Freddie's piano playing vs Brian's

For me, (Im only a mere bginner on piano) Freddie
and Brian, both show their own personalities in
their playing. Brians is softer, and easy going, with a lot of depth, and Freddies was bright, dramatic when necessary, and very, very precise as
to timing.

My favourite part on a rarities cd, is Freddie with nothing else behind him, messing about on piano, in which he tries an intro (I cant remember for the life of me which song it is) and he gets it wrong 7 times, he then almost accomplishes it, then stops, and says its a wreck!

I love that piece, because it just sounds as though he is in your front room, and at that point I feel honoured!

I think Freddie, as he did with everything else
put everything into his piano playing, and right wrong or indifferent, (and he would have been the first to say he was not a fantastic pianist) he had a unique style, and an equally distinctive sound.
Brian, always looks to me slightly at odds with the piano, although I love No one but you, and I love to hear him play, I dont think hes as confident with it as with his guitar, and although Freddie wasnt confident with a guitar, I think both instruments brought out both mens personalities, because Freddies attitude to the guitar seemed to be to hell with it, whereas Brian
always seems to respect the piano.

My favourite part on a rarities cd, is Freddie with nothing else behind him, messing about on piano, in which he tries an intro (I cant remember for the life of me which song it is) and he gets it wrong 7 times, he then almost accomplishes it, then stops, and says its a wreck!



I just love that bit. :)

I know, I know, Mr, Drowse! If its my fave bit then why the hell cant I remember what its from!

Its just today I have a mental bung! It could be
love me like theres no tomorrow, infact I think it is, oh sod it ile play it tonight and let you know Monday!

It's 'There Must Be More To Life Than Is'.

Shows what a genius Fred was on piano. He needs 7 attempts to play a slow run of F#, A, C, D, E, F#, A, E...

I prefer Brian's playing over Freddie's, same goes with singing. Freddie plays it, Brian brings it

When Freddie played piano did he use chords and arpeggios?

The King Of Rhye wrote:

but it seems to me that Freddie's style is a more flowing, where as Brian's is more.....mechanical or deliberate, I'd say......not to say that he's bad or anythng , just different.....anybody have any thoughts on this?

though always great, piano is not bri's cup of tea, as he seems to imply by telling about his frustrating piano lessons, opposed to the pleasure he got from playing his father's ukulele

Brian's piano style is anything but mechanical

It's very difficult to say and to compare... Freddie's playing is Freddie - a passion. Brian's is Brian - a feeling. Brian's is not just mechanical playing - he's delighting in playing harmonies (as Freddie) but in his playing there is less refinement and piquancy.

Elton John is only good when he plays his own stuff. Much as I hate Billy Joel's music, he's a far better piano player. I saw them do a duet once on TV, and Billy Joel was able to adapt to Elton John's style, but Elton John could only play one way - his way.
Take from that what you will, it doesn't mean he's bad - but I certainly think he's a less interesting player if he can't change a little.

Brian May is able to adopt a slight Freddie style on the piano I think. It worked in No One But You.

One interesting question is: "What defines a great musician?" How many notes per minute he plays?

In my opinion a great musician can express an emotion that grab hold of you. Look at the "London Symphony orchestra" for example. They're all the very best musicians, playing ANYTHING from sheet music. But, compare the feeling of every single note performed on "Bohemian Rhapsody" and you will find that Queen out-perform LSO all through...

So in a way, to compare just isn't fair. Some of the songs played by Brian maby just didn't work (feeling-wise) with Freddie (or the other way around).

Damn, just reading about half the posts on the first page of thios thread makes me notice how this borad has been run down by the newer folks (like myself) who just showed up within the past couple of months. Now I'm starting to feel bad, that was such an informative, interesting thread. We should try to maintain that level for this board.

who played the piano intro in "all dead all dead"?
Does anyone know?

Brian did. As well as the rest of the song.