Completed and on site (http://www.ninsheetmusic.org/browse/series/DonkeyKong)
MP3 - http://www.mediafire.com/?j3qk9dhwh361hnd
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hiy7fqHEeo4
Hey guys!
I was wondering if anyone here has been working on this song, or would be interested in arranging it for piano. It's fantastic, and would translate very well to ragtime piano, especially if some artistic license were taken in the bass where necessary. (for the famous ragtime boom-ta-boom-ta bass run) If anyone's interested, let me know! I'd love to do it myself, but I just don't have the time, or frankly, the skill. Hopefully someone here does!
Thanks. :)
I strongly second this. I was just thinking to myself today how epic this could be on piano.
Well, in the afternoon I look at it.
EDIT: wait, which one you want? Rocket Barrel 1, 2 or world 8 version? They're all different
Quote from: Bloop on February 11, 2011, 03:27:08 AMWell, in the afternoon I look at it.
EDIT: wait, which one you want? Rocket Barrel 1, 2 or world 8 version? They're all different
considering he linked rocket barrel 1, I would assume he wants rocket barrel 1 arranged.
Quote from: Shadoninja on February 11, 2011, 08:25:35 AMconsidering he linked rocket barrel 1, I would assume he wants rocket barrel 1 arranged.
yeah, but it can that he didn't knew those other versions
Quote from: Bloop on February 11, 2011, 09:34:12 AMyeah, but it can that he didn't knew those other versions
irrelevant, what he links is what he wants arranged.
Quote from: Shadoninja on February 11, 2011, 11:38:48 AMirrelevant, what he links is what he wants arranged.
okay! :P
...I like the world 8 version more xD
EDIT wow it's in 5/4th time xD
Yes, I was referring to #1, though if you wanted to arrange the other two afterwards, you'd be more than welcome to. :)
Also, this will be a very difficult song to arrange to its potential, so any feedback anyone has on the rough drafts before they're completed, feel free to share. I'll be willing to help with this too, but unfortunately, I can mostly just suggestion articulations etc, as I do not have any version of Finale besides Reader, so please don't feel as if I am being demanding or anything of the sort.
Listen to some other ragtime pieces, played by Tom Brier or similar. (I saw that Keeper1st from YouTube posted here a while back. I don't know if he still visits, but I'm sure he would also have some great insight on improvements to be made) Understanding the style this would best transfer into would probably be key to making it work. Piano transcriptions tend to sound much worse than piano arrangements.
Thanks for your interest!
Yeah, it's a hard song :p
If I get the first note maybe I can go any further... :P
I think it doesn't sound like a rag. More like something jazzy from post-ragtime era.
The song itself doesn't sound too much like ragtime, but I envision it sounding best on piano if treated as such. Does that make sense? It has the syncopated rhythms, and at :11 on the video, you can definitely imagine the jumping chords that ragtime is famous for. That's what I'm talking about.
Now that seems to be a good idea. This theme itself has a bit monotonous bass structure. Indeed, putting those ragtime rhytms is interesting, but it requires making them from a scratch. Then the melody should be built up instead of leaving this simple one note melody because otherwise it would be kind of imbalanced. That would make this theme some sort of remix. But hey, ragtime is fun and I'm backing your idea. ;D
That's exactly what I meant when I said there's a difference between "arrangements" and "transcriptions." A transcription just copies down the notes, no matter how simple they may be, while an arrangement adds and removes parts to make the song better transfer onto a new instrument, band, et al.
I'm looking forward to seeing how this turns out! :)
http://www.mediafire.com/?f080j9fuqlfxqu9
Hey guys. I whipped up a quick little sample of some stuff I've figured out. The timing is off (especially in the bass!) and some of the bass notes may be wrong, but it could help get some of you guys started. I'm fairly confident the song is in B minor... and it looks like it switches between 3/4 and 4/4. Also, later on, there IS a key change.
Quote from: Dekudude on February 25, 2011, 09:43:29 AMhttp://www.mediafire.com/?f080j9fuqlfxqu9
Hey guys. I whipped up a quick little sample of some stuff I've figured out. The timing is off (especially in the bass!) and some of the bass notes may be wrong, but it could help get some of you guys started. I'm fairly confident the song is in B minor... and it looks like it switches between 3/4 and 4/4. Also, later on, there IS a key change.
I'm fairly confident that you're mistaken about the key. I believe it's Bb minor and then changes to what appears to be C minor.
I'm also confident that bloop's statement of it being in 5/4 is correct. from what I've written down of it so far, it's in 5/4 for the first 8 measures and then switches to 4/4 for the next 8 and then repeats those two phrases.
here's what I hear (http://www.mediafire.com/?dr7z7upmtncdspw) though somehow the left hand eighth notes should be straight instead of swung.
Quote from: Shadoninja on February 25, 2011, 10:13:25 AMI'm fairly confident that you're mistaken about the key. I believe it's Bb minor and then changes to what appears to be C minor.
I'm also confident that bloop's statement of it being in 5/4 is correct. from what I've written down of it so far, it's in 5/4 for the first 8 measures and then switches to 4/4 for the next 8 and then repeats those two phrases.
here's what I hear (http://www.mediafire.com/?dr7z7upmtncdspw) though somehow the left hand eighth notes should be straight instead of swung.
You were error, but now it's fixed.
what?
Quote from: Jub3r7 on February 25, 2011, 12:52:17 PMYou were error, but now it's fixed.
Reference to error corrections by you in hurt and heal.
Quote from: Jub3r7 on February 25, 2011, 12:52:17 PMYou were error, but now it's fixed.
Reference to the fact that I fixed your post in the quote.
QuoteGive yourself more sleep
Reference to the fact that you stay on the computer until you fall asleep and always look tired on tinychat.
And also I'm tired and I want more sleep too.
:|
What you have so far sounds really good. I never though about the bass going that way, but it seems to fit somehow. Bb is possible, but my key was based on what WIDI says.
Some parts of your arrangement sound a little questionable, but that could just be because we haven't embellished on the melody yet. Either way, your version is definitely better than mine, except perhaps for the key signature. (I hope I'm right about the key: 5 flats is evil)
Anyone else here have any ideas?
For the 6th edit now, I have the first 2 pages with articulations, and other things. http://www.mediafire.com/?wxek886ntizlotu (http://www.mediafire.com/?wxek886ntizlotu)
This looks good. :) I'm thinking it would sound a lot better, though, with chords (in melody and bassline), and less staccato. Anyone here agree? Again, this song would be a lot better if, rather than trying to use just the original notes, we embellished on it, so it sounds just as good on piano as in a band.
Quote from: Dekudude on February 26, 2011, 07:42:51 AMThis looks good. :) I'm thinking it would sound a lot better, though, with chords (in melody and bassline), and less staccato. Anyone here agree? Again, this song would be a lot better if, rather than trying to use just the original notes, we embellished on it, so it sounds just as good on piano as in a band.
Another option like that is that we making one who sounds like the real one for the site, and another one for an embellished one.
When it repeats, maybe a few chords can be implemented for embellishments but it should still be playable.
Bloop: I'm not saying we should REMIX it or anything. I'm just saying we should add in notes so it sounds more like the original, even if those notes don't actually exist. For example, with the brass sections, the music sounds like it has a lot of chords and parts, even though--technically--there's just a B, or similar. I'm saying we should add in other notes to capture the full effect.
Quote from: Dekudude on February 27, 2011, 12:59:47 PMBloop: I'm not saying we should REMIX it or anything. I'm just saying we should add in notes so it sounds more like the original, even if those notes don't actually exist. For example, with the brass sections, the music sounds like it has a lot of chords and parts, even though--technically--there's just a B, or similar. I'm saying we should add in other notes to capture the full effect.
Ok. :P
EDIT: Is this (http://www.mediafire.com/?akvco6fop0id43x) TO embellished?
Quote from: Bloop on February 27, 2011, 11:13:28 PMOk. :P
EDIT: Is this (http://www.mediafire.com/?akvco6fop0id43x) TO embellished?
it sounds a bit too excessive
Sounds good, but the bass still sounds a little weak in the 4/4 part in comparison to the original. Maybe that's a good place for those ragtime oom-pah chords?
the first measure of the 4/4 should be half notes instead of quarter notes and tbh I don't think this piece as it is currently works with ragtime. also, in the bass of the last measure of the 4/4 should be E natural not D flat
That sounds really good, Bloop, but I agree that we need some oom-pah on it. Not so much that the song isn't the same, but enough so that the strong drive is still there. Consider the "pah" to be the snare in the original song.
EDIT - Also, I definitely DON'T think it's too excessive. If anything, it's not enough. The song is hardcore, so it needs a lot to feel full. You might want to make some of the chords 3-note instead of 2-note, and work on the bass stuff, but you've definitely got the right idea. You guys are all doing great!
Quote from: Shadoninja on February 28, 2011, 12:36:36 PMthe first measure of the 4/4 should be half notes instead of quarter notes and tbh I don't think this piece as it is currently works with ragtime. also, in the bass of the last measure of the 4/4 should be E natural not D flat
...That sounds kinda weird if playing from measure 13, but good if playing from measure 9. Funny.
QuoteThat sounds really good, Bloop, but I agree that we need some oom-pah on it. Not so much that the song isn't the same, but enough so that the strong drive is still there. Consider the "pah" to be the snare in the original song.
EDIT - Also, I definitely DON'T think it's too excessive. If anything, it's not enough. The song is hardcore, so it needs a lot to feel full. You might want to make some of the chords 3-note instead of 2-note, and work on the bass stuff, but you've definitely got the right idea. You guys are all doing great!
Like this (http://www.mediafire.com/?pdtgiyz3opb8576), or am I doing to much here?
Hmm. That's more along the lines of what I'm looking for, but it could still probably use some fine tuning. Notice how some parts, with this version, sound really good, and close to the original, while others sound a little different. For example, take 11-14. Though the chords appear to be right, it sounds a little off regardless. In those places, power chords might be the better way to go. A couple other places sound a little strange, but as we ARE throwing around notes that aren't in the original, it's all up to everyone's personal preference. Play around with it, and see if you can get it a little closer.
Also, I'm not saying it's just 11-14, or that those four are particularly problematic. They just sound a little strange to me. I may or may not be wrong. Are you still working in whatever jazz scale this is in when putting in chords?
Lastly, try putting in the oom-pah in the bass. Let's see what that does.
This is sounding really good! Keep it up!
Wait, dang. I had added MANY number 4-articulations (don't know the names of all those things) but I didn't saved it.
EDIT: Here!: http://www.mediafire.com/?3s9d8qr86ulhxdr (http://www.mediafire.com/?3s9d8qr86ulhxdr)
It's called a staccato. :) Sadly, even with that, I think the same problem's still there. It sounds great, but it doesn't sound RIGHT. Try changing some of the chords into power chords. (1sts and 5ths only) Sorry I can't make some of these changes myself, but I don't have Notepad. :(
A wild correction troll appears!
*Correction troll uses Correct!
*bam*
"That articulation is called simply "accent and staccato", essentially both normal and staccato accents combined together!"
...it's not very effective.
*Dekudude uses Slap!
...it's super effective!
*Correction troll fainted!
Quote from: WiiMan96 on March 01, 2011, 09:12:34 PMA wild correction troll appears!
*Correction troll uses Correct!
*bam*
"That articulation is called simply "accent and staccato", essentially both normal and staccato accents combined together!"
...it's not very effective.
*Dekudude uses Slap!
...it's super effective!
*Correction troll fainted!
Is there an Slap-articulation to? would be handy, it's super effective
Quote from: Dekudude on March 01, 2011, 04:08:41 PMIt's called a staccato. :) Sadly, even with that, I think the same problem's still there. It sounds great, but it doesn't sound RIGHT. Try changing some of the chords into power chords. (1sts and 5ths only) Sorry I can't make some of these changes myself, but I don't have Notepad. :(
What do you mean with 1sts and 5ths? 1sts and 5ths from a measure?
No, i think a power chord is for example
D Major: Just use D and A(not F sharp)
Yup. Since the third is removed from the chord, it's really not possible to tell if the chord is major or minor thus adding some neat ambiguity to the song. To make them, just do as FallenPianist said and make a major or minor chord from the note and take out the note in the middle.
Wow, this is a really tough arrangement, as I see! :o
Anyways, it´s looking pretty well! :)
Don´t give up! This song is EPIC!! :D
here: http://www.mediafire.com/?qgkmccn9l49ompm (http://www.mediafire.com/?qgkmccn9l49ompm)
So is it now epic and right enough to make the repeat, and going further in the song?
Well, you don't just need two note chords. In the D example, you can have A D A, D A D, etc. You don't just need it how you had it before. And also, I'm not saying it's necessary to have it this way everywhere. Just play with it. If something sounds wrong, try throwing in a "power chord," which is what I always heard them called.
I liked the three note one better. It just needs some tweaking.
But we don't want an arrangement that is too difficult to play...
Quote from: Jub3r7 on March 02, 2011, 03:42:57 PMBut we don't want an arrangement that is too difficult to play...
Players can always remove notes if they're difficult, they won't think to add them. Obviously it should still be physically possible though in terms of hand span etc.
Take Deku's Puzzle Plank Galaxy (http://ninsheetm.us/sheets/SuperMario/SuperMarioGalaxy2/PuzzlePlankGalaxy.pdf), for example. At first look, apart from the speed and grace notes it looks fairly simple to play. Repetitive baseline, simple rhythms in both hands, nothing polyphonic, no chords flung about in the melody line. When you try and play it, however, the main melody is a lot more awkward fingering-wise to pull off, and the grace notes are no exception. So I removed the grace notes and slowed it down. If Deku had written for the speed to be lower for "difficulty reasons" and the grace notes removed or simplified, it would have taken away from the piece and I wouldn't have bothered to add it anyway even if I was capable of playing it.
...fairly pointless ramble, but y'know. It's fun. :P
http://www.mediafire.com/?q4rdbuonkz9wsvv (http://www.mediafire.com/?q4rdbuonkz9wsvv)
Ok, earlier I was working on the solo after this, but I can't get the first note. :S
Bb - Db - C - A(natural) - Bb - Gb - F - Ab
To start you off
Quote from: DekuTrombonist on March 03, 2011, 02:59:24 AMBb - Db - C - A(natural) - Bb - Gb - F - Ab
To start you off
thanks!
3 days later...
D'oh, I can't figure out the rest of the bass.
Looks like bouillon sits in the url... http://www.mediafire.com/?obiu14lllon6lb2 (http://www.mediafire.com/?obiu14lllon6lb2)
http://www.mediafire.com/?i9p8y25vnbogt7c (http://www.mediafire.com/?i9p8y25vnbogt7c)
I added a couple of notes here and there earlier on as well.
...woot
This is sounding awesome, guys! I'm so proud of you all. :-*
Sorry for the long wait, and no sorry because I see I'm the only one with this now XD
http://www.mediafire.com/?s9rs3v3u4h1ukdr (http://www.mediafire.com/?s9rs3v3u4h1ukdr)
Are you sure you uploaded it correctly? I can't seem to download it. Is that just MediaFire being weird, or is it something on your part?
I successfully downloaded this awesome arrangement.
Quote from: Dekudude on March 21, 2011, 04:41:01 PMAre you sure you uploaded it correctly? I can't seem to download it. Is that just MediaFire being weird, or is it something on your part?
Hm, weird. I think it was mediafire
Yeah, I got it working.
This is looking good! :) I'm not too sure about measures 57-59 (anyone else want to look at those?) but the song is looking great.
Keep it up! This will be an awesome arrangement. You will definitely be famous for it. ;)
Quote from: Dekudude on March 22, 2011, 09:26:09 PMYeah, I got it working.
This is looking good! :) I'm not too sure about measures 57-59 (anyone else want to look at those?) but the song is looking great.
Keep it up! This will be an awesome arrangement. You will definitely be famous for it. ;)
I to, but sometimes I have luck and find the right notes in 5 times looking XD
Anyone else want to look at what he has so far and make corrections? I can't pinpoint what's wrong, but the last section doesn't feel right to me.
Quote from: Dekudude on April 02, 2011, 08:59:46 PMAnyone else want to look at what he has so far and make corrections? I can't pinpoint what's wrong, but the last section doesn't feel right to me.
Sorry again. (http://www.mediafire.com/?u4h0qjx1cy44bk4)
I'm not sure about bar 64 and 74
Edit: Don't want to re-upload; remove the key change in bar 78 and move the four notes before that bar 1 note up
Man, this is turning out fantastic. You're doing a wonderful job, and it looks like you're just about done!
Here are my comments thus far. Of course, you're the arranger, so you're in charge, they're just personal advice.
1-10 are PERFECT!
11-14 are really close, but there's still something not quite right about them. Try removing some of the middle notes, and see what happens.
15-26 are PERFECT!
27-30 are the same as 11-14... need a little changing.
31-52 have all the right notes, so woot. :) However, as this is a piano arrangement, I feel as if the varying bass lengths (to dot, or not to dot?) as well as some of the staccato feels a little off in regards to the melody. I understand that's how the original goes, but I'm not sure it works on the piano. Try removing the staccato and rests, and see how it sounds. Piano songs often sound better with less staccato in the bass/harmony. Not always, but a lot of the time, especially when the melody/bassline don't fit together in terms of rhythm.
53-57 are PERFECT!
58-60 are questionable. They're probably okay, but we should probably get some 3rd party opinion there. They sound good, but strange. Then, the song is kind of strange. :P
61-75 don't quite feel right. You have the chords right, but I think the transition from string/brass to piano didn't work very well here. If you listen to the original, you'll notice that though there IS that higher-pitched string stuff, it isn't really what you predominantly hear. At least, not me. There's something more middle-tone in there. I'm not sure how to best fix that though. Maybe get rid of the top notes, and fit in the middle-tones? OR try lowering the entire thing an octave, and see how it sounds. I'm not sure how to best fix it. You definitely have it right, though. It just needs some stylistic changes.
76-85 are PERFECT!
This really does sound great. The main problems are just how you transferred stuff to the piano, not the notes you found. (except for 11-14, and 27-30, which have some wrong note in the middle somewhere) Keep it up, and ask for some other criticism. You're doing a great job, and you're a great arranger. Keep it up! This is ridiculously awesome.
Also, another idea I have that is optional, but would make the arrangement even better, is to consider the fact that this is a jazz piece. Jazz musicians pride themselves in being able to improvise within chords. However, with complex songs such as this, that can be quite difficult, so you consider adding the chord names above the bars. (eg Bbm7) That's entirely up to you, but would be a neat embellishment.
Keep it up! You're doing great.
I was waiting this time if someone else would post something. Meh.
[MUS] (http://www.mediafire.com/?tc1115wwihynav6)
I didn't really came out of a few points. Don't know which one those where.
And it's kinda begin looking like a virtuoso arrangement XD
Hm. I think it sounds a little better with them down an octave, but I still think that part could be worked on a little bit. Not quite sure how, though. This really is awesome, though. You are doing fantastic. You should be proud of this one. :)
At which part?
Measures 61, 63, 65, et alii. They're tricky, haha. Maybe you could try using less notes in the chords there?
I think (http://www.mediafire.com/?rmbvr5v299pdm2o) we must begin at the last notes of this song. Anyone ideas?
That sounds a lot better, good job!
I'd love to contribute, and help with these last notes, but I don't have Finale. If it helps, it sounds like a lot of the notes/chords are taken from the parts that you just fixed. (like, the measures immediately after the measures you changed, and so on)
Drawing, Finale notepad, don't matter. AS LONG I GET NOTES XD
I'm kind of a noobie so excuse me for this, but on measure 9 (and all the others like it), the fourth right hand chord sounds a bit off. I think instead of B flat, D flat, and G, it could be changed to B flat, E flat, and G flat. Just a thought.
Quote from: spitllama on May 05, 2011, 03:59:34 PMI'm kind of a noobie so excuse me for this, but on measure 9 (and all the others like it), the fourth right hand chord sounds a bit off. I think instead of B flat, D flat, and G, it could be changed to B flat, E flat, and G flat. Just a thought.
I like it more with Bb, Db and Gb (look at the key signature, B's, E's, A's, D's and
G's are flats.)
Quote from: Bloop on April 22, 2011, 10:57:41 PMI think (http://www.mediafire.com/?rmbvr5v299pdm2o) we must begin at the last notes of this song. Anyone ideas?
at bar 38 the left hand plays a C major chord, not a C augmented in first inversion.
bar 43, there's clashing Fs in both hands.
Quote from: spitllama on May 05, 2011, 03:59:34 PMI'm kind of a noobie so excuse me for this, but on measure 9 (and all the others like it), the fourth right hand chord sounds a bit off. I think instead of B flat, D flat, and G, it could be changed to B flat, E flat, and G flat. Just a thought.
the Bb Db and Gb are correct
QuoteI like it more with Bb, Db and Gb (look at the key signature, B's, E's, A's, D's and G's are flats.)
Ah. My bad. Missed the G flat. Well then it is very good :P
In bar 21-24 there are playing D's and E's in both hands. It's just so.
Sorry for the bump, but... Was this arrangement ever finished? I listened to this song this morning and said: "Hey! Wasn´t on NSM Forums a request with this song?" So I checked, but I couldn´t find the finished version anywhere! :o
No, but I didn't forget it. I had just a few little changes to it, but I didn't took the time to find the notes of the last part.
Oh! OK, then. :D
Glad to see this wasn´t abandoned, this is a great song!
...However, it looks a bit abandoned actually. I tried a few times finding out the notes, but I can't. I REALLY CAN'T BOOHOOHOO :'(. I made some other changes as well, so yep.
[MUS] with changes. (http://www.mediafire.com/?k889qruxu19uwpz)
Quote from: Bloop on July 22, 2011, 02:07:34 AMI tried a few times finding out the notes, but I can't
Which ones? I'll take a look at it
Wait... I found the notes (it was the ending) but I'm not sure about them all. I made a little bit, but I'm not sure if all notes are right. And it still has to be changed :P.
[MUS] (http://www.mediafire.com/?rn8bbl9rbp8994y)
Because I'm on another computer, I don't have the original MUS (and Finale 2010). This MUS contains pinga's a tempo of 120 and no swing.
EDIT:
[MUS] (http://www.mediafire.com/?9civ79cdo400yay)
The complete MUS.
I have a complete arrangement here that needs feedback!
Hey Bloop!
This looks awesome! You did an excellent job on this, and should totally be proud of how it turned out. Sorry I couldn't have helped more. Either way, this turned out really good!
I have two suggestions, both of which are up to you, but I feel would make this arrangement even better than it already is:
1. Maybe add some chords to the end of the song, just to liven it up? It feels a little bland, but that might just be me.
2. Chord markings. This is a complex song, and considering it's jazz, a performer would like to improvise within it. However, that is difficult in such a strange key, especially without chord markings. It's up to you, but I feel that some chord notation would compliment this song nicely.
Thanks for doing such an excellent job fulfilling my song request! :)
EDIT - Also, it looks like you're missing a composer, haha.
...Which composer do I miss?
I believe he's referring to the actual composer of the real song. You have the arrangers. The actual composer is Kenji Yamamoto.
Oh, yeah, I didn't bother up searching who it was :P
I agree with half of what Dekudude was saying. The chord markings are unnecessary but I think that at about 77, it loses the great feel you gave it in the previous parts of the arrangement. Maybe a fuller right hand to be consistent with what was done in the previous 76 measures? Of course, it's not like you're getting paid to do this Bloop :P, so definitely no worries, and fantastic job. I'm excited to play this.
Awesome!!!
Love it, but it's a bit too hard for me...
Oh, well, with a lot of practice maybe...
Update:
[MUS] (http://www.mediafire.com/?7az75b3veq1rtbi)
Looks awesome. :) I can't wait to learn this! Thanks so much!
Fantastic!
21-24 and 33-44,5: shall I add some extra notes like in 56-59?
60 and 68: ...something strange happens here.
87 and 91: some notes I added sounded a bit off key...
This are things I'm not sure to change/don't know to change.
Well, since no one has replied, I guess I'll offer my 2 cents.
1) I think it sounds great how it is. That's a pretty mellow part of the actual tune.
2) Strange? You mean with how it plays back on Finale? Otherwise I see no issues.
3) I really think you're just hearing something similar to what happened in measures 60 and 68. Playing it on the piano doesn't make it sound out of key at all. If it's only the last two left-hand quarter notes, it's Finale.
I am not much help but *kooloo-limpah!* There you go.
...Ok. I make a MUS and a MIDI and a PDF for this and add it to the site :D.