News:

NinSheetMusic is the LARGEST video game sheet music archive on the entire internet worldwide!

Main Menu

Fernman's Piano Arrangements

Started by Fernman, June 20, 2023, 07:00:38 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

Fernman

Hi All !

I'm Fernman (Pronounced "Fern Man"). I make piano video game music arrangements that are playable for someone who can reach an octave while still being close to the original. What compelled me to start arranging music is I wanted to find approachable music that sounds recognizable and that isn't written so difficult to play. One may not have to play music as written, but if one has to make too many changes to it, one may begin to struggle than actually enjoy playing.
  • I don't aim for precise accuracy in my arrangements, instead I aim for relative accuracy by making the song playable and readable for the average player. So, for example, if a Pokemon song has high speed 16th notes, which may come easy to experts, I will modify it to be a more playable arrangement for a typical player while ensuring it still sounds recognizable.
  • If a song has large intervals I will shorten them while still making it sound part of the song. I can reach an octave so I arrange music to this range when possible.
  • If a song has multiple voices in it, instead of layering them I will have the melody, bass, and accompaniment have their own partnering. This way, when you repeat the song it sounds different each time, and is actually playable and is easier to read than if it were layered
  • In short I try to make music playable and easy to read/play to the extent the song allows it.
  • When applicable I will make a simpler version of the arrangement in addition to the "regular" version.
I am open to any and all constructive feedback to improve my arranging. I want to continue to improve my arranging skills. Although I may not be aiming for precise accuracy, I still want it to be accurate enough and be playable.

I arrange new music periodically.

My Musescore profile will always be most up to date with additions and all songs included within each music set: https://musescore.com/user/45030287

Fernman

#1
All Things Pokemon

Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow Versions

Pokemon Fire Red and Leaf Green

Pokemon Gold, Silver, and Crystal Versions
Complete Set

Pokemon Gold, Silver, and Crystal Version Medley

Introductions
Opening Movie - Gold & Silver Version
Opening Movie - Crystal Version
Title Screen
Main Menu

Johto Cities and Towns
New Bark Town
Cherrygrove City
Violet / Olivine City
Violet / Olivine City EASY
Azalea Town / Blackthorn City
Goldenrod City
Goldenrod City EASY
Ecruteak / Cianwood City
Ecruteak / Cianwood City EASY

People and Radio Themes
Professor Oak
Lucky Number Show
Professor Oak's Radio Show
Eusine
Clair
Pokemon March
Pokemon Lullaby

Johto Routes and Traveling
Bicycle
Surfing
Dark Cave / Ice Path
Hurry Along 2
Route 26
Route 29
Route 30
Route 34
Route 38
Route 42 / Lake of Rage
Victory Road
S.S. Aqua
S.S. Aqua ADVANCED

Johto Places and Buildings
Professor Elm's Laboratory
Pokemon Center
Sprout Tower
Pokemon Gym
Ruins of Alph / Union Cave
Game Corner
National Park
Bug Catching Contest
Ecruteak Dance Theatre
Burned Tower
Tin Tower
Team Rocket Hideout
Dragon's Den
Indigo Plateau
Battle Tower (Outside)
Battle Tower (Inside)
Mt. Silver / Pokemon Lighthouse

Battles
Johto Wild Pokemon Battle
Kanto Wild Pokemon Battle
Wild Pokemon Defeated
Suicune Battle
Trainer Battle
Trainer Victory
Trainer Victory EASY
Rival Trainer Encounter
Rival Battle
Team Rocket Battle
Team Rocket Battle EASY
Johto Gym Leader Battle
Kanto Gym Leader Battle
Gym Leader Defeated
Champion Battle

Kanto Cities and Towns
Pallet Town
Viridian, Pewter, Saffron City
Vermillion City
Lavender Town
Celadon / Fuchsia City
Celadon / Fuchsia City EASY

Kanto Routes
Route 1
Route 2 / Viridian Forest
Route 3
Route 11
Route 11 EASY
Mt. Moon / Pokemon Cave

Ending
Hall of Fame
Credits Theme
Credits Theme EASY
The End

Miscellaneous
Misc Sound Jingles
Mobile Adapter 1
Mobile Adapter 2
[close]

Pokemon Heart Gold & Soul Silver Versions

Pokemon Ruby, Saphire, and Emerald Versions

Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Saphire

Pokemon Snap N64

Pokemon Stadium 1

Pokemon Stadium 2

Pokemon Colosseum and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness

Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum Version
Introduction

People
Dawn's Theme V1
Dawn's Theme V2
Lucas's Theme V1
Lucas's Theme V2
Looker's Theme

Cities and Towns
Twinleaf Town
Sangdem Town (Day)
Sangdem Town (Night)
Jubilife City
Oreburgh City V1
Oreburgh City V2
Floraroma Town
Eterna City
Hearthome City
Solaceon Town/Pastoria City (Day)
Solaceon Town/Pastoria City (Night)
Veilstone City (Day)
Veilstone City (Night)
Canalave City
Snowpoint City
Sunnyshore City (Day)
Sunnyshore City (Night)

Places and Buildings
Pokemon Center (Day)
Pokemon Center (Night)
Pokemon Gym
TV Station
Oreburgh Gate
Oreburgh Mine
Eterna Forest
Lake
Lake Cavern
Valor Lakefront
Amity Square
Spear Pillar
The Underground V1
The Underground V2
Contest Hall
Contest Result Announcement
Pokemon League (Day)
Pokemon League (Night)
Fight Area
Battle Tower
Battle Hall
Battle Castle V1
Battle Castle V2
Battle Castle Ensemble
Battle Castle Flute
Battle Castle Flute Piano V1
Battle Castle Flute Piano V2

Routes and Traveling
Bicycle
Surfing
The Great Marsh
Route 201 (Day)
Route 201 (Night)
Route 203 (Day) V1
Route 203 (Day) V2
Route 203 (Night) V1
Route 203 (Night) V2
Route 205 V1
Route 205 V2
Route 206
Route 209 (Day)
Route 209 (Night)
Route 210 (Day)
Route 210 (Night)
Route 216 (Day)
Route 216 (Night)
Route 225 (Day)
Route 225 (Night)

Battles!
Decisive Battle! (Pokemon League)
Wild Pokemon Battle
Trainer Battle V1
Trainer Battle V2
Trainer battle V3
Battle! Rival
Gym Leader Battle V1
Gym Leader Battle V2
Gym Leader Battle V3
Team Galactic Battle V1
Team Galactic Battle V2
Team Galactic Commander Battle
Battle! Dialga and Palkia
Approaching Champion Cynthia V1
Approaching Champion Cynthia V2
Approaching Champion Cynthia V3
Battle! Champion

Victory
Entering the Hall of Fame
Entering the Hall of Fame (easier)

Other
Global Trading Station
Global Trading Station (Easier)
Mystery Gift
Wi-Fi Plaza
Wi-Fi Plaza Parade
[close]

Pokemon Black and White Version

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon - Red/Blue Rescue Team

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon - Explorers of the Sky

Pokemon Medleys

Fernman

#2
BattleTanx 1

Clockwork Knight 1

Donkey Kong 64

Kirby's Epic Yarn

Luigi's Mansion 1

Mario Kart Double Dash

Nights Into Dreams

Mario Tennis 64

Miscellaneous

Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door

Rayman 1

Rayma Origins

Star Fox 64

Star Fox Adventures

Super Mario 64

Super Mario Sunshine

Wave Race 64

Yoshi's Story

The Legend of Zelda - Ocarina of Time

The Legend of Zelda - Majora's Mask

The Legend of Zelda - The Minish Cap

The Legend of Zelda - The Wind Waker

The Legend of Zelda - Twilight Princess

The Legend of Zelda - Skyward Sword

Zelda II - The Adventure of Link

Fernman

#3
[Intentionally left blank]

Fernman

Asking for feedback on song Stadium from Pokemon Stadium 2
PDF
MUS

Conversation with Latios regarding my question if this song would be considered to be on NSM based on my arrangement style.
Discord Conversation:

Fernman — 12/28/2023 7:03 PM
One of my submissions is being accepted (yay!) and I'm considering what to submit next. I can play this arrangement and would like to submit it, though I excluded some of the harmonics since they are out of reach or at a minimum it makes the song way more difficult than it needs to be. My question is do you think this has a good chance of being accepted for what I'm aiming for? While I appreciate all of the NSM team efforts, I don't want to submit something that will get stalled for almost a year like my first two submissions. https://musescore.com/user/45030287/scores/9997201

Latios — 12/28/2023 7:20 PM
Hey! Apologies I haven't been able to keep up with your previous submissions, that's partially on me for them taking so long. Skimming this with what I've seen, you do a good job of getting the melody, countermelody, and rhythms correct with a focus on playability which is good. However, this sheet leaves something to be desired when it comes to the bass and harmony, e.g. the chords, which is something I noticed with your prior submission. What you have written in the left hand generally fits playability wise and isn't too far off from the original, but often omits the root note of the chord or has it in the wrong inversion, and sometimes leaves out the bass in favor of a countermelody. While this isn't always a bad thing, it leaves the arrangement feeling a bit "unbalanced" or deviates from the original harmonically, which would require some adjusting.

Fernman — 12/28/2023 7:56 PM
That is a lot to unpack...chords should be an easy fix, leaving out the bass I think I understand what you are saying, by excluding the bass section, it can make the song sound "too high and ungrounded" in some sections. I'm not sure what else could be added to the LH and still keep it playable. I rather not add an out of reach voice/layer than what can be currently played.
The suggested "unbalanced-ness" might be the main breaking point. unless there is a solution that could be addressed during the submission process. m24 to the end might be able to accommodate a layer if it is not the harp section.

Latios — 12/28/2023 8:07 PM
I don't mean to say you have to add another layer on top of what you already have, rather to suggest that you listen through again paying specific attention to the bass and include it where possible or invert what you have to match. For example, the bass in measure 4 should be A, measure 6 moves from F# to B, measure 7 should be E, measure 8 should be A, etc. Your rhythms are right but the chords are not quite correct.

Fernman — 12/30/2023 6:02 PM
So I relistened and I hear the bass, which might be the tuba which I was excluding entirely. I also inverted it downward as you suggested and to be quite honest, by inverting it downward it sounds really heavy, and while that may be what the song is, it sounds more cheery if it is up an inversion when played on the piano. Secondly, I really dislike m6 with all those notes in a single chord. I may not have a trained musical ear, but that sounds unpleasant. I would rather exclude that bass section previously suggested. If these are required/strongly recommended maybe this would not be a contender to be submitted to NSM since my preferences don't match the song exactly? Thoughts?


Latios — 12/30/2023 8:17 PM
In some places you have the bass but it's not always right in the image you have above - see my message above for how the bass moves. Before adjusting the voices to sound good and be playable we need the right notes/chords in first. Here's something more along the lines of what I'm envisioning for this piece:
- m. 5 is D and should have D in the bass
- m. 6 starts with F#m so should have F# as the root. The A# is present on the 16th note strikes before the chord changes to Bm7
- m. 7 is a bit odder, the chords in the original include D and A but the bass plays E
- m. 8 is Asus4 > A
Image
What you have generally conforms to the chord structure but deviates in a few places. That paired with some incorrect inversions is what causes it to feel a bit off. Especially with a march-like piece like this it's important to get the chord strikes right in the left hand and here I would recommend mostly using fifths to reinforce the bass note, and perhaps write in some more harmony in the right hand underneath the melody to outline the chords if it's not easy enough to do so in the left hand (e.g. if it sounds too muddy).
I may not have a trained musical ear
I'd highly recommend using a tool like AudioStretch to help you make sure you have the right notes first! https://www.ninsheetmusic.org/forum/index.php?topic=11175.0
Hope that helps 🙂
To be clear, I'm not saying your arranging is bad. But to the question of if it's suitable for the site, I'm pointing out that I feel that the bass and chord structure are musically fundamental aspects of the piece that are not aptly represented in its current form.

Fernman — 12/30/2023 9:12 PM
Thanks for your time and analysis Latios! I need to warm up to the notes an inversion lower. I may submit this one or a simpler one (I think) next. I'll keep a record of your comments.

Latios — 12/30/2023 9:13 PM
You're welcome! I apologize if it comes off as a bit pushy. Feel free to ask if you need more guidance 🙂

Fernman — 1/4/2024 at 7:08 PM
Hi Latios, I've reviewed your feedback and tried to warm up to your suggested arrangement, but I don't like the way it sounds heavy, and odd in that m7 and in general it loses its cheer to compared to its current arrangement.
I ask that you hear me out on my arrangement style. As you've pointed out the song as arranged is missing its base. Generally, when I arrange a song I pick the parts which are most memorable to the feel of the song which in most cases will be the melody and counter melody/accompaniment.
While in m4 you hear the bass as you suggested above, there is also what I hear as an A4 and E4 in the treble staff playing the left hand pattern at the same time. Also at about that same pitch range is the climbing notes in m3. We can call anything playing at this range the counter melody.
I chose to drop the counter melody down an octave to become the bass pattern instead of the "official" bass pattern you pointed out. While I may not be "accurately" representing the "bass and chord structure" I am using chord structure which exists in the song, i just moved it into in a different octave range to avoid any "unbalanced-ness".
This is my arrangement style, I use parts which I think would sound best in the song and arrange it accordingly trying to capture the intended feel of the composition. Based on this I'll respectfully ask again, since it will come up in the submission process anyway, do you think how I have chosen to arrange this song would be considered to be on the NSM site?

Latios — 1/4/2024 at 7:20 PM
I'll defer to the other updaters to weigh in 🙂 but if I could make a request, could you post this in your personal arrangement thread on the forums? Easier to maintain the back and forth on a single topic there especially with the amount of text.
To be clear, I'm not saying that everything that goes on site has to be how I envision it. But we have to make sure that your interpretation is not only correct, but feels representative of the original to other people as well. That's why I'll have others weigh in, given what I've disagreed with above
Appreciate the attention to detail ^^

Bloop

Taking a look at this as well, and I'm inclined to agree with Latios too on the harmonic structure. Measure 5 to 8 would also be one of my breaking points: in the original I hear these chords:
D7 | F#m7 Bm7 | Em7(add11) | Asus4 A
Whereas in your arrangement it has been reduced to:
D7 | A/C# D | D(sus4?) | D A
The most important notes of any standard chord (limiting to triads and 7th chords) are the root and the third. The root is important to identify the chord and is usually played by the bass. If you leave out this root, you literally leave out a fundamental part of a chord. To me, in your arrangement, m5-8 doesn't sound as cheery as the original, but it sounds more stale. Instead of a heroic cadence (iii vi ii V), you go back and forth between I and V a little bit and stay on that I chord for about 2 bars (m6 beat 3 up to m8 beat 1). I'd probably go with something akin to Latios' suggestion too, though for m7 you could also do E-A-D instead (an octave up from what Latios has).

Kricketune54

#6
Speaking a little more generally, There are parts of the bassline that I feel should be included/could be included as another layer  (ex. m9 or m15), and I find page 2 is a bit empty in its accompaniment/LH. Additionally, there are missing harmony notes to the melody such as m27-28 and m30-32 RH.

Also never realized this track was an arrangement of New Bark Town. With that in mind, would like to see Go Ichinose and Junichi Masuda credited, and that Hajime Wakai arranged this. Then you would be listed as "Arranged for Piano by Fernman". If needing help on what this looks like check out any of the Goldeneye sheets not arranged by Evil Squeaky on site

Fernman

#7
Quote from: Bloop on January 05, 2024, 12:53:23 AMTaking a look at this as well, and I'm inclined to agree with Latios too on the harmonic structure. Measure 5 to 8 would also be one of my breaking points: in the original I hear these chords:
D7 | F#m7 Bm7 | Em7(add11) | Asus4 A
Whereas in your arrangement it has been reduced to:
D7 | A/C# D | D(sus4?) | D A
The most important notes of any standard chord (limiting to triads and 7th chords) are the root and the third. The root is important to identify the chord and is usually played by the bass. If you leave out this root, you literally leave out a fundamental part of a chord. To me, in your arrangement, m5-8 doesn't sound as cheery as the original, but it sounds more stale. Instead of a heroic cadence (iii vi ii V), you go back and forth between I and V a little bit and stay on that I chord for about 2 bars (m6 beat 3 up to m8 beat 1). I'd probably go with something akin to Latios' suggestion too, though for m7 you could also do E-A-D instead (an octave up from what Latios has).

I appreciate the technical analysis Bloop, I had to think about it for a bit, but it makes sense.
I think what is getting me is m4. If it could be brought up an inversion then the rest of the measures as you and Latios have suggested, feel cheery. I know there is a chord structure already there in the bass pattern as Latios pointed out, I'd just like to bring down the chord structure that I hear in the treble.
If I could learn more to hear chords like you that would be great.
I updated the files

Updated PDF
MUS

Quote from: Kricketune54 on January 05, 2024, 08:56:06 AMSpeaking a little more generally, There are parts of the bassline that I feel should be included/could be included as another layer  (ex. m9 or m15), and I find page 2 is a bit empty in its accompaniment/LH. Additionally, there are missing harmony notes to the melody such as m27-28 and m30-32 RH.

I appreciate the feedback Krikitune, I don't know if adding that baseline is playable when I'm using all my LH fingers to play what is currently there, what I am noticing may be out of reach.
I don't disagree that it sounds empty on page 2, The Harp is playing and it is going all over the staff so I don't know of a way to include something to make it playable while keeping what I have now.
page 2 RH harmonics are added, as well as composers.

As I have now warmed up to Latios' arrangement suggestion, pending being ok with the m4 inversion change upward and everything preceding. Are there any other breaking points? Latios has a lot more harmonics in his suggestions which I find more challenging to play, at least speaking from my level and hand span. Not to say I'm not open to seeing if I can play it, I just don't want to make it more difficult than it needs to be.
The only place I did a rearrangement was beat 4 of m3 and m20, where instead of it parallelling the RH, I made it sound different and more march-y.