Don t Be Afraid of Melody

In New Age piano music, there are basically twothe introduction. It's a simple theme that most
styles - textural and melodic. The textural style iswould say is "New Age." In the lesson piece
usually associated with George Winston whereCirrus, we have something entirely different! We
you hear beautiful backgrounds created by thehave textures created by broken chords. Melody
left hand while the right improvises melody.is not playing the lead role here. In fact, there
The melodic style popularized by David Lanz,really is no discernible melody at all - although
places melody at the forefront.there really is no music without melody - (a whole
Many students fall in love with the textural side ofnew topic!)
New Age piano and while there is nothing wrongWhile I'm the first person to say play what you
at all with this, it's also a good idea to not putfeel and don't try and force yourself into playing
melody off to the side. It's a very good idea tosomething that's not your personal aesthetic, I'm
familiarize yourself with both aspects of New Agealso an advocate of not brushing off something
piano playing.completely just because it's not "your thing."
For example, the piece "Egrets" focuses mostlyLeaning how to create pieces with melody at the
on melody. In fact, the first thing you hear is theforefront is a skill that will come in handy whether
theme, which is, repeated two times more afteryou enjoy this side of New Age piano or not.