I'm considered a "New Age" pianist. That means I write New Age music. But what is "New Age" music? Recently there was some discussion online regarding this very topic, and the answers were quite varied from person to person. I found that each blogger had an idea of his or her own about what New Age music "was."I expressed some opinions , and then posted a song for the bloggers to listen to: Jon Schmidt's "Waterfall." Jon Schmidt is considered one of today's leading New Age pianists, witb a substantial following and many hours of radio airplay to prove it. "Waterfall" is a song that blends several styles, the most prevalant of them being an Irish style jig (back to back triplets and so forth).
The comments were interesting to read, as most of the bloggers did not consider the piece to be New Age. One of them noted that the piece was a jig, not New Age music. Another exclaimed that the song was an impressive piece of music, technically sound, but not New Age.I had to ask myself, "what IS New Age music?" Is it something different today than it was in it's beginnings?
And the answer that I came up with was a resounding "yes."New Age music actually began in several different forms. Reflective, solo piano was what was called New Age music at the time, and in addition you had the pioneers of the electronic keyboard compositions making "Space Music." There was also "World Music" which was music that combined many different instruments and styles from around the globe. But today, it seems New Age music has become an umbrella term for all of these styles, much like "Rock music" or "Country music" can each mean several different things.
New Age music has become a genra in and of itself, encompassing the piano, the keyboard, sometimes both and sometimes neither. It can be reflective and it can be powerful. It can be musically very simple and it can be musically very complex. It can create a mood that takes you to another world, and it can create a mood that leaves you right where you're at, in the present moment. So what IS New Age music?
New Age music has evolved. It's all of the above and more. It's the "Classical music" in today's world, and that means it will never stay the same or sound just "one way," because it's constantly evolving. New Age music can, stylistically, be an Irish jig if the music includes those influences. It can also sound very much like Chopin. The days where New Age music simply meant simple, reflective piano music are gone, and many New Age composers don't like being labeled "New Age." Neither did the Impressionists.
Donovan Johnson is a New Age pianist.
Win a free CD! Check out his website at:
www.donovanjohnson.net
Or his online radio station at
www.enlightenedpiano.com
Monday, April 25, 2011
Empowering Ourselves Through Music
Life is made up of many different artforms. It's taken me a while to realize that everything we look at, think about, read about, and involve ourselves in is some form of art. From the food we eat, to the buildings we walk through, to the websites we visit, we're immersed in art the moment we wake up in morning. So what makes music any different?
Music isn't any different in that it is, of course, an art form. But it's different as and artform in that it involves the creation of sound. Music is a specific formation of sound waves used to create a work as opposed to creating something that we're able to see with our eyes, or taste with our mouths. This makes music different. We can use it to move our Spirit, or we can use it to relax. We can use it to laugh. We can use it to create a mood.
Certainly you've listened to a piece of music and been moved in some way. Try to think of a time when that happened. How did you feel? What was the piece, and why did it make you feel that way? Did it remind you of something specific? A person, or a time in your life? Or was the feeling that you got from it more elusive, something you experienced without really knowing the specifics as to why?
Music can evoke many different reactions from people. This is where musical taste comes into play. The music that you listen to is a direct reflection of the reaction that you're trying to evoke from the music. In my teens and twenties, I used to listen to a lot of Heavy Metal. I had a lot of angst, and the music helped me to relate to that angst. But even then, I liked to listen to classical music as well. It was calming to me, and varied in it's many different styles.
Today, I look for music to empower me. I think that many people do. But how can I empower myself through music? Listening to music that has a beautiful, powerful melody, or a sound big enough to fill Notre Dame-that's empowering to me. If I'm listening to music with lyrics, the words should be inspiring, hopeful, have a positive and meaningful message. That, to me, is empowering. Songs that address the injustices of the world and offer a solution, or simply say to us "wake up, it's not all about you" are, in a humbling way, empowering.
Music is capable of moving mountains and mindsets alike, but we have to be willing to allow it to. Want to move some mountains? Would you like to change your thinking to change your life? If so, then I put this question to you: What empowers you? Think this question over in an honest way. It's not a question that you'll be able to answer overnight, but over time. And you'll be delighted to discover that, should you find it, the answer to that question will set you free.
Donovan Johnson is a New Age pianist.
Win a free CD! Check out his website at:
www.donovanjohnson.net
Or his online radio station at
www.enlightenedpiano.com
Music isn't any different in that it is, of course, an art form. But it's different as and artform in that it involves the creation of sound. Music is a specific formation of sound waves used to create a work as opposed to creating something that we're able to see with our eyes, or taste with our mouths. This makes music different. We can use it to move our Spirit, or we can use it to relax. We can use it to laugh. We can use it to create a mood.
Certainly you've listened to a piece of music and been moved in some way. Try to think of a time when that happened. How did you feel? What was the piece, and why did it make you feel that way? Did it remind you of something specific? A person, or a time in your life? Or was the feeling that you got from it more elusive, something you experienced without really knowing the specifics as to why?
Music can evoke many different reactions from people. This is where musical taste comes into play. The music that you listen to is a direct reflection of the reaction that you're trying to evoke from the music. In my teens and twenties, I used to listen to a lot of Heavy Metal. I had a lot of angst, and the music helped me to relate to that angst. But even then, I liked to listen to classical music as well. It was calming to me, and varied in it's many different styles.
Today, I look for music to empower me. I think that many people do. But how can I empower myself through music? Listening to music that has a beautiful, powerful melody, or a sound big enough to fill Notre Dame-that's empowering to me. If I'm listening to music with lyrics, the words should be inspiring, hopeful, have a positive and meaningful message. That, to me, is empowering. Songs that address the injustices of the world and offer a solution, or simply say to us "wake up, it's not all about you" are, in a humbling way, empowering.
Music is capable of moving mountains and mindsets alike, but we have to be willing to allow it to. Want to move some mountains? Would you like to change your thinking to change your life? If so, then I put this question to you: What empowers you? Think this question over in an honest way. It's not a question that you'll be able to answer overnight, but over time. And you'll be delighted to discover that, should you find it, the answer to that question will set you free.
Donovan Johnson is a New Age pianist.
Win a free CD! Check out his website at:
www.donovanjohnson.net
Or his online radio station at
www.enlightenedpiano.com
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