Having founded the event back in 2015, experimental ivory tinkler Nils Frahm has released a surprise new album for Piano Day 2021.
Timed to mark the 88th day of the year, Piano Day celebrates all that’s good about the beloved keyboard instrument, which has been the focus of Frahm’s recording career for well over a decade.
It turns out that the ‘new’ album, Graz (opens in new tab), actually dates from 2009, and was his first for the Erased Tapes label. However, it never saw the light of day; Frahm instead decided to focus on the close-mic’d, dampened piano pieces that ended up forming the basis of 2011 album Felt.
Despite having a more natural grand piano sound, Graz, is still distinctively Frahm, though more tonally conventional than some of his recorded outings.
If the album inspires you to learn to play the piano, check out the beginner lessons below, which will help you get started.
Graz (opens in new tab) is available to stream now, with physical editions available from 21 May.
How to start playing the piano
How to position your right hand when you're playing the keyboard
How to recognise the notes on a keyboard
How to play your first scale on a piano or MIDI keyboard
How to play your first chords on a piano or MIDI keyboard
How to understand and play diatonic chords on a piano or MIDI keyboard
How to play the blues scale on your piano or MIDI keyboard
How to play chord inversions on a piano or MIDI keyboard
How to play 12 essential chords on your MIDI keyboard
