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 a wide range of emotions and tell many 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 focus on performing, recording, teaching, and researching music. They also add new compositions to their repertoire. Unlike pianists from the 1800s, they usually do not write or arrange music themselves. Some classical pianists specialize in accompaniment or chamber music, while others choose to pursue full-time solo careers.

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 era also highlighted performers like Clara Schumann and Hans von Bülow, who were celebrated for their piano playing.

Jazz

Jazz pianists usually perform with other musicians. Their playing style is more free and spontaneous compared to classical pianists. They often improvise their music instead of writing it down. Some famous 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 work as live performers in concerts or theatres, or 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, 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 skilled pianists. They created beautiful music and played the piano expertly. 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 contributed greatly to the world of piano music across different time periods.

Amateur pianism

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

An interesting story is about Jon Nakamatsu, who 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 begin his career as a classical pianist.