Blackbird - Nathan Alef

[@leebeeleaves]

This was amazing!!! As a pianist playing for 8 years, obsessed with the Beatles, I am obsessed with this instrumental version of one of my favorite songs!!!!!

[@NathanAlef]

Thank you, Ellie!

[@TheMadhouseOfficial]

This was utterly delightful. I love this song normally, but I've never heard an instrumental version before. I have to say that I'm hooked.

[@DavidZeitz]

You’re better now than ever before, last I heard you. The technique is exceptional, but the way you’ve mastered the theory and progression of the bass chords supporting the the art of your right hand riffs and melody; we all pause, and simply listen. Well done. Very well done.

[@nlassek1684]

Just beautiful..... like always

[@NathanAlef]

Thank you!

[@christopherdavidhewi]

Another amazing performance, Nathan! You know I love your music! The video work by Merlin was INCREDIBLE, too! This is truly top-notch work bro. Soooo amazing!

[@NathanAlef]

Thanks Christopher!

[@solamente]

That lightbulb tho. 😂 Beautiful job, Nathan.

[@NathanAlef]

Haha thanks

[@christophergu1171]

I love how much emotion and passion you put into your playing 😀

[@johnnovello1315]

Very nice arrangement and playing Nathan!

[@romariomartins5966]

Amazing!! Absolutely fantastic! Great job!

[@NathanAlef]

Thank you!

[@elizabethhomer8035]

So beautiful and moving. It's such a pleasure to listen to an artist who so clearly loves what he's doing. Keep it up!

[@NathanAlef]

Thank you so much, Elizabeth!

[@elizabethhomer8035]

You're welcome! I can't wait to see your next video!

[@nicollemosqueramusica]

I love the emotion you put to your playing, is beautiful.

[@davidrawson1608]

What an amazing arrangement! Thanks for sharing your talents with us.

[@NathanAlef]

Thanks, David! My pleasure :)

[@andrewtiefenbrunn2010]

great performance! I look forward to the next video.

[@NathanAlef]

Thanks, Andrew!

[@ravenlily1223]

Captivating as always -- I love it!!!

[@juliealbright8697]

You're so beautifully and wonderfully talented...

[@RamseyK]

So freakin good Nathan! Always!

[@NathanAlef]

Thanks, Ramsey!

[@ritadecassiasantosjudicema4244]

Muito bom!!!

[@stefomate]

Your arrangements are astoundingly incredible. Do more tutorials.

[@drummerlin]

Delectable arrangement!

[@NathanAlef]

Indubitably.

[@zachsears8997]

I absolutely LOVE your chord progressions!!!!

[@NathanAlef]

Thanks, Zach! I'll talk about the theory behind this arrangement in my next video on Wednesday!

[@zachsears8997]

Nathan Alef can't wait, I'll be sure to watch it!

[@SuperDoctor9]

This is one of my favourite songs and I love what you've done with it, always brilliant watching your videos

[@NathanAlef]

Thank you! I think it's my favorite so far.

[@haliejacob7338]

Absolutely beautiful. You have wonderful talent! Thank you so much for sharing it!

[@NathanAlef]

Thanks, Halie!

[@melanniegregersen6020]

Beautiful!!

[@NathanAlef]

Thanks, Melannie!

[@nickirichards5617]

NATHAN!!!!! THIS WAS SO GOOD!!!!!!! You have no idea how fast I clicked this when I saw it, I swear it was inhuman speeds xD Your jazzy arrangements give me liiiiife tbh :D Really well done (gorgeous set btw!), can't wait for more of your awesome videos :) :)

[@nickirichards5617]

I also love that I never expect where you take your chords and their progression??? But they're always SO good! And you never lose the melody within your interpretation of the song, which is so great :D

[@NathanAlef]

Thanks, Nicki! Melody is first, always. I love reharms but if they distract from the important stuff it's not the right choice. I'm glad you agree :)

[@nickirichards5617]

Exactamundo my friend :D

[@andrewm9207]

Astonishingly gorgeous rendition. Enjoyed it very much. Keep it up!

[@NathanAlef]

Thank you!

[@АнастасияНовицкая-т2е]

Such a great inspiration, such a breathtaking song, such a lovely grand piano!) You're truly amazing

[@NathanAlef]

Thank you! I like this piano :)

[@PheonxD]

I love this version, the cords are very interesting and the way you play piano is quite amazing. Keep it up man! :DD

[@NathanAlef]

Thanks! Check back in for the tutorial next week if you're interested in how this came together!

[@alizeeandre4628]

WOW ! That's so beautiful 🙈❤️ I love it!! Gonna be on replay 😉 haha

[@NathanAlef]

Yay! Thank you :)

[@kalebhendershott3116]

like the music great job

[@catherinelie8950]

It has been a year and waiting to watch you tutorial!

[@NathanAlef]

Ack, yeah thanks for calling me on that. I'll put it on my to-do list! Thanks for the reminder :)

[@XHaroldXI]

Amazing, as always :)

[@NathanAlef]

Thank you!

[@JerryNortonWane]

Best ever instrumental Blackbird. Sing with it Nathan. Vocal version yay!

[@NathanAlef]

Wow, thank you!

[@JerryNortonWane]

You are welcome Nathan. You are cute cute cute.

[@raspoutinrasp2511]

this deserves more views :)

[@amaris3809]

I am so jealous of your grand piano xD great job by the way you play the piano so well!

[@NathanAlef]

I wish it was mine. Borrowing for now :)

[@amaris3809]

Nathan Alef it's great that you reply to so many people!

[@NathanAlef]

I try!

[@manonh]

Once again, I love how expressive you are when you are playing. Your music is beautiful and inspiring. Thank you for sharing such a lovely piano piece with all of us. May I ask what made you think of "Blackbird" ?

[@NathanAlef]

Thank you! It's a song I've played for years now, but this arrangement is only a week old. The first instrumental cover I heard and really enjoyed was Brad Mehldau's version, which I pretty much copied and started playing it live. So it came to me as an option for a new video, but I knew I had to do something different for a public release, and started playing around with new ideas. This arrangement came super quickly out of thin air, it was so great! Sometimes I have to push and fight and struggle to get somewhere, but not with this track.

[@NathanAlef]

Started at 3, now 25. So... 22 years!

[@ravenlily1223]

Hey, I started at 3 too! (But I've only got 14 years of experience under my belt, haha)

[@emilyodell3787]

Nathan Alef - i thought I heard a lot of Mehldau in there :) thanks for sharing, gorgeous touch to the piano!

[@marquiswalker7727]

This dude is colddd

[@RobertSetter]

There is a richness to the grand and half-grand pianos that just cannot be replicated on a keyboard. When do you have the most opportunity to record with those?

[@NathanAlef]

Opportunities come up now and then.. more often with other projects than my own. But since I recently moved to LA I don't know many places like this I can record, this was done in my home town last week while I was there on other business.

[@peterswords5970]

Thanks Nathan. Absolutely love it! Dying to see the tutorial on this one ... and sheets if you care to put them up! ;-)

[@NathanAlef]

Thanks, Peter! I've got a bit of a backlog going right now but I'm trying to find the time to film the tutorial for this. No sheet music for legal reasons, you can read more about why that is on my website FAQ: www.nathanalef.com/faq

[@milopfultz]

Yeah boi

[@magicshowmedia9199]

I too wish I could do all your videos ;-)

[@BrennanH]

Curious if you're a fan of Brad Mehldau's version of this... It's my favorite song ever. Love what you did with this.

[@NathanAlef]

Definitely. Brad's a huge influence and I played a modified version of his arrangement for years. This is a little more my spin on things.

[@ianh1989]

Am I correct that this is an interpretation of the Brad Mehldau's "Art of the Trio" arrangement? I love it!

[@NathanAlef]

Interesting catch... I have played that version for years previous to creating this arrangement. But while there are serious influences there (I admit), there are also only so many ways to do guitar-like arpeggiations on the piano, which may be what you're picking up on. I'd love to know what specifically made that connection for you!

[@NARDO422]

That's the very first thing that came to my mind within the first few seconds of this version as well. As it progressed, though, you could definitely hear this artist's individual interpretation emerge. Beautiful arrangement!

[@sofakinggoodd]

😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@athosathos5866]

wow.you play so amazing...and I would ask you :How do you know the Hollens family?

[@NathanAlef]

Thanks! I grew up with Evynne and have worked with them for the last four years now!

[@trishasuncion3646]

do a cover of versace on the floor please

[@NathanAlef]

Already did! With DMF: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJu5nXigo5WLr6c

[@Человекпи3деж]

Bravo bro. Notes????

[@巩凡-p2i]

where is the score ???

[@SingerTalents]

👍😍🎶💕Great song !♡ _Melinda ~ KZbinsingers_

[@tobiboundtwitch4621]

Hey Nathan ! I came to you after i see the Video from Peter Hollens from his December Song :) You are Awesome and i like it when you start to play on the Piano ^_^ And i have a Request, can you make a Cover of Ludovico Einaudi´s - Giorni Dispari :3 ? Its my Favorit Piano-Song :D

[@NathanAlef]

Thank you! I'll look into it :)

[@magicshowmedia9199]

PS - ...But not for free 😘

[@NathanAlef]

We'll talk