This is my third and final version that represents the real piano track of Bohemian Rhapsody. I believe I was finally able to create the complete “DNA match” with the original piano track that was played by Freddie when he recorded the song in the studio.
The main reason that I created the final version and put a lot of effort into analyzing the original piano track is simply because I wanted to respect the original. This is what Freddie actually created, this is his actual work that is in the original song. I personally see his piano track as a work of art that represents the foundation of the song.
It took me quite some time for the complete analysis of the piano track. I was listening to the track over and over again. On some parts where I had doubts I even used special software that allowed me to slow down the music, so I could hear the combination of the notes more clearly. This final version reflects also the smallest details that always make an accurate arrangement really difficult because they are hard to notice:
Chord inversions: Freddie used different inversions of the same chords + mostly there are “normal” chords, sometimes there are “octave chords“.
Omitted notes in triads: I could hear that sometimes Freddie used “normal” triads, sometimes he used only the root note and the third, sometimes only the third and the fifth etc.
Omitted notes in the 7th chords: sometimes Freddie plays 7th chords with the 5th, sometimes without the 5th.
Uneven loudness of the notes: sometimes it was difficult to determine if a specific note of a chord was played or not because there are parts where the bass is much more powerful compared to the specific note in the treble. This means that the bass sometimes overpowers the treble notes to the point that one specific note can become basically almost inaudible (overpowered by the louder note).
Harmonic overtones: those overtones in Freddie's recording were also a problem. Freddie’s white Bechstein had quite a few overtones that were pretty noticeable and sometimes it was difficult to determinate if the note was actually played by Freddie or it was just an overtone (sympathetic resonance). You could actually hear “additional“ notes (especially the 5ths), but because they were of course much less audible (and often inconvenient) you could make the conclusion that those notes were not played by fingers and therefore are just result of sympathetic vibration.
Here you can watch the documentary about Bohemian Rhapsody piano track (Inside The Rhapsody) where Dr. Brian May is talking about different sections of the piano track:
• Inside The Rhapsody (B...
DISCLAIMER: I don’t own anything. I am not the author of the song, it was written by Freddie Mercury. I have absolutely no economic/financial benefits from putting this video on youtube. The only purpose of the video is to share it with people who appreciate Freddie's work of art.