pianism
Art of keys
Pianism is the art, technique, or style of piano playing.
The word emphasizes skill and interpretation rather than mere mechanical ability: Her pianism combines technical brilliance with deep emotional sensitivity.
It appears most often in musical criticism and education, distinguishing accomplished artistry from ordinary competence at the keyboard.
Assigned meaning
- phrasingManner of expressing something
- dynamicsStudy of forces
- nuanceSlight shade of difference
- rubatoElastic musical timing
sensitivity · lyricism · expressiveness · musicality · emotionality · cantabile · voicing · shading
Note-playing hand technique
- scalesPlates or weighing devices
- arpeggiosChord notes played individually
- pedalingTurning bike cranks
- trillsRapid pitch alternations
staccato · legato · articulation · touch · voicing · ornamentation · octaves · glissando
Exceptional intelligence or luster
- dexteritySkillful hand coordination
- masteryComplete skill or control
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- prodigyGifted youth with rare talent
virtuoso · fireworks · bravura · showmanship · pyrotechnics · cadenza · improvisation · flair
Glass-enclosed plant room
- masterclassExpert-led intensive lesson
- étudeMusical training composition
- sight-readingPerforming unrehearsed notation
- practiceRepeated work toward mastery
method · teacher · student · lesson · curriculum · grading · examination · foundation
Solo musical performance
- concertoSolo-and-orchestra composition
- accompanimentSupplementary support element
- soloistUnaccompanied performer
- repertoireWorks ready to perform
chamber · sonata · program · encore · debut · competition · memorization · Steinway
interpretation
Assigned meaning
rubato · sensitivity · lyricism · expressiveness · musicality · emotionality · cantabile · voicing · shading · timing
fingering
Note-playing hand technique
trills · staccato · legato · articulation · touch · voicing · ornamentation · octaves · glissando · velocity
brilliance
Exceptional intelligence or luster
prodigy · virtuoso · fireworks · bravura · showmanship · pyrotechnics · cadenza · improvisation · flair · wizardry
conservatory
Glass-enclosed plant room
- masterclassExpert-led intensive lesson
- étudeMusical training composition
- sight-readingPerforming unrehearsed notation
practice · method · teacher · student · lesson · curriculum · grading · examination · foundation · discipline
recital
Solo musical performance
- concertoSolo-and-orchestra composition
- accompanimentSupplementary support element
- soloistUnaccompanied performer
repertoire · chamber · sonata · program · encore · debut · competition · memorization · Steinway · bench
Baroque
Ornate artistic period
- LisztHungarian Romantic-era pianist-composer
- ChopinPolish Romantic pianist-composer
- DebussyFrench impressionist composer
Rachmaninoff · Horowitz · Rubinstein · Viennese · lineage · heritage · legacy
pianismcomposition
Arranged elements forming whole
songwriting · musical composition · conducting · arranging · orchestration
- concert pianistProfessional public keyboard performer
- The PianistMusician at ivory keys
- lounge pianistPlays background music seated
- cocktail pianistBar's background keyboardist
- church pianistMusician for religious services