Katie Rushing Posted December 30, 2020 Share Posted December 30, 2020 Hi PWJ Members! This month's spotlight goes to.......... Martyn Ramsden! @Martyn R Please join with me in congratulating him on his Member Spotlight! Where are you from? - I live in Godalming, Surrey, England - the small town where they filmed "The Holiday" When did you start playing piano? - I started playing the piano at age 7 ... quite a long time ago now .. I'm in my 50's! What got you interested in learning music? - My Mum was a singer, actress and dancer in the amateur dramatic scene for over 50 years and I was immersed in her activities at a very young age. My sister started piano lessons and wasn't very good, and I copied her by ear, much to her frustration and was soon having traditional piano lessons. My passion grew for the piano, as my Mum was teaching dancing lessons and I was dragged along every week, (no one to look after me), so I would sit next to the pianist, and watched him instead of the dancing lessons and thought I wanted to do that! ... many years later, I did exactly that, playing for the tap dancers (stride style, sort of ) and some ballet classes and the obligatory dancing shows etc.. in my early teens - great pocket money too and experience! My drive & thirst for music grew & grew and I also took up the Euphonium joining the local brass band at 11years old, (Euphonium became my first instrument can you believe) & playing two instruments enabled me to major in music at the London College in London. I played a lot of pop music/ contemporary piano growing up and started bands etc.. like you do & I then wanted to play professionally, tour with big pop bands etc.. I finally did this only for a few years after leaving music college, playing on cruise ships, holiday camps, some recording sessions and toured with a pop band, gigging in the UK, Europe, Far east etc.. Today, I play in a local function band and have been playing weekends for c. 30 years now .. apart from this year ... What is your favorite style of piano music? - It has to be jazz, although,I also like playing contemporary piano, (having played it so much over the years) Do you have any favorite pieces to play? - Only very recently, Blue in Green & Nardis (Miles Davis/Bill Evans) - these tunes were introduced to me by Maeva Liebling and are now some of my favourite tunes to play and listen to at the moment - My go to song is "Your Song" - Elton John, as I played loads of his songs as a young pre teen pianist, which hooked me into piano playing too other favourites are :- Maple Leaf Rag (my party piece at school), plus some other rags, like Elite Syncopations & Solace, (all played in my teens - rusty now) Brahms Rhapsody in Gm too - I played this at Music College (rusty again too!) What has most helped you most in improving as a pianist? - For years, having to learn songs by ear - picking out chords, licks, riffs, piano intros, all for playing in bands and gigs (pre-internet - rewind tape cassette and keep trying..) Playing with other musicians in bands - great experience One to one piano lessons, with focused structure Lately though - brilliant lessons at PWJ and collaborating with other members has inspired me, pushed me, stretched me PWJ monthly challenges a must! Do you have any tips for other PWJ members? "The Prerequisites" - Do the monthly challenges - Do the foundation courses - Do the blues courses - Play pieces and apply the techniques Jonny teaches - this is a must and one joins everything you learn here at PWJ together - Play what you want to play! - Collaborate with other members and learn together - this is a very valuable method to learn together - Join in the Facebook community - as this hugely inspires, motivates each other and huge support going through this amazing journey we have - Listen to tons of music you like / or want to play/ or a style you want to learn, plus watch others on youtube and immerse yourself - you will learn loads from this alone - Ear train by playing along to youtube songs etc.. try and do this - this is very valuable and free yourself from the music and go for it! What is your favorite part of the PWJ Membership? - The amazing facebook community - tons of support, collaboration & engagement with other members of similar interests, messages etc. - people who understand our journey and challenges - listening and watching everyone I possibly can, from any level and supporting each other, as we have all been there at the same point, during our piano journey and this is important to engage with each other for motivation & inspiration etc.. - I have learnt a lot from members, by watching, listening and asking questions - people recommending songs, tunes, listening to different artists etc.. this also has opened up my knowledge and motivation for all styles of music and I now live on PWJ community, youtube and Apple Music/Spotify! - The lessons are brilliant and Jonny is a fantastic teacher - a huge must do! - the new teachers coming on board too - Yannick, Austin Byrd, Jeremy Siskind - introduction of numerous new courses, interviews and quick tips - my problem is, I am a kid in a candy shop.. and need to focus much more I could go on and one ... LOL What are your future music goals? - The reason I joined PWJ is to learn jazz and improvise (as I was stagnant and had no motivation to play) - To try and improvise better. This is a massive statement, as it means learning more styles, techniques, scales, keys, chords etc.. - a lifelong journey. - More collaboration with members and group learning together - Raise my playing standard to the next level .. (whatever that is) - Join a jazz trio or quartet one day ... I am a long way off! Do you have any words you try to live by or a favorite quote? - For years, it was "practice makes perfect" ... BUT NOW since Yannick quoted; and is very relevant for me personally at PWJ is: - “if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” 17 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn R Posted December 31, 2020 Share Posted December 31, 2020 Thank you to Jonny, Yannick, Katie and all the PWJ team for creating and supporting such a great place to hang out as we learn together on this wonderful lifelong journey. I am honored to be featured in the member spotlight this month. It's been a fantastic journey with PWJ - thank you 😁🎹 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lew G Posted December 31, 2020 Share Posted December 31, 2020 Members like Martin are an inspiration to us all. Great Job 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn R Posted December 31, 2020 Share Posted December 31, 2020 Thanks Lew, wow amazing to hear - thank you 😁🎹 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shanti L Posted December 31, 2020 Share Posted December 31, 2020 Congrats Martyn, very informative and enjoyable to read your experience. Looking forward to many collaboration in 2021!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leanne K Posted January 1, 2021 Share Posted January 1, 2021 Congratulations Martyn, you totally deserve this award 🥇 You are so generous with your support and encouragement to the group. And you play pretty well too 😜 I wonder if you are aware of your charisma? It is real and much enjoyed 🎉🥳 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrea m Posted January 1, 2021 Share Posted January 1, 2021 Congratulations Martyn, you are surely a source of inspirations for us PWJ fellows and always ready to support and encourage the others! Well deserved! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim H Posted January 1, 2021 Share Posted January 1, 2021 Great read there Martyn! Such an interesting history and love that music has been your passion for so long. I look forward to seeing more of your videos (and everyone else's) in 2021 and thanks for sharing this 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara W Posted January 1, 2021 Share Posted January 1, 2021 Congratulations, Martyn, so well deserved! Great to learn about your musical journey. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol G Posted January 1, 2021 Share Posted January 1, 2021 Well deserved spotlight. I had a feeling he was in the UK (Brilliant!) Martyn has a lovely way of encouraging others. His sincere compliments give you a boost and put the wind in your sails. I enjoyed learning more about his history (picturing that little kid sitting on the floor next to and watching the pianist in dance class) and actually ended up doing what he dreamed of. I enjoyed hearing about his aspirations and found it interesting that he lives in the town where "The Holiday" (one of our favorites) was filmed. It's neat that we are members from all over the world and are so connected, thanks to this amazing platform PWJ and modern technology! Brilliant! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn R Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 On 12/31/2020 at 11:54 PM, Shanti L said: Congrats Martyn, very informative and enjoyable to read your experience. Looking forward to many collaboration in 2021!! 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn R Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 On 12/31/2020 at 11:54 PM, Shanti L said: Congrats Martyn, very informative and enjoyable to read your experience. Looking forward to many collaboration in 2021!! Thanks Shanti, its been an amazing year at PWJ, so much more than I ever expected! Meeting you and listening and learning from you and I especially enjoyed our collaborations which stretched me and made me focus, which is what I need. Thank you 😁🎹 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn R Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 On 1/1/2021 at 5:03 AM, Leanne K said: Congratulations Martyn, you totally deserve this award 🥇 You are so generous with your support and encouragement to the group. And you play pretty well too 😜 I wonder if you are aware of your charisma? It is real and much enjoyed 🎉🥳 Hi Leanne, thank you so much! I love watching your progress and seeing everyone progress. It's a tough instrument to play and can be frustrating at times and we feel we aren't getting anyway as we hit many plateaus. We overcome and lightbulbs switch on and then we are off again. I love your comment in my charisma, wow, as most of my personality here at PWJ is unspoken!I do like socialising and having fun! 😁🎹 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dina M Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 So interesting hearing about you Martyn! Congrats on this! Where can I watch the video? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maeva L Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 Great to hear about your musical journey, Martyn ! Didn't know you played the euphonium. You are a huge inspiration to me, very much looking forward to further collabs ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn R Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 On 1/1/2021 at 1:24 PM, andrea m said: Congratulations Martyn, you are surely a source of inspirations for us PWJ fellows and always ready to support and encourage the others! Well deserved! Hi Andrea, thank you so much for your lovely comments. I so enjoying watching everyone go through this journey, it's like PWJ TV to me! Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn R Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 On 1/1/2021 at 1:30 PM, Kim H said: Great read there Martyn! Such an interesting history and love that music has been your passion for so long. I look forward to seeing more of your videos (and everyone else's) in 2021 and thanks for sharing this 🙂 Hi Kim, Thanks for your comments, yes Music is my lifelong passion. When I got married, we had to get married in our band break (2 weeks) .. I gigged so much in the 90's c. 3-4 a week for 10 years plus as semi pro! My wife became a music widow 🤣🤣 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn R Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 On 1/1/2021 at 2:33 PM, Barbara W said: Congratulations, Martyn, so well deserved! Great to learn about your musical journey. Hi Barbara, thank you for your comment and support. I look forward to collaboration with you in 2021, as we follow the same learning path and have so enjoyed your posts 😁🎹 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn R Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 On 1/1/2021 at 4:09 PM, Carol G said: Well deserved spotlight. I had a feeling he was in the UK (Brilliant!) Martyn has a lovely way of encouraging others. His sincere compliments give you a boost and put the wind in your sails. I enjoyed learning more about his history (picturing that little kid sitting on the floor next to and watching the pianist in dance class) and actually ended up doing what he dreamed of. I enjoyed hearing about his aspirations and found it interesting that he lives in the town where "The Holiday" (one of our favorites) was filmed. It's neat that we are members from all over the world and are so connected, thanks to this amazing platform PWJ and modern technology! Brilliant! Thank you Carol. I am very motivated to have been given a member spotlight this month, totally unexpected TBH, and your comments so motivate me even more. I watch your posts and challenges with great interest and see you grow so much in the short year I have been around. This is what it is all about, sharing our piano journey, as this is one hell of a ride! I totally agree, PWJ is a wonderful and fulfilling platform for us budding pianists and it's so great to meet people like you to share our journey with, as my wife just says it's OK, and it's a bit plinky plonky what you do ... if only she understood our challenges, years of trying and learning this incredible subject of simply music ... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn R Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 9 hours ago, Dina M said: So interesting hearing about you Martyn! Congrats on this! Hi Dina, Thank you. It's such a great place to hang out. I have had such a great year here and loved it and totally wasn't what I expected and it's consumed me and motivated me and to want to play again, after c. 20 years of stagnant playing.. 🙂 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ido B Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 Congrats, Martyn! I enjoyed reading your answers! Well deserved Spotlight, as you are such an inspiration in the community with your playing and you are always so supportive! I look forward to another great year of music at PWJ with you (and Luna)! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susana R Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 Wow! Congratulations Martyn! You really deserve this distinction. Loved the interview and the tips you mentioned 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne H Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 Congrats Martyn - well deserved. 👏 I think Terry’s passing left a gap in the PWJ Facebook community which you are beginning to fill with your support for and encouragement of others. Well done! 👍🎶 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dina M Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 15 hours ago, Martyn R said: Hi Dina, Thank you. It's such a great place to hang out. I have had such a great year here and loved it and totally wasn't what I expected and it's consumed me and motivated me and to want to play again, after c. 20 years of stagnant playing.. 🙂 Lol! And I'm sure 30 years of stagnant playing for me too! Never too late to learn! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diane S Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 Congratulations, Martyn - I am so happy to hear that you have received this honor, so well deserved, wonderful to read about your musical journey. Thank you for sharing your wonderful musical gift and for your support and encouragement of everyone in the PWJ community!🎹🌟🎵 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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