There’s More to Playing the Piano


Chapter 28 - Style

While not strictly a music theory topic, an appreciation of musical style is important for understanding composers and their repertoire. The table opposite necessarily contains some sweeping generalisations, but should provide some insight into musical style and some useful vocabulary to describe music from the various eras. Some of the ideas (counterpoint, terraced dynamics, blue notes) may be new to you. It is worth looking up the meaning of these phrases or, even better, discussing them with your piano teacher. All the characteristics noted here relate to piano music. This is because music exam...

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