Topic: For Halloween: "Specter" on Steinway D

Since it's October I thought I might share a simple Halloween themed piece I wrote for my piano method book (still in the works). Pianoteq's Steinway D, distant recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8gQ0xqYAVI

Re: For Halloween: "Specter" on Steinway D

'Aha, very interesting, Meester Bond...'
The U.S. spelling confused me somewhat (in British English it's Spectre), but this is brilliant! Sounds a lot more difficult to play than it really is - which is absolutely ideal for a piano method. Your book will be worth the wait.

Re: For Halloween: "Specter" on Steinway D

”a simple Halloween themed piece” - I think it’s more, it’s a very good horror theme. In fact, magic. I can imagine something that haunts the mind - a ghost (specter). It’s really impressive for a piano method book.  And the visual is interesting. I wish I had this book when I was young. Excellent playing!
Well, that’s what I think  about it.

Re: For Halloween: "Specter" on Steinway D

Ah yes, the old re/er switch.

Thanks both of you for the kind words. There are a lot of piano instruction books with solid methodology, but I find the music itself often falls short or tends to be a little inconsistent (sometimes it's almost an afterthought). Many books go for a silly or cutesy style, and can be quite patronizing to kids.

The main goal for this book is to combine sound methodology with high quality music which explores a wide range of tonalities and musical colors. It's been a fun project and has really tested my skills as a composer to write simple yet compelling music. Hopefully it won't disappoint!

Re: For Halloween: "Specter" on Steinway D

Nathan -

I could not find your "distant recording" preset by name. Just wondering if I can find the same preset under a different name.

Like you, I am trying to find the perfect piano sound for recordings of some of my educational solos.

Thanks.

George Tingley

Nathan, I found the "distant recording" preset among those of Steinway B. Still learning my way around this new environment. Lol!

Last edited by gtingley (05-11-2018 22:16)

Re: For Halloween: "Specter" on Steinway D

Hi George,

Here's the direct link: https://www.forum-pianoteq.com/file/6xb7xl57

It's the one which was uploaded 12 Jul 18

All the best,

Last edited by NathanShirley (07-11-2018 04:27)

Re: For Halloween: "Specter" on Steinway D

George -
On a similar quest for good 'academic' piano sounds, I've recently been exploring the Steinway B 'Improv' preset. IMO it's warm and intimate without being 'in-yer-face', and it seems to lend itself well to alternative or external reverb (the default Jazz Studio is too dry for my taste, but I quite like the Piano Room 2 preset).