Pure Moods: Playing New Age Piano
Mood music has been popular for a very long time. Way, way before New Age music was established, we’ve had compositions like “The Planets” by Gustav Holst, “Water Music” by Handel, and “Snowflakes are Dancing” by Claude Debussy.
Of course, it wasn’t called “mood music’ back then, but people loved the idea of listening to something titled “Grand Canyon Suite” and being led by the music through what the composer experienced. Pieces like “On the Trail” and “Painted Desert” led the listener through the composer’s imagination and allowed for a journey into sound.
New Age piano continues this love of descriptive music and has made it’s own contributions. CDs like George Winston’s “December” are platinum-selling albums because they allow listeners to experience
...before any other and is foundational for further success at composing. Once you are able to sit down at the piano and can trust your intuition to guide you, you're ready to compose.Composition is really just slowed down improvisation. We ...
The CD “Yosemite” by Rick Erlien also celebrates nature’s beauty through music and has also been a best seller. It’s not surprising. After all, people have loved descriptive music for centuries now!
The great thing about New Age piano is that it’s quite easy to learn! Years of studying theory and harmony are not required. In fact, because of its improvisational approach, students can jump right in and begin creating their own unique music right away!
Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music’s online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for
...s clinic doctor was that, I needed to create velocity as opposed to force. Once the key reached the bottom of its natural movement it can go no further. Yet, I was trying to force the note passed its end ...