Tom Brier -- Blue Lampshade (for fun)

After a house concert in September 2010, Tom was requested to play his 2003 composition "Blue Lampshade".
I thought the request was for "Blue Sahara" but I kept recording anyway because the second half of Blue Lampshade is played so differently every time.
In fact, when Tom created a sheet music score for this, the second two strains were written out as 30 pages of variations along with a suggestion to ignore them all and "just wing it."
As this was now an afterglow and not a concert setting, Tom had a bit more fun with this performance.

[@PhiIipJFry]

Well, I gotta say, I loved it. Especially the part where he played the piano.

[@jossdeiboss]

Ahahahahah you win!

[@Random__teen__lol]

Lol

[@ThatManSpam]

Har Har lol

[@notpsicoh2107]

That was my favorite part too

[@OmniversalInsect]

This guy invented Gen Z humour.

[@jezzmaninjapan]

I've gotten to a point where any jolly ragtime tune makes me think of Tom Brier. Warm wishes to everyone!

[@jollylawyer9999]

Indeed

[@mrarab5125]

This is genuinely one of my favorite piano pieces to listen to and I could not express how much I wish for Tom to get better, not just to play again because that’s selfish to ask. I just hope that with all of the happiness he has given me with his playing, he gets more happiness in his life. I fuckin love Tom.

[@the_doug_digital]

When I first heard the news, him playing piano again was all I could think about. I was young, and naive. Now I'm far more appreciative of the joy Tom has granted to us through his playing, and I feel like separate from his amazing talent, he should simply be able to enjoy life like the rest of us again. I can certainly agree with your sentiment

[@saxinet12]

maybe it's just me, but he always looks like he is having fun regardless what song he plays. Being a pianist myself, i know I always have fun when playing piano ^.^

[@ThatManSpam]

I'm sure that he perks up whenever he is asked to play a song =)

[@bencarter8324]

"just wing it" I don't think Tom realized how good he was at winging it!

[@benjones2414]

The amount of precision and endurance this man has is Herculean

[@Persun_McPersonson]

Had... But yes, he's probably a demigod in some way!

[@Redflowers9]

He deserved that hug.

[@mrarab5125]

Jack Laurence I’m so high right now and I’m literally fucking crying to this comment is reality really a concept

[@sirpizza2044]

@@mrarab5125 bruh

[@ThatManSpam]

He deserved more.

[@ieatshortpeople6825]

@@mrarab5125 Jesus 6 years later

[@chrisparkinson5160]

Still coming back at least twice a week for this...

[@destro13cobra68]

This man is incredible and I am very happy I found this channel. Thank you for all you do and I wish you all the best in your recovery. Cheers

[@ernestmendez5487]

I will always come back to appreciate, and pay tribute to, the immortal rag time god Tom Brier. And, although, I play many genres of music on four different instruments, as well as sing, Tom has greatly inspired me to learn ragtime on keyboard. So far, I've learned "Some of These Days" and "Temptation Rag." And now I'm going to learn "Pineapple Rag," and hopefully, "Balderdash;" one of my favorite pieces, thanks to Tom. As long as I can breathe, I will sing Tom's praises. As long as I can remember, I will not forget him. To the escalating annals of time, long live Tom Brier!

[@jordan4748]

You cant put this in words, its not possible.

[@ThatManSpam]

Not at all.

[@theechickengamerz]

This. Period.

[@ThatManSpam]

@@theechickengamerz yes big funni

[@ieatshortpeople6825]

It can’t be put into words But it can be put into notes

[@Jeremy.Bearemy]

"Man plays piano rapidly with great skill. "

[@srenhaandbk7904]

After a long, tiring school day of classmates throwing bags of condements at you at lunch, and brothers blowing your ears out, i find this super relaxing and it always cheers me up (,:

[@dauntlesschicken9756]

I feel the same too. Are you from Sweden?

[@srenhaandbk7904]

@@dauntlesschicken9756 No, but close. Denmark :) Actually Sweeden doesn't use Æ, Ø, and Å if that was what you were recognising xD

[@dauntlesschicken9756]

@@srenhaandbk7904 That's interesting! I'm very far away, in the philippines. I also play ragtime like Tom does in this video, but I'm nowhere close to his level of skill 😃

[@srenhaandbk7904]

@@dauntlesschicken9756 Oh yeah, that's great! All the Filipino people I've met are so nice and friendly :) I too do a little rag now and then, but likewise, I'm no proffesional in the slightest.

[@jordan4748]

4:45 min is a gorgeous part !!!

[@DaveF]

I'm a 2:35 guy myself

[@PreservationEnthusiast]

This guy is a genius!

[@Harmonyww]

This is the fifth time I've visited this video with the intention of favouriting it. Every other time I've started listening to Tom's playing and completely forgotten to. This time I've remained on task though!

[@heigablo319]

His technique is excellent. He's a genius.

[@Keeper1st]

@BachScholar He has scored it, but as it includes 30+ pages of variations (he's never been able to decide how the second half of the piece goes; he plays it differently every time too), it's unlikely to be released in a folio (his next folio will be a companion to his "Blue Sahara" album). I know he doesn't sell individual sheets anymore, but I'll ask him by what means people might get this one.

[@xxbpxpeanutxxx162]

I smile through all of these. God given talent. I hope If I don’t get to hear him live in this lifetime I will in the next. Pray for a quick healing and a happy life tom. God bless

[@danielkelly5151]

He still can't mov3

[@fnersch3367]

Tom the Phenom. The consummate genius. I am continuously blown away by his performances.

[@vincentmaltais507]

I started learning this masterpiece a couple of months ago and I still can't believe how difficult it is to play. I'm sort of able to play the first section though.

[@nicktripod8124]

That's awesome, keep going! The only reason I learned the Maple Leaf, Quality, and Pineapple Rags is because of Tom Brier and it was so worth it. These pieces are so satisfying and fun to play. Good luck!

[@gabrielk4465]

yeah same here, started learning it about 2 weeks ago and im still baffled, tom is just a musical genius. plain and simple.

[@politicalscience983]

@@gabrielk4465 Wait till you get to the C section :D I cannot get around the left hand.

[@kermit8619]

@@nicktripod8124 Good taste in music Nick !

[@isenfirecat]

Where can you find the sheet music?

[@markwotherspoon3379]

Watching this for the 500th time. Love this song to death

[@srenhaandbk7904]

im just hearing this at school, to concentrate. it is incredible what tom used to do with pianos.

[@djayrainstorm7834]

of all the playthroughs i've seen with tom brier playing this, this has got to be one of my favorite variations he's done for it

[@tucker6072]

I discovered Tom through his sight readings of video game music, but I stay because of his ragtime compositions and performances

[@Satoriga]

Tom is amazing! I hear so much when i listen to him.

[@user-or2lu5sh8d]

This recording is very precious, love it very very much

[@Squarerig]

After such performances by the estimable Mr.Brier it is a wonder that the pianos are still in one piece!Superb music.

[@jine7123]

I can't believe he is not in therapy anymore... WHY ON EARTH IS HE IN A NURSING HOME???? What is wrong? Why has his family not continuously kept his care going?? I'm baffled. I'm irritated.

[@silentbook4468]

I feel you. It's hard to say what his family's thought process is since we can only view it from the outside but from what I have heard it doesn't seem like he is getting the optimal amount of therapy in fact he doesn't get any speech therapy at all at this moment and it doesn't seem like his family cares about it, but again I can only speculate since I am not a family member of Tom, but I agree is so baffling and infuriating that he is being kept from something as crucial as this!

[@arieyorsson3191]

They're making him rely on them, I guarantee you

[@LukeLaczynski]

@@arieyorsson3191 That's appalling to hear

[@arieyorsson3191]

@@LukeLaczynski Yeah, especially with the bad grammar I had when I wrote that. The family isn't even letting him go to a physical therapist, he may never play piano again because of them

[@venceremosallende422]

Ari Eyþörsson This is unbelieveable

[@dertechl6628]

5:55 The painting begins to clap too!

[@ashleyisachild]

lmao!!! 😂 spooky but also same

[@jollylawyer9999]

Holyyyy that looks creepy🤣

[@YannickStreibert]

😁😁

[@turolretar]

what

[@InsidetheCasino]

I’ve only ever seen a player piano roll play like that. Amazing talent!

[@zuzannawisniewska4464]

This, my friends, is talent.....and thousands and thousands of hours of hard work and dedication..

[@bencarter8324]

I think it's safe to say Tom had well over 10,000 hours of piano practice.

[@TerryClarkAccordioncrazy]

I just keep coming back again and again to listen to this work of genius, never get tired of it.

[@PiotrBarcz]

Love this piece! Has some major and minor which makes always is a great combination!

[@PiotrBarcz]

I love the piano he's playing. That sounds great with this piece.

[@gilsthyname256]

Hearing Tom play is one of the most blissful things I could have ever been show. For the new year I do want to learn piano (mainly rag) to try and play like Tom did, I may not reach his level anytime soon I know that but hearing the keys of the piano and the thought that a song like this can be played on it makes me want to believe in myself to strive for something so beautiful and fun. He makes me want to live and I hope one day I to can play to express that emotion 🙏

[@hymansahak181]

I’m amazed that the piano didn’t catch fire. Tom is a national treasurer.

[@aleksandrmikhalitsyn7940]

Fantastic!

[@Keeper1st]

There was another recording posted around the same time of him playing it more seriously "in concert". This one was after a concert by request, so he's playing around with it a bit more.

[@Malukete53]

Very good Tom!!!

[@heathenwolf1]

Thank you tom for many years of great musicianship.

[@Mangoner]

How can i get Blue Lampshade score? Please.. I love this music

[@jorthouben]

goner Mang Have a look on musescore.com, there are a few Brier scores on there, including Blue Lampshade.

[@Christian762]

Great stuff

[@Chaosmod_PvP]

I love this piano

[@NeOnNecr]

This is one of the few pieces that I can't learn in 5 months. Very cool music. Tom Brier is the best!!!

[@fruitygranulizer540]

theres something about his peices that are so much more fucking lively than anything else ive heard on the piano. everything is so loud and bright but he manages to keep it so dynamic.

[@squeakysneakers6685]

Is there any footage of an alternate version of the 2nd half? This is so dope. Cant believe I missed this one after all these years.

[@Keeper1st]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJSVaXiOgdqkr7c and kzbin.info/www/bejne/qp-qh2t5rMyobK8 and kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXvConpjo7Otmc0 and kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXKclZZjg7Vsl9E and kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqrRdmd4qdh4ftU and kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmrRfmV8jKx1d68 and kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYK4n6t5ZruYm8k (if a piano roll counts) to name a few. No footage but there's the version from his Constellations album also: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJWtk3Zpea59btE

[@sablatnic8030]

@@Keeper1st Thanks! :-D

[@chak1o1star]

xD Woo I love Tom. He's all over the place with this song 8D

[@elipkau]

It’s just great!!! Wowwwww what a form to play the piano! What rhythm, what swing, ohhh it’s amazing ! Thanks for sharing

[@ewn7288]

When he stands up he's so humble that he does not claim any ovations and he don't know what to do with his body, that was cute

[@Keeper1st]

Tom always was a bit flabbergasted by his own popularity.

[@ewn7288]

@@Keeper1st always a little sad to have to conjugate verbs in the past when we talk about Tom... wishing any impovement in his situation by the way🤞

[@ReturnOfTheStienway]

THAT WAS THE COOLEST BEGINNING AND ENDING I EVER HEARD!!! FAVORITE PART WAS RIGHT AFTER 5:00

[@prairiesunflower]

This one is my favorite

[@drjmansplace5174]

Classic ragtime. Great work, Mr. Brier

[@Brego15]

awesome tom

[@MrThetaphi]

The ragtime piano world loves Tom Brier!

[@WeegeeFan1Studios]

Imagine if Tom Brier had been capable of playing piano when Rush E came out and he tried it That would be interstellar.

[@tommareda4635]

His left hand is overpowered

[@user-or2lu5sh8d]

Monster

[@JoanBonet]

¡Bravo! Awesome!

[@metanogaming412]

it's a very nice peace

[@omnisel]

I'm not typically a fan of rag but this piece is brilliant

[@barakhalla5338]

And fun it was..

[@PiotrBarcz]

This piece has a neat feel as he is using the typical ragtime trick of having minor and major in a mix.

[@BachScholar]

I like this piece a lot. Can I get the music somewhere?

[@gustavobraga582]

Hi Cory, I would love to see you playing more Tom Brier. How about tackling this one or Over the Top? I had a blast with recent Red Roadster Rag (I was learning it when you released it!), and would love to listen to more Brier originals through your hands. Cheers from Brazil!

[@gustavobraga582]

Seth Pennell has just uploaded a great transcription on MuseScore: musescore.com/user/31257733/scores/6232403 I was thrilled by the quality of the transcription. Enjoy!

[@bevkimrey5779]

AMAZING!!!!

[@PiotrBarcz]

I don't which I like more: Tom or the piano. Both are amazing regardless!

[@PiotrBarcz]

I just saw the Mason & Hamlin decal on the piano. That would explain why it aged to such a beautiful sound.

[@scottyiscaye2863]

am i the only one to hear a voice at 4:31 on Bb and C?

[@JunkyPixelGram]

Will sheet music for this variation ever be released or sold? I want to learn this song so bad :( .

[@Keeper1st]

Well, the sheet music for this piece has 12 variations of the third strain written out... along with an instruction to play like none of them but rather to use them as inspiration for your own variation.

[@JunkyPixelGram]

Will ANY of the 12 variations be released?

[@Keeper1st]

It's in his latest music folio, which contains the sheet music for every piece on his album "Constellations".

[@JunkyPixelGram]

[e-mail] When you try to email this e-mail all that comes up is an error. Is there another way to contact other than actuall mailing

[@Keeper1st]

Yeah, he doesn't use Comcast anymore. Send me a private message. (Or you can find Tom on Facebook if you have an account there.)

[@Keeper1st]

@goSuOtarU Hm... I dunno. One would think Tom's composition "Blue Sahara" would be more likely to remind you of that.

[@lukaszmuda4475]

is it any options to see scores? in version like you play in video Tom? :)

[@Keeper1st]

@@lukaszmuda4475 Tom's score for the piece is not the way he ever played it (it even has an instruction to make up the final section, giving only examples of how one might do it), but this particular performance was transcribed: musescore.com/user/19465036/scores/6370334

[@lukaszmuda4475]

@@Keeper1st yeah, l see , thanks Tom

[@Keeper1st]

@@lukaszmuda4475 I'm not Tom, obviously.

[@lukaszmuda4475]

@@Keeper1st whatever, thanks!

[@HalValla01]

Did he really write 30 pages? That's hilarious

[@Keeper1st]

It's actually 31 pages! The last strain is written out five different ways -- all at once, i.e. there are five systems per page, with each system being one of the five variations, so you can switch between any system's variation at any time, though he recommends you just make up your own -- the chord sequence of the final strain is provided. For those interested in following along, that final half's chord sequence is: D-flat, A-flat 7, D-flat, D-flat 7, G-flat, B-double-flat 7, D-flat, B-flat 7, E-flat 7, A-flat 7, D-flat, A-flat 7, D-flat, A-flat 7, D-flat, D-flat 7, G-flat, B-double-flat 7, D-flat, B-flat 7, E-flat 7, A-flat 7, D-flat, A-flat 7, D-flat, B-flat minor, C 7, F 7, B-flat 7, E-flat 7, A-flat 7, D-flat, B-flat minor, C 7, F 7, B-flat minor, C 7, F 7, B-flat 7, E-flat 7, A-flat 7, D-flat, B-double-flat 7, A-flat 7, D-flat, A-flat 7, D-flat, D-flat 7, G-flat, B-double-flat 7, D-flat, B-flat 7, E-flat 7, A-flat 7, D-flat, B-double-flat 7, A-flat 7, D-flat, A-flat 7, D-flat, D-flat 7, G-flat, B-double-flat 7, D-flat, B-flat 7, E-flat 7, A-flat 7, D-flat.

[@HalValla01]

@@Keeper1st Any idea on where I can get the sheet music for his pieces? I don't mind throwing a few dollars his way for it. How's Tom doing, btw?

[@Keeper1st]

@HalValla01 His family has not made his sheet music available yet.

[@trainwatcher411]

Dose any one know how Tom is doing these days??? please reply,thanks love his playing..

[@Keeper1st]

He is in a nursing facility unable to speak and mostly paralyzed on the right side.

[@CarolineJoyAmico]

So sad. I went looking for some sort of comment that he was doing better. I’m SO SORRY to hear this.

[@stewartclow5974]

I'm so glad to hear Tom is now getting the help he needs after I prayed his situation would change. I hope Tom's parents can see past the mis-understandings from those that also care about him. I'm guessing it is the lawyers that care more about money than Tom's well being - and I hope someone has a good idea what can be done to help highlight any mistakes the lawyers made and what can be done stop this happening to others in future? Thanks Keeper1st for updating us about how Tom is doing (kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4LCm4OCqc6heJo).

[@mangobat827]

8D AWESOME

[@n0rg]

A bit of Liszt there in the beginning.

[@cartoonangel1]

Please give us the link to the sheet music

[@charlytorres1077]

Much better than the mtv crap

[@georgemg55]

Why is this for fun??

[@mcp12300]

He's a musician, he's having fun by embellishing his work; it's great fun if you know what you're doing.

[@angejo5591]

George Mena he performed this in a concert just before this and he did it again just to have some boogey time

[@Deniz-Piano]

Do you know where I can get sheet music for this piece?

[@Keeper1st]

The official sheet music (23 pages long as Tom wrote five versions of the final strain along with an instruction that ideally the pianist would follow none of them) is in his Constellations folio if you can find someone willing to sell it. Otherwise there is a good transcription of this particular performance on MuseScore if you search for it including “for fun”.

[@Deniz-Piano]

@@Keeper1st Ok thanks! 👍

[@Deniz-Piano]

@@Keeper1st If you don’t mind me asking, how is it possible to transcribe?

[@Keeper1st]

@@Deniz-Piano Having a good ear and knowing music structure and so on to be able to write it down properly, like those B-double-flat chords in the last section.

[@Deniz-Piano]

@@Keeper1st Ok thanks!

[@omegasalmonfish]

God fuckin damn

[@davidmelonson8280]

Pretty sure that lady in red came in her pants at 2:04

[@pennagain6207]

The lady in red is a lady indeed, and a damn fine musician in her own right.

[@Ragtimer95]

David Melonson That’s our good friend Bonnie. She’s one of Tom’s biggest fans and supporters. She loves hearing him play.

[@matthewneuls6245]

Lol

[@CoolSanMoolSan2]

WUT DE HEULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

[@goSuOtarU]

Why does this reminds me of Aladdin?

[@MyScorpion42]

It's chord progressions seems similar to "Prince Ali"

[@h35d85bs0]

Rybelsus