The Role of Music

Music has played a huge role in my life. I started playing music in third grade. Since that time I have learned how to play the piano, the saxophone, guitar, and ukulele. I can pick up almost any instrument and play. Keep reading to find out more about my journey as a musician and see some more awesome product photography.

The Piano

The first instrument that I learned to play was the piano. I practiced piano for 30 min every day for 10 years. My first piano teacher taught me to play by ear. I can remember those early years when I would put a record on my parent's record player in the living room and try to play along. I can remember being sent home with a tape of some basic music and being assigned to be able to play it when I returned. It was awesome training. My first music teacher also taught me to read music. I was only the second kid in my class at school that knew how to read music.

The Saxophone

In 5th grade, I picked up the saxophone. My teacher was the middle school band teacher Mr. Morton. He took tons of time with me. Mr. Morton had more influence on my life than any other teacher. I may have only practiced the piano for 30 min a day, but I spent hours a day playing the saxophone. I honestly don't know how my parents were able to take the sounds. My parents only had to put up with the sounds coming out of my saxophone for a short time each day. I practiced at school from the time school let out at 2:15 until my Grandmother picked me up at 5:00pm. 

Music as Life

The saxophone got me really involved in music. I was in the middle school band starting in 6th grade. I was the only 6th grader that got to be in the Jazz band which was reserved for 8th graders. Mr. Morton turned me on to Jazz, I started listening to Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, and Moondog. I also was involved in every solo and ensemble competition. 

In 7th grade, I get one of my best friends to join the band. We used to stay up late at his house on nights before competitions and practice our solos. I'm sure his parents were quite pleased with us, but they never said a word.

The summer before 8th grade I got to trade in my beginner saxophone for the one in the picture at the top. It was a huge improvement. Beginner horns just do not allow you to have the tone that you can get with a professional horn. The action is quicker, and they are just set up to be way more playable. I have played this horn for 15 years. It was one of the best investments that my parents ever made in me.

High School

I played saxophone all the way through high school. I played in marching band for all four years of high school. I was the only freshman that got to play 1st Alto Sax in the marching band. Then I was the only freshman in years that got to sit 1st Alto Sax in concert band. The next year I was lucky enough to move up to the symphonic band, where I again made 1st chair Alto Sax. In addition to playing in the marching band, concert band, and symphonic band, I also played in the jazz band and the basketball pep band.

The Guitar

In high school, I also picked up playing guitar. My first guitar was a Fender American Strat. I played that thing till my fingers bled. It is an awesome guitar. For high school graduation, my parents bought me a Martin HD-28. This is my favorite guitar. 

The College Years

In college, I stopped playing the saxophone for the most part. I played saxophone in a ska band for a little while but really did not click with the guys. I also tried playing saxophone in the basketball pep band, but I had a class when they met for rehearsals. So I kind of stopped playing saxophone for a while. My Martin HD-28 was my instrument of choice through college. 

College was an amazing time. I was a political science and history major, but the majority of my time was spent with a few music majors that I met during orientation. I played my guitar in their dorm rooms and really did not study much...

Today

These days I play a lot of saxophone, piano, guitar, and uke for my daughter. She loves listening to me play music. I hope that she will be able to find the joy through music that I have been able to find. I also teach my daughter to play the piano. Teaching a child music is one of the best things that you can do. As a parent having the ability to pass on music to the next generation really feels good.

Music has always been a huge part of my life. Product photography has allowed me to combine two of my greatest loves. I get to photograph items that I love.

To get in touch with Nick about photographing your musical instruments click the contact button below!