August 2021 Member Spotlight - Brendan Dixon

[Katie Rushing]

Hi PWJ Members! 

This month's spotlight goes to..........

Brendan Dixon!   @Brendan D

Please join me in congratulating him!

 

Where are you from?
The Pacific Northwest. Raised in Oregon, spent most of my life in the Seattle area.
 

When did you start playing piano?
My parents started me when I was quite young, about 8 years old….but, that lasted a very short time. Once they found that my grade school offered “FREE” band lessons, they ditched piano and switched me to band. While I hacked around on piano until my early adult years, I never again took lessons until about 4 years ago. (This is, by the way, my one huge regret: That I did not stay with piano when I was young.) I studied with a couple of private instructors, one who help me get my basic technique in place (this was critical as I was getting hand pain playing the way I was). Then I joined up with PWJ 1 1/2 years ago (two years this coming December). Since joining, my playing time has only been increasing.
 

What got you interested in learning music?
Good question; I can’t say. Music somehow reaches me in ways that few other things do. I’m not a foodie, for example. But, I can get really moved by the right music at the right moment. I’d say it’s always been that way.
 

What is your favorite style of piano music?
I’m drawn towards, for lack of better words, melodic piano. What I mean, is piano that has a sense of movement and flow to the piece. I’m less inclined towards hard, rushing blues or ragtime (sorry Jonny!). When I just hacked around all those years, that’s what I played: Melodic improv over chords (whose names I did not know).

Do you have any favorite pieces to play?
Not so much. I have enjoyed some of piano from the movie La La Land. Also, there’s a little known pianist — David Nevue — who has some pieces that interest me. They’re not complex, but overall sound is intriguing. Jazz-wise, I lean toward ballads and cocktail jazz. There’s small trio — The Mason Embry Trio — whose work I really like.
 

What has most helped you most in improving as a pianist?
Well, the training I received on technique (aka Taubman Technique, aka Rotational play, see https://www.golandskyinstitute.org) has been critical. My hands would have degenerated into painful lumps without it. Now, piano is good for my hands.

Having clear goals — such as pieces to learn, specific skills to develop, etc. — has also been important. That’s why I regularly recommend the Learning Tracks. It’s too easy to drift about and just play what you know. Having a path forward pushes into those areas that need work and that build upon one another. A Jazz instructor once suggested that you take your long-term goals (e.g., play in a combo) and break them down into a set of smaller goals (e..g, learn to comp at least 15-20 popular standards). Then break those down into monthly, weekly, and even daily goals. It does help do think this way, even if you stop at just the medium goals.

And, of course, making time to practice. There’s no substitute for just sitting down and practicing.
 

Do you have any tips for other PWJ members?
If you can, play daily. And have, as I mention above, clear goals you are actively working on. Finally, I really believe in completing courses: Jonny often buries gems in them and learning to complete something, I feel, helps build the discipline to keep moving forward even when you feel your playing is not progressing.
 

What is your favorite part of the PWJ Membership?
The lessons are great. That I can speed them up (rarely) or slow them down (often) really helps. I also really like the community, even though I’m more of a Facebook lurker than participant. Several members have helped me over that last year and half: Nancy DeHaven Hall, Harrison Moss, Martyn Ramsden, Josh Walsh, Paul Toal, Simain Marius Sebastian, and more. I know I’m forgetting several. And the videos others post can be inspiring as well.
 

What are your future music goals?
My goal? Well, I’d like to play in a small Jazz combo. I don’t really see myself playing solo Jazz piano publicly, but the Jazz combo is very interesting to me. I would also like to develop a repertoire of pieces I can play for family & friends.
 

[Scott M]

@Brendan D, congratulations!  I think this is a great recognition choice.  As a PWJ member for about 1 year now, I have been inspired by your practice regiment and goals.  It should also be noted that you put a tremendous amount of time (and @Ido B too!) in assisting/greeting new members and providing help to find their way through this site.  I applaud you for that - its a lot of time and hard work.  As a 10 year piano player prior to PWJ, when I joined, you pointed me to begin with the foundations (I thought I was above it and was wrong!) - I ended up taking your advise and started at square 1 - C Major scale!  It was invaluable advice - thank you a thousand times over!!  I am sure you will someday realize your goals and I can't wait to visit Seattle to see you perform at a Cocktail Bar! (maybe I can sit in? - haha!)

Cheers!

 

[Eiress L]

Hello Brendan,

Congratulations on this month's spotlight!

You work hard Brendan and also participate in the community!   Well done!!

[Ido B]

Congrats, @Brendan D!  Well deserved spotlight to my welcome wagon cohort!  I enjoyed reading your answers to the questions and watching your interview!

[Sharon Kae D]

Hi Brendan,

I really enjoyed watching your interview with Katie.  It is always fun and inspiring to listen to these interviews, and yours was exceptionally  delightful.  You were the first person to welcome me to the PWJ community, (along with Ido) and just that simple reaching out meant a lot .  Next month I will be celebrating my one year anniversary with  PWJ, and what a ride it has been.  Like you, I practice many hours a day, and I never grow tired of this amazing instrument.  I was a late bloomer to the piano, never had any formal training or lessons, but I have not allowed that to hinder me in any way.  I've come to realize that playing requires heart, inspiration and perspiration! With PWJ, a whole new world of creative sound has been offered to me on an amazing platform, and I would play all day if I could! Thanks for sharing a slice of your piano heart with all of us! Best wishes on your future move to Eastern Washington and sunshine. I live north of you in Lynden, and happen to be one of those rare individuals that thrive on cloudy days and colder weather.  Keep practicing and attaining new heights of achievement!