and heartfelt quality to the piece, bringing out the emotional depth of the song. Jon Schmidt's piano accompaniment provides a supportive and harmonically rich foundation for the cello melody. The piano part contributes to the overall emotional atmosphere of the piece. The Piano Guys are known for their dynamic performances. In "A Thousand Years," they use a wide range of dynamics, from soft and delicate passages to powerful and dramatic sections.

The Piano Guys play an essential role in bringing people a different experience when listening to some of their favorite songs. Oftentimes, when we hear a song we like, we can get caught up in the catchy lyrics and not really appreciate the instrumentation that makes up the song as a whole. The Piano Guys can bring a unique and enjoyable experience to their audiences by taking away the lyrics and enhancing the instrumentation. Another reason I find The Piano Guys so likable is that while they recreate other works, they add personal touches. Their take on combining classical and contemporary styles is what makes their adaptations one of a kind.

Regarding their role in composing music, it's important to note that The Piano Guys are primarily interpreters and arrangers. While they create original compositions, a significant part of their work involves reinterpreting existing pieces, whether classical or contemporary, in their unique style. This reinterpretation is a form of creative expression and contributes to the evolution of musical traditions. By bridging the gap between classical and popular music, The Piano Guys have broadened the appeal of instrumental music. Their arrangements attract listeners from various musical backgrounds, making classical and crossover music more accessible to a diverse audience. 

Sources:

“The Piano Guys.” Wikipedia, 16 Dec. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Piano_Guys.

“About TPG – the Piano Guys.” Thepianoguys.com, thepianoguys.com/pages/about-tpg.

“The Piano Guys Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More.” AllMusic, www.allmusic.com/artist/the-piano-guys-mn0002895189. Accessed 16 Nov. 2023.