Bach, Scarlatti, Beethoven, Chopin, John Field, Schumann, Brahms, Schubert, Grieg, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, Ravi Shankar, Opeth, Keith Jarrett, Ted Jones, Bob Seeley, George Andrews, video game soundtracks, movie soundtracks
Sounds Like
Debussy, Ravel, Scriabin, Rachmaninov, Chopin, Liszt
Hi, I'm Derek Andrews. I've been exploring piano improvisation since late 2000, when I was taking guitar lessons. I applied what I learned from my guitar lessons, such as scales and chords, to the piano. I was inspired at first by keyboard accompaniment in melodic black metal such as Dimmu Borgir, Samael and other bands. I also loved classical music such as Beethoven and Chopin. Eventually, my love for classical became my biggest influence as an improviser. My good friend Ted Jones has provided a lot of encouragement and practical advice that really helped set me free as a creative improviser. During college, I received several years of conventional classical piano lessons from Dr. Steven Smith of PSU. I'm certain this helped develop my ear for what makes music good, as well as my technique. I also owe a lot to my dad, he's a fluent Boogie Woogie player. Perhaps that planted the seed for me believing that I could improvise. My mom also played a role in my musical development by making sure to enrich my childhood with great music such as Beethoven's Emperor Concerto and Symphony 6. I have memories of her humming along with parts of the song, helping me to see what made music so wonderful. I have memories of my sisters Amy and Katy practicing beautiful classical pieces on the piano from my early childhood, this no doubt stuck with me too. And finally, my wife Laurie, whom I met in 2006, has provided me the companionship and peace of mind that I think I needed to really begin writing the sort of music I've always wanted to write. There are 10 improvisations on this page that I've chosen to share with everyone. I hope you enjoy them!
Regards,
-Derek Andrews
Piano Improvisations by Derek Andrews's Friend Space (Top 15)
Piano Improvisations by Derek Andrews has 639 friends.
Thank you for your friendship. Please check out the my flyer for the great lineup of musicians I’m going to be working with at the Iridium Jazz Club on June 16th. I am so excited! Peace and love, Pat Holley
"In the immense silence of emptiness, Universal Cosmic Energy illuminates omnipresently over the deep space of impermanent existence, where sufferings exist endlessly in the profoundly moving beauty of the Universe. Meditation is the greatest path to the cessation of sufferings under the movement of intelligence, peace, and love."
Please take a look at the eCard below and check out the lineup of great musicians who will be performing with me on June 16th at the Iridium. I am very excited!
Compelling music! Thank you for the add, Derek - I am very happy to be on your friends list. Please stop by anytime & have a fabulous week! All the best, Alice Kim
