When someone mentions playing “rhythmic piano,” it can mean different things to different people. In the broader musical landscape, playing rhythmic piano generally refers to playing almost anything other than traditional classical music.
While some might argue that classical music also has rhythm, the terms “rhythmic music” and “classical music” have become the standard labels for two overarching—and quite distinct—styles of playing.
Understanding Rhythmic Piano
Playing rhythmic piano means navigating genres like pop, rock, soul, and country. It also means that the music you play is heavily driven by its rhythmic elements. This is where concepts like “feeling” and “groove” become central. Groove refers to the rhythmic feel or the “pocket” of a song that makes you want to tap your foot or nod your head.
In general, rhythmic music implies a high degree of freedom to interpret the melody, the harmony, and the rhythm itself. This freedom is highly pronounced in jazz, for example, and perhaps slightly less so in traditional folk music.
Classical Piano vs Rhythmic Piano
Classical music and rhythmic music are not opposites, and one style is not inherently better than the other. However, if you are just starting to learn the piano, it is highly beneficial to figure out which of these two directions appeals to you the most.
While you can certainly play both, if your goal is to become truly proficient, it is often best to focus your practice on one primary style. Very few professional pianists master both styles completely.
Learning Through Feeling and Groove
If you find yourself drawn to music that is funky, groovy, and full of soul, then the rhythmic approach is likely for you. If the music you are learning does not speak to you or lacks feeling, it can easily lead to frustration and cause you to give up the instrument entirely.
In traditional classical piano lessons, it can sometimes take a very long time before you reach a level where you actually feel a connection to what you are playing. Strict sheet music reading, heavy theory, scale exercises, and rigid finger techniques can sometimes drain the joy out of learning.
The rhythmic approach suggests a different path: focus on learning a few fundamental skills and start playing—and feeling—your favourite songs before you do anything else. Start by enjoying the music and getting inspired. Later on, you can build upon that inspiration and delve into sheet music, theory, and all the other technical aspects if you choose to.
Music Has Traditionally Been Learned by Ear
Consider how music is passed down in many cultures around the world. Cultures rich in song and dance often transmit their music to the next generation simply by singing and playing together. They feel the music and they enjoy it. They do not rely on notes printed on paper; they use their ears, their bodies, and their musical memory.
You likely already do this. You have inherited songs from your environment—holiday songs, nursery rhymes, or classic pop hits. You know these songs by heart, “inside your head,” without ever needing sheet music. You only needed your ears and your memory. This is exactly how you can approach learning the piano.
Playing Songs You Already Know
You already know your favourite pop and rock songs. You can probably sing along, knowing the melody and the lyrics. All you need to do is listen to the song, understand where the chords change, build those chords on the keyboard, and mimic the rhythmic feel of the song with both hands. Once you do that, you are playing your favourite song on the piano. You can feel the music, enjoy the process, and find the inspiration to learn more.
If you want to learn this approach step-by-step and focus on groove rather than sheet music, you can join the free “Piano in 3 Weeks” webinar here.
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