Patterns. That's an interesting word and one that applies well to music. There are patterns everywhere in music. Repeating patterns, note patterns, chord patterns etc.

For New Age piano playing, a pattern that comes up frequently is a crossover technique for the left hand. The left plays a repeating pattern that uses more than an octave of the keyboard while the right plays melody notes, chords, etc.

For example, in the lesson "Ocean Pacific," we have 4 chords to play with and the technique with which to play them - a repeating crossover pattern.

Now, what's so great about this is that you have an aural background over which you may freely improvise your melodies. In essence, what is created is a repeating loop. This loop can also be looked at as a section of music. When you start thinking in sections, you'll be doing what composers do.

This pattern for the left hand is used frequently in New Age piano playing because you can create sections of music very quickly and easily. And it's attractive because it gives you the New Age sound quickly too!

How many patterns are there? An infinite amount. In fact, there are so many that it may be impossible to create them all. That's why music is so limitless. Experiment with your own patterns and you'll see how easy creating in the New Age style can be!

Edward Weiss

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet!