| In New Age piano music, there are basically two | | | | the introduction. It's a simple theme that most |
| styles - textural and melodic. The textural style is | | | | would say is "New Age." In the lesson piece |
| usually associated with George Winston where | | | | Cirrus, we have something entirely different! We |
| you hear beautiful backgrounds created by the | | | | have 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 of | | | | new topic!) |
| New Age piano and while there is nothing wrong | | | | While I'm the first person to say play what you |
| at all with this, it's also a good idea to not put | | | | feel and don't try and force yourself into playing |
| melody off to the side. It's a very good idea to | | | | something that's not your personal aesthetic, I'm |
| familiarize yourself with both aspects of New Age | | | | also an advocate of not brushing off something |
| piano playing. | | | | completely just because it's not "your thing." |
| For example, the piece "Egrets" focuses mostly | | | | Leaning how to create pieces with melody at the |
| on melody. In fact, the first thing you hear is the | | | | forefront is a skill that will come in handy whether |
| theme, which is, repeated two times more after | | | | you enjoy this side of New Age piano or not. |