You don't hear much piano in current songs these days. Billy Joel and Elton John can still sell out stadiums, but they're the only guys on piano that can do it. Nobody seems to be stepping up to replace them.

Even the churches are moving away from piano/organ lead services to "contemporary" worship.

Is there any need to learn to play piano instead of how to "use" a sampler? Do pianos make good firewood?

[This message has been edited by Philo B 93 (edited 12/14/2009 3:29p).]

Some form of the piano will always be around. Keyboards are a huge part of Hip Hop for sampling tracks and what not. Many big musicians still use the piano in their music today; Muse, Jamie Cullum, Colplay, etc. Not to mention the countless number of bands that use it for ballads. It's here to stay. It's not like it will go extinct like the harpsichord.

Coldplay, arguably the biggest band in the world, is led by a piano player and features the piano in most of its songs. Ben Folds is hugely popular, Keane has experienced world wide success, etc. etc.

If anything the Piano has made a comeback in the past 5-10 years. The piano has been around for almost half a millenium, I'm pretty sure it's not ever going to go away completely.

[This message has been edited by Dallasag02 (edited 12/14/2009 3:34p).]

Jack's Mannequin/Something Corporate is also a fairly popular piano band

still big in jazz
Brad Mehldau, Eldar Djangorov, Hiromi, E.S.T., Bad Plus, etc.

I'm no fan of Alicia Keys, but doesn't she use a piano as the primary instrument in a lot of her music?

Muse incorporates it plenty on their albums and live, so does Radiohead.

Those 2 & Coldplay are probably in the top 5 right now as far as drawing crowds internationally live.

There aren't many bands playing stadium type shows that don't utilize keys in some form or fashion.

I think some portion of artists will always compose on a piano.

I wish i could play the piano. I would get so many wimmens...

i played the piano from 2nd until 6th grade but i quit because i didnt think it was cool. definately one of the things i wish i would have kept up with. i played the saxophone for 10 years and i hate the damn thing now.

i dont really listen to new music very much but groups these days use all kinds of instruments other than drums and guitars and the piano is one of the more common ones. the op needs to listen better.

I will check out some of these groups (i.e. "listen better".

I mostly listen to modern and hard rock, but I like melodic music, also.

I distinguish between piano and keyboard. I think there are people who can play the keyboard that can't play the piano. Any piano player can play the keyboard. Harry Connick Jr. is great piano player.

Aren't the keys in Radiohead and Coldplay more electric and background music than Elton John's?

Chris Martin plays an upright piano at Coldplay concerts. Ben Folds plays a grand piano pretty much exclusively and is freaking awesome. Those are the only two I can speak to from actually seeing them live, but there are many others who actually mike up a piano.

Piano bands will never be the majority of bands out there, but there will always be at least 2-3 rock solid piano bands out there in every generation.

Nat King Cole - Little Richard - Ray Charles - Elton John - Billy Joel - Harry Connick Jr. - Coldplay - Keane - Muse - etc. etc. There are tons of others, but these are just major individuals or groups I can think of from the past 50-60 years.

It seems like there is a line of piano guys dating way back that always seem to be at or near the forefront of their era.

quote:

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Aren't the keys in Radiohead and Coldplay more electric and background music than Elton John's?

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kCKob1YKOU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwkgQN2K2yY

Jack's Mannequin/something corporate isn't for everyone, but I like it a lot. Here's one of their more popular songs. I know they aren't the same thing, but they have the same lead guy that plays the piano.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x232hd_jacks-mannequin-dark-blue_music

David Gray plays a lot of piano in his music

He is coming to Houston and Austin in March if you would like to check him out. He's fantastic live. I love him

And Aqualung uses one too

I saw them open for david Gray...

Roy Bittan of the E-Street band is my favorite member of the group. He also happens to be one of the best piano players anywhere. He has recorded with a who's-who of rock and roll.


Now the thing that I call livin' is just bein' satisfied with knowin' I got no one else to blame

I hear the piano a lot in music today actually...maybe more so the keyboard, but it is in no way a dying instrument.

which is a good thing because it's my all time favorite instrument.

Regina Spektor also uses the piano as her primary instrument.

john legend

This post is going to give me a heart attack ack ack ack ack ack ack, you oughtta know by now

_____________________________________
I'm AggieRinger and I approve this message!

I play keys in strawberryJAM.

Check out my work on our MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/strawberryJAMsforyou

[This message has been edited by zeefunk09 (edited 12/15/2009 3:39a).]

I think this guy has one up on Andrew McMahon(who I've seen in concert since before Leaving Through the Window)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szaM0D-0pGY
Hello, Good Friend is his most piano heavy album


[This message has been edited by EliteZags (edited 12/15/2009 5:24a).]

quote:

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Eldar Djangorov

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This guy is absolutely outstanding. Highly recommended.

Another outstanding pianist not mentioned yet is Diana Krall. Her voice may not appeal to everyone (I happen to like a bit of raspy sultriness), but she is fantastic on the ivories.

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shocked someone is familiar!
try E.S.T. - unfortunately he (Esbjorn Svensson) died in a drowning accident 2-3 years ago, but his music is fantastic. They've got some stuff on youtube & pandora.
Hiromi is a bit avant-garde and all over the place (jazz, some rock influences, keyboards with piano, etc.)
Bad Plus is hit-or-miss, I think they try too hard to be creative.
Mehldau is consistently top of his game....
Eldar is too young to be this good!

boy09,


Ive played guitar for 15 years, always wanted to play piano, but never had the time, i ran thru this guy and have learned most of the beatles songs on piano, and its easy and fun.

http://www.youtube.com/user/pianojohn113?blend=1&ob=4

I used to laugh at my cousin who had to go to piano practice and hated it. I would give anything to go back and go in his place. If you or your child has any musical dreams, start them on the piano. No other instrument teaches you the full compliment of music than piano. Start on it and all instruments become easier.

I hear a lot of piano in music, its just not often used as the "main" instrument.

That Norah Jones chick had pretty good luck.

yeh piano is everywhere.. it's def. had more use then in the 90's, IMO. For rock anyway.. hip/hop r&b always has piano/keys.

Hell even Opeth has lots of piano/mellotron/organ.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKtxVpSHrD0&feature=related



[This message has been edited by metaltim (edited 12/15/2009 9:37a).]

One Republic.

Alicia Keys might not like this question.

Andy Davis and Regina Spektor are another two current artists that play the piano.

lady gaga also plays during her shows.

instruments can't die.