IamA professional improvisational pianist who will improvise any song, in any style of music you like and answer any question about music! AMA!

Can you play a ragtime version of The Beatles "Yesterday"?

here you go! :)

https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/yesterday-for-glowsticksuit

Fuckin problems by A$AP Rocky. I don't know how you'll do it, but you should

Enjoy! I hope you don't have a problem with it ;) This is about as much melody as I could get out of it! :p

https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/fuckin-problems-for-jar50972

Do you have perfect pitch? And could you also do eight measures of Scott Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag" in all twelve major keys flowing one after the other?

I do! And here you go, enjoy! :)

https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/maple-leaf-rag-for-icywinner

Play any Led Zeppelin song in any other style you want, I don't care which. I just love Zeppelin and wanna see what you can do with one of their songs.

Enjoy! Sorry for the puppy bark at the end! :)

https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/stairway-to-heaven-for

Can you do a swing version of Edvard Grieg's "In the Hall of the Mountain King"?

Enjoy! Please let me know what you think :)

https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/in-the-hall-of-the-mountain

you're just ridiculously talanted!

you're too kind! :)

Can you do a jazz cover of the pokemon theme song?

I hope you like this! :)

https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/pokemon-theme-for-beach4k

Hi Bernie - we'll need some kind of proof in your description showing that you're you (if you know that I mean) if you wouldn't wind - either a selfie saying hi to reddit or a "hi reddit" video on your youtube channel would be great. Cheers!

proof added :)

Can you do a lounge rendition of Windowlicker, by Aphex Twin please?

Hey! Enjoy this and let me know what you think! :)

https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/windowlicker-for

How did you get into improvisation?

Which musical styles are you particularly fond of?

And any tips for those who want to improvise in music?

I started improvising at the age of 3, before I took piano lessons! Whenever I had trouble learning something, I finished the piece by making it up, which satisfied me to no end!

I look at music as a giant meal where one needs fun desserts, luscious appetizers, and mains. All music is part of my life, but I love classical, rock, way out sounds, and all new surprises!

For tips, never think of a wrong note as a wrong note. There isn't such a thing as one! It's the next note that makes your "wrong" one perfect!

Can you play a ragtime improv of "Master of Puppets" by Metallica?

Enjoy! :D

https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/master-of-puppets-for

Claire de Lune in jazz style? :) this is so cool thanks for doing this

Enjoy! :D

https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/claire-de-lune-for-p4ty

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Here's a regular version now! :) Ragtime coming soon! Let me know what you think! :)

https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/santeria-for-rolypolyman

Aspiring improv pianist here. Thought I'd ask a few too many questions.

1. What key do you most often play in? Whenever I'm playing a medly, i.e., of Christmas songs, I like to keep it all in something very simple like C.

2. Are you self taught or did you take lessons?

3. Do you prefer reading sheet music or playing by ear? I despise having to read sheet music personally.

4. Did you ever improvise something so good that you play it often as its own song?

5. Do you ever play for bars, cafes, restaurants, etc.?

6. How common are improv pianists?

1. I don't really prefer any key. I play in all of them :)

2. I took lessons from age 4 to 21. Improvisation came from my self-teaching.

3. I enjoy reading sheet music, but my real talent lies in playing by ear.

4. Yes! My piano sonata comes to mind!

5. Yes, I played for many years in the NYC metropolitan area.

6. Honestly, I don't know anyone like myself! :p

Would you do the theme song from The Office (us) in a smooth jazz style please? :)

I just noticed you wanted it in a smooth jazz style, sorry! Will upload another one later. Enjoy this one for now! :)

https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/the-office-for-s_for_scott

could you do a smooth jazzy cover of king crimsons 21st century schizoid man?

Here you go! :)

https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/schizoid-man-for-browndoggie

YES! Please do this one Bernie!

check it out and let me know what you think :)

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I love Doctor Who! Enjoy and let me know what you think! :)

https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/doctor-who-for-the_evil_within

This is really nice of you. Thank you!

If you could do Times Like These by the Foo Fighters in any style you like, (Maybe jazz?) That would be neat. (My wedding song.) Thanks.

Enjoy! Let me know what you think! :D

https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/times-like-these-for-spunkski

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Happy early Halloween! :D

https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/ghostbusters-for-lookinginward

You do not look over 65.

Wow, thanks! :)

Hello and welcome! I have to know do you use sheet music for songs or do you always just listen and know how to play it?

Also if you can play a really really dark version of "I Just Can't Wait To Be King," that would be neat

I do both! I'm both a professional classical pianist and improvisational one! :) And sure I can! I'll make sure I get to it!

Has it been uploaded yet?

Yup! Check it out and tell me if you like it :)

Hey jsh5h7! I had a lot of fun doing this one! Let me know what you think! :)

https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/cant-wait-to-be-king-dark

Hi Bernie, I'm a young composer (20) studying with the intentions of one day getting my doctorate in composition and I have an extreme appreciation for what you do. I've dabbled a lot with doing cross-genre interpretations myself.

What parts of your academic training, self-teaching, and gigging experience were most influential in getting you where you are today? I'm also very curious about your music theory knowledge, as you seem to be a master of it.

That's wonderful! In the Juilliard prep division, I studied composition with Jacob Druckman and would expand my improvisation skills. I then attended Juilliard where I got my Bachelors and Masters. I use my own technique of piano exercises improvising straight from my head, and not just pedagogical methods. The improvisations can go on for hours, and the emotional release relaxes me in a way that I can't describe! I was a band leader for many years, an elementary music school teacher, and professional composer. I have a pretty good music theory knowledge, which is mostly attributed to my ear.

Could you play a version of Take 5 in 4/4?

I actually have a YouTube version of it! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsUAnrMOBgM

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Don't give up! I'm sure you'll become a fantastic pianist! If you ever feel down or need advice, don't hesitate to PM me! :)

I'd love a ragtime version of the Power Rangers theme song.

Enjoy! Let me know what you think Cptn! :)

https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/power-rangers-for-cptn_hook

Hmm, let's see. Can you do A Horse With No Name by America? The style is up to you.

Enjoy! :)

https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/horse-with-no-name-for

Greetings from Russia :) I don't have any experience in music at all, I am almost 20, is it possible to learn playing the piano alone, without teachers? I always wanted to play the piano. :(

It definitely is! YouTube is a great resource, but if you are really serious about wanting to learn to play, you can PM me and maybe we can have a Skype lesson! :)

You are incredible! As someone who's only been playing for two years with lessons, what songs can you recommend to learn? My current skill set is around Etude Op 02 No 25 in Fm (Chopin) at half speed, mind you. I plan on doing some solo gigs soon, so are there any other general tips you could give?

Do you mean songs to improvise on, or actual classical pieces?

For some general tips, if you'd like, you can PM me and we can go from there! :)

I thought I'd give you a break from the requests. How did you go about in acqquiring your talent? Or are you a born natural?

It's a combination of both! I started playing when I was 3, and haven't stopped.

Hi Bernie! I'm a sixteen years old swedish pianist. I've listened to almost all of your improvs here and they are fantastic.

My question to you is how to practice without getting bored? I really want to play more piano but after playing for maybe an hour I go to the computer and play a game. I love playing the piano and I want playing piano( on a restaurant for example) to be my job atleast once in my life. Here is video of me performing in Gothenburg two years ago

I would be so grateful if you could play People are strange - The doors or Sign of the Gypsy Queen - April Wine

That's awesome! Thanks so much! I can play for hours and hours and not get bored! That's what happens when you play every day for more than half a century I guess :p Here's a cool video I did of The Doors, I'll get to your request soon! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNylhd_xoB0

Hello. Could you possibly do Saria's Song from Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in any other style?

Wonderful request! I love The Legend of Zelda! Enjoy! :)

https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/sarias-song-for-irthecreeper

How did you start becoming professional?

I became a band leader and show pianist in a Catskill mountain gig in the 1960s as prior to that, I was a classical pianist studying at Juilliard (my alma mater). My friends couldn't use their pianist because he wasn't accepted by the agency. Prior to this though, I gave classical concerts/recitals all throughout Manhattan.

When did you started playing the piano, were you just a kid?

I've always been interested in this instrument and would like to know how's the rise of a great pianist.

I started when I was three years old, improvising on my aunt's upright, barely able to reach the keys! I took formal lessons at 4, and and was taught by the famous Cuban pianist Santos Ojeda.

Use improvisation to develop your physical and musical technique, and you will definitely get closer to any life goal you have! :)

Hello Bernie, thanks for sharing your remarkable talent. If you have time, can you play the Irish traditional ' Whisky In The Jar' in a progressive jazz style, please?

Hey Twitstein! I hope you enjoy this! :)

https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/whiskey-in-a-bottle

Shalom Aleichem in disco?

Here you go! Let me know what you think :)

https://soundcloud.com/berniekatzman/shalom-aleichem

Piano or keyboard

Definitely piano!

Anything about fiver you wish could be improved especially with regards to pricing?

Fiverr has been a wonderful venue for me! They do a great job, and I can't think of anything they need to improve upon.