'New Age' Approach to Piano Playing Grows in Popularity

Jan. 12, 2013 - PRLog -- Getting older doesn’t mean creativity and fun have to stop. At least that’s according to piano teacher Edward Weiss.

Weiss teaches a style of piano known as ‘new age.’ And for those of you who have never heard a George Winston CD or the music of David Lanz, you’re probably too young to appreciate this music.

But for those of us nearing or passed retirement age, New Age music is nothing new. For most, it’s a way to relax and unwind after a busy day at work.

When asked why he teaches this style of music, Weiss responds:

“I first heard New Age piano back in the early 1980’s. A CD by someone named George Winston was playing and I immediately liked what I heard. I couldn’t put a finger on it or tell you exactly why I liked it. I just knew. A few years later, I taught myself how to improvise and compose in this style and wanted to share it with others.”

The course Weiss teaches online now has over 150 lessons. Titles like ‘Reflections in Water’ and ‘Caverns’ give some idea of the impressionistic nature of this music. Mostly, it’s a free-flowing sound that can be quite relaxing and even meditative.

Weiss elaborates…

“Piano lessons have always been either strictly note reading or playing other people’s music, I didn’t want to do that. I just wanted to take the music inside me and be able to quickly get it out on the piano. I realized there really were no books or instruction that would help me do this so I came up with my own method and it all has to do with a chord-based approach.”

A free piano lesson ‘Forest Interlude' is available at Weiss’s website http://www.Quiescencemusic.com