- This article deals with those who play the piano. For other uses, see pianist (disambiguation).
A pianist is a person who plays the piano reasonably well.
A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an orchestra or smaller ensemble, or accompany one or more singers or solo instrumentalists.
A performing classical pianist usually starts playing piano at a very young age, some as early as three years old. Many well-known classical composers were able pianists themselves; for example, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Liszt, Johannes Brahms, Frederic Chopin, Robert Schumann, and Sergei Rachmaninoff were all virtuoso pianists. Most pianists specialize in certain composer(s)'s music to some extent.
Most western forms of music can make use of the piano. Consequently, pianists have a wide variety of forms and styles to choose from, including jazz, classical music, and all sorts of popular music.
Well-known OR influential classical pianists:
Well known pop music pianists:
See List of jazz pianists.
Well known blues pianists include:
See the List of boogie woogie musicians for more blues players.
Well known country piano pickers include:
Well known gospel or contemporary Christian pianists include:
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