Piano Music

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The Soothing Sound of Keyboard Music

Let's face it - You are an incurable piano music lover aren't you? You answered so take a look at this brief history and some interesting facts about the keyboard. The piano is the most versatile musical instrument around, equally used in classical music, jazz, pop and rock.

Playing classical music on the piano can be a pure joy or it can also be an instrument of torture for some people, haunted by childhood memories of trying to learn their scales. I never learned to play, which I regret, because I love piano music in all its forms.

You No Longer Have to be Wealthy to Play Piano

At one time this musical keyboard was the exclusive property of the wealthy in the past. It was part of a young lady's education to achieve a measure of accomplishment as a pianist, and she was expected to give recitals to guests at family soirees.

As the cost came down, the middle and working classes were at last able to buy their own piano, which sat proudly in the best room. Families would gather round and have sing alongs.

The automated player piano, with its rolling canister of recorded piano music was very fashionable at one time. This classical invention would eventually be replaced as the heart of the household by the wireless and later, the television set.

Types of Pianos Played By Famous Artists

In the world of classical music for the piano, there is a division between people who think historical music should be played on original style keyboards and those who think they should be played on a modern piano. Composers such as Liszt, Brahms, Mozart and Hadyn would have played on musical instruments quite different from the ones that we are familiar with today.

The piano has gone through many changes over the years, in appearance and sound. Some people want the authentic tone of the original, whilst others prefer the technical reliability of today's piano.

I love to listen to both solo pieces and concerto compositions (with orchestra), for the piano. My own favorite classical composers are Beethoven, Chopin, Bach, Scarlatti and Ravel. Many composers suffered difficulties and tragedy. Of course, we know that Beethoven became deaf and Chopin succumbed to tuberculosis. He often played whilst coughing up blood onto the piano keys.

Different Types of Piano Music

Piano music is also suited to jazz, from the ragtime sound of Scott Joplin through boogie woogie and the contemporary music of Thelonius Monk and Oscar Peterson.

Minimalist composers such as Philip Glass also write well for the piano. Rock and Roll has also produced some fine pianists, namely the energetic Jerry Lee Lewis. He could play with his elbows and never fluffed a note.

Electronic Keyboard Synthesizers Vs. Traditional Pianos

Electronic keyboards make a big contribution to music because of its versatility such as organ sounds, etc. but piano music will always have a place in just about every musical genre.

Practice and Reading Music for the Piano

So, if you plan to become a classical piano player, or any type musician for that matter, you are going to need ...

• lessons in reading sheet music notes
• a metronome
• and maybe a little musical talent

And, last but not least, plenty of practice on the keyboard.