New Age Piano?

Subject: New Age Piano?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 02 Jun 05 - 05:54 AM

What do we think about "new age piano"? George Winston, David Lanz etc. I bet this request produces some very varied views on the subject!

Subject: RE: New Age Piano?
From: GUEST,Joe Moran
Date: 02 Jun 05 - 08:00 AM

I have George Winston's December album, and I'm really fond of that.

Subject: RE: New Age Piano?
From: Mooh
Date: 02 Jun 05 - 08:45 AM

I'm not a fan, but it might help revive interest in the piano, and that's a good thing. My piano tastes run more to J.S.Bach and Oscar Peterson, but it's a big world with room for many styles and many more crossovers. If it helps make musicians and live music it is good.

Is there anything else I should hear to educate myself in the style?

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: New Age Piano?
From: mack/misophist
Date: 02 Jun 05 - 09:57 AM

It's good to study any instrument. Piano is probably the best to learn theory on.

Subject: RE: New Age Piano?
From: GUEST,Donovan Johnson
Date: 25 Jan 11 - 12:19 PM

My opinion is that it's modern day classical music. The argument that New Age is "fluff" music is one that I've heard a lot, and my response to that is always: "you haven't listened to enough New Age." The genre can be very invigorating, and take an aggressive appoach as well. Jon Schmidt is an amazing New Age pianist, and I'd challenge any pianist to download his song "Waterfall" and play it as well as he does.

Thanks for the discussion, I'm looking forward to hearing more from others!

Donovan Johnson
http://www.donovanjohnson.net
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Subject: RE: New Age Piano?
From: John P
Date: 25 Jan 11 - 06:59 PM

New Age music with a good melody is really good. If it has a boring noodly melody, it's boring. Pretty much like any other music. I've spent many, many lovely hours playing what most would consider New Age piano, mostly improvisational. It's fun and educational.

Subject: RE: New Age Piano?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 10:21 AM

I listened to the song 'Waterfall' on YouTube. It's a fine piece, but nothing like what I've been told is New Age music.

Listen to it carefully. Do you hear it going Ya-ta-ta Ya-ta-ta? It is a double jig, a fast tune in 6/8 time, traditional in its rhythm and tonality. A fine and powerful double jig, but not a piece of New Age piano.

JOhn P, I agree with you.

Subject: RE: New Age Piano?
From: terrier
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 11:17 AM

I've just listened and it sounds to me like 4/4time played as triplets, maybe that's just to confuse us?
What exactly is New Age Piano. Does Michael O'suilleabhain play it? IMHO a very talented musician who is not afraid to 'experiment' with the piano. Waterfall is OK, but not worth a second listen. But that's just my opinion.

Subject: RE: New Age Piano?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 03:57 PM

Hmm! Could be. Thanks for taking the time to listen.

To me, New Age music involves long lines, thoughtful but not meaningful, which float from one black key to the next, usually at a languid pace.

Subject: RE: New Age Piano?
From: gnu
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 04:44 PM

Boogie Man.

Thanks Beer.

Subject: RE: New Age Piano?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 06:24 PM

thanks, gnu. I believe that's what's called Old Age music. Not in a derogatory way, of course.

Subject: RE: New Age Piano?
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 07:36 PM

Posted once years ago ....when this was new.

This is "OLD" stuff. Even the Sunday morning - drunk on champaign - nibbling the stale smoked salmon that once came with bagles but is now bedded on pickled rice under the false label "Sashimi" NEVER ask for this....anymore ... however.

For filler, between sets, as a substitue (like fish roe - for caviar, or rice for bagles)

Take any piano piece - Hymns in particular because of their 6 to 12 note chord pattern. PLAY It In Reverse...arpeggios of the broken chords tremble to bass.

VIOLA.

Manifique

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

flat some fifths, and slur a half step to the tonal..."GENIUS."

Subject: RE: New Age Piano?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 07:40 PM

"Do you hear it going Ya-ta-ta Ya-ta-ta?"

Now you've made me remember Boom Oo Yatta-Ta-Ta ....

Subject: RE: New Age Piano?
From: terrier
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 08:01 PM

OK, I've listened to a lot more of it now. The way I hear it is one develops a musical motif with the left hand, allowing for variation on the theme, whilst extemporising on the theme with the right hand. All the items I've listened to follow this format. Am I getting close?
Interesting concept,the repeating theme makes it sound quite 'folky' in a modal sort of way (maybe that's not a good way to explain it?).Not something I could spend much time listening to but that's just personal pref. I still can't see why it's called 'New Age' as there's nothing new about this musical form.

Subject: RE: New Age Piano?
From: Wesley S
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 09:28 PM

Sine someone already mentioned George Winston I'll mention that if you have a chance to see him in concert like I have you'll hear several styles of music. Along with "new age" piano you'll most likely hear some Hawaiian slack key guitar music, celtic or jewish songs on the harmonica and stride piano styles. It's a much more varied program than you would suspect. And the program handed out at the concerts information on where to find out more about a wide varity of music forms.

Subject: RE: New Age Piano?
From: Ron Davies
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 10:31 PM

"New Age music with a good melody..."    Aye, there's the rub.

What's the old saw?:

Q:   What do you get if you play New Age music backwards?

A:   New Age music.




New age music may have Debussy-esque ambitions.    But never quite gets there. And as for its variations---once you've heard Bach why would you ever be satisfied with New Age?

Subject: RE: New Age Piano?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 10:44 PM

I have a new CD of New Age music which I like to play while driving. It provides a little company during red lights while not being dangerously distracting.

Bach, on the other hand, could get interesting enough to be a risk.

Loved your joke!

Subject: RE: New Age Piano?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 27 Jan 11 - 02:24 AM

What I took to be 'New Age Music' was just very boring to me - just 'deedle deedle' stuff, with no real melody or 'music dramatics', such as tension/resolution, etc. Bearable for a short elevator journey, but not really to 'listen' to.

Subject: RE: New Age Piano?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 27 Jan 11 - 03:05 AM

Of course, jazz pianist Keith Jarrett is often called "the father of new age piano" ( a title he hates!).
Here's Keith playing "Shenandoah".

Shenandoah

Subject: RE: New Age Piano?
From: John P
Date: 27 Jan 11 - 05:20 PM

Keith Jarrett albums are what got me into playing improvisational piano. Very talented man.

Subject: RE: New Age Piano?
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jan 11 - 05:39 PM

I belive Yann Tiersen (composer of the score for the film "Amelie" a.k.a. "Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amelie Poulain") thinks of himself as a New Age musician. I quite like his stuff.

And we owe George Winston something for his efforts to promote Sam Hinton.

Subject: RE: New Age Piano?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 27 Jan 11 - 08:17 PM

That last GUEST was me (cookie lost in a computer upgrade).