Song: Aerith’s Theme – an impromptu piano solo

Download here: AerisPianoByTannerHelland.mp3 (3.1mb)  |  AerisPianoByTannerHelland.mid (8kb)

Okay – I’ve finally had it.  I have listened to so many mediocre arrangements of this song that it’s finally time to write a good one.

For those who don’t know (and how could you not?!), Aerith’s Theme comes from quite possibly the greatest game of all time: Final Fantasy VII.  The theme is beautiful, and many artists have attempted to arrange it in a variety of styles.  Most are terrible; a rare few turn out very nice.  I hope that this intermediate-level arrangement fits the latter description…  ;)

I hesitated to post this song since it is, as described, an impromptu performance.  I didn’t edit this MIDI at all.  What you hear is straight how it came outta my fingers, sloppy runs and all.  But I feel like it’s important to post a good, original, live arrangement of this piece on the internet since most of the amateur versions out there sound like they came out of a Lv3 Alfred Book.  Argh.  This is certainly a more varied, lively performance than the ones I’ve heard so far.  (And no, I haven’t heard the Piano Collections arrangement of this, unfortunately.  I imagine it’s quite good!)

It is also worth mentioning that this was arranged by ear, without any source notation.  The mp3 file is soundfont-generated and IS NOT from an actual piano.  I apologize for that, but alas – no recording studio yet!  Someday!!  :D

Comments/requests for additional FF arrangements are welcome.

(Originally posted on THIS 1.0 on 14 Oct 2006)