A really simple, truly no-effort video about my piano's clever user interface

Ragtime Dance is my goto, although I use an external metronome on the MIDI sequencer for the beats in the 3rd part.

Brad Wilmot

If you want to see clever controls on a different level, look up Alesis Micron or Akai Miniak.

Best NEN one I've ever seen! As always, loved the Disney reference in the form of Haunted Mansion.

Patrick Bianchi

The function-piano key control seems common to a lot of digital pianos / synthesisers — both my M-Audio and Akai use a similar scheme to control a bunch of functions (and even have labels above the “piano” keys for what the extra function is). This NEN has musical accompaniment, with live performance, multiple B-roll sections including the cool slide with Yamaha static in the foreground and the background moving, etc. I’m not sure Alec remembers “no” effort :-) (Also, a large desk, and a nearly as large piano, got moved to make this video. Just saying.) Ewen

Ewen McNeill

Just wanted to say; love the different types of videos and the different forms they are taking. Awesome work.

I really want to get back in to playing piano again. I mean I was objectively terrible at it, but it would be nice to be able to play something.

Chris Crowther

I'm impressed at how little effort Alec put into this no-effort November video. He did even change his holey socks even though he knew we'd be able to see them. Just joking! Great video. I guess it's because I have little musical talent that I'm always impressed when I find out someone can play the piano. And play it well, too.

Irisarc

Fantastic video! 🔥

Henry

The "nice" was a good touch.

Rod Miller's rendition of the Maple Leaf Rag is legendary -- the park guests enjoyed it immensely for decades at Coke Corner. Yes it's fast, but that's the point, it entertained.

lohphat

Was just about to say that!

Arthur Robillard

So, um, a no-effort November video that you probably spent literal years practicing to be able to do? I mean, that was some significant skill you demonstrated there. Good job. Except about the whole not working too hard for videos made during November. ;)

Some Ed

Here to second Scott Joplin being underrated. His pieces are great to play. Bethena is a very nice waltz of his. I also love the Magnetic rag and think of it as the retrospective of his career.

I loved the part where you used the keyboard to say "oh" (and also that you just barely mouthed out "oh" at the same time). Very fun video!

Nick Loh

With the staring at the camera, I think he was imitating the great Lord Vinheteiro.

Stephen Gillie

Anyone can make the simple complicated. Creativity is making the complicated simple. - Charles Mingus

Stephen Gillie

Don't be so shy about your piano playing! I would love to be able to play Joplin better... And really thumbs up for the facts you mention, although very basic, as far as I am concerned, you nailed everything perfectly! But I still prefer the real thing, after some experiences with digital pianos, some are better, some are... unplayable. I got a chippendale style piano from the sixties a couple of years ago for free, but basically almost in new condition, from the inside then. I still enjoy it every day! Besides my Rhodes Mark II electric piano and 2 Hammond tone wheel organs (also a nice topic maybe for a video? ;-) )

MrHammond

You missed the most important advantage of a digital piano though: the ability to use headphones. Anyway, an entire video on a keyboard with no mention of MIDI. Amazing!

Justin Tokke

Side note? Music's best pun.

Justin Tokke

Nice video. Simple but entertaining and educational. Thanks

Just up to 3:53 so far. Hey, I like "The Entertainer", it's a great tune. I also like the Disneyland Haunted Mansion music you were playing on it earlier.

Don Eitner

I can name two Yamaha keyboards from the 90s that do this too: the CBX-K1 and its beefier brother the CBX-K1XG. These are portable 37-key MIDI controllers, so using the piano keys for inputs to save space makes too much sense I'm surprised this isn't more widespread (unless it is and we haven't noticed). These two keyboards call the button SHIFT which probably makes its operation more obvious? The CBX-K1 however has no feedback of any form, so you have to rely on just knowing that you're doing the right thing; the keys are labelled on the device itself and the manuals are online, which helps. The XG version, which has a built-in MIDI synth, does feature a 3-digit 7-segment display. (I will say the velocity sensitivity isn't calibrated to my playing so everything sounds soft by default, and they (or at least the non-XG one; I forget about the XG one) don't have the means to save their settings...)

Pietro Gagliardi

Interesting video. Missed out on playing the shutdown sound as well at the end. Still learned a few things on digital pianos. Like that some still use hammers.

Marc Grondin

Alec, you're adorable playing the piano. That's all.

C'mon Alec, open that thing up so we can see what's inside!! I'll bet there's really nothing more than a Tanashin cassette mechanism in there ;-D Also, did I notice a foreshadow of an upcoming Menards Xmas light video?

Mark Hesse

ahh. comment #8

Awesome video. Every single video I learn many new things. And I agree with Josh, this needs Alec playing the outro music himself!! :)

Hank Lloyd Right

Most edifying, I have a tin ear myself but appreciate the skill in others. I was given something similar. (Yamaha electone B205, cheaper but more buttons) It took me several hours to find why it was so quiet, there's a volume control foot pedal in the dark under the keyboard which minimises unless depressed.

Jim Hewlett

Neato! The only thing I felt was lacking was Alec playing out his version of the exit jazz music.

Thank you for a very interesting video. Rather than being phoned in, I think it had just the right amount of detail needed for this subject and would most likely not have benefitted from being more complex. But then when has that ever stopped you before :)

Roland Smith

So we're both night owls then...

Big Car

I'm amused that I couldn't sleep, and apparently you couldn't either..

John Dye

Literally 2 hours ago I was musing that your No Effort November effort was so good you weren't even making videos, and here we are. Lol.

Milo de Villiers