Music for Keyboards Friday, March 30, 2018
by Barb M., Keyboard and Folk Music Specialist
The oldest type of keyboard instrument is the organ, or hydraulis, which dates to the third century BC. There are many types of organs. Over time, there have been many keyboard instruments, and plenty of music to go along with them.
One of the earliest collections of music for a keyboard instrument is the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book, which is a collection of compositions by many composers. There are other collections for virginal, but the Fitzwilliam collection is probably the best known. There has been so much music written for keyboards that we may never run out! There is music from at least 1562 to the present, from John Bull and John Dowland, to Lowell Liebermann and Dianne G. Rahbee.
The most common keyboard instrument nowadays is the piano, of course. Parents who can afford it make sure their children have an opportunity to explore the piano for at least a few years. All kinds of courses of instruction exist for learning to play the piano. There are lots of sheets and books of keyboard music for classical, popular, jazz, rock, blues….well, everything! If you play a keyboard instrument, you should never get bored!
If this article gets you interested in the endless variety of keyboard music, feel free to ask questions at 1-800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stantons.com, or visit our website at stantons.com. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!
About the Author:
Barb M. has worked in the Keyboard Department at Stanton’s since 1981. An active folk musician in the Columbus area, Barb also works with ensembles at her church and plays in the Columbus State Concert Band. In her spare time, Barb loves working with animals and computer games.