5 answers
1
Question
Updated
279 views
What inspired you?
I love to play the piano and I know that the passion and love I have for the instrument will spread and inspire others to follow their passions
5 answers
Updated
John’s Answer
Hi Nicole!
My inspiration as a musician and later as an engineer and producer has always come from masters in the craft that I listened to and wanted to emulate. As Oscar Wilde once said, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery..." It's also how we learn. That's why I do so many cover songs.
For classical music, it was Grieg, Grofe, Stravinsky, Saint-Saëns, Bizet, DeBussy, & Tchaikovsky as played by the great national orchestras.
For piano, it was Peter Nero, Sergio Mendez, Ramsey Lewis, George Shearing, Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson, Herbie Hancock, and Bill Evans.
For guitar, it was Segovia, the Romeros, Carlos Santana, B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Chet Atkins, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, and most recently Teresa Naphatraphee from Thailand, Sasha Svy from Ukraine, and Anastasiia Zaichenko from Florida on Bass.
For Mixing & Mastering, I've learned so much listening to the work of Al Schmitt (Steely Dan / Quincy Jones), Humberto Gatica (Celine Dion / Michael Jackson), Manny Marroquin (Rihanna / Ed Sheeran), Mike Pela (Sade / Savage Garden), Serban Ghenea (Adele / Taylor Swift), Vlado Meller (Weezer / Kanye West), Dave Kutch (Billie Eilish / Alicia Keys), Herbert Powers Jr. (Baby Face / Toni Braxton), and Randy Merrill (Taylor Swift / Adele) - who have all worked for the greats.
I've been fortunate in my lifetime to hear in person many great musicians and groups, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Romeros, Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Glen Campbell, Eliane Elias, Jane Monheit, Kenny Rogers, Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine, Donna Summer, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Mariah Carey, among others. Each time, I came away inspired and challenged to concentrate on making my music better because every popular performing star is a human being who shares hopes, dreams, sorrows, and tragedies in life just like us.
If you want to be inspired, my advice is to listen to lots and lots of music as often as you can. It will help you narrow down your favorites and guide you to the genres you'd like to try and master. Another form of inspiration is to get exposure to others like you and see what they're doing. Take a look at some of the freelance sites (such as Fiverr, Soundbetter, or Airgigs) where other young pianists are offering their services. As a producer, I often hire from these sites - on my most recent album there were 43 contributors (including myself) from 18 countries. I will say that women need more representation in the business - so when you're ready - put yourself out there. You can do it - Good luck!
My inspiration as a musician and later as an engineer and producer has always come from masters in the craft that I listened to and wanted to emulate. As Oscar Wilde once said, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery..." It's also how we learn. That's why I do so many cover songs.
For classical music, it was Grieg, Grofe, Stravinsky, Saint-Saëns, Bizet, DeBussy, & Tchaikovsky as played by the great national orchestras.
For piano, it was Peter Nero, Sergio Mendez, Ramsey Lewis, George Shearing, Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson, Herbie Hancock, and Bill Evans.
For guitar, it was Segovia, the Romeros, Carlos Santana, B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Chet Atkins, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, and most recently Teresa Naphatraphee from Thailand, Sasha Svy from Ukraine, and Anastasiia Zaichenko from Florida on Bass.
For Mixing & Mastering, I've learned so much listening to the work of Al Schmitt (Steely Dan / Quincy Jones), Humberto Gatica (Celine Dion / Michael Jackson), Manny Marroquin (Rihanna / Ed Sheeran), Mike Pela (Sade / Savage Garden), Serban Ghenea (Adele / Taylor Swift), Vlado Meller (Weezer / Kanye West), Dave Kutch (Billie Eilish / Alicia Keys), Herbert Powers Jr. (Baby Face / Toni Braxton), and Randy Merrill (Taylor Swift / Adele) - who have all worked for the greats.
I've been fortunate in my lifetime to hear in person many great musicians and groups, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Romeros, Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Glen Campbell, Eliane Elias, Jane Monheit, Kenny Rogers, Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine, Donna Summer, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Mariah Carey, among others. Each time, I came away inspired and challenged to concentrate on making my music better because every popular performing star is a human being who shares hopes, dreams, sorrows, and tragedies in life just like us.
If you want to be inspired, my advice is to listen to lots and lots of music as often as you can. It will help you narrow down your favorites and guide you to the genres you'd like to try and master. Another form of inspiration is to get exposure to others like you and see what they're doing. Take a look at some of the freelance sites (such as Fiverr, Soundbetter, or Airgigs) where other young pianists are offering their services. As a producer, I often hire from these sites - on my most recent album there were 43 contributors (including myself) from 18 countries. I will say that women need more representation in the business - so when you're ready - put yourself out there. You can do it - Good luck!
Updated
Avirup’s Answer
I really liked computers as a kid and had decided then and there that I would become a computer engineer. Slowly as I grew, I realized I loved designing the most and now wish to persure UI/UX design.
Updated
Éverton’s Answer
Hey Nicole, you know, there's this mysterious force that truly inspires me. I'm not sure where it comes from, but it keeps me moving forward. I always give my all in everything I do. Stay safe and take care!
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
My father was a master fine artist, particularly as a painter. He was amazing with any type of visual art. I don't take for granted that I was able to watch him work growing up, and to learn about the way he thought, observed, was challenged, and overcame. He inspired me to pursue art as a musician.
The musicians I became familiar with as a child, which inspired me then and continue to inspire me now, are primarily Beethoven and The Beatles. I adore classical music, and have learned much about classical composers, jazz musicians and composers, and pop music groups. I love it all. But Beethoven and The Beatles is where it all started for me :)
The musicians I became familiar with as a child, which inspired me then and continue to inspire me now, are primarily Beethoven and The Beatles. I adore classical music, and have learned much about classical composers, jazz musicians and composers, and pop music groups. I love it all. But Beethoven and The Beatles is where it all started for me :)
Updated
Kanwal’s Answer
Your question is what inspired you. There are multiple ways I can answer this question, but I think what you maybe looking for is valuable insights that I have from personal experience.
Personally, I think what inspires me to continue writing is looking through a lens that is different from mine. I am still learning, and growing so I run into new things all the time. Running into new things inspires me because it has a unique factor that I do not often experience. For instance, one aspect of writing is world building. World building is really cool because I have to create something out of nothing which has this newness factor.
I think there is a lot of potential inside of you, and you can channel that into your interests whether that music or teaching. You are surrounded by lots of opportunistic avenues.
Personally, I think what inspires me to continue writing is looking through a lens that is different from mine. I am still learning, and growing so I run into new things all the time. Running into new things inspires me because it has a unique factor that I do not often experience. For instance, one aspect of writing is world building. World building is really cool because I have to create something out of nothing which has this newness factor.
I think there is a lot of potential inside of you, and you can channel that into your interests whether that music or teaching. You are surrounded by lots of opportunistic avenues.
Delete Comment
Flag Comment