Hey Guys, Check out the interview I did with niccolo brandes, an upcoming music artist, he’s only 20 years old and he’s got a great future ahead of him, hope you enjoy the interview.
How are you doing Niccolo?
I’m doing well! Glad to be doing this interview with you!
Can you give us some background information about yourself?
HI! My name is Niccolo Brandes I’m 20 years old and currently attend California State University Long Beach (Go 49ers!) where I am majoring in Computer Engineering but my hope is to get into teaching music so I could share my knowledge to inspire others to play music.
Out of all the instruments you play, which one is your favourite and why?
I would say the piano because it is where I can express myself the most. I play the guitar and ukulele as well and I love you playing those instruments, but there is something about the piano that when I sit down, I feel like myself.
How did you get into playing the piano? Why did you want to learn how to play?
I got into playing the piano through my mom. My grandmother and mother both played piano as well so when I was young they suggested that I should learn how to play to see if I would like it and sure enough I did and the rest is as they say, history.
How difficult is it playing than ear rather using sheets?
I don’t think it is that much harder to play by ear than use sheets because the only real difference I believe is the memorization. With sheets if you forget a note, or a segment of notes, you can always go back and find the part you forgot. With playing by ear, if you forget a part, then you have to go back and listen to find the part you forgot.
Are you looking to learn how to play using sheets?
I’m able to play using sheets but I feel like it slows me down somewhat because I’m so used to just playing by ear.
Who are musical inspirations?
Of course have to start with of course my family, without them I would have never touched a piano or any instrument. My friends who support what I do and are always there for me. Finally my girlfriend who provides the love and gives me the drive to keep trying to be better.
Who would you point to that has been an inspiration to you in your musical career?
I believe my parents inspired me to keep practicing and be the best not only musician but person I could be by laying a good foundation and keeping me down to earth. Also, taught me to have fun with what I do because there’s a time to have fun and a time to be serious.
What are your immediate career goals? Where do you see your career going?
Well I am focusing on finishing school and would like to see where my degree could take me or what other opportunities will arise.
Did you have any difficult moment, when you just want to quit, what was your inspiration to fight back and keep going?
There was one point where I stopped playing from middle school to the end of high school where I just grew a disinterest in playing finding it boring somewhat. I guess I have to give credit to Youtube for inspiring me to get back into it because I was seeing that normal people like me were getting famous for showcasing their talents and I wanted to see if my talent could get some exposure.
Can you give me some of the key moments so far in your ongoing career?
I have performed in a Benefit for the Blind concert, which was a benefit concert for blind people which included a performance by Americas Best Dance Crew season 2 winners Super Crew . I have been featured on artists websites such as B.O.B., Mike Posner, and Charice Pempengco. Of course I consider this interview to be a significant moment in my career as well!
How would you say YouTube has helped in sharing your passion and also connecting with people?
Youtube gives hope to the average person that if you have talent, you will get discovered one way or another. Whether it’s playing music, singing, being a comedian, making movies, your talent will be discovered.
What do you outside music? Any other hobbies?
I enjoy playing basketball in my free time (Go Lakers!) and basically just hanging out with my girlfriend and close friends. I’m a pretty normal guy outside of Youtube.
What are key fundamentals that you think anyone looking to learn how to play the piano or want to make a career out of it needs to have or know?
PRACTICE and MOTIVATION. A lot of people ask me this question a lot and the first thing I tell them is to keep practicing because you can’t get better without it. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don’t practice, that talent is just going to stay hidden.
What would you see yourself doing apart from music as a career?
I would really love to teach either at the high school or college level because I enjoy sharing what I know with other people and in turn I learn more because of what someone else has learned.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Hopefully have finished school and started my career whatever it may be and just being happy with my life and the people that are in it.
Thanks for your time Niccolo
Connect with him:
Twitter
Twitter.com/nicoflow
Facebook!
facebook.com/NiccoloBrandes
