Pianist

A pianist (US: /piːˈænɪst/ pee-AN-ist, also /ˈpiːənɪst/ PEE-ə-nist) is a musician who plays the piano. Pianists can perform many kinds of music, including classical music, jazz, blues, and popular music like rock and roll. Because the piano is a versatile instrument, most pianists can also play other keyboard instruments such as the synthesizer, harpsichord, celesta, and the organ.

Pianists may perform solo pieces, join bands or orchestras, or accompany singers and other musicians. Their skills allow them to express many emotions and tell different stories through music. Learning to play the piano takes time and practice, but it can be a rewarding and beautiful way to connect with others and enjoy the art of sound.

Pianists past and present

Contemporary classical pianists play, record, teach, and study music. They also learn new pieces. Unlike pianists from the 1800s, they usually do not write music themselves. Some classical pianists help other musicians by playing accompaniment or chamber music, while others play only as soloists.

Classical

Some of the earliest and most famous pianists include Mozart, who was among the first to perform widely on the piano. From the Classical era, composers like Beethoven and Clementi were known for their amazing piano skills. Later, during the Romantic era, talented pianists such as Liszt, Brahms, Chopin, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff, and Schumann performed beautifully. This time also featured performers like Clara Schumann and Hans von Bülow, who were celebrated for their piano playing.

Jazz

Jazz pianists often play with other musicians. They play in a free and spontaneous way, different from classical pianists. They usually make up their music as they go instead of writing it down first. Some well-known jazz pianists are Bill Evans, Art Tatum, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Oscar Peterson, Bud Powell, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Brad Mehldau.

Pop and rock

Popular pianists can play live in concerts or theatres. They can also work as session musicians. They often use synthesizers and other electronic keyboards. Famous popular pianists include Liberace, one of the highest paid entertainers in the world. There is also Elton John, known as a great performer, and Billy Joel, nicknamed "The Piano Man". Other well-known pianists are Richard Clayderman, famous for playing covers of popular songs, and the comedian Victor Borge.

Pianists by genre

Because there are so many pianists, it is easier to group them by the type of music they play. Below are links to lists of well-known pianists divided by their music genres.

Classical pianists

• List of classical pianists (recorded)
• List of classical pianists
• List of classical piano duos (performers)

Jazz pianists

• List of jazz pianists

Pop and rock music pianists

• List of pop and rock pianists

Blues pianists

• List of blues musicians
• List of boogie woogie musicians

Gospel pianists

• List of gospel musicians

New-age pianists

• List of new-age music artists

Pianist-composers

Many famous composers were also great pianists. They made beautiful music and played the piano very well. Some well-known pianist-composers include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Frédéric Chopin, Franz Liszt, Clara Schumann, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, Béla Bartók, Sergei Prokofiev, George Gershwin, Dmitri Shostakovich, Jon Batiste, and Tigran Hamasyan. These musicians helped create wonderful piano music from different times.

Amateur pianism

Many people learn to play the piano very well but choose not to become professional musicians. Instead, they keep playing for fun and sometimes give concerts. There are many talented amateur pianists around the world who perform at a high level. A famous event for them is the International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs, held each year in Paris.

One interesting story is about Jon Nakamatsu. He won a big competition for professional pianists in Fort Worth, Texas in 1997. At the time, he was not a professional musician. He was a high school German teacher and had never studied at a music conservatory. Only after winning did he start his career as a classical pianist.