When I was fourteen years old I realized that the violin was no longer sufficient to translate the increasingly complex compositions running through my head. I had always been fascinated by the piano so I figured I should just go learn how to play it.

 

I would sit in my room with headphones on and rewind sections of George Winston's Autumn over and over, playing along on my 49 key Yamaha keyboard, repeating each phrase until I got it right. By using this method I trained my hands to play what my ears were hearing, allowing me to significantly expand my understanding of music theory and take my composing to a new level.

 

Unfortunately for me it was very difficult to carry a piano around in a beat-up case and bust it out around the campfire, an inherently cool move that garnered instant respect and mystique. I didn't think that one through very well. But it's ok. Those guys are selling insurance now and I'm just hitting my stride.

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I'd also like to take a minute to recognize and thank a uniquely creative individual who did the cover art for all three of these albums, Will Groebe. You da man.