A few weeks ago I asked on my community channel, "What is a story you want me to write a song about?" One of my fans Julie Marie submitted the following story about how she found herself in an abusive relationship, felt trapped and guilty, and finally managed to break free (full description below).
I divided my piece into 4 acts: Act 1: I wanted to write a dark and painful melody showing her daily nightmare in this relationship. Act 2: I wrote softer, lighter harmonies to portray memories of her happy life before the abuse began. Act 3: I wrote a climactic passage to imagine a violent struggle where she finally stood up for herself and said "No more". Act 4: I imagined her starting a new life, while healing her emotional scars. Here I wrote sorrowful but cleansing melodies, and finished on a hopeful note.
Her full story: "I met someone a bit older than me through a close friend, and we had similar interests. I thought I knew what love was, and that what I was experiencing was it. I was asked out, and this began the honeymoon phase. The thing about relationships such as this one is that this period always seems to shorten. My family and my friends didn’t like them, but of course, I didn’t listen. It was love, right? There would be times that they would threaten to leave if I were to have done something wrong (even if it was minor). Over time, they weaved doubt, insecurity and anxiety into my mind. I remember any time I would attempt to talk about something that was genuinely bothering me, it would be flipped around. Why didn’t I ask them how they were feeling? How could I be so selfish with someone I claimed to love? I would always end up apologizing, even if I hadn’t done anything wrong. Once they took it too far, I finally took a stand. It took several months, but I managed to get away from their grip; it wasn’t just the matter of simply leaving them, because we worked at the same place still. They would refuse to leave me alone, and I would end up with a panic attack. This was 3 years ago. Today, an old friend and I have made it a little ways into a new, healthier and more caring relationship. This person has helped me slowly but surely begin the process of healing from the emotional and mental wounds that abuse can bring."
"This may seem a little dark, but it comes from a personal experience and I’d love to hear your take on this. I was wondering if you could do a piece regarding how difficult it can be to break free from someone who isn’t any good for you (toxic, Abusive, etc) and how hopeless it can seem at times, both to escape and to get better. I feel like towards the end of the piece, there should be a positive shift, which would signify the healing process once you’ve left that person. I feel like with your talent, you’d be able to take this and create something beautiful"
A few weeks ago I asked on my community channel, "What is a story you want me to write a song about?" One of my fans Julie Marie submitted the following story about how she found herself in an abusive relationship, felt trapped and guilty, and finally managed to break free (full description below).
I divided my piece into 4 acts: Act 1: I wanted to write a dark and painful melody showing her daily nightmare in this relationship. Act 2: I wrote softer, lighter harmonies to portray memories of her happy life before the abuse began. Act 3: I wrote a climactic passage to imagine a violent struggle where she finally stood up for herself and said "No more". Act 4: I imagined her starting a new life, while healing her emotional scars. Here I wrote sorrowful but cleansing melodies, and finished on a hopeful note.
Her full story: "I met someone a bit older than me through a close friend, and we had similar interests. I thought I knew what love was, and that what I was experiencing was it. I was asked out, and this began the honeymoon phase. The thing about relationships such as this one is that this period always seems to shorten. My family and my friends didn’t like them, but of course, I didn’t listen. It was love, right? There would be times that they would threaten to leave if I were to have done something wrong (even if it was minor). Over time, they weaved doubt, insecurity and anxiety into my mind. I remember any time I would attempt to talk about something that was genuinely bothering me, it would be flipped around. Why didn’t I ask them how they were feeling? How could I be so selfish with someone I claimed to love? I would always end up apologizing, even if I hadn’t done anything wrong. Once they took it too far, I finally took a stand. It took several months, but I managed to get away from their grip; it wasn’t just the matter of simply leaving them, because we worked at the same place still. They would refuse to leave me alone, and I would end up with a panic attack. This was 3 years ago. Today, an old friend and I have made it a little ways into a new, healthier and more caring relationship. This person has helped me slowly but surely begin the process of healing from the emotional and mental wounds that abuse can bring."
"This may seem a little dark, but it comes from a personal experience and I’d love to hear your take on this. I was wondering if you could do a piece regarding how difficult it can be to break free from someone who isn’t any good for you (toxic, Abusive, etc) and how hopeless it can seem at times, both to escape and to get better. I feel like towards the end of the piece, there should be a positive shift, which would signify the healing process once you’ve left that person. I feel like with your talent, you’d be able to take this and create something beautiful"Memories of a Childhood - Hopes and Dreams (Piano Solo)Lionel Yu Piano2023-11-24 | This is the continuation of my "Memories of a Childhood" series, which started with A Mother's Love: youtube.com/watch?v=uchhbcrZkks
Hopes and Dreams is a continuation of the themes from A Mother's Love, but with more brightness and a hopeful and innocent demeanor, the kind that you have as a child where everything feels so new and so significant.
TWITCH ►► twitch.tv/musicalbasics DISCORD ►► discord.gg/musicalbasics INSTAGRAM ►► instagram.com/musicalbasicsAngels Of My Past Heartwarming, Emotional Piano MusicLionel Yu Piano2023-04-25 | Who are the angels that led you to be where you are today? None of us got here alone. When I think about the angels of my past, I long for the days that can never be again, but only in my memories.
TWITCH ►► twitch.tv/musicalbasics DISCORD ►► discord.gg/musicalbasics INSTAGRAM ►► instagram.com/musicalbasicsFly Like A Bird - Extremely Soulful Piano MusicLionel Yu Piano2023-04-11 | Do you remember what life was like when you were a child? When you looked up at the sky and saw the birds flying and you wanted to be just like one. Many years later you stopped looking up and instead stopped dreaming and started becoming cold inside. But underneath all of that crap that you've built on it, your soul is still as pure as ever, and it longs to break free and fly.
I highly recommend Fiverr to get help on things like audio engineering, remixing, photoshop work, making Youtube thumbnails, or album art (many common things that people ask me about: fvrr.co/2YYVgms
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Thank you to my supporters on Patreon ►► http://bit.ly/MB_PatreonClosed Doors | Lionel Yu | Yearnful PianoLionel Yu Piano2022-01-18 | Through the hallways of destiny, you walk by door after door, of different shapes and colors.
Some beckon to you. Some call out your name. Some are slightly open, while others are closed rigidly.
You wonder, what if I step into this door? What if I try to open it a bit more?
But the light at the end of the hall shines upon you. It says, "You are called to something greater."
You frown. "Why must I be the one to walk this lonely path? Why can't I just open one of these doors near me, and go into a room where I can be happy?"
The light says, "You can easily do that. But then you will not find me, the truth you've been looking for."
There's one door in particular that looks particularly inviting. Only open about a quarter-way, it is the most enticing door of all. You stand around it daily, and you think to yourself, "if only I could open this door, I could go in and be happy."
But the door never opens fully. You are always standing outside, wondering what it would be like to enter.
Years pass, and the light slowly grows dimmer.
One day, the door finally opens a bit more, allowing you to peek inside.
Looking inside, you see a small room. One with everything you ever wanted, all the things that you valued.
But as you step in, the light suddenly shines in your face, blinding you. "Is this what you truly want?'
You hesitate. In that moment of hesitation, the door suddenly closes on you, as if to punish your hesitation.
You try to hold the door open, but it seems the stronger you push against the door, the more forcefully it pushes against you.
You take a step back, and you realize. This door is not meant for me.
The door continues to be slightly open, but you shake your head.
"This room was meant for somebody else."
And so, you forcefully shut the door.
Walking towards the light, you realize this was the best thing you ever did.Lionel Yu | The Last Hour | Dark Classical MusicLionel Yu Piano2021-11-25 | My piece, "The Last Hour", premiered recently in my "writing a horror theme in..." challenge. Special thanks to Istalarí /Mattias G for coming up with the name. His thoughts: "It is sort of a dramatic, and kind of sad song. I could imagine it playing over a dramatic and emotional scene in an end of the world kind of film, and the name would fit because it was the last hour until the world ended, or the character has poison in him, and he only has an hour to live."
TWITCH ►► twitch.tv/musicalbasics DISCORD ►► discord.gg/musicalbasics INSTAGRAM ►► instagram.com/musicalbasicsA Soul In Pain | Beautiful Piano MusicLionel Yu Piano2021-11-11 | This was the original version (written in 1 hour) of "Living In the Shadows" which Jonathan Morris and I released last year. I wrote this original version in basically 1 hour as shown in the "Writing an Anime Theme" challenge video.
Thank you to my supporters on Patreon ►► http://bit.ly/MB_PatreonFearless | MusicalBasics | Gorgeous Disney SongLionel Yu Piano2021-08-08 | This is my original piece called "Fearless" which is about a disney princess who overcomes her fears in life and lives true to herself.
Visit my discord: discord.gg/musicalbasicsLionel Yu - Vengeance RebornLionel Yu Piano2021-07-12 | In this performance I played Vengeance but added a 2nd, “reborn” section which features a more epic, soaring figure of the Vengeance melody. Played during my livestream on June 26, 2021 youtu.be/_XhFGExlzBg
Thank you to my supporters on Patreon ►► http://bit.ly/MB_PatreonJust Need You To Hold Me | Lionel Yu | Vocals + PianoLionel Yu Piano2021-03-02 | This is my first lyrics song, "Just Need You To Hold Me" featuring Zoe Maria on vocals!
Visit my discord: discord.gg/musicalbasicsJust Need You To Hold Me | Lionel Yu | Romantic Piano SoloLionel Yu Piano2021-02-19 | My newest release, "Just Need You To Hold Me" is a very emotional, heartfelt song, with lyrics that begin: Now I just need you to hold me Take my hand and know me In this life we're only Two people and lonely...
This is the piano solo version. Turn on captions to read the lyrics. A full version with lyrics is coming out soon!
Visit my discord: discord.gg/musicalbasicsEscape From The Mountain | Lionel Yu | Piano AdventureLionel Yu Piano2021-02-06 | A piece about escaping a mountain, running through the caves, frantically trying to reach the outside (Kind of like the scene in the first LoTR movie)
Visit my discord: discord.gg/musicalbasicsThe Snow Witchs Curse | Lionel Yu | Dark PianoLionel Yu Piano2021-02-03 | This was the 10 minute piece written in my recent video, "Writing a Dark In 10 Seconds | 1 Minute | 10 Minutes | 1 Hour | 10 Hours" youtu.be/5y3S6c3xMFk?t=150
Special thanks to @FTL Zaxft for the excellent name. I think this is a fantastic name because it's very haunting and dark, but yet has that element of mystery and magic to it. It makes me think of a dark wintery landscape (like Narnia) and has that feeling of walking through a corrupt snowy forest, knowing that evil permeates the atmosphere.
Another name I loved was "Tears of Secrecy" by Jacob McCord
Thank you to my supporters on Patreon ►► http://bit.ly/MB_PatreonTotal Isolation | Lionel Yu | Dark PianoLionel Yu Piano2021-01-29 | A Piece about being stuck in a dark cave in the wild, completely isolated from the world, with no one around you for thousands of miles...
Visit my discord: discord.gg/musicalbasics12 Hours of Deep Piano Music for Prayer & Contemplation of ExistenceLionel Yu Piano2021-01-11 | Deep, spiritual piano music for prayer, meditation and life contemplationGates of Heaven | Lionel Yu | Peaceful PianoLionel Yu Piano2021-01-08 | Walking on the final road to Heaven, you see in the distance the beautiful gates. There is no one around you. You look back at your life, all the things and people that you left behind. It's just you now.
The gentle breeze. The warm light touching your soul. Slowly, your physical self evaporates, and all you are now is... a spirit. Walking that final road.
Memories of your past life flash through your mind. You smile and shake your head at all the episodes, the times you laughed and cried and screamed and cheered. The moments that you truly cared about were those when you felt like you belonged, whether it was with your loved ones, or following your heart.
Maybe the gates of heaven aren't lined with grand flags, trumpets and splendor. Maybe the gates of heaven are just a small, modest fence, the kind you might see in a backyard. But it marks the separation between the dimension of man and the dimension of God. It's the final border you need to cross, and once you do, there is no return.
It's quiet, but peaceful. As you get closer, you feel an overwhelming sense of belonging.Seeking God | Lionel Yu | Divine PianoLionel Yu Piano2021-01-02 | Is there meaning beyond what we can experience here on earth? Just the act of looking to the heavens is profoundly beautiful and elevates our existence to a level that can never be reached by looking downwards. In the end all meaning leads to God, and this act of genuinely seeking God creates such a deep meaning in our soul that cannot be shaken by anything that happens to us in this world. For me, this journey is a deeply personal one, one that I will slowly begin to reveal to the world over time.Balance | Lionel Yu | Eternal PianoLionel Yu Piano2020-12-26 | What are the eternal elements of the universe? Why is there so much emptiness yet so much meaning to be found in the darkness? How come God allows evil and suffering to exist? And why does life still continue, even after so much pain and destruction?
The balance & struggle between good and evil, the divine and death, order and chaos, infinity and nothing has existed since the beginning, and this balance is what gives our lives meaning.Water Flower | Lionel Yu | Piano TributeLionel Yu Piano2020-11-28 | I will never play this piece again.
I wrote this piece back in 2009. Over the years, I hated this piece because of what it represented to me, the darkest years of my life. Whenever someone asked me to play it again, I told them no, it's too painful.
When my mentor hired me for the biggest performance of my life, he requested this piece as one of the slower, softer options. But I declined, saying that I could play any piece but this one.
When he passed away earlier this month, I started to think about how I could honor him. Canon in Dream & See You In Another Life were both dedicated to him. Still, I felt like something was missing.
Then I remembered this piece that he loved, this cursed, haunting piece which creates in me such pain that I could not bare to play even 2 measures of it.
Surprisingly, in the midst of this sadness, I found myself drawn to play this piece, but this time the meaning would be different. Instead of the torrential outburst of screaming into the darkness that this piece was before, this piece began to take on a new meaning, that of a sadness of a decade of my life which I now leave behind.
I imagined him listening from heaven. And as I played this piece, I felt the darkness being lifted from the piece, and I felt closure from this piece, as if his love for this piece had cast out the demons that I previously associated with it. I couldn't stop crying during the second half of this performance, and I even made some small mistakes.
When it was over, I thought, let me try to record another take to correct those mistakes. I tried to play again, but it was impossible to get through even the first 8 measures. This time I didn't feel pain or sadness. In fact, I didn't feel anything.
All my emotions in this piece are now gone. The conflicting energy from the cursed years of darkness, clashed with the sheer love and support from my late mentor, and created a vast emptiness where I feel nothing.
Therefore, there is no point in me ever playing this piece again.
Going forward, I will make this sheet music free for anyone to play. I'm always happy to listen to other people play my pieces, and even this one, I'm happy if they want to learn it. All I ask is that if they do a performance or a recording on Youtube, that they mention to the audience the person that this piece is dedicated to: Andreas Schneider-Neureither, a wonderful, amazing man.
Sheet Music: bit.ly/3q0S0Ab Stream on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3gdn1vZA Single Tarot Card | Lionel Yu | Horror PianoLionel Yu Piano2020-11-06 | Turn on captions for the full experience (warning: the story is pretty scary, but awesome) This piece is based on the story "A Single Tarot Card" which is about a woman who encounters an old lady and becomes part of a prophecy.
0:00 Prologue 0:21 Act I: A Chance Meeting 2:50 Act II: Late Night 5:32 Act III: The Discovery 7:30 Act IV: The Intruder 11:52 EpilogueHerobrines Lullaby | Lionel Yu | Creepy PianoLionel Yu Piano2020-10-25 | This piece & story is based off Herobrine's creepypasta, with an unexpected ending.
The standalone version of the 1-hour theme I wrote in the Boss Music video. Thanks to user Josef The Gopnik for the name recommendation.
Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3kt3usR Listen on Apple Music: apple.co/3oerDWA Sheet music:The Cursed Path | Lionel Yu | Epic Battle ThemeLionel Yu Piano2020-09-29 | Get Tickets To My Upcoming Concerts (WORLD TOUR): go.musicalbasics.com/WorldTour
I wrote this piece, "The Cursed Path" (previously titled "Wrongful Kill") based on a story by Richard Marble, a subscriber. It is divided into 4 Acts: Act I: Preparations Act II: The Battle Act III: The Cave Act IV: The Betrayal
Special thanks to the original story inspiration submitted by Richard Marble! “Let's say hypothetically that there was a heroine and hero who went to face off against the end bad dude. They get separated and the heroine is abducted. She awakes to find that she's face to face with the villain and charges head first. It's a difficult battle, but she oddly takes no damage. She delivers the final blow, ending the villain but her vision clears to find that her reality was altered and the hero (whom she loved) is the one she finished and impaled with her blade.”MOST EPIC PIANO PIECE - FIGHT FOR FREEDOMLionel Yu Piano2020-09-05 | I am currently offering Piano Lessons for a limited time. Apply here: go.musicalbasics.com/pianolessons2024a
This is an anime opening similar to the style of Attack on Titan's OP1. The piece seeks to convey themes of courage, struggle, and honor.
Special thanks to my discord member, Marc Gedeon for helping me name this piece!
This is the 5th level of my "write an anime opening". To watch the full version, click here: youtu.be/-bT74G6CTzQFirst Kiss | Lionel Yu | Romantic PianoLionel Yu Piano2020-07-23 | Get Tickets To My Upcoming Concerts (WORLD TOUR): go.musicalbasics.com/WorldTour
This is about the feelings and deep emotions when two people who have known each other for a long time finally realize they should be together.
Find the sheet music here: bit.ly/35z1Row Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/35wYize Listen on Apple Music: apple.co/2UsPLXNHeart of the Warrior | Lionel Yu | Heroic PianoLionel Yu Piano2020-07-04 | This is my piece, "Heart of the Warrior."
To watch the full version of the composing process, click here: youtube.com/watch?v=yqO9AyUcdxIBreakthrough | Lionel Yu | Epic PianoLionel Yu Piano2020-05-25 | My first original original in over a year! This is a REAL, SPECIAL, BEAUTIFUL MELODY from 2020 (from the Composing a Piece in 10 Minutes video). I haven't been so happy with a melody in a long time.
Anyway, if you love it, you can listen on Spotify here: bit.ly/BreakthroughLionelYu Sheet Music (for brave souls): bit.ly/BreakthroughSMMemories of a Childhood - A Mothers Love | Lionel Yu | Loving PianoLionel Yu Piano2020-05-20 | This is the first movement of my 3-part miniseries, "Memories of a Childhood." In this movement I explore the deep emotions and pure love that I felt from my mother when I was a child.
🎵 Memories of a Childhood 1st Part - A Mother's Love 🎵 Loving Piano by Lionel Yu (MUSICALBASICS)
Special thanks to Jake for his help with the visuals.
If you love my music, consider supporting me on Patreon: http://bit.ly/MusicalBasicsPatreonDreams of a Lonely Child | Lionel Yu | Dreamlike PianoLionel Yu Piano2020-05-13 | A young boy sits in a dark room, on the edge of his bed. He stares at the wall. All he has are his dreams.
🎵 Angel's Light 🎵 Heavenly Piano by Lionel Yu (MUSICALBASICS)
Special thanks to Jake for his help with the visuals.
If you love my music, consider supporting me on Patreon: http://bit.ly/MusicalBasicsPatreonNever Surrender | Lionel Yu | Epic PianoLionel Yu Piano2020-04-25 | What's the point of fighting? What's the point of working so hard for the things in life that you value so much, only to have it taken away from you in a matter of seconds? From dust to dust, nothing lasts forever, yet it would be wrong to say that our trials and tribulations are worth anything less than what they are. Because life is what you make it and the worth you find in it comes from the meaning you attach. So when life gets tough and it feels like the world is crashing down around you, just remember - it's all only temporary, and there's no sense in giving up the dreams that you've fought for so long.
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." - J.F. Kennedy
🎵 Fires of a Revolution 🎵 Original Piano Piece by Lionel Yu
Click the 🔔bell to join the notification squad! Special thanks to Jake for his help with the visuals for this video: bit.ly/2RWsy0u Please feel free to leave any suggestions for future songs in the comments!
What I Use to Make Music & Videos (Gear Recommendations)! 🎹 Piano / Camera / Headphones: amazon.com/shop/musicalbasicsGood to You | Lionel Yu | Cleansing PianoLionel Yu Piano2020-03-13 | This song is about an old man who loses the love of his life and has a dream. She appears in his dream and asks him a question: "Was I good to you?"
Lyrics: I thought we'd end up together Sitting under the tree Looking out into the lake Watching our kids play Thought we'd end up together Walking through the ancient ruins Thinking 'bout those who came before us Those who loved just like us
Your smile brightened a thousand black stars Even the wicked and the weary could see your beauty so clearly Your laughter made my midnight become day such a heavenly sound, I could listen all day....
You were the one for me and I can't believe I lost you... You were the one for me and I can't believe I lost you...
How sweet the sound of your voice in my dreams I can hear it so clearly it echoes like an endless song
Was I good to you? Was I good to you? Was I good to you? Yes, you were.
Was I good to you? Was I good to you? Was I good to you? Yes, you were. Yes, you were.
And Even the wicked and the weary could see your beauty so clearly You made me happy girl, you made me happy in this world And all the glory or riches couldn't begin to compare To the love you gave me, and the times we shared...
You were the one for me and I can't believe I lost you... You were the one for me and I can't believe I lost you...
How sweet the sound of your voice in my dreams I can hear it so clearly it echoes like an endless song
Was I good to you? Was I good to you? Was I good to you? Yes, you were.
Was I good to you? Was I good to you? Was I good to you? Yes, you were. Yes, you were.Endless Love | Lionel Yu | Peaceful PianoLionel Yu Piano2020-02-27 | This is a piece about deep love and I'd like to dedicate it to my sister and her soon-to-be husband. I hope and pray that God blesses their marriage with enduring faith, deep happiness and endless love.
In the midst of the storm, a lone traveler stands at the edge of the cliff. She looks at the torrential sky in awe and fear. She knows that her entire existence is at the mercy of nature. But even so, she falls in love with its power, its fury, and its endless beauty.
What is nature's most terrifying song? That of a sweeping thunderstorm, billowing through the stoic mountains and ancient forests, leaving behind a trail of quivering silence.Eternal Hope | Lionel Yu | Emotional PianoLionel Yu Piano2020-02-05 | This is the full length version of my piece, "Eternal Hope"
Close your eyes and ask yourself. What are the colors of your soul? I think the color depends on what you've been through in life and what's important to you.
If I gave an answer, my colors would be a muted yellow, showing reserved optimism, a splash of grey showing sadness, and most of all, a glowing red, reflecting an intense desire to feel valuable and alive.
One starry night, on a far away land A father and son walked hand in hand And far above them, dark yet bright The Black Star glowed its ominous light - by Jax --
Imagine an ancient ruins. Walking through it, you hear faded voices of the past, echoes of dreams and heartbreak. Our ancestors - they had lives as rich as ours, and this piece is their story.
Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2IG0knR -- Sheet music available on my website: musicalbasics.com/store