Wednesday – Cello Theme (Paint It Black)

The piece at a glance

Composer

Chris Bacon (nach The Rolling Stones)

Year

2022

Origin

Cello scene from the series Wednesday

Key

E minor

Level

Intermediate

Keys recommended

76

How difficult is it?

A driving accompaniment under an angular melody. The parts are manageable; the tempo makes it hard.

The real hurdle

The running left hand must not slow down when the melody enters.

How long does it take?

Three to four weeks.

A rule of thumb, not a rule – how fast it goes depends on prior experience and practice time. This level is an assessment, not a measurement: most pieces exist in arrangements ranging from heavily simplified to concert level. The rating refers to the common arrangement.

Which instrument suits it?

Lives on a strong bass register – from 76 keys.

Instruments that suit it

Casio CDP-S360 EU approx. €450–500
Portable digital piano with Scaled Hammer Action II action.

Yamaha CLP-825 EU approx. €1,350–1,650
Cabinet digital piano with GrandTouch-S action.

Kawai MP7SE EU approx. €1,400–1,550
The stage all-rounder with Kawai’s RHIII feel – favourite of many pianists with stage jobs.

The catalogue lists 233 instruments with verified data – key count, action and connections documented rather than claimed.

Where to find the sheet music

This piece is under copyright. Sheet music is available only from licensed publishers – free PDFs found online are usually not legal.

Modern editions and arrangements

Simplified versions, modern engraving and arrangements are available from the usual sheet music retailers. We will add direct links here shortly.

Frequently asked questions

If this suits you

Game of Thrones – Main Theme Ramin Djawadi
The series’ cello theme, surprisingly idiomatic on the piano – a short motif that builds on itself.

Stranger Things – Main Theme Kyle Dixon, Michael Stein
The rising synthesiser figure that conjures up a whole series in three seconds.