What Is New Age Music?

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.
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