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Are you a jazz lover? Maybe classical is more your speed. Or maybe you like something in between. No matter what your style, there’s a piano genre that will fit you like a glove.
Take this piano styles quiz to find out which one!
How Many Styles of Piano Are There?
There are numerous styles of piano playing, and the type of music you want to play will often dictate the style you use.
- Classical piano – this is perhaps the most well-known style, and it typically features complicated pieces that are meant to be performed in front of an audience.
- Musical theater style piano – this involves playing rhythms and chords that support the melody line of a song.
- Jazz piano – jazz pianists often use complex chord progressions and improvised solos.
- Pop piano – in this modern style piano players love, pop pianists focus on creating catchy hooks and infectious melodies.
- Country and western – country and western pianists typically play simple, twangy tunes, while blues pianists often use a more plaintive and soulful approach.
- Boogie woogie – this is a fast-paced style of piano playing that originated in the American South.
- Liturgical piano – this style of piano playing is typically more subdued and introspective, serving as a backdrop for religious ceremonies.
These are just a few of the many different styles of piano playing that exist today. If you’re curious about all the different piano styles that are out there, be sure to ask your piano instructor for some tips. You’ll learn about all the different piano styles out there plus what you see in the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wQ1ZXph1HI
Try This Piano Styles Quiz!
Whether you’ve just started taking piano lessons or you’re simply thinking about it, chances are you’re curious about the different piano styles out there.
From jazz to classical to pop, there are tons of different piano styles that you can learn. It all depends on what music you’re particularly drawn to.
Your bubbly personality, for example, might be best suited for pop piano. Or perhaps you’re an old soul who’s more into jazz.
Whatever your personality, there’s a piano style out there that’s perfect for you. To help you determine what piano style is best for you, take the fun quiz below.
Piano Playing Style Techniques: 9 Different Types of Piano Music
Here is an overview of some of the most common piano styles.
Classical
The classical piano style is a genre of music that dates back to the 18th century. It is characterized by its use of ornamentation, melodic lines, and dynamics. Classical pianists often utilize a variety of techniques to create expressive pianistic sounds, such as vibrato and pedaling.
The classical piano style was developed by a number of influential composers, including Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Ludwig van Beethoven. These composers helped to define the genre and establish its popularity throughout the Western world.
Today, the classical piano style continues to be performed and appreciated by listeners around the globe.
Musical Theater
The musical theater piano style is a unique way of playing the instrument that is often used in stage productions. This style of playing is characterized by its use of ornate melodies and chord progressions.
The goal of this style is to create an emotional response in the audience, often evoking feelings of happiness, sadness, or excitement. To do this, the pianist must be skilled in both improvisation and composition. In addition, they must be able to play with a wide range of dynamics and tempos.
As a result, the musical theater piano style is one of the most challenging and rewarding styles of piano playing. Those who are skilled in this style can bring to life some of the most memorable moments in theater history.
Liturgical
The liturgical piano style is a type of music that is typically played on the piano during religious ceremonies. This style of music is usually characterized by its slow and peaceful tempo, as well as its repeated melodic phrases. The liturgical piano style often uses chords and arpeggios to create a calming and meditative soundscape. In addition, this style of music often incorporates hymns and other religious texts into its melodies.
As a result, the liturgical piano style can be both religious and musical in nature. This type of music is typically used during Catholic masses, as well as Protestant services such as communion and baptism. However, the liturgical piano style can also be used in other settings, such as during funerals or memorial services.
Pop and Rock
The pop and rock piano style is a distinctive way of playing the instrument that developed in the 1960s.
Characterized by its use of electric pianos and keyboards, the style is often associated with artists like The Beatles, Elton John, and Billy Joel. While the pop and rock piano style can vary depending on the artist, it typically features a driving rhythm and catchy melodies.
The use of electric pianos also allows for a wider range of sounds and effects, giving the music a more dynamic edge. In recent years, the pop and rock piano style has undergone something of a resurgence, thanks in part to artists like Adele and Bruno Mars.
Whether you’re a fan of the classic sound or the contemporary take on the genre, there’s no denying that pop and rock piano is here to stay.
Jazz
Jazz piano is a piano style that developed in the early 20th century. It is characterized by improvisation, swing rhythms, and blues and gospel influences. Jazz pianists often use different techniques than classical pianists, such as using different voicings and adding percussive elements to their playing.
Many jazz pianists were highly influential in the development of the genre, including Scott Joplin, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, and Bill Evans. Today, jazz piano is still widely performed and enjoyed by listeners all over the world.
Blues
The blues is a musical genre that originated in the African-American communities of the southern United States. It is characterized by a unique blend of musical elements, including blue notes, syncopated rhythms, and guitar or piano riffs. The blues has had a significant impact on other genres of music, including jazz, rock & roll, and country. The blues piano style is one of the most distinctive features of the genre.
Blues pianists often use a “boogie woogie” bass line, which is created by repeating a single note over and over. This repetitive bassline provides a foundation for the melody, which is often improvised.
In addition to the boogie woogie bass line, blues pianists also use a variety of other techniques, such as chord progressions and arpeggios. To play piano blues style, these elements come together to create the signature sound of the blues.
Boogie Woogie
Boogie-woogie is a blues piano style that developed in the early 20th century. The style is characterized by a wide range of dynamics, from delicate and quiet passages to loud and explosive solos.
Boogie woogie pianists typically use a variety of techniques to create their signature sound, including stomping their feet, clapping their hands, and using slide and slide-hammer techniques. The most famous boogie woogie pianists include Meade Lux Lewis, Pete Johnson, and Albert Ammons.
Although the style originated in the United States, it quickly spread to Europe where it became popular with audiences of all ages. Today, the boogie woogie piano style is enjoyed by music lovers all over the world.
Cocktail
The cocktail piano style is a type of solo piano performance that combines elements of jazz, blues, and pop music. It is characterized by a relaxed, informal atmosphere and a focus on improvisation. The cocktail piano style originated in the United States in the early 20th century, and became popular in European cafes and restaurants in the 1930s and 1940s. Today, it can be heard in a wide range of settings, from intimate bars and clubs to large concert halls.
Although the cocktail piano style has evolved over time, it remains a popular and enduring form of musical expression.
Country and Western
The Country and Western piano style is a type of music that originated in the American south. It is characterized by its use of twangy, drawling vocals, as well as its focus on simple, catchy melodies.
Country and Western music often tells stories about the rural lifestyle, and its lyrics often deal with themes of love, loss, and heartache. The piano is one of the most popular instruments in
Country and Western music, and it is often used to provide a driving, upbeat rhythm.
This style of music is often considered to be one of the most authentically American genres, and it has been influential in the development of other genres such as rock and roll.
Which Piano is Best for Beginners?
Do you think your personality type might have something to do with the kind of music you prefer? Take our quiz and find out! We would love to know what style of piano playing best suits you. After all, if you’re going to learn how to play the piano, it might as well be in a style that feels natural and comfortable for you.
Once you discover your musical personality, we can help connect you with the perfect instructor who will help bring out your inner pianist. So what are you waiting for? Try our quiz today!
Brooke Neuman