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Important Stuff => Help Guides => Topic started by: Static on March 21, 2021, 05:40:29 PM

Title: General piano accompaniment tricks and tips
Post by: Static on March 21, 2021, 05:40:29 PM
I'm creating this thread to summarize our presentations from Saturday evening. I'll start:

For orchestral reductions, I generally think about these three ideas:

Chord balance

Adjust accompaniment patterns when necessary

Timbral variety

Going off of the timbre idea, percussion can be emulated on piano in various ways too:

Linked here (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MfACOwoSSKuJ7QP3dUWzo-4rHtIMprHu/view?usp=sharing) is a copy of my presentation, which goes into more detail and highlights specific examples from NinSheetMusic arrangers.
Title: Re: General piano accompaniment tricks and tips
Post by: Latios212 on March 23, 2021, 07:10:09 PM
My part covers some fine examples of good accompaniment patterns that demonstrate some points I wanted to mention.

Slides (https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1yE3ml-j1HmM3D-q00BuIIxhbtAmy7Gm0V93udDYJEz4/edit?usp=sharing)

There's not much in the slides, so I'll be converting the info to post form and updating this message accordingly.

It depends on the track

Ultimately, the kind of accompaniment you want to write will end up differing based on the track itself. Write in what you feel is a good representation of the original. That said, here are some things you can think about...

#1 - Craft a similar texture

Sometimes trying to write in something exactly resembling the original piece doesn't work super well, due to accompaniment being driven by percussion or consisting of multiple distant parts. In such cases, crafting a left hand part that captures the rhythm, the chord, and the general contour of the original can get the point across without matching voices exactly.

"Great Canyon" from Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue/Red Rescue Team by Bespinben
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/401094846107877377/824106106488881202/unknown.png

[Original] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GuYenWfB_4)
[Sheet] (https://www.ninsheetmusic.org/download/pdf/1341)
[Cover by Latios212] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0Im_tCveR4)
[close]

Note how the bottom staff is relatively easy to play, matches the important bass notes and emphasizes the same rhythms through the way it moves up and down.

#2 - Vary it up

Many pieces have a wide range of textures and dynamics, so don't feel constrained to writing an accompaniment that is consistent the whole way through. Think about how you can use a variety of techniques to build up and release tension.

"Battle III" from Octopath Traveler by Static
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/401094846107877377/825500607073746954/unknown.png

[Original] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW5V4lZwBSA)
[Sheet] (https://www.ninsheetmusic.org/download/pdf/4252)
[Sheet music video] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceNaw2KGV8s)
[close]

This excerpt is a great example of using patterns from single notes, to alternating bass and offbeat dyads, to octaves and broader up-and-down patterns to carry the arrangement from the piece's tamest section to its climax.

#3 - Pedal can take single notes, octaves, and power chords a long way

With a grand orchestral accompaniment, there may be a temptation to write something grandiose and difficult. But all things considered, some very simple accompaniment patterns can end up sounding full and rich with the use of pedal. Single bass notes, octaves, and power chords can help fill in the texture even when they exist to underscore the root of the chord.

"Fire Emblem Theme" from Super Smash Bros. Brawl by Latios212
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/401094846107877377/825501312393281541/unknown.png

[Original] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVlE8u6Hhp8)
[Sheet] (https://www.ninsheetmusic.org/download/pdf/800)
[Cover by daj] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp7_Q8_VJWM)
[close]

See how in this piece, the powerful low bass notes coupled with the chords in the right hand make the arrangement sound full without any motion in the left hand aside from chord changes.

#4 - Maintaining drive

Some pieces maintain an extremely high level of energy throughout which may seem difficult to maintain by using one hand on the piano. When necessary, don't hesitate to keep the motion going - but it doesn't have to be all chords all the time. Single notes or arpeggios interspersed with powerful chord strikes to emphasize the rhythm can do this very well.

"You Will Know Our Names" from Xenoblade Chronicles by Maelstrom
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/401094846107877377/826281822697553930/unknown.png

[Original] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7yNyhLOIa4)
[Sheet] (https://www.ninsheetmusic.org/download/pdf/2551)
[Sheet music video] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCiUOQXwE4M)
[close]

In this example, the "chorus" of one of the most powerful battle themes out there, the left hand part consists of single notes and some chords, with hardly any rapid up and down motion. Though it may be fast, such an accompaniment is not very difficult to play and provides a great backing to the melody.

#5 - Just what's in the original

Many of the examples above are of rather busy or intimidating pieces. Sometimes, though, the original track will lay out exactly what you need without the need for any additional embellishments. When considering how to write an accompaniment part, don't discount what's in the original verbatim if it's workable for piano.

"Goron City (Day)" from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild by Olimar12345
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/401094846107877377/826284679391871006/unknown.png

[Original] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J7dNNPxU4w)
[Sheet] (https://www.ninsheetmusic.org/download/pdf/3535)
[Cover by daj] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-pYGCU53cw)
[close]

Here, the low left hand part stands on its own - and with the right hand melody so low, the two voices work together to paint a good picture of the original.

#6 - Left hand isn't everything

It's important to keep in mind what the right hand is doing. While the left hand accompaniment sets the foundation of the arrangement, it's not something to be written entirely independently of what the right hand is doing. There's a trade-off of how much harmony and detail to include in the left hand vs. the right.

"Egg Planet" from Super Mario Galaxy by Sebastian
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/401094846107877377/826286291767001098/unknown.png

[Original] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy8Sn6DHIi0)
[Sheet] (https://www.ninsheetmusic.org/download/pdf/772)
[close]

In this arrangement, the left hand just rhythmically plays C in the bass for the majority of the A section, which would sound pretty bland on its own especially compared to the lush orchestral Galaxy sound. But given that the right hand contains all the harmonies and plays them along with the melody, the two parts come together to form a complete-sounding piano piece.

See what other arrangers and performers are doing!

These are just some random pointers and pieces of info that can help you experiment on your own. But as I've implied with these examples, possibly the best way to learn is to go out there, see what other arrangers are doing, and incorporate different ideas into your experimentation when arranging. Look at sheets on site and other sheets arrangers have in submissions, and try them out on the piano. See what kinds of accompaniment patterns you like or don't like the sound of, and what parts you think are easy or hard to play. Remember to take your time to figure out what works best, and to have fun! :)
Title: Re: General piano accompaniment tricks and tips
Post by: Olimar12345 on April 27, 2021, 06:44:36 PM
Accompanying a Melody

Giving the left hand something meaningful and appropriate to do when arranging for piano

We who arrange video game music have a great ability to inspire young musicians to take up a lifelong love of music. Since newer generations are more exposed to video games and their music, they are our most popular demographic. That being said, it is imperative that we carefully craft our arrangements; these could be (and often are) some of the first piano pieces that new pianist find. How we arrange a musical accompaniment for a familiar melody is something that we must do with great care and intention.

The word "Accompaniment" is often defined as:

The key words here are "Supports", "Partners", "Supplementary", "Complements". Good accompaniments do all of these things; they support the melody, they complement the melody, etc.

However, an accompaniment is not more important than the melody. We need to aid the melody without being overly complex. With these ideas in mind, here are some good things to consider prior to beginning your arrangement:

Getting Started

When arranging for the piano try to keep the melody separated from the accompaniment (physically). Assigning one hand to the melody and one to the accompaniment can help keep things easy to organize, read, and most importantly: play. Remember that the melody is paramount, and that preserving it in an easily recognizable way is of the utmost importance. However, feel free to take certain creative liberties in your accompaniment in order to make a piece more approachable. To come are three tips that can help in creating simple yet meaningful accompaniment patterns.

Tip no. 1: Hand/Wrist Movement

It is a good idea to consider how the wrist will move when playing, especially if repetition is involved. Study the picture below:

(https://i.imgur.com/6pyd53A.png?2)

Moving your wrists in a rotational manner is much easier to do than rapidly raising and lowering them. This vertical motion fatigues our wrists much faster as well, thus should be minimized or used in a manner that provides breaks often. Here are some examples of both styles of motion:

(https://i.imgur.com/cJf9csM.png)

The first two examples are very common to see in piano literature, and that is no accident; these patterns are pleasant to listen to and easy to play with little practice. The third example can be difficult to play for long periods of time, especially at a quick tempo. This style of accompaniment should be avoided for piano writing, if possible.

Tip no. 2: Chord Inversions & Note Choice

In order to create an effective accompaniment, you may need to invert the harmonies in order to simplify them for keyboard use. If you are considering an accompaniment pattern which includes alternation to and from a single-note bass, strive to define the 3rd, 7th, 5th, etc. within this range:

(https://i.imgur.com/fZOKqXt.png)

This range typically keeps things from sounding too low and muddy, while also keeps us anchored below the treble clef's area, (where the melody might be, which we want to distance ourselves from). Think: "E to E".

Tip no. 3: Tempo Influence

As I have already briefly mentioned, faster tempos are their own challenge. Try not to make your accompaniment overly difficult at a fast tempo. If you find yourself arranging a tune with a brisk tempo, try to keep accompaniment figures within an octave. This will help keep things reasonable for the performer.

Example: Route 2 from Pokémon Black/White (mm. 5-8)

Transcription:
(https://i.imgur.com/0iooG9L.png?1)

Piano arrangement:
(https://i.imgur.com/0SNWuCV.png?1)

Note that in the piano arrangement:

Lastly: Try it Out!

Once finished, take your product to a piano and physically put your fingers on the keys. Take it as slowly as you need to, this is not a performance. Let your fingers tell you what will work and what won't. Play only one hand at a time if you need to, and consider what challenges might be present, both from what you play and what you don't play. You do not have to be a concert pianist to do a playtest!

Here is a link to the original slideshow from the presentation. It has audio samples form the example if you would like to listen to them.
[Link] (https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1TyjZYx0xtuHSL-0772liE6NxcDQKX5EWqalhi7DL65Q/edit?usp=sharing)