The piano is a magical and universal instrument. It is played everywhere and appreciated by everyone all over the world. As such a versatile instrument, there are many different piano styles. The question, however, is can any musical genre be translated into piano music?
In this article, we will look at how easily, or not it is possible to play your favourite song on piano when you take its origins and unique sound into consideration.
So what can you and can’t you play on the piano?
From classical piano music to rock, there are styles suited to every level of the learner which is why it is an instrument that is highly recommendable for beginners and children. One of the only downsides to taking up piano lessons is that, unlike a flute or guitar, it’s an impossibly large instrument to carry around.
One of the major advantages of learning how to play the piano is that once it is mastered, it is an instrument that can form the basis for learning how to play many other instruments. It is also one of the best instruments to learn for knowing how to read sheet music, learn music theory, solfege, etc.
There is little doubt that as an instrument, a piano is an excellent option for awakening a child’s musical taste. Saying this, it is also one that is able to refresh an adult's love for music playing in their later years.
All of this means that playing the piano is not dissimilar to the game of football. This is because wherever you go and whatever you play, the round ball is central to most ball games. This is not dissimilar to music where even when styles and fads change, musical values, which are best represented on piano, remain the same.
Wherever you go and whatever you play, the round ball (not that curved rugby ball!) is central to most sports. This idea of a “universal sport” is also applicable to music. Not unlike exercise, styles and fads may come and go, but when it comes to the piano, values remain the same.
In fact, almost any type of music can usually be translated to become a song on piano.
Another reason why it is such an accessible instrument is that with the popularity of toy instruments, even small children can play on the piano from a young age. Where you are from, or wherever you may go, piano music and a variety of piano styles are available to anyone who wants to express themselves through both their hearts and their hands.
So whether you are playing classical piano music on a grand, or upright piano, or whether you choose an electronic keyboard to play on the piano, you can rely on those black keys to remain constant. This makes it suitable to adapt to any song on piano, so if you have a favourite melody that is usually played on another instrument, be assured this can, in most cases, be played as a song on piano.
The Culture and Codes Associated with Piano
Within the expansive world of music, the piano certainly stands out as like the Vatican which is separated from the rest of Rome.
When it comes to its history, the piano is marked by a rich diversity of genres and developments. Over time it is has become a musical entity that is able to stand independently without being lost in an orchestral group like many of the brass and percussion instruments. Not only this, piano music is usually well-suited to any type of melody which also makes it an instrument of great convenience and suited to many piano styles. That means you can play the same song in electronic or classical piano music styles – the choice is yours.
The only other instrument with a similar attraction and almost mythological popularity is the guitar. In fact, these instruments are the most commonly played instruments in the world and able to adapt well to just about any musical endeavour.
Don’t forget that some of the greatest musical composers of all time were pianists, so if you are considering a world of music, why not consider learning how to play the piano?
Iconic Piano Styles Worth Noting
Even though we have touched on this, you may still be curious as to the various genres and music styles able to be played on the piano.
Let us begin by looking at the obvious types of piano styles that are able to be played by both amateurs and professionals.
Classical Piano Music
When it comes to the most noble of all piano styles, classical piano music is it, and within a budding pianist’s education in learning to play the piano, it is almost a rite of passage.
There was a time, perhaps a few decades ago, when learning to play on the piano was solely focused on classical music. Today, however, while traditional piano music is used by many teachers, (especially with anything vintage back in vogue) there are many modern piano styles for the beginner to learn to play on the piano.
20th Century Music
Playing the piano today means that you get to choose from a wide variety of popular, contemporary music suitable for a diverse range of musical abilities. In this day and age, new music is regularly turning up on the scene and this includes piano styles and unexpected compositions that can often be turned into a song on piano.
Thanks to the availability of the internet, there is a wide range of choices when it comes to piano music. The advantage of variety music means that the musician can keep the spirit of most original music while adding a personal touch so that it can still play on the piano.
Another thing to note is that variety and pop composers are appreciated all over the world, which means that using the music of Elton John, for instance, makes your piano playing instantly recognisable to your audience.
Film and TV Soundtracks
Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, film and TV soundtracks have become central to different generations and cultures. This makes composers like John Williams, composer for Star Wars instance, true music legends.
Nine times out of 10, both music composition and writing that is destined for the silver screen is created on the piano which makes it a popular instrument of reference for film scores that tend to live on forever.
Unexpected Styles That Work for Piano
While most music can be translated to become a song on piano, like most things in life, there are always exceptions. There are just some music styles that simply do not work on the piano. Can you guess which ones?
Rap and R&B
You know the type of music we are talking about; the kind you simply can’t imagine playing on a piano. But is this necessarily true?
When it comes to rappers and R&B singers, they have as much music knowledge and culture as any other music lover.
When it comes to actually creating R&B and rap, it is not uncommon for the musician to turn to jazz piano as a reference on which to build a melody. So if you are a great improviser then this could be the style for you. Contrary to what you may think, the piano is not incompatible with R&B and Rap.
Electro
When it comes to Electro, you may be wondering if it is noise or if it is melody. When, as a genre of music, it first appeared in the 1970s, electronic music was thought by some to be “anti-music,” played by “non-musicians” who were more adept at being on a computer than playing a real instrument. And yet…
Today it is absolutely possible to adapt a piece of electronic music for the piano. So the answer is, yes, you can play electro on the piano. Remember that a piece of electro music holds the same musical structure as that of a classical piece, which emphasises again just how versatile piano notes can be.
Electro is indeed a worthy piano music style. In fact, did you know that many DJs, like David Guetta, for instance, compose their music on virtual or real keyboards?
Marginal Music Styles
Of course, like most things in life, there are always exceptions. This is also true for the piano, where some music styles are simply not adaptable to piano playing. Some genres are more about noise and an incessant ‘boom-boom than they are about music. Simply put, boom-boom and the piano do not mix well.
So what are these?
Musical genres like minimal techno, hard-tech, trans, among others are included. In contrast to house music, it is very difficult for pianists to scale and adapt these genres.
So you can’t play everything on the piano?
No, not everything. Even with all the willpower and advanced piano training in the world, the above mentioned are genres that are simply not possible to be played on the piano. Having highlighted these exceptions, it should be noted that is truly remarkable that most musicians can confidently explore 90-95% of all music available in the world, by using the piano.
A Rich Instrument to Play
It is evident that as an instrument, the piano is a rich instrument to play. Not only that, it comes with so many cognitive and mental health benefits outside of actually making music.
In terms of variety, it also offers the widest range compared to any other instrument. As a beginner musician you have the choice of learning to play jazz, classical, variety, pop, tango, electrical or R&B.
As a new player, the key is to find a piano tutor who is well matched to your own aspirations and this is possible when you choose from a wide range of tutors from the Superprof platform. It may sound obvious but if you want to master Elton John’s Candle in the Wind, and other similar songs, don’t choose a teacher who specialises in jazz piano instruction.
When it comes to succeeding in your piano playing ability, remember that you will need to dedicate time to practice in order to advance. One tip to remember is that when learning anything new, especially a musical instrument, it is better to concentrate intensely for 30 minutes in front of your keyboard (in the case of piano practice) than it is to spend an hour of below-average concentration time. If you are working on improving your arpeggio, octave, chord progression, or concerto, 30-minute sessions are the very least you should aim for.
From private lessons and online piano courses, to the conservatory and private music schools, the options for piano education are vast. This could not be more true in today’s digital world where free tutorials and tips are widely available across the internet. For example, you can also take piano online lessons.
There is no doubt that to establish solid musical foundations, traditional lessons or a private tutor are the best ways to learn. Amongst the many advantages of a private piano teacher, is their ability to address your individual concerns, questions, doubts, and even lack of motivation at times.
When it comes to what to expect from your piano lessons, you can look forward to the following:
- Mastering how to maintain the correct posture.
- Practising songs.
- Learning piano scales, octaves, chord progression, and arpeggios.
- Music theory and sight-reading.
It won’t take you long to see progress and every small reward will spur you on to keep practising. There’s no doubt that this ability to progress fairly easily, makes learning how to play the piano, one of the most gratifying past times available.
Finally, remember that even though you can expect times of frustration when it comes to learning any new instrument, it is your dedication and perseverance that will yield results and enable you to grow in ability and confidence.
Find effective piano lessons for kids (or adults) when you search for a tutor on Superprof!
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