Spherehead

‘You can choose one: Football or Music,’ said my parents in the car. I wasn’t much of a football player in school, so I went for music. I wanted to play the piano, but there was this violin that passed down from father to son in the family. And so, my father introduced me. He can’t play himself, but his knowledge and collection of classical music is vast. He took me to a concert and, as I saw all the violinists playing, was persuaded. I studied the Suzuki method for 3 years, but barely passed. ‘No talent’ said the teacher and away went the violin.

As a small boy, I saw a guitar at my aunts home. She played herself, very beautifully, and let me try it out. It made a lasting impression and although my preference for piano, the guitar would become an important support in life. It wasn’t until I was 13 that I got to play with a piano, in the guise of a keyboard.

I went looking for other fellows who played it to learn, and I found the perfect tutor: Jeroen. We sat down for days and weeks playing quatre-mains blues accords and solo’s. He also taught me the same chords and progressions on guitar. We often jammed and made recordings, and most of what I play today is based upon his teachings.