[S] Serenade/Requited (Homestuck) for Piano

Serenade and Requited, both by Clark "Plazmataz" Powell are essentially two perspectives on the same piece and, after hearing where someone had the idea to juxtapose them (link below), I had the idea to freely mix them into an arrangement, sometimes taking from primarily one or the other, sometimes playing both at once. And sometimes, when parts that worked in the originals grew tedious on the timbral monotony of solo piano, I incorporated a couple of other themes (both by Toby "Radiation" Fox) related to the characters.
Tumblr post: dothemusicythin...
Sheet music: drive.google.c...
Audio file as .aif (higher quality): drive.google.c...
Audio file as .mp3 (lower quality, more compatible): drive.google.c...
Original track for Serenade: homestuck.bandc...
And for Requited: homestuck.bandc...
The two juxtaposed: • Serenade + Requited
AlterniaBound album (containing Nepeta's and Karkat's themes): homestuck.bandc...
Thanks for listening!

[@JerichoDeath]

My initial impression when the video started was that it reminded me of certain "Interstellar" tracks composed by Hans Zimmer, and that's certainly something. Something about this arrangement gives goosebumps when listening. Even if you have something else to do, this would command the attention of the listener.

[@dothemusicything8541]

+JerichoDeath Thank you - a lot of that is in the writing of the original pieces; Plazmataz is a good composer.

[@shmood3000]

4:29 And thus the crying began.

[@dothemusicything8541]

+shmood3000 I was rather pleased with how it worked out to put all of those themes together.

[@michalkropkatxt]

i feel horrible for hating Nepeta in my early-Homestuck reading. *my sweet poor Nepeta baby.*

[@mr0luluxp]

how can anyone hate nepeta

[@michalkropkatxt]

at first i thought she was useless in the comic, but then i thought "hey hey hey. she's just 13 and she is being hated because she has a crush on Karkat" and then i changed my mind.

[@TorrenOglethorpe]

also also... consider... heirs inspire their aspect in others. so i think equius, being an heir of void, sort of isolated her in telling her not to play/interact with certain people (ahem vriska and maybe terezi back when they were the scourge sisters). now i know it was for her safety... i love equius to the heavens BUT regardless that's what happened and i feel like it could be a reason you considered her "useless". does that make sense? i can't really tell. this was just an observation i wanted to share

[@michalkropkatxt]

TorrenOglethorpe it kinda does.

[@TorrenOglethorpe]

its like he kept her out of most of the action or plot sorta she was just...there in a way. no one seemed to miss her much either

[@katherine4299]

This is so beautiful!! When Nepeta and Karkat's themes came in it was just amazing. I can't believe how pretty you made Karkat's theme sound!

[@kalistozannis1104]

YOU SICK HUMAN BEING I AM ON A BUS LISTENING TO THIS AND I ALMOST CRIED I HAD TO PAUSE THE VIDEO BECAUSE I ALMOST CRIED DAMNIT

[@neslover64]

Looks like somebody's hands got a tan! beautiful as always!

[@dothemusicything8541]

Terry Millen It was more that my hands had become a bit dry in the winter weather. But thanks!

[@charmikarma9726]

YES GOOD

[@dothemusicything8541]

Charmi the Eevee Thanks! This is the arrangement I had mentioned of a piece that has not been used in the comic yet. I'm glad you like it!

[@allisonlund3943]

i CANT get enough of this OH MY GOD are you even real this is so amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????

[@dothemusicything8541]

Allison Lund I am indeed real. Thanks!

[@blueranyk4198]

Allison Lund Omg Allison! It's Haidyn from piano lessons XD Sorry this is a bit creepy but I saw your comment and had to reply. This music arrangement is amazing - I'm working on learning to play it.

[@dothemusicything8541]

Haidyn Sosalla-Bahr (shamelessPlug)if you're both pianists and know each other, you could also play the SBurban Jungle duo arrangement together(/shamelessPlug)

[@blueranyk4198]

Do The Musicy Thing I've already learned to play Sburban Jungle on the piano, so that would be a neat idea c: Thanks for the suggestion!

[@Xesh]

thank you. thank you for this, it's so wonderful.

[@dwboutits]

woah wut. what're talking about. I'm not crying. my eyes just do a great impression of equius.

[@dothemusicything8541]

Such STRONG eyesight requires sacrifices. Of fluid.

[@olionartstone1505]

gross :/

[@sambradley9091]

What is it with these damned Heart players and their beautiful piano themes smh

[@sujijisu8354]

This is so beautiful 😭 I love the way Nepeta and Karkat's themes were mixed in!

[@dothemusicything8541]

Thanks - I was pleased that worked out. I generally don't make modifications like that, but it was becoming to repetitive on solo piano, and those seemed thematically appropriate.

[@sheavsey]

Turns out the symphony wasn't impossible to play, after all.

[@dothemusicything8541]

sheavsey Heh. Well, the whole symphony would be impossible on solo piano. The Overture of that is my single favorite Homestuck piece, but I haven't yet come up with a way to effectively arrange it for piano (if I ever do figure it out, there will definitely be an arrangement). An ensemble of a few performers (one of whom would need to be a percussionist) could work, but that seems unlikely to be practical, alas.

[@sheavsey]

Do The Musicy Thing Hey, if anyone could figure it out, it'd be the person who figured out Gold Pilot. I swear you must be hiding an extra hand in there somewhere.

[@dothemusicything8541]

sheavsey Well, most of these arrangements sort of need three hands, but can be made to work in two with enough quick jumping around and passing lines between hands. The thing with the Overture is that it needs two or three to play piano, plus another two or three to play percussion. The percussion writing is so good in the Overture that it's not effective to just incorporate it into what my left hand's playing (as I've done in arrangements like Gold Pilot). Perhaps I'll figure out a way some day. Perhaps I'll find a good percussionist who I know in person and is a Homestuck fan. But until then, I'll be arranging other pieces.

[@danysky6581]

Wow... This is amazing! The feels are strong... I'm just going to mention... Your Homestuck piano arrangements tempted me to actually start learning the piano instead of sitting around in awe of people who can actually play

[@dothemusicything8541]

Best of luck learning piano!

[@danysky6581]

Do The Musicy Thing Thanks!

[@threnody4955]

@@danysky6581 did you ever learn?

[@danysky6581]

@@threnody4955 slightly. I've been self taught and I can play a small chunk of this song well. But it did pave the way for me to pick up other songs quickly!

[@threnody4955]

@@danysky6581 nice

[@linty_fresh]

Wow, this is beautiful. Holy crap. You're an excellent pianist. Keep doing what you're doing!

[@dothemusicything8541]

+MinaChristina Thanks! I will keep doing these. The next arrangement will be posted on Cascade Day.

[@tyred_guy3017]

spoiler alert, he didn't

[@isaacpoppe990]

"It's hard, being a kid and growing up. It's hard and nobody understands."

[@avecas]

and then the character themes came in together, and there were many feels and sadness AND ALL SAW THAT IT WAS GOOD

[@LlyonaFang]

the hand coordination you have is insane i was so shook when all those melodies were played on top of each other

[@sujijisu8354]

This is so beautiful 😭 I love the way Nepeta and Karkat's themes were mixed in!

[@Haven.Gallegos]

Can I just say how much I adore you? You're an amazing pianist! I recently began playing the piano (Self taught musician) and it's been about three months since I began. Not doing to bad for three months if i do say so myself, but I do want to get really good, I wish to be as good as you! So, do you have any pointers or tips for a beginning pianist? Any good beginner song you recommend? I would love to know :)

[@dothemusicything8541]

Haven Gallegos Thank you! It's been a long time since I began, so...I don't really remember what was specifically helpful then. I mean, I'd say practice slowly, but I'd say that to everyone... As for music, there are some rather easy Homestuck solo piano pieces - Jit has posted the music for his excellent and simple "Mother" (from One Year Older) here: www.mediafire.com/view/1t7n3onqff4lyp6/Mother+Piano.pdf , his "Unlabeled" here: www.mediafire.com/view/?lb2z6r2ojea5o9f , and his slightly-less-easy "Underfoot": www.mediafire.com/view/?qo10u79479q4y8v . Someone (not me) has transcribed "Stargaze" (from the end of Vol. 9) www.mediafire.com/view/9qi1rbln0s7wr79/Stargaze.pdf . "Showtime" starts out easy, although it becomes a bit more elaborate near the end: www.mediafire.com/view/00rn981pazlxzcn/showtime_full__kregamey.pdf You might want to look through the index on the Homestuck Sheet Music Thread for others - particularly pieces originally for piano that have just been transcribed, as those tend to be easier: mspaforums.com/showthread.php?56858-Homestuck-Sheet-Music-Thread-2-The-Notes-Desperation-Plays . Once you're somewhat more advanced, I recommend the music of John Ireland (that sheet music isn't online, to my knowledge) - he's one of the best piano composers. Month's Mind is not particularly difficult: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHqrhn6bZrCgrpo . To shamelessly self-promote, my own piano piece "Departure" is slow enough as to be rather easy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2i0gZKJpMekhdk (I can send you the sheet music if you'd like)

[@Haven.Gallegos]

Do The Musicy Thing Thank you so much! I will use this music and practice asap :) If you have any other piano solo's for Homestuck, i'd love to see! Oh, I started to slowly work with Unlabeled actually! Although, I played it by ear, and made up the rest of the song up as my own as I went along. Glad I finally have music for it though so now I can actually play the real piece! Again, thanks!

[@dothemusicything8541]

Haven Gallegos You're welcome! I do recommend looking through the Homestuck Sheet Music Thread; there may be some other reasonably easy ones on there (I think there's a piano version of Alternia...and probably several other things I'm forgetting). While I'll continue to post sheet music for anything I arrange, mine will also continue to be not particularly easy, so may not be practical for you for a little while (depending on how quickly you improve). Best of luck!

[@Haven.Gallegos]

Thanks so much! You're a huge help :)

[@vickyoviatt3145]

Your poor hands! Amazing work! Chills and tears.

[@dothemusicything8541]

Thanks for listening!

[@megantan8505]

feels ; ^ ; Overall, amazing work!!

[@dothemusicything8541]

Thanks!

[@hippityhoppitybleblebleb2236]

I'm listening to this while drawing Karezi i feel sooooo guilty rn :(

[@enk335]

Combining Nepeta and Karkat's themes were oh so amazing! You inspire me to play piano myself :))

[@ashtondean3342]

i listen to this every once in awhile ever since it was posted and i become overwhelmed every time like.....holy

[@dothemusicything8541]

+Ashton Dean Thank you for continuing to listen - I appreciate it. Plazmataz did excellent work composing these pieces, so much of the credit goes to him.

[@niccaz8213]

Nepeta theme: 3:10 Karkat's Theme: 3:20

[@dave1049]

Heartbreak Combo x2!

[@dave1049]

HEARTBREAK COMBO X4

[@dothemusicything8541]

Breaking one for every quadrant.

[@KrysPGator]

THREE YEARS and I STILL cannot BELIEVE you had the AUDACITY to throw In!!!1! The character!!!1!!!! Themes!!!!!

[@jilla.811]

i listen to this almost every night. helps lull me to sleep. AMAZING work. :)

[@isaf8223]

is there still a way to obtain the sheet music for this? so beautiful...

[@Kazak29]

Oh now I am sad af

[@cube3648]

this is a beautiful arrangement! :)

[@cupoftea3499]

WHY ARE HIS HANDS RED???

[@cravine6187]

This tells a story in such a beautiful manner.

[@rooney1640]

quick question! how long have you been playing??

[@tunemu9765]

this is so sad. alexa play despacito

[@cosmic9928]

Haha lol *GET OUT*

[@scullduggerouscellaphod2355]

absolutely beautiful

[@Suigint0u]

Very soothing to listen to, you play the piano very beautifully.

[@TheDevster345]

This is fantastic! I really like all of your work and am currently trying to learn Gold Pilot using your sheet music. Just about a week ago, I discovered how much I liked Requited, so I was ecstatic when I found this. You make really cool stuff, and I'd love to see more in the future. Thanks so much!

[@dothemusicything8541]

Shoggoth345 Thanks! And best of luck learning Gold Pilot! There will definitely be more in the future - I'm planning something for 4/13. If things go well, I'll have one in late March too, but that second one's likely to be postponed until after the 4/13 one.

[@roxygaming6372]

as a nepkat fan this makes me crave death in the most positive way possible

[@audrapflug6375]

oh my god how do you piano so beautifully this is so amazing

[@dothemusicything8541]

Audra Pflug Thanks! I practice slowly. And hide irregularities with pedal.

[@yannila7]

i love your videos 😄 they inspire me to play the piano more 😚

[@4rtsyval]

This is so, so beautiful. I'm crying my eyes out.

[@stevencoin5825]

Whoooa so pretty

[@valent__]

You are, my dear, awesome.

[@dothemusicything8541]

Bravo Bikini Thanks! And happy 4/13!

[@Herogames1323]

Wow!! You played this so well! It sounds beautiful and it's very mesmerizing.

[@dothemusicything8541]

Herogames1323 Thanks - It's a credit to Plazmataz for writing such a good piece.

[@fatwatermelonz]

Dude. This... This was just amazing

[@dothemusicything8541]

Pirateguy7 Thank you!

[@falkuistion]

still the best 8 years later

[@ErisolODavis]

This song always makes me feel sad but fine at the same time, your way of playing it made me get the same feeling that the first time i heard it, thanks.

[@dothemusicything8541]

Erisol O. Davis Thank you! It's a credit to Clark Powell for having written such good pieces.

[@snehaagrawal2495]

This is beautiful! I was waiting for this; I'm so glad you chose to play this :)

[@dothemusicything8541]

Sneha Agrawal Thanks - I'd been wanting to do something by Plazmataz, as he's one of my favorite Homestuck musicians.

[@angrynerd1742]

I have goosebumps. marvellous and soulful! :"3

[@dothemusicything8541]

Thanks! Plazmataz composed good pieces.

[@monkeyofdoom8907]

How the shit

[@Gabrielle-wz2oq]

Beautiful. Simply beautiful.

[@dothemusicything8541]

Gabby Dunn Thanks - and thanks for listening to and commenting on a few arrangements!

[@Gabrielle-wz2oq]

Oh, of course! It's my pleasure, honestly. I should be thanking YOU for arranging such beautiful music based on the tracks in the Homestuck albums. I look forward to seeing more of the like! ^u^

[@bobsyouruncle6900]

Beautiful