{"id":7075,"date":"2022-03-08T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-08T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/?p=7075"},"modified":"2023-01-09T15:58:54","modified_gmt":"2023-01-09T23:58:54","slug":"female-pianists-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/female-pianists-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Female Pianists You Should Know (Women&#8217;s History Month)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>March is Women&#8217;s History Month! This month, celebrate the contributions of female pianists by learning about women who have made history in the piano world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color:#fff;display:inline-block;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif;color:#a7a7a7;font-size:11px;width:100%;max-width:594px;\"><div style=\"padding:0;margin:0;text-align:left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.ca\/detail\/524799373\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div><div style=\"overflow:hidden;position:relative;height:0;padding:97.6431% 0 0 0;width:100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/524799373?et=gShmaEyYSJh9sqMsQ7LzJA&amp;tld=ca&amp;sig=_43ewH94bVPQG1CLd-g2sAuAICtAjvRvwfzr9XUDp6o=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"594\" height=\"580\" style=\"display:inline-block;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;margin:0;\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color:#fff;display:inline-block;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif;color:#a7a7a7;font-size:11px;width:100%;max-width:572px;\"><div style=\"padding:0;margin:0;text-align:left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.ca\/detail\/1166488511\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div><div style=\"overflow:hidden;position:relative;height:0;padding:103.84615% 0 0 0;width:100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/1166488511?et=521zLDQVSUdMFHcEgYeQWw&amp;tld=ca&amp;sig=5XXWSzza3292UyDL5-rQzImKjyKleUNVtEiIVqb7hNk=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"572\" height=\"594\" style=\"display:inline-block;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;margin:0;\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color:#fff;display:inline-block;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif;color:#a7a7a7;font-size:11px;width:100%;max-width:551px;\"><div style=\"padding:0;margin:0;text-align:left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.ca\/detail\/633954910\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div><div style=\"overflow:hidden;position:relative;height:0;padding:107.803986% 0 0 0;width:100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/633954910?et=MBzwhiMSTF5E4uDbUMnwRw&amp;tld=ca&amp;sig=MPmYILjbtjKpe_XTBtYEgXn6dEwnPecmCL8lydlWlR0=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"551\" height=\"594\" style=\"display:inline-block;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;margin:0;\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Female Pianists Throughout History<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Women weren\u2019t always a big part of the music industry. And many of the world\u2019s top piano players (from Elton John to Lang Lang) are men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart\u2019s sister <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/nannerl-mozart\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nannerl<\/a> was a brilliant pianist who may have composed music of her own. But when she became an adult, it was no longer socially acceptable for her to perform in public. So she retreated from public life, married, and became a teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, some of the most respected pianists in the world are women. Still, most of the piano music we play are composed by men. So, in this listicle of women pianists, we won\u2019t just include performers but creators as well. And we\u2019ll cross through many genres!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"blue-text-block\"><center><h2 style=\"font-size:20px;\"><b>\ud83c\udfb9 Boost Your Piano Knowledge \ud83e\udde0<\/b><\/h2><\/center><p>Enjoying this article? Sign up for free lessons, interviews, tips, and other interesting content that will make you a better pianist. Unsubscribe anytime.<\/p><iframe class=\"email-form-include\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/weeklyemail\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Classical Pianists<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Martha Argerich<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Liszt, Hungarian Rhapsody No.6, Martha Argerich 1966\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LhInwkq4nAw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ravel : Concerto en sol (Martha Argerich \/ Orchestre national de France \/ Emmanuel Krivine)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vlvWfP-iFmY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The musician some claim as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/music\/2021\/jun\/17\/martha-argerich-review-euroarts-collection-80-birthday\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">greatest living pianist<\/a> in the world right now is a woman: Martha Argerich.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Argentine-born pianist is eighty years old at the time of this post and still performing with the charisma she had when she debuted in the 60s. Argerich exhibited musical talent early and was pushed into studies as a result. An <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/entertainment\/music\/martha-argerich-is-a-legend-of-the-classical-music-world-but-she-doesnt-act-like-one\/2016\/12\/01\/117095b4-b104-11e6-be1c-8cec35b1ad25_story.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">early teacher<\/a> once remarked that she was six years old with the soul of a forty-year-old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While her technical virtuosity may suggest a disciplined lifestyle, Argerich has a reputation as a somewhat chaotic artist. She is known to cancel concerts at the last minute, but that hasn\u2019t stopped loyal fans from flocking to her shows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We recommend watching the documentary <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/WV2jPWyQOqE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Bloody Daughter<\/em> <\/a>(made by Argerich\u2019s youngest daughter) to learn more about this fascinating pianist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Yuja Wang<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Yuja Wang: NPR Music Field Recordings\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1te0jHkRB0s?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Yuja Wang plays the Flight of the Bumble-Bee (Vol du Bourdon)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8alxBofd_eQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Yuja Wang is one of the biggest piano names today. The piano was a wedding gift to her parents, Wang started playing on it one day, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.steinway.com\/news\/features\/i-have-that-blood-yuja-wang\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the rest is history<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wang recalls attending <em>Swan Lake <\/em>performances with her ballet dancer mother as a formative musical experience. She has since been associated with the Russian masters like Rachmaninov and Prokofiev.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-default\" style=\"font-size:24px;\"><p>All those Russian pieces, they have a way [of bringing] out all the emotions and all the longings, nostalgic feelings in us so we feel really human. But at the same time it&#8217;s like something larger than life, larger than humans, something we&#8217;re all connected to. So there&#8217;s like a collective maestoso, glorious feeling about it. That we are part of something bigger than us.<\/p><cite>Yuja Wang: <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/JdCJzInwyso\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Interview with LISTEN Magazine<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color:#fff;display:inline-block;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif;color:#a7a7a7;font-size:11px;width:100%;max-width:396px;\"><div style=\"padding:0;margin:0;text-align:left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.ca\/detail\/966262896\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div><div style=\"overflow:hidden;position:relative;height:0;padding:150% 0 0 0;width:100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/966262896?et=Wi3fOoG7TSB4jKBNMJz-7g&amp;tld=ca&amp;sig=t-jmn_jrLZN7r8sgDBIKT9W3oL75S52qbNhr9cpk1pA=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"396\" height=\"594\" style=\"display:inline-block;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;margin:0;\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, Wang is both a formidable performer and a style icon, instantly recognizable by her asymmetrical hairstyles, striking outfits, and, of course, fearless playing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Clara Schumann<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Clara Schumann - Nocturne Op.6 No.2 | Tiffany Poon\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fMlmJ94WcUs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Encountering Robert &amp; Clara Schumann (Documentary)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/NK6HLaZ4kp4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>For most of history, women composers were frowned upon. Still, Clara Schumann (wife of Robert Schumann) spawned a legacy not just in piano but in music as a whole.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><meta charset=\"utf-8\">Schumann learned how to play piano from her father, Friedrich Wieck. Then, a young Robert Schumann moved in and took piano lessons from Wieck. He eventually fell in love with the teenage Clara. The two married against the wishes of Clara\u2019s father, and their relationship, while lopsided at times, was one where they largely <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/08\/28\/arts\/music\/clara-schumann.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">supported each other\u2019s careers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><meta charset=\"utf-8\">While she only published 23 compositions, mostly for solo piano, Clara Schumann is credited with building what we know today as the <a href=\"https:\/\/womenyoushouldknow.net\/clara-schumann-master-piano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u201crecital.\u201d<\/a> While it was Liszt who coined the word, Schumann made an art out of forming a programme people would enjoy, interspersing popular pieces with lesser-known ones. She especially championed Beethoven\u2019s music, nurturing an interest that lasts to the present day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/f\/f9\/Clara_Schumann_1853.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"292\" height=\"422\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Jazz Pianists<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Mary Lou Williams<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/Ci57BRwfM9Q\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How To Swing Like Mary Lou Williams (Featuring Helen Sung)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LFg_BdPV3Kw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Mary Lou Williams may not be a household name for everyone, but she was the force behind some of jazz\u2019s biggest history makers. In fact, she mentored students like Miles Davis, Thelonius Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, and more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A prolific composer and arranger, Williams began arranging for Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy at age 19. She then wrote over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marylouwilliams.foundation\/about\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">350 compositions<\/a> during her career. She was especially respected for her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2019\/09\/10\/749743012\/how-mary-lou-williams-shaped-the-sound-of-the-big-band-era\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">music notation skills<\/a>, as swing rhythms and occasional dissonance (common in jazz) are notoriously difficult to write down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Williams helped usher in the new genre of be-bop. She also took a three-year break from music at one point, converted to Roman Catholicism, and then penned religious music. Because she had difficulty getting a record deal herself, she founded her own record company, Mary Records, as well as a publishing company, Cecilia Music Co.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Diana Krall<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Diana Krall - Autumn In New York (Official Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/v5FVmJKPSrY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Diana Krall - Frim Fram Sauce (Live)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ZS_6vtAGTE0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Diana Krall\u2019s combination of sultry vocals and classy piano has made her a jazz icon. Raised in a musical family, Krall studied at the Berklee School of Music and first <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca\/en\/article\/diana-krall-emc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rocketed to fame<\/a> in the 90s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-default\" style=\"font-size:24px;\"><p>People will say, \u2018All you\u2019re doing is cocktail piano.\u2019 I don\u2019t obsess about that. Things that sound simple . . . it\u2019s not the easiest thing.<\/p><cite>Diana Krall: Interview with <a href=\"https:\/\/jazztimes.com\/archives\/diana-krall-an-intimate-portrait\/?_ga=2.44801316.1811323123.1646169716-1078248500.1646169716\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jazz Times<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>As for singing, for a long time the only place Krall sang was after school with her maternal grandma. She tried to sing as little as possible, but soon learned that adding vocals to her performance significantly advanced her career.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>For folks new to jazz, Krall\u2019s music is an accessible yet sophisticated introduction. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/diana-krall\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Here\u2019s a list of songs<\/a> by Diana Krall to try out first, including a list of jazz standards to familiarize yourself with if you plan to explore the genre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pop Pianists<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Alicia Keys<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Alicia Keys: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uwUt1fVLb3E?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Extra Minutes | A PIANO LESSON WITH ALICIA KEYS\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lXqdTF4JF6E?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s right in her name! Alicia Keys has become a contemporary pop piano icon with hits like \u201cFallin\u2019,\u201d \u201cIf I Ain\u2019t Got You,\u201d and \u201cEmpire State of Mind\u201d ruling the early 2000s. She started <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2016\/09\/22\/495058623\/songwriting-state-of-mind-the-stories-behind-alicia-keys-hits\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">playing piano<\/a> at an early age because it allowed her to focus and create.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Raised by a single mother in a rough area of New York City, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2020\/03\/27\/821654852\/alicia-keys-reflects-on-how-life-experiences-gave-her-permission-to-be-more-myse\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Keys\u2019 career<\/a> has been driven by hard work, occasionally escaping from the spotlight, and plenty of self-awareness. Themes like ambition and hope are present in a lot of her music, as is the city of New York.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-default\" style=\"font-size:24px;\"><p>I&#8217;ve always been an advocate, like somebody who understands the fight of defying the odds. I think that drives me a lot with what I sing about, and what I write about really talks about kind of this idea of potential and possibility because I as well, at one time, there was nothing but a potential or possibility.<\/p><cite>Alicia Keys: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2020\/03\/27\/821654852\/alicia-keys-reflects-on-how-life-experiences-gave-her-permission-to-be-more-myse\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NPR<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Lady Gaga<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Lady Gaga - Paparazzi (Live Acoustic)\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/oP8SrlbpJ5A?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Lady Gaga - Joanne (Where Do You Think You\u2019re Goin\u2019?) (Piano Version)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8ll04Zzw5UM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Lady Gaga is best known as a pop icon and for her dark, powerful vocals. So it may surprise you to learn that she was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classicfm.com\/discover-music\/lady-gaga-best-piano-performances\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">accepted into Julliard<\/a> at age eleven to study piano!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Raised in New York, Gaga\u2019s childhood was filled with art. She took singing lessons with Christina Aguilera\u2019s vocal coach and had full-day acting lessons on Saturdays. She also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mic.com\/articles\/112334\/the-story-of-how-lady-gaga-became-famous-will-make-you-like-her-even-more\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">studied classical piano<\/a> and credits her pop song writing skills to understanding how classical music works. \u201cIt\u2019s all tension and release.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gaga\u2019s parents bought her a Boston grand piano when she turned 13, after she proved that she was serious about pursuing music. Years later, on that <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/7kp_X_K0lOE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">same piano<\/a>, Gaga and her dad composed \u201cEdge of Glory\u201d while drinking tequila. It was the evening before her grandfather died and the song was written in celebration of his life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-css-opacity has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/history\/article\/why-the-us-celebrates-womens-history-month-every-march\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Women&#8217;s History Month<\/a> was first declared official by the U.S. Congress in 1987. Women have contributed generously to the evolution of music, but we may not know the full extent of their contributions because theirs were not always recorded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We hope this list of female pianists will inspire you to discover more woman musicians. And the next time you notice that women seem to be missing from a particular art form, pause and ask yourself why. Then, take to the internet and see if it&#8217;s really true. Chances are, plenty of women are creating awesome things!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<iframe class=\"email-form-include-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/weekly-email\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>March is Women&#8217;s History Month! Celebrate the contributions of female pianists by learning about seven history-makers in the piano world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":7091,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1108],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7075","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-musicianship"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7075","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7075"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7075\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10434,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7075\/revisions\/10434"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7091"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7075"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7075"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7075"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}