Making people laugh is an awesome skill that some people have, and playing piano is an awesome skill that some people have, so when those two worlds combine it can be very enjoyable to witness. Here are 12 of my favourite people who use piano as a comedy tool, each taking a different spin on it and each great in their own way. Whatever your taste in comedy, there’s something here for everyone.
1) Kev Orkian
I first came across Kev Orkian when he auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent back in 2010 with this memorable performance:
He had actually been very successful as a pianist and comedian before this point too. But his scratched CD version of Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing” is perhaps his most well-known act.
2) Daniel Thrasher
The first YouTuber on the list, Daniel Thrasher makes comedic videos about different musical scenarios, such as this one about trying to compose an original song on the piano, but it just ends up sounding like a well-known song:
3) Melodica Men
The Melodica Men went viral a few years ago for their amazing renditions of well-known tunes played on two melodicas. They really go all out, such as in this Super Mario Bros medley:
4) Nicole Pesce
Maybe the most highbrow video on this list, Nicole Pesce is a US-based pianist, composer and entertainer. In this video, Pesce has imagined how some of the most famous classical composers would have written the tune “Happy Birthday”:
5) Fascinating Aida
Not technically one person, but the trio of Fascinating Aida have a whole repertoire of amusing songs that they perform with a very serious classical aesthetic which only adds to the comedy when you hear what the songs are about:
6) Tim Minchin
Perhaps one of the most well known on this list, Tim Minchin has become famous for his comedy songs which he performs at the piano. This song below is perhaps my favourite, because of its nerdy musical content:
7) Sue Perkins
The comedian Sue Perkins worked with Tim Minchin when they did the BBC Comedy Prom in 2011. Whilst most famous for her comedy and presenting, Perkins also likes playing the piano. In 2012 she did an episode of “First Love” in which she re-learned how to play for the first time since being in school, and then performed in a concert at the Cheltenham Music Festival. Check it out here:
8) Hello Foe
Hello Foe is a pianist on YouTube who does a lot of short jazz piano comedy videos. This is one of my favourites, it always makes me chuckle:
9) Elise Ecklund
Elise Ecklund is a Youtuber who does a broad range of music related comedy videos that often involve the piano. Here’s one:
10) Kestrel Tapes
Kestrel Tapes does a lot of funny meme-style piano YouTube videos, such as this deadpan version of a famous Kate Bush song:
11) Oliver Street
The final YouTuber on this list today, Oliver Street makes short funny videos about piano-playing, such as this one about using only one finger from each hand to play the piano:
12) Victor Borge
No list about piano-playing comedians would be complete without mentioning Victor Borge, the 20th century piano comedy legend. A number of the other comedians on this list have stated Borge as their source of inspiration for their own comedy. Here’s one of his earlier sketches: