The latest smash hit single "Black Widow" by Rita Ora and Iggy Azalea is as graphic as pop songs come today. It has nasty lines, a driving melody, and mysterious chords that give the song edge and oomph. It seems like there would never be a way to make the rap song wonderful and beautiful.
Any pianist would have a truly tough time playing this song on the keyboard. It doesn't seem like it would be a perfect fit. Playing the part of Iggy Azalea could be a problem because rap is a type of music that can't truly be played on a musical instrument. In addition, the piece could be too edgy for piano. However, if any other rap songs can be transformed into a piano instrumentals then its possible this one could too.
The part when Iggy Azalea raps can be circumvented if the synth background riff is improvised over. And the gloomy harmonies actually sound really good in the lower keys of the piano. Rita Ora's part is simple to transfer to a piano instrumental, and because there is so many gaps between her phrases you can even play the background riff in between the melody line.
There are various things you could try for the accompaniment. You can follow up a booming bass note with a softer mid range configuration, jump bass could work well. To acquire a soft yet mystical sound you can arpeggiate the harmonies. Other than playing block chords, following the bass drum rhythm for the pattern can also create thicker texture.
Blending various styles for different energy levels can be good for the melody line. Playing only solitary notes for the intro could work. Then for the verse you can add a harmony note with the right hand to be able to pick up the energy a notch. Lastly for the chorus you could play in octaves or full chords to produce a huge effect.
To conclude, while it may seem strange for various rap songs like Black Widow to be played as piano instrumentals, they still sound great.
Any pianist would have a truly tough time playing this song on the keyboard. It doesn't seem like it would be a perfect fit. Playing the part of Iggy Azalea could be a problem because rap is a type of music that can't truly be played on a musical instrument. In addition, the piece could be too edgy for piano. However, if any other rap songs can be transformed into a piano instrumentals then its possible this one could too.
The part when Iggy Azalea raps can be circumvented if the synth background riff is improvised over. And the gloomy harmonies actually sound really good in the lower keys of the piano. Rita Ora's part is simple to transfer to a piano instrumental, and because there is so many gaps between her phrases you can even play the background riff in between the melody line.
There are various things you could try for the accompaniment. You can follow up a booming bass note with a softer mid range configuration, jump bass could work well. To acquire a soft yet mystical sound you can arpeggiate the harmonies. Other than playing block chords, following the bass drum rhythm for the pattern can also create thicker texture.
Blending various styles for different energy levels can be good for the melody line. Playing only solitary notes for the intro could work. Then for the verse you can add a harmony note with the right hand to be able to pick up the energy a notch. Lastly for the chorus you could play in octaves or full chords to produce a huge effect.
To conclude, while it may seem strange for various rap songs like Black Widow to be played as piano instrumentals, they still sound great.
About the Author:
Looking to watch an example of Black Widow on Piano, then visit Zach Evans's YouTube Channel and watch a ton of Iggy Azalea Piano instrumentals.
