Who? (1925) - Lee Sims - piano roll transcription

[@SevenPlus65]

One of the best songs ever written.. and to see the roll transcribed on paper.... wow. I have this same roll. You're a genius, and in a very gifted way.

[@rowanbelt3612]

You are much too kind. I am definitely not a genius for making this, it is just the product of loving dedication. :) I love this song too. Have you posted it on your channel? It would be awesome to hear it on your piano!

[@Skgwgaietto]

Who could transcribe a song this way? ....no one but you. That's who! Another home run.

[@SevenPlus65]

​@rowanbelt3612 I haven't yet posted it. I have quite a few rolls I'd like to post, this is one of them.

[@rowanbelt3612]

@@Skgwgaietto love the reference to the lyrics haha. If you think what I’m doing is impressive, you should check out the people who can transcribe complex music accurately by ear with no visual reference…they’re miles beyond me.

[@peternewseterforever]

​@@rowanbelt3612 You're not wrong, but this is quite the approach to that level.

[@user-ef2px4xb8d]

This is such a technically difficult piece. It would take a lifetime to be this good. The precision in the left hand jumping such a wide range and the 4 or five finger block chords in the right. Lee sims in one of the greatest pianists along with Willie the lion Smith, fats waller and others. What makes lee sims truly great is his haunting somewhat dreamy melancholy chord progressions and harmonisation in the right hand whilst maintaining a pumping swing stride in the left whilst adding to the harmonisation in the right at the same time. His arpeggios are fast and complex. Lee sims interpretations of the music of the time were always extremely popular, particularly with piano rolls.

[@user-ot4ko3fv1m]

Again I just had to listen to this wonderful song again and again. I am still dancing in my seat, and smiling. This is a very special song. Thanks. (CA)

[@rowanbelt3612]

@@user-ot4ko3fv1m That's awesome, I'm so glad my videos are bringing you gladness :) Right now, I'm posting a lot of player piano videos, but around September, I am planning to post more videos like this one. Thank you so much for your wonderful comment!

[@user-ot4ko3fv1m]

Rowan, thanks again. I will be on the lookout for the videos in September. Keep yourself safe in this crazy world of ours but enjoy your life. Bon (CA)@@rowanbelt3612

[@user-ot4ko3fv1m]

Rowan, I will be on the lookout for the videos in September. Keep yourself safe in this crazy world of ours but have fun and be happy. Bon from (CA)

[@5riverboat]

THIS IS JUST OUTSTANDING! I have collected Sims rolls forever and had not previously heard this sensational version. Thanks so much for posting!!!

[@rowanbelt3612]

I love Sims as well and I think this is one of his very best. Awesome classical elements! Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidseymour6246]

Wow! I’m completely speechless. What a delightful arrangement (and transcription). It’s an instant subscription from me. Thank you so much for doing this and for offering it to the world for free. The 20s/30s were the greatest period of popular music - the harmonies are just so chirpy, musically literate and interesting. I’m thinking it would be just about possible to play it with this sort of drive and precision if I split the hands apart into a duet. Would you be happy to let me have the Dorico/Sibelius or whatever file you used for this to make that easier for me? Obviously you can have the resultant duet to put on musescore if I succeed. Thank you Rowan, this is outstanding.

[@rowanbelt3612]

Thanks so much for your kind words and for subscribing! Absolutely I would be happy to give you the source file for this. If you go to the MuseScore website linked in the video description, there is a download button and you can obtain it in the file format of your choice. I think it will make you create an account though. If you don’t want to do that, just drop me your email and I can send it that way.

[@davidseymour6246]

Thank you for taking the time to reply - I will try that. I love the way you are giving all that work you have done freely to the world - it is exactly how the internet should be in my opinion and I try to live my life that way as well.

[@rowanbelt3612]

@davidseymour6246 Let me know if you need any more help with that. Thank you for what you said. I think that the ragtime/player piano/etc corner of the internet is really one of the best there is because of the positivity and free sharing of music. I'm very happy just to have people like you who enjoy what I'm putting out there. If you want to distribute it yourself, feel free, just make sure to link back to my channel...I like any extra publicity for what I am doing! Thanks again.

[@user-ot4ko3fv1m]

Stopping by again to hear this wonderful song. I was dancing in my computer chair....just bouncing around with a smile on my face. (ca)

[@rowanbelt3612]

That is wonderful to hear :) So glad you enjoy it!

[@user-ot4ko3fv1m]

I enjoyed this song very much. It is a very snappy tune. Thanks. (CA)

[@greggilbert78]

Thank you for doing this! I have this roll and it is one of my favorites.

[@rowanbelt3612]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@daveluttinen2547]

Absolutely loved this. Thank you!

[@rowanbelt3612]

Thanks for your comment :)

[@PiotrBarcz]

Nice job as always! You really take great care to make these sound nice!

[@rowanbelt3612]

Thanks! I really appreciate that! Some things you said encouraged me to start thinking that way. You might also notice something new with the time signature 😉

[@PiotrBarcz]

@@rowanbelt3612 Hahaha, I see you switched to 4/4 :D

[@Eridan-Omc1709]

Really good song !

[@byronfriend3493]

Woahhh this channel is sick 🔥✅, great effort on these transcriptions!!!

[@rowanbelt3612]

Thank you so much for checking out my channel and commenting! I try my best!

[@peternewseterforever]

​​@@rowanbelt3612 Seems you definitely do! So many things to look at: the suddenly and smoothly switching key signatures, the triplets played perfectly, the interesting tempo, the bombing ending! The LYRICS ESPECIALLY!

[@rowanbelt3612]

@@peternewseterforever Awesome to hear. The lyrics especially take some effort because they have to be carefully coordinated with the sound. But knowing that I have viewers like you who enjoy it makes it all worthwhile! I’m going to work on getting live performances of some of these…stay tuned…

[@johnball3487]

I would love to have that music as well as the roll!

[@rowanbelt3612]

Thank you for your comment! There is a link in the video description where you can get the sheet music. It will ask you to create a MuseScore account, but that account is free and not difficult to set up. Cheers!

[@richardwhiteman7429]

Sims was a big influence on Art Tatum.

[@rowanbelt3612]

Indeed! It's unfortunate that he tends to be ignored. I hope I can in some small way contribute to awareness of his work.

[@prettycureforever7102]

So how y’all hit them giant leaps ? This man think he Chopin now damn low E and that G is there another way to play those ?

[@rowanbelt3612]

Lol, I just hit the lower note an eighth earlier, the same as you would do for a broken tenth. I wrote it this way because it's easier to look at, more closely matches the original, and also different pianists with different handspans will choose which intervals they need to break.

[@rowanbelt3612]

I should add, I can barely hit a tenth myself. It does take a lot of practice to break the bigger intervals accurately but it is definitely possible

[@Skgwgaietto]

At almost 2K views in a short time, I think we need to SEE just how those leaps are accomplished..... It CAN do done...... by who? Well no one but you.....

[@ChrisHauser1]

CATCHY

[@elenafiordaliso2072]

❤