Who am I?
What is the purpose of this blog? Why is he doing this? How can he help me?
These are questions that I would like to address in this very first blog post.
But first, let me introduce myself. My name is Brenden Lowe.
My spirit identifies as a jazz pianist because that is what I’m most passionate about in life. Playing music. Playing jazz piano, and playing piano in general. I own a business called Jazz Piano School that helps students learn how to play jazz piano. It’s an online membership website that sells courses, teaches lessons, and provides live lessons as well.
But this my friend…this website…is different.
If you’ve looked around, I’m sure you’ve noticed that this website is about business.
Now how did I go from teaching jazz piano to teaching business?
I’ll tell you.
Part 1 - The Death of My Creativity
I started playing piano when I was 5. I studied classical then soon switched over to jazz piano. I fell in love with jazz so fast because of it’s freedom. The freedom that allowed the artist to express their own soul and spontaneously improvise.
I attended the New School University to get my 4-year, jazz piano performance degree then something happened.
My senior year, my dream bubble burst.
How was I going to pay my bills with music?
It was going to be impossible.
So, I did what most musicians do after graduating.
I got a job.
I started working as a personal trainer because at least it allowed me to create my own schedule and work with my clients when they were available.
I’m all about freedom if you haven’t noticed.
I’m a creative, and I’m assuming you are as well, if you’re a musician reading this.
We want freedom.
We want to express ourselves.
We do NOT want to be trapped.
We do NOT want to be caged.
we do NOT want to be held down.
That to us makes our brain scream…DEATH!
Our self expression is #1 on our priority list.
I worked more and more as a personal trainer and eventually moved into a personal training manager position where I was responsible for sales.
I was making $80,000 a year, in my 20’s.
Life was good right.
Wrong
Part 2 - Jumping With No Parachute
I was working 50 & 60 hour work weeks.
I had to come in for a meeting on my birthday. MY BIRTHDAY!
And I had requested time off for my birthday and they had APPROVED it!
WHATT?!!
After 8 years, I realized I had gotten sucked in.
I got sucked into the system.
And it was killing my soul.
Killing my expression.
Killing my creativity.
I was losing myself.
Losing my music.
I needed out immediately. But how?
I was comfortable and secure. I was getting a paycheck.
How would I survive without the security of the paycheck.
You know what? At this point it didn’t matter.
I was determined to get out so what did I do?
I QUIT!
Now at this point, I had a little bit of money saved up, but not much.
And I freakin’ quit.
Now some of you may be in this exact position right now.
Scared to quit because you need the money and trust me, there is not a person on this earth that understands this more than me.
After I was quit I was broke. I do not recommend this for everyone because it is terrifying.
I didn’t know how I was going to pay my bills.
I didn’t know how I was going to pay my rent.
I didn’t know how I was going to eat!
But my expression, creativity, and freedom were more important.
I got on food stamps, and was determined to make it…some how.
Part 3 - Trying and Failing At Business
Musicians have a lot of ways to make income. If only I had known this back then.
I started with what I knew.
Piano lessons.
Teaching at schools, highschools, colleges.
Gigs, concerts, accompanying vocalists.
ANYTHING!
If someone asked, I took it.
No matter if it was free or paid I said yes.
I couldn’t afford to say no because most of my free gigs came with a free meal so I wasn’t about to turn that down.
Now as I was doing this, I was still in survival mode because there was STILL no way I was going to be able to sustain.
I’ve always been interested in business. It’s been a passion of mine.
I’ve always wanted to help others, and serve humanity as much as possible.
I’ve always loved the thought of giving others what they’re looking for and need.
In an effort to keep myself afloat I tried sooooo many different things.
I tried real estate.
I tried flipping houses.
I tried selling phones and tv’s.
I opened a strength and stretching studio with a partner which I hated and left eventually.
I tried becoming a financial advisor.
I TRIED SOOO MANY THINGS.
I was looking for my path.
My way to help others.
And stupid me, little did I realize, the business of my dreams was literally right in front of me.
Part 4 - Starting Jazz Piano School
Who would have thought?
Combine my favorite musical passion, jazz piano, with business.
I got the idea to start Jazz Piano School mainly because my students loved my education. They thought I had amazing teaching skills, and loved my structured and organized approach to learning jazz.
They told me to put it online! For the world to learn!
So…I did!
And voila! Jazz Piano School was born.
It’s now been 7 years, and Jazz Piano School has helped thousands of people learn jazz piano and is being used in homes, schools, and studios all around the world.
We have over 200 podcasts, 100+ blog posts, tens of thousands of followers, and people that email me every day saying how thankful they are to have found Jazz Piano School.
I’m not rich by any means, nor did I get into music to be rich, but I’m happy to say Jazz Piano School supports me and can pay my bills.
But most importantly…it allows me to be my own boss.
It allows me to work when I want to work.
I don’t have to receive demeaning emails from bosses.
I don’t have to go to useless meetings.
I don’t have to go to work on my BIRTHDAY!
I get to help and serve others.
I get to to help others learn this amazing craft and bring joy to their lives.
It’s incredible and I feel completely blessed and grateful everyday that I get to do this.
I’m a sponge and I love information.
How did I do this?
Well, I learned as much as I possible could about creating an online business.
From podcasts, blogs, and websites, like the one you’re on RIGHT NOW! 🙂
I worked my butt off and created a successful online 6-figure business!
And now here’s where you come in…
Part 5 - How Can I Help You?
The reason I’ve started my own personal business coaching website is to give back.
Give back to my fellow musicians that may be in the exact same spot I was.
I want to motivate you.
I want to inspire you.
I want to lead by example.
I want to let you know that you do NOT need a 9-5.
You do NOT need to be held down by corporate America.
You can be YOURSELF!
You can express YOURSELF!
You can be FREE!
It’s all possible, and I’m living proof that it is.
I’m not a magician.
I was never book smart. I got a 1080 on my SAT’s back in 2002.
That is NOT good for all of you who don’t know.
But I have one thing…determination.
I was determined to be free.
Determined to make it happen.
Now, it’s your turn.
This website is going to give you business information, knowledge, coaching, and everything you need to create the business of your dreams as a musician.
We do NOT need to be the living stereo type of a POOR musician.
We can build a business with our skills, live the life we want, and buy the fancy coffee that we want as well!
Now I know you have questions.
How do I start?
Where do I start?
I don’t have an idea?
What is my business?
I don’t have business skills?
I’m scared.
I can’t do this.
I’m not right for this.
I don’t have time.
I don’t have support.
I got it.
Listen…the list will go on and on and on until you change your mindset.
First off, it is possible and I’M GOING TO HELP YOU!
I got you!
Everything I do on this website will be directed towards helping and serving you.
Everything I do will be geared towards providing you with the education and knowledge you need to build the life of your dreams while creating sustainable income for yourself as a musician.
No matter what your dream is, I’ll be here to help you.
I can’t afford to NOT help based on what I’ve done.
I can’t sit back and NOT give away everything I’ve learned to my fellow musicians.
We’re in this together and we need to help each other.
I’ve got your back.
Stay with me, follow me, learn from me, and I promise, I will get you to where you want to go.
I’ve done it with all of my jazz piano students.
It’s time to help you with your dreams through business.
It’s time to help you perform more.
It’s time to give you more freedom.
It’s time to help you quit your 9-5.
It’s time to help you teach more.
It’s time to help you record more.
It’s time to help you collaborate more.
It’s time to do all the things you’ve ever wanted in life.
So…
Take a deep breath.
And say to yourself, “It’s possible.”
Sometimes it’s hard to say, “I can.”
I get that…but what you can say is…
“It’s possible.”
Say it with me…
“IT’S POSSIBLE!”
Yes, it is.
I’m living proof.
So here’s to your future success.
To get you going right now I want you to take one small step toward your business education and download my free income idea’s guidebook for musicians.
Remember, dreams are just dreams without action.
I’ll talk to you soon.
Brenden
I wrote this guide book as a starting point for all musicians. It will motivate your soul and spark your brain with ideas. It's the best first step you can take. Click below to download it now.
