Mingmei Hsueh

Piano cover is a genre of instrumental music where popular songs from other genres—typically pop, rock, R&B, and film soundtracks—are arranged and performed on the piano. Unlike traditional classical transcriptions which prioritize technical virtuosity, modern piano covers often focus on emotional expression, accessibility, and preserving the recognizable melody of the original song. These arrangements strip away the production elements of the original track (drums, synths, vocals) to present the song in a raw, acoustic, and often more intimate form. The genre serves a major functional role in the streaming era, widely used for studying, relaxation, sleep, and weddings.

A lullaby is a soothing song or instrumental piece intended to calm and help infants or young children fall asleep. It is typically slow, soft, and repetitive, with a narrow melodic range and gentle rhythms that mimic the rocking motion of cradling. While lullabies exist in virtually every culture, they share common musical traits: simple harmonies (often I–IV–V progressions), stepwise melodies, and meters such as 3/4 or 6/8 that suggest sway. Lyrics often reference sleep, safety, night-time imagery, and parental care. In classical contexts, the term “berceuse” (French for lullaby) denotes a lullaby-like character piece.