Somebody asked me the other day, “so what is New Age piano?” I was little taken back that they hadn’t heard the term, and then I realized that this is probably true for a lot of people who just don’t listen to much piano music. I had to ask the question once again to myself in order to answer it, “what is New Age piano?” And as I’ve discussed on other blogs the nature of New Age music and how it’s composed, what is it that gives it it’s appeal? What draws people to it, what’s engaging about it, and what is it’s role in the music industry?
First of all, I like to use the term “contemporary piano” to describe what many think of as “New Age piano.” Not that I have a problem with the term “New Age,” but I feel that the word “contemporary” more accurately represents the style. It’s a modern form of piano playing and composing, with it’s beginnings only about 30 years in the past. And when I listen to New Age piano, that sense of newness envelopes me. This, I believe, is part of the appeal of the genre. We’re not so far removed from it that it seems foreign, like say, baroque music. While baroque music is beautiful in it’s own right, it’s quite unfamiliar to the average listener because it uses a writing style that was considered dated over 250 years ago!
New Age piano often takes you places. Many styles of music do this, but new age piano has a way of literally transporting you to uncharted territory. This is due to several things, including the flow of the music and the compositional structure of it. Artists such as Mark Pinkus use a classical approach combined with modern chord changes to create a somewhat surreal mood for the listener, while artists like David Nevue have a much more practical, earthy approach to their composition. Both styles create that sense of otherworldliness that is so often lacking in music, and is hard to find anywhere else. and I think as human beings we crave that. Sometimes we want to escape from the hardships of life, the pressures of the workplace and the demands that the world places on us. New Age piano provides a perfect opportunity to do that.
And let’s not fall into the pitfall of thinking of New Age piano as simply “fluff,” or music to listen to for the sole purpose of relaxing. While there are artists out there who fit that mold, those who listen to lots of New Age piano music would agree that this is not the standard. Artists like Jon Schmidt prove that point very well. New Age piano can be incredibly uplifting and inspiring, vigorous and energetic. When I write a piece, I’m almost always trying to communicate an emotional state in a natural way. And, like all of us, my emotional state is not always one of calm, or serenity. Sometimes I wake up ready to climb a mountain, and it comes through in that days compositional work. Sometimes I, like all of us, have feelings of restlessness or helplessness, and that too comes through in the music. The difference for me, is that I try to communicate these very real feelings in a positive way. I offer hope to the listener, peace of mind and empowerment. And I’m not the only one. Again, any avid listener of New Age piano music would vouch for that.
So if you’re new to New Age piano music and you’re wondering “what is New Age piano?” I encourage you to familiarize yourself with it. Get acquainted with some of the artists I’ve mentioned, or feel free to visit my online New Age piano radio station, Enlightened Piano Radio, at www.enlightenedpiano.com. You can also visit my personal website for music, news, and much more.
Donovan Johnson is an internationally recognized New Age pianist and recording artist. To learn more, visit his website at www.donovanjohnson.net. Or visit his online New Age piano radio station at www.enlightenedpiano.com
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