Music

Pedal point (music) Pedal point A pedal point is a sustained or repeated note, usually in the bass, held against changing harmonies to create tension, support tonality, and drive musical climax. Common in organ,…

Pedal steel guitar: design, sound, history and playing techniques Pedal steel guitar An overview of the pedal steel guitar: its construction, mechanics, playing methods, development from lap and console steels, tunings, common uses in music, and notable distinction…

Pendulum (drum and bass band) Australian-British electronic rock ensemble known for blending drum and bass production with live rock instrumentation; active from the early 2000s with acclaimed albums and high-e…

Pennywise (American punk band) Pennywise Pennywise is an American melodic hardcore punk band from Hermosa Beach, formed in 1988, known for fast, melodic songs, working‑class themes, the anthem “Bro Hymn,” and ties to Epit…

Pentatonic scale: definition, forms, history, and musical uses Pentatonic scale A pentatonic scale uses five distinct pitch classes per octave. This article explains its structure, common types, global history, examples in folk and classical music, and disting…

Percussion instrument Family of musical instruments sounded by striking, shaking or scraping; includes pitched (tuned) and unpitched types, orchestral roles, historical development, techniques, and comm…

Perfect (Ed Sheeran song) A romantic pop ballad by Ed Sheeran from his album ÷, released in 2017. Notable for its solo and duet versions — including one with Beyoncé — it achieved widespread commercial succ…

Perfect Illusion — lead single from Lady Gaga's album Joanne Perfect Illusion Perfect Illusion is the lead single from Lady Gaga's 2016 album Joanne. A guitar-driven, rock-tinged pop song co-written with contemporary producers, it charted in the top 20 in ma…

Performing Music from Memory: Methods, Benefits, and Practical Advice Performing music from memory An accessible guide to performing music from memory: what it means, memory types and practice techniques, performance contexts, risks, and strategies to prepare and recover during…

Perfume (Japanese electropop group) Perfume (J-Pop) Perfume is a Japanese female electropop trio formed in Hiroshima in 2001, known for polished electronic production by Yasutaka Nakata, synchronized choreography and high‑tech live…

Perfume (song) “Perfume” is a 2013 piano-driven ballad by Britney Spears from her eighth album Britney Jean; released as the album's second single, it drew attention for its intimacy and modest c…

Period instruments Musical instruments built, restored or reproduced to historical designs, materials and tunings so earlier repertoire can be heard closer to its original sound and context.

Pet Shop Boys British synth-pop duo Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, formed in 1981. Known for 'West End Girls', influential synth-driven pop, roughly 50 million records sold, multiple awards and lo…

Peter, Paul and Mary: American folk trio and 1960s cultural voices Peter, Paul and Mary Peter, Paul and Mary were a prominent American folk trio of the 1960s, known for harmony singing, hit recordings, social activism and popularizing songs by writers such as Bob Dyla…

Philharmonia Orchestra (London) Philharmonia London-based Philharmonia is a major symphony orchestra founded as a recording ensemble; known for a wide repertoire, extensive discography, and public concerts, tours and educatio…

Phish American rock band formed in Vermont in 1983, known for improvisational live performances, eclectic genre blending, a devoted touring fanbase, and a multi-decade career with a hiat…

Phoenix (French band) Phoenix (band) Phoenix is a French indie pop/rock band formed in Versailles in 1995, known for melodic synth-tinged songs and the Grammy-winning album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.

Pianist A pianist is a musician who performs on the piano in solo, chamber, orchestral and accompanying roles across classical, jazz and popular traditions.

Piano: an overview of the acoustic keyboard and its history Piano Comprehensive introduction to the piano: how it produces sound, main parts, historical development from Cristofori to the modern instrument, types, use, repertoire, and maintenance…

Piano blues: styles, technique, history, and influence Piano blues Piano blues centers the piano in blues music, featuring styles like boogie-woogie and barrelhouse. It shaped jazz, R&B, and rock and roll through distinctive left‑hand patterns, im…

Piano concerto: form, history, and performance Piano concerto An orchestral genre spotlighting the piano soloist: its structure, historical development, performance practices, and how it differs from related forms.

Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K. 466 (Mozart) Piano Concerto No. 20 (Mozart) Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K.466 (1785) is a dramatic three-movement work for piano and orchestra, admired for its emotional intensity, orchestral color and endurin…

Piano duet (piano four hands) Piano duet A piano duet (piano four hands) is music for two players at one piano. This article explains roles (Primo/Secondo), notation, technique, history, repertoire, uses, and practical ti…

Piano six hands — music for three pianists at one piano Piano six hands Music for three players at a single keyboard. A niche form distinct from the piano duet and piano trio, often realized through arrangements, teaching pieces, salon entertainment, a…

Piano sonata A piano sonata is a multi-movement work written for solo piano. It evolved from keyboard pieces into a central concert and pedagogical genre and includes a wide range of forms, sty…

Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, K. 331 (Mozart) Piano Sonata No. 11 (Mozart) Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, K.331, is a three-movement work famous for its opening theme-and-variations and the popular finale “Alla Turca.” It is widely played, taugh…

Piano Sonata No. 13 in E-flat major, Op. 27 No. 1 (Quasi una fantasia) Piano Sonata No. 13 (Beethoven) An early solo-piano work by Ludwig van Beethoven (composed 1800–1801), Op.27 No.1 bears the subtitle 'Quasi una fantasia' and explores freer, fantasia-like form; published with its…

Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2 (Moonlight Sonata) Piano Sonata No. 14 (Beethoven) Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 14, Op. 27 No. 2, nicknamed 'Moonlight', is an early-1800s piano masterpiece noted for its slow, hymn-like opening, unconventional structure and enduri…

Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35 (Chopin) Piano Sonata No. 2 (Chopin) Frédéric Chopin's Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 35, known for its central 'Funeral March', was completed in 1839 and remains a landmark of 19th-century piano repertoire.

Piano trio: ensemble, repertoire, and variations Piano trio A piano trio is both a chamber ensemble—commonly piano, violin and cello—and the music written for it. This article explains instrumentation, structure, history, notable repertoire…

Piccolo (musical instrument) Piccolo A small transverse flute that sounds an octave higher than written; commonly used for bright, high color in orchestras, concert bands and marching music. Construction, history, use…

Piccolo trumpet A small, high‑pitched trumpet typically tuned an octave above the standard trumpet, used chiefly in baroque and classical repertoire; distinct from pocket and soprano trumpets.

Pickup (musical instrument) Pickup (music) A pickup converts vibrations from a musical instrument—most often stringed—into an electrical signal for amplification or recording. Types include electromagnetic, piezoelectric, o…

Pictures at an Exhibition — Mussorgsky’s suite for piano and its legacy Pictures at an Exhibition A guide to Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition: origin, musical design, movement highlights, later orchestrations (notably Ravel’s), performance practice and cultural imp…

Piece of Me (song) Piece of Me "Piece of Me" is a 2007 electropop single by Britney Spears from the album Blackout. The song responds to intense tabloid and paparazzi scrutiny and became a notable part of Spears…

Piedmont blues: East Coast fingerstyle blues tradition Piedmont blues A concise overview of Piedmont blues, the East Coast fingerpicking blues style: origins, musical characteristics, key performers, geographic spread and legacy.

Pierce the Veil: American post-hardcore band from San Diego Pierce the Veil Pierce the Veil is an American post-hardcore band formed in San Diego. Known for energetic songwriting, emotive vocals and extensive touring, they released several studio albums an…

Pillar (American Christian rock band) Pillar (band) Pillar is a Christian rock band from Tulsa, Oklahoma, noted for mixing hard rock, rapcore and alternative metal. Grammy-nominated, they rose from local beginnings to national recog…

Pimp Juice (Nelly song) Pimp Juice 2003 single by American rapper Nelly from the album Nellyville; a rap/R&B track with g-funk influences that charted on several U.S. Billboard charts.

Pinhead Gunpowder (American punk band) Pinhead Gunpowder Pinhead Gunpowder is an East Bay, California punk band known for its DIY ethos, rotating lineup including Billie Joe Armstrong, short energetic songs, and releases on independent l…

Pink Floyd English rock band known for experimental music, immersive live shows and landmark concept albums such as The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall.

Pink Floyd discography: overview, major releases and legacy Pink Floyd discography Comprehensive guide to Pink Floyd's recorded output, tracing their studio albums, live records, singles and videos, major releases and the historical evolution of their catalogue.

Pioneers (Bloc Party song) Pioneers (song) 2005 single by British indie rock band Bloc Party from their debut album Silent Alarm, known for its post‑punk energy, a video directed by Aoife McArdle, and cover versions by Myst…

Pipa — Chinese four‑stringed plucked lute Pipa The pipa is a pear‑shaped Chinese four‑stringed plucked instrument with a fretted neck, deep historical roots, distinctive techniques, and a wide role in solo, ensemble, and theatr…

Pipe organ: design, history, and musical role Pipe organ A comprehensive overview of the pipe organ: how it produces sound, main parts and types, a brief history, playing and repertoire, and its role in worship and concert life.

Pitch (music): Perception, measurement and musical role Pitch (music) Pitch is the perceived highness or lowness of a sound. This article explains its acoustic basis, perceptual aspects, historical tuning practices, musical uses, and distinctions bet…

Pixies: folklore beings and the American alternative rock band Pixies Pixies refers both to small mythic beings of Southwestern English folklore and to a seminal American alternative rock band formed in 1986; this article covers origins, characterist…

Pizzicato: the plucked technique for bowed string instruments Pizzicato Pizzicato is the technique of plucking the strings of bowed instruments to produce a short, percussive sound. This article explains methods, notation, history, musical uses and com…