Ren - Mackay Reactionalysis: Music Teacher Analyses Ren's Piano Composition (Reaction) 

He does a similar performance piece called "for joe" in which he sings as well. Its so beautiful.

“That’s not how it’s expected it end” That’s Ren for you, never does the expected and that’s why we love him so much.

Mackay died after swimming in a rough sea and was swept away, I think the piece captures this fast passed accident.

He's so intriguing I'd love to see what he could do with a whole orchestra

No lyrics, yet it still tells the story. You feel the friendship, the fun memories, the accident, the grief, and the sad acceptance. It's amazing.

Beautiful breakdown of the composition for the Renegades ❤ I think you put things into words that lots of people who haven''t studied theory & composition will appreciate having explained to them. (50yr old formally-trained classical pianist)

By the way, he has absolutely no classical training in music... he's self taught via watching RU-vid videos. He has said that he just sees patterns and such on the instrument itself, the fretboard for example. I believe this lends to some of the unorthodox compositions. I doubt this reference will be understood by many but it reminds me of a character in an unfinished book series called the king killer chronicals where the character played the lute and when he lost his family he played and wandered alone until each one of his strings broke and ended up playing the emotional sounds of the wind, the trees growing etc etc. ren just seems to know how to make his music capture the fundamental essence of feeling for any given situation

I love this reaction and analysis! 🤠 It's interesting to hear it from a music teacher's perspective. Ren, in an IG post, talked about his composition process as being somewhat "esoteric" (his word). Instead of creating a song from scratch, he discovers or finds "puzzle pieces" of the song and fits them together, feeling as if they already exist in the ether. I paraphrased what he said, but that's the gist of it. In his introduction to Mackay, he said that he had been trying to write something for Callum for quite a while. But it wasn't until he sat at the piano one day, without any intention, and the notes and chords just came to him. So he's familiar with the Muse....

Love how you can just pick up what he’s created and you are able to play it. Impressive.

I did not know why this music piece made me feel. Now I know the difference between sixth and fifth. It makes sense. Inroducing the theme "whole" representing him and his friend being together. Than the change to the fifth the moment he lost him. And finishing with the f major to show hope and a view into the future. This piece is beautiful and I thank you for raising my appreciation for it even further.

Thank you for helping me understand the theory and technicality behind the emotion. I am as musical as a tin of baked beans so I need people like you to help me really appreciate the artistry and skill.

Had you let the video run to the end you would see the dedication to his friend.

I’ve been shown lots of reactions by RU-vid of this but yours is the first one I’ve listened to because you actually know how to break down the music. Fantastic job. Keep it going 🔥😀👍

Really enjoyed your breakdown of and appreciation of Ren's talent. Joe was a close friend of Ren who sadly took his own life and this greatly affected Ren. Ren has paid tribute to and remembered Joe in a few songs. Check out "Freckled Angels", "Suicide" and another piano piece "For Joe"

Ren is Harmoniously Chaotic.... How we're all born but taught not to be, iMo. Good reaction man. Thank you for your key insights.

It's kinda amazing, knowing how frail he has been within his sickness but my gosh he has put such a massive effort in learning guitar, piano & singing. It's good for all us spookiest to see someone really going for it. I wish he didn't have the pain but it really resonates. I'm glad to see this from you

Thank you for your breakdown❤ For me the ending evokes eternity... It's Ren's 34th birthday today🎉

It's so meaningful to me. I can only imagine how Ren must feel putting this out into the universe for dissection. Brave and humble enough to allow some to pick it apart. Im so grateful for your careful comments and for your respect. ❤❤ R.I.P. Joe and Callum.

I love this piece, and I am happy you enjoyed it as well as a musician❤

Thank you for your reaction, it's super interesting hearing a technical explanation for how our emotions are evoked, especially the creation of a sound which describes emptiness and absence.

To me, it feels like a life remembered. And although it coveys sadness it isn’t dark or morose. Moody, yes. Knowing the backstory I can see the tumbling of the waves and the struggle to survive. This is a struggle that Ren has danced with for a decade plus; Ren on land and CALLUM in the sea. In my mind I hear “ Whenever I…” during the chords that are at the beginning , end and are like “choruses “ throughout- I don’t know why.

Great reaction man, you are a very positive person, I enjoyed your energy.

I needed that... Beautiful melody, a composition that anchors the spirit to calmness and propels the gaze towards the future horizon!... Thanks Ren. Thank you for the reaction.

I'm sure this is purely a personal interpretation, but my interpretation of the last half of the song is Callum struggling in the water (the fast bit where Ren jumps his left hand back and forth), followed by the death and ascension of Callum's spirit (the final slow bit with a ton of sustain). Callum drown while swimming in rough water and a friend jumped in to try to save him, also drowning. Consindering how Joe died, I'm sure it was a very hard death to come to accept.

Ren also plays the melodica. See The Big Push, Swan Song. You asked. 😊

Thank you, dear sir. I loved your breakdown of this song. I really enjoyed this.

I love the way you're able to interpret compositional choices; it gives me a whole new appreciation for songs I already thought I couldn't love any more. Thank you! I really hope you'll react to Ren's Jenny and Screech trilogy. He makes musical choices in the introductions to all three songs that I've never fully understood and I'm so curious to hear your take on them!

Thanks for the breakdown; gives me more appreciation of the composition. Also, check out "Ren - For Joe (Live Performance Video)", which is another piano piece he wrote for his friend Joe Hughes. (includes vocals and snippits from other songs, but an original piece.)

From NorthWalesLive news Jan 2012: Referring to the tragedy from Aug.24,2011 Callum Mackay, 22, of Llanfairpwll, went into the sea at Cable Bay near Rhosneigr for a swim despite a warning from his friends about the blustery weather conditions. Yesterday pals Sadie Williams and Lawrence Cuthbertson told an inquest at Llangefni how they watched in horror as Callum struggled in the water as he tried to get out of the sea onto a cliff. Student Lewis Darroch, 22, of Valley, jumped in to help but could not get the unconscious Callum out. He then desperately tried to claw his own way back to safety but was swept back into the sea five or six times by the waves. Both friends drowned in the choppy waters and yesterday North West Wales coroner Dewi Pritchard Jones recorded two verdicts of accidental death.

I subbed during your last reaction and I was hoping you’d see this!

Great reaction and and analysis! Thank you!

What a wonderful reaction once more. I appreciate learning from you. It gives me a more complex appreciation of the song and teaches me more about the power of the piano as well. Callum and Joe are two of his absolute best friends while he was growing up, as you know from the description in the video. Both died in different and equally tragic circumstances. Disco Doc (a great reaction channel) has made a video about the context of Callum's death, if you really want to understand more. You already understood a lot of the context in the music, but I wonder if it would give you more clues still. Ren's music is always full of little allusions and asides that enrich the work. @andrewsears16 and others have already mentioned the 'For Joe', also a live piano piece in front of a stunning background, dedicated to his best friend whom he tried but couldn't save. It is a meddley of pieces from a few other songs dedicated to Joe, beautifully put together. If you want to see a little more of Ren's jazzy side as well, then that would be a good place to go. Basically every Ren song is different, completely different. Just ask us to put pointers in a particular direction into the comments, and the Renegades will oblige and point you into that direction. It is a really fun game. We will also come to watch. We also tend to take over a little, so I appreciate that you have other things to do in your life, and that you have other things to convey and react to, or create. That said, Ren has a lot to explore musically. Privately or with us on the channel, I wish you joy on this journey. It has certainly changed my life.

Great reaction and breakdown, looking forward to the next 👍

Love your reaction. For something completely different... well any Ren song actually. ;-) "Back to 74 / Message in a Bottle" retake that he came out with a month or so ago is a great one to check out. It is actually one of my favorites out of hundreds.

So fun to watch a reaction from another piano player! ❤

Loved your reaction, just subbed

Thank you for revisiting Ren, he is quite the jack of all trades. This piece breaks my heart and heals it, all at the same time.

Thank you for the reaction! Loved to see your view on this!

Really interesting reaction... thanks! 💕 Ren as always... so moving... so expressive.. such skill and authenticity 💕💔🥲

That was really interesting thanks. And as mentioned already "For Joe" is an amazing performance and related.

Nice analogy, very much understandable and knowing the story of Rens tragic past and present hope and resolutions like he is sending a letter to Callum ! 💔And note Ren is self taught on the piano and guitar for that matter. I think he was born with harmony and tone built in so to speak.

Your break down is so interesting. Ren is know for doing unorthodox things, always full of surprises yet extremely intentional.

First time I see you reacting, but definitely not the last. Awesome! Particularly appreciated the advice in intro to people who haven't seen it before your reaction and the way you explain how Ren's piano playing conveys much more than music. Many can feel it, but wording it is another matter, so thank you for that. I hope you'll do some of Ren's other songs, I guess many RENegates would appreciate it as well. ❤

Awesome review! 😊

WHAT a AMAZING breakdown of a AMAZING tribute for rens friend god bless Warrington UK 🇬🇧

Nice reaction. Thanks for breaking it down.

I really appreciate what you do!

So glad you had a chance to check this out! I knew it'd be right up your alley and I love hearing how the composition choices (subconscious or not) invoke different emotions. Agree with others that For Joe would be another great choice from Ren. It includes a verse from a song called Su!cide and also refers to two others, but it can still be appreciated as a standalone. But I would recommend at least reading Ren's description under Su!cide and For Joe to get context for the song.

This was fantastic, thanks for analysing this song! Very interesting to hear another piano player's thoughts. Yeah, Ren plays lots of different instruments.. don't think I've seen him on strings yet though, but would not surprise me if he'd learned that as well 😆

So many listeners know that Ren is talking through the music not just how.👀 Fascinating👍💕🦇

Beautiful tribute to his friend ❤ Reminds me of Philip Glass - glass works… another stirring piece

Oh I really enjoyed your reaction and analysis here. Seeing various professional musicians like yourself , able to play along just by listening and understanding is extremely impressive . It’s quite amazing to me. You all are outstanding . Piano, guitar , and vocalists ….. unreal . Thank you .🇨🇦🙂🍻

New sub and like. I love this from Ren. It's up there with my favourites. Which keeps changing of course. Great reaction. uk

For more piano you should check "For Joe" and "Money Game 3"

Such an interesting analysis about how the music is used to evoke emotions.

nice to know why it makes me feel the way it makes me feel

This was a beautiful piece, and I agree he really puts his emotion into it. That's probably the biggest common thread with ren. He puts so much emotion into his music, and he gets that emotion across so well. This was a sad piece, for joe and suicide are related to this, for joe is also just a piano like this, and some singing/spoken word. Suicide is much more produced, and also a massive gut punch emotionally.

thank you more Ren please subscribed ❤❤

Thanks for not blocking the video, I took a chance on this one and you seem to have changed policy. I do wonder why you're the second Australian who limits uploads to 720p, however pros like Julia Nilon don't seem to have the problem. Great reaction by someone who has a music background, always appreciative of another artist, vocal coach, sound editor, cinematographer, even medical professional, fellow chronic illness sufferer, or survivor of abuse or suic*de responding to Ren's works. The very best reactions share personal stories or their professional analysis that enhances the experience of a fan's appreciation of even a well known work, often new artists or works are found through reactors (most of us found Ren that way), but then it is the vicarious reexperiencing of it, and the expanded understanding and appreciation by a reactors expertise and experience that keeps us looking for new reactions to the same works. Well done, thanks again.

Ren will always do the unexpected - entirely with micro-intentionality - and beautifully. And yet, all self taught!

Yes the Joe mentioned has a live performance tribute too - “For Joe”

Glad you seem to be enjoying ren a lot - reminder to get to sufjan stevens vesuvius when you have the time

What a great reaction and interesting analysis 👍 although if you let the video play out for the ladt 5 secs you would have also got a big clue about what the song was about 😂 Please do For Joe, another piano piece, a tribute to one of his closest freinds, who tragically took his own life, its beautiful 💔

If someone had played me this, and told me it was Einaudi, I'd have believed them.

Have to confess I did not do as you told and click out of the video, sorry! Chances are I'd never have actually listened to the original piece on my own. And still probably won't, although it sounds beautiful. Purely instrumental music just doesn't hold my attention for very long, I tend to only use it as background music to cover something else that's trying to break my concentration. Having said that, I still enjoyed the analysis and this added to the positive image I have started to build of Ren as an artist, so well done! Very different to Hi Ren, and from what info I gained after your last reaction thanks to some other commenters he seems to have a good variety of skills. Will definitely watch more if you keep checking his music out 😊 (Still always hoping for you to get around to more Måneskin too, Valentine especially deserves a listen. Just a cheeky reminder 😁)

Check out for Joe. It’s amazing also.

The last note speaks to me as emotional resolution.

I feel like serious academics within the field of adaptation studies would actually respect what you've managed to do with this essay (adapted into a video presentation).

location of Mackay Drumheller is a town on the Red Deer River in the badlands of east-central Alberta, Canada. It is located 110 kilometres (68 mi) northeast of Calgary and 97 kilometres (60 mi) south of Stettler.

I'm not a Piano player, But that part with the 5th reminds me of someone taking a step back, Like things are not quite how they were in the first part, a hint of change

"For Joe" is a must watch

Yeah man For Joe. Is another of his piano pieces. And money Game Pt.3 Great reaction.

Its kinda funny he plays in A minor on piano so often, its actually harder for many people to see the patterns without a few black keys in there. Also i love how he broke the "parallel fifths" rule of the classical era we learn never ever ever to do in much of academic music theory.

If you dont know Joe, you NEED to dive further into Ren's work. He's a huge part of what turned him into the artist he is today!

For another example of how Ren expresses emotion through his music, check out his Fred Again mashup.

Ren's "For Joe" is a piano piece where he takes two earlier works about the death of his best friend Joe, one which had been originally done on guitar immediately after Joe's death, and combines them in an amazing fashion. You would kind of need to hear Ren's "Suicide" and then his "Freckled Angels" first, the original songs and then "For Joe" which is a true masterwork. For myself, a non-musician the combining seems like alchemy.

For Joe is a must

When he said, "Who's Joe?" I think I genuinely made a 'surprised Pikachu face' 😅 I just figured you would have already heard Suic*de or For Joe, I guess 🤷

No composition ahead of time, he just sat down and this came out of him remembering his friend.

i feel Depeche Mode "Precious" on the instrument

You may like to watch 900 Days by Asaf Avidan, amazing piano, voice and use of electronics. Was recommended to see by ren.

LESSS GOOO

I like your reaction so much. You should listen to the other songs of the trilogy although. In "Freckled Angels" he's telling us a story showing that he's accepted his traumatic experience and celebrating his friend(s), playing comfortable notes in Am G C using few variations. The next songs are more expressive. "For Joe" follows the same path in Am F G C, introducing Dm + Em + F7, much more feelings!.. "Mackay" is the last step of this journey in REN's rabbit hole.. He evokes same pattern and chords of the previous songs, then he introduces Am F F7 G and variations in Gm Dm C Am F G. It's a mature composition... I feel the vibe is even more cinematic and emotional.. REN is a super inspired and well trained musician and alchemist.

🔥

In my music theory training way back in the day, one of the things drilled into me that still sticks with me is, "No parallel fifths in classical music!" At least in the baroque through romantic periods. 20th century, who knows. They broke all the rules. Also, that initial chord and the then how he ends the piece, is that lydian mode? Been a while.

I think Ren used 5ths because he's also a guitar player and 5ths allow you more choice when moving from chordsets to chordsets. You definitely have to approach this from a guitar player's mindset I think.?

Felt to me that the repetition of the theme then sounded like a memory of the actual theme. Looking back instead of experiencing it fully. Longing.

Welcome to the renegade rabbit hole Some ideas/recommendations. Your next one should be the tale of jenni and screech the long one apl 3 parts together as one reaction. They were released separately but belong together. Its an emotional one. A story. The hunger will show you the extreme capabilities of his lyricism. Have printed lyrics nearby 😉. I would recommend chalk outlines for a vocal track. The money game will require 3 separate reactions, for the second part ypu mist dp the lyric video.

In videos i've seen him play guitar, piano, bass, and drums. I believe he said he plays some cello as well. He has some brass instruments in some songs but I'm not sure if that's always digital brass or if he actually plays trumpet or something.

He plays guitar, bass, piano, melodica, a bit of drums, a bit of cello, sings, and he beatboxes. He produces and mixes his own music most of the time too. Don't think I've missed anything but don't quote me on that 😂

Ren does play piano in his song money game pt 3

Subbed

Thank you for the breakdown-so illuminating and generous. But even more so, I think, thank you for your playing of the piece. It’s like seeing someone borrow a coat or jumper you’re used to seeing on someone else so it’s the same but subtly different. That in itself to me embodies the ache and the hope of ‘Mackay’

Nice you keep you reaction so sober I thing it would shut Ren

Party pooper here. I noticed at 5:12 that he accidentally hits two keys on thumb :). Not that I noticed it in the music and he probably didn't hit it that hard that it made at least much sound. But on more serious note this was a nice emotional piece from him. Don't take my comment too harshly. I think Ren is fresh breath in music scene today.

He's self-thought, so says it's perhaps easier for him to "break the rules" when he does not know them to begin with. So, composing is just expressing his emotions through music...

Now you know who Joe is I may suggest another piano piece by ren called For Joe. This one has lyrics

reminds me of the flame by cheap trick

The main theme is a riff on his song "Freckled Angels."

He’s a master. I don’t play piano. I only try for a month and I gave it up. It was too hard. I should say my patience was too loud, but the great thing we all learn together and there’s nothing that I would hear that he could play and be surprised. The only time I remember him playing piano is at the beginning of money game, part three. But I have said before he reminds me of Prince, who was fortunate to see live. Once and was mesmerized. I don’t know how hard this pie is to play I guess for someone like you not too hard but sure a regular pierced is it difficult. he lost his friend at the age of 21 who drowned and another buddy tried to save him and now I guess they weren’t very close. He didn’t even know the guy who tried saving him. he has a song called suicide which is about his best friend, dying jumping off a bridge. You should listen to it even on your own time it’s beautiful and shocking at the same time..