Music Tuesdays: Jon Schimdt

Contributed by arTisTech Aug 9, 2011

Jon Schimdt Playing Upside Down. Photo Courtesy of Jon Schimdt

While doing some research on Youtube (aka waisting time watching clips of people falling), I was lucky enough to come across the work of Jon Schimdt. Through his collaboration with The Piano Guysand their Youtube channel; John has helped put a fun and entertaining spin on classical music and make it enjoyable for younger generations.

John is a classically trained pianist, composer, as a well as an instructor and has played shows all across the country. His curiosity to try new things and mix styles, as well as his amazing skills are joy to watch and can easily have one waisting even more time on Youtube.

If you are fan of classical music and piano performances, then you’ll definitely love John Schmidt.

How did you get involved with the The Piano Guys?
The owner of Piano Guys, Paul Anderson, contacted me and asked that I
come to his store in St.George to do some performances. We have built
a relationship since then.

How has Youtube and the popularity of the The Piano Guys project effected
you're work and life?
The Youtube videos produced by Piano Guys has been a great venue to
market and introduce my music to more people. You could not pay for
the kind of exposure that Youtube gives an artist and Piano Guys had
the time and means to produce the videos. It is something I would not
have taken the time on my own. Not to the extent that we are
producing them now, anyway.

Even though you are a classically trained pianist, you have managed to incorporate many styles into your music. Why is it so important for you to mix various styles and genres?
I hear rhythms in my mind and in my music which really adds a unique
variety to my music. I love the classical style, but I also feel
beats that I try to put a classical melody to. Sometimes I will
create a whole song around a rhythm. That is how "Waterfall" and "All
of Me" were created. At first I could not even play those songs. I
had to learn to be able to play the rhythms.

What do you like doing the most: Teaching, performing, or composing?
I would have to say that I like performing the most. It is so fun to
be able to interact with people and feel them enjoying the music. It
is fun.

Besides piano, do you play or experiment with other instruments?
I really only play the piano. If I could play another instrument I
would choose the guitar. But guitar hurts my fingers and I try to be
careful with my fingers. And honestly, I have not had any time to
fool around with other instruments. Piano has consumed all of my
time. I don't have enough hours in a day to do all that I would like
to do with the piano.

Where does your inspiration come from when your composing your music?
I cannot pin point a particular thing that gives me inspiration for
songs. Ideas just come at random times. Sometimes ideas will come
while jamming with a friend, or while I'm sleeping, or while I'm
listening to different kinds of music.

What's next for John Schmidt? More Youtube videos?
Performances? Collaborations?
I am currently getting ready to film another youtube video for the
song Rachmaninoff piece I arranged called, "Rock-maninoff." And I'll be at Thanksgiving Pointe on September 3rd. These summer shows are fun and the atmosphere is beautiful. And then there are the Christmas
shows that I begin now to prepare for in Arizona, Idaho, Tuacahn in
St. George, and at Kingsbury in Salt Lake City. I will continue to
write and arrange with my good friend and cellist Steven Sharp Nelson,
and we'll continue to put out videos with the Piano Guys.