A
Quick Guide to Piano
Music
The
Soothing Sound of Keyboard
Music
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.
Through
the Years Keyboards
Change
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.
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More
Piano
Clues
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Now
You Can Learn to Play
Piano
- Didn't have the time
or money when you were a
child? It's not to late
to learn to play piano
as you will see in this
helpful article. In
fact, you'll find how to
get started today
>>>
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New
Ways of Listening to
Keyboard
Music
- Piano music is
fantastic but did you
know there is a whole
new world revolving
around acoustic and
keyboard music? Listen
like never before
...
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