| When studying the piano, a student encounters a | | | | progressions and polychords. It often imitates the |
| myriad piano styles. To master the instrument, at least | | | | sound of nature -babling brooks, wind, rain, and so on. |
| several of these styles must be learned, and all if at all | | | | A polychord occurs when two different chords are |
| possible. Knowledge of various playing styles enables | | | | played at once. This technique is taken from earlier |
| a pianist to enjoy and play in any genre and to | | | | classical works by composers such as Stravinsky. |
| cross-polinate styles to create a fusion he or she can | | | | Gospel piano is often similar to the blues, jazz and |
| call their own. | | | | R&B. It emphasizes certain extended chords, such as |
| Many modern piano styles are based on the blues. | | | | the 11th, and usually has the swinging feel associated |
| The blues involve an emphasis on the major and minor | | | | with jazz and R&B. The apparent simplicity of gospel |
| pentatonic scales, with an additional note included. The | | | | songs often hides the fact that they are, indeed, quite |
| flatted fifth is added to the minor pentatonic to create | | | | musically complex. Syncopation is highly stressed in |
| the blues scale. Many blues songs are based on a | | | | gospel music, as it contributes to the overall spiritual |
| simple chord progression, known as 12-bar blues. This | | | | feel of the music. |
| uses the I, IV and V chords of a scale to create a | | | | Country and western piano has similar roots as blues |
| foundation for melodies and solos. | | | | piano. Both styles stem from earlier folk styles, often |
| For example, rock piano was born out of the blues | | | | developed by the less fortunate people of the era. |
| and then took on a life of it's own in the stylings of | | | | Many early country songs stem from Appalachian folk |
| Jerry Lee Lewis, Michael McDonald, Elton John, Billy | | | | songs. Country and western piano is highlighted by |
| Joel, and many others. | | | | very bright playing, with simple chord progressions |
| Cocktail piano is a style generally connected with | | | | underneath the melody. One of the greats in this styles |
| Liberace, Eddy Duchin, Roger Williams, and others who | | | | is Floyd Cramer. |
| play popular tunes with lots of great technique -- lots | | | | Traditional sacred piano styles involve the playing of |
| of notes, runs, flourishes, and so on. But I hate to | | | | liturgical songs and hymns. These can range from the |
| catagorize and of these great pianists, as many of | | | | harmonically and rhythmically complex to simple two |
| them play in other styles as well. | | | | and three chord songs. Many hymns stem from folk |
| Boogie-woogie is a piano style based on the blues. It | | | | songs of centuries past. The variety of sacred piano |
| started as a solo piano style, but has expanded into | | | | styles is as numerous as the liturgical songs |
| other genres, such as county-western and gospel. It | | | | themselves. These piano styles often involve a strict |
| differs from the blues in that it is considered dance | | | | reading of notation, with less of an emphasis on |
| music, while blues music traditionally expresses | | | | personal interpretation than other styles. |
| sadness and frustration. | | | | The classical piano style is probably the most varied of |
| Rhythm and blues piano is based on blues, jazz, and | | | | all the styles. Classical music is older than other styles, |
| gospel styles. As the name suggests, the emphasis is | | | | and is considered to the proper grounds for musical |
| on the rhythm of the song. Most R&B has a particular | | | | instruction. Many elements of other piano styles come |
| swing to it, with a strong feel of syncopation in the | | | | from classical music, and nearly all forms of musical |
| rhythm. Syncopation involves placing the stress on a | | | | theory are used in classical music. Andre Previn is the |
| normally unstressed beat. This often results in an | | | | classic example of a well-trained classical pianist |
| almost off-time feel to the untrained ear. | | | | crossing over into the world of jazz, and with great |
| Ragtime piano also incorporates syncopation. Ragtime | | | | success. Classical music usually requires intense |
| uses syncopation in its melodies by placing melodic | | | | training to master, though there many simpler pieces |
| notes between the stressed beats of the rhythm. | | | | designed with the novice player in mind. |
| Ragtime is often considered the first completely | | | | Though classical is often considered the high point of |
| American genre, even predating jazz. | | | | music, this "ain't necessarily so." For instance, many |
| Jazz piano encompasses such a broad palate of | | | | players who are "classically trained" have trouble |
| styles that it is impossible to describe. Many piano | | | | adapting to the feel and sincerity of the blues. For this |
| styles incorporate ideas borrowed from jazz, such as | | | | reason, a well-rounded player should be adaptable and |
| improvisation. An emphasis on extended chord forms | | | | learn as much about each of these piano styles as |
| and chord re-harmonization also stems from jazz | | | | possible. In this way, a pianist is ready for any musical |
| piano. | | | | challenge. And besides, who knows where the future |
| New age piano often involves less chord changes | | | | of music lies? |
| than other styles, instead relying on simpler | | | | |