INDEX
Drawn to Music Outside Rigid Boundaries
In the recently released video for Yamaha Music Members Plus, we discussed your early encounters with the piano and the reason you started playing. I was particularly surprised to hear that you played blues at your recital, and I thought that might have been the starting point for your love of Bill Evans. Why do you think you were drawn to the muddy sounds and the different resonance, which were unlike classical music?
Ezaki: Hmm, honestly, I’m not entirely sure why, but I’ve always struggled with structured music like Bach, Mozart, or Beethoven. Music that is built on a solid framework never quite sat well with me. Of course, Mozart has parts that break away from that, but Bach and Beethoven’s music has such a beautiful structure, you know? I just didn’t enjoy confronting that type of music.
Maybe my piano teacher at the time sensed that I wasn’t a fan of it. It wasn’t just blues; I also got to play a Latin piece called “Brazil.” But back then, I wasn’t even aware of whether it was blues or Latin music. In any case, I think I was naturally drawn to music that doesn’t fit neatly within structured boundaries.
But that teacher was amazing. They didn’t force anything on you.
Ezaki: xactly. What’s more, I was the first student on Saturday, so the teacher would say, “Come a little earlier,” and extend the lesson by 30 minutes. During those 30 minutes, I could play whatever I liked, like Latin music or blues. But, in exchange, the remaining regular lesson time was strictly focused on the curriculum and the basics. It was really an environment where I could freely enjoy music.
Unfortunately, the teacher’s lessons ended because they moved. The next teacher I had was extremely strict (laughs). They asked, “What have you been doing until now, in 3rd grade?” and drilled me hard on the basics.
[laughs]
Ezaki: The time to learn basic techniques inevitably comes at some point, but I’m glad it didn’t come first for me. I think it’s because I was able to freely approach music at the beginning that I was able to continue playing. Since I was little, my parents always had music playing at home, and they actively took me to concerts, so the atmosphere at home was really great. That said, practice was still really tough (laughs). If I hadn’t discovered jazz when I was in middle school, I might not have continued with the piano.
But now, I think it’s good that I learned to read and write music as part of the basics. In the end, both are necessary. Motivation to enjoy playing is, of course, important, but if you’re collaborating with others, you need a way to communicate. Writing music becomes a common language to convey your ideas.
