{"id":5319,"date":"2021-10-15T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-15T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/?p=5319"},"modified":"2023-01-09T15:43:25","modified_gmt":"2023-01-09T23:43:25","slug":"erskine-hawkins-podcast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/erskine-hawkins-podcast\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get Gigs and Do What You Love With Erskine Hawkins (Pianote Podcast #17)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Erskine Hawkins has done it all. He\u2019s been the music director for Chrisette Michele and Zendaya. He\u2019s toured with Eminem and Rihanna, and he was the first African-American to complete the University of North Texas\u2019 Jazz Piano program.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet, when asked what genre he\u2019d pick if he could only do one, Erskine is a church musician at heart. It\u2019s the place where his music makes the most impact, and it was where it all started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"blue-text-block\"><center><h5><b>\ud83c\udfb9 Try the Keys for Free! \ud83d\udd25<\/b><\/h5><p>Feel inspired to play piano yourself? Try Pianote risk-free for 30 days.<\/p><p><a class=\"join\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/trial-month\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GET STARTED NOW<\/a><\/p><\/center><p><\/p><\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"late-start-no-problem\"><strong>Late Start? No Problem<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Compared to many professional piano players, Erskine Hawkins began relatively late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Erskine originally wanted to play drums, but he was \u201cterrrrrrible\u201d at it (his words, not ours). He waited for an opportunity to play drums at church, but the opportunity rarely came. Then, one day the church music minister persuaded him to play the keyboard behind the band that no one touched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-default is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>What you did yesterday matters, but it really doesn&#8217;t, so let&#8217;s move forward and find the next thing.<\/p>\n<cite>Erskine Hawkins on a sermon he once heard<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The music minister showed him how to play the keyboard a handful of notes at a time. And since it was a small church on an Air Force base, Erskine stepped up to play the keyboard. He was around twelve or thirteen when he started. It was rough at first, he admits, but this was the catalyst for his career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"blue-text-block\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/Erskine%20Hawkins\/Erskine%20Hawkins.jpg\"><center><h5><b>\ud83c\udf99\ufe0f Sit In on Conversations with the Top Pianists \ud83c\udfb9<\/b><\/h5><\/center><p>Each month, we sit down with an accomplished piano player active in the music industry. Make sure you never miss an interview by following the <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/3A8KKvYYhanvHIVLxcycMf?si=hahzx65LSVGGa-mAb2S7eA&amp;dl_branch=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pianote Podcast<\/a> on Spotify or subscribing to our online magazine.<\/p><iframe class=\"email-form-include\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/weeklyemail\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"catching-up-through-education\">Catching Up Through Education<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-default is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Ever since I was, like, in high school, I auditioned for stuff just to see if I could get it.<\/p>\n<cite>Erskine Hawkins<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><meta charset=\"utf-8\">Because he started playing seriously at a later age, Erskine knew he had some catch-up to do. And he put in the requisite hard work.<meta charset=\"utf-8\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Luckily, Erskine\u2019s high school had a piano program. The school\u2019s band director saw that he was passionate about the instrument and encouraged him to practice an hour and a half every morning. Erskine also had piano class every other day and he played church piano on the weekends. He learned classical piano at school, played jazz with the jazz band, and played gospel at church. Young Erskine was marinating in all things piano!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>But things didn&#8217;t always go smoothly At one point, Erskine auditioned for a regional jazz band and ranked fifth out of five candidates. This was \u201cvery depressing\u201d and \u201chumbling,\u201d but he didn\u2019t stop playing. Erskine hustled throughout high school and got into the University of North Texas, where he became the first African-American to graduate from their esteemed jazz program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"building-a-career\"><strong>Building a Career<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For a while, Erskine Hawkins planned on becoming a doctor. He spent some time in high school volunteering at an E.R., but he kept disappearing to the piano at the hospital chapel. The piano called to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<p><meta charset=\"utf-8\">After university, Erskine drove to New York City because he had learned that many music careers are launched there. He was adamant on leaving despite a snowstorm and his family telling him to wait, a moment he remembers vividly. \u201cSomething [was] telling me I need[ed] to go now.&#8221; He even remembers the exact date: January 11, 2011.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Behind The Scenes with Erskine Hawkins for Yamaha\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/P4-5btkL1Ms?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An interview with Erskine Hawkins and Yamaha.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Erskine said yes to as many Craigslist keyboarding gigs as possible and played a gig the day he arrived at New York. Then, two weeks after coming to the city, he landed a job with Chrisette Michele.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, a few years later, Erskine was in L.A. auditioning to play with Zendaya when the music director for Eminem offered him a touring gig. He auditioned for Zendaya anyway (\u201cEver since I was, like, in high school, I auditioned for stuff just to see if I could get it\u201d). Her manager (Zendaya\u2019s dad) was willing to accommodate his schedule. Not long after becoming Zendaya\u2019s keyboardist, Erskine became her music director.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"moving-forward-moment-by-moment\">Moving Forward, Moment By Moment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite initial challenges and repeatedly calling his abilities \u201cterrible,\u201d Erskine never gave up on a career in music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Piano Quick Tips \u2014 The Chord Movement Hotline\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pBkKYDllhLU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A quick tutorial on making interesting chord progressions by Erskine Hawkins for Sweetwater.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<p><meta charset=\"utf-8\">He recalls a sermon he once&nbsp;heard in which he was encouraged not to &#8220;build a monument to a moment.&#8221; \u201cWhat you did yesterday matters,\u201d Erskine says, \u201cbut it really doesn\u2019t, so let\u2019s move forward and find the next thing.\u201d In other words, he never dwells on any moment in time, whether it be success or failure. There\u2019s always something more to achieve tomorrow.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>On favorite genres, \u201cI try to authentically be every style,\u201d Erskine says, but \u201cif I can only play one genre . . . I think I\u2019m more centered in church than any of the rest of it . . . Like, all this that I\u2019m doing is really cool, but the only place where people\u2019s lives are changed is church.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-default is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Be good at your craft when you get your shot. You know, you might only get one of them.<\/p>\n<cite>Erskine Hawkins<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><meta charset=\"utf-8\">Since the pandemic last year, his touring schedule has calmed down somewhat. These days, he works a full-time job at his church (\u201cI\u2019ve got an office and the whole nine yards!\u201d) with pastor Tony Evans. And when he comes home, he spends quality time with his son and daughter, who can\u2019t fall asleep without him.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-get-gigs-and-launch-a-career-erskine-hawkins-advice\"><strong>How to Get Gigs and Launch a Career (Erskine Hawkins\u2019 Advice)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Erskine Hawkin\u2019s career was built on ambition, putting himself out there, and good old-fashioned practice. If you\u2019re interested in taking your music to the next level and landing some gigs, Erskine has some useful advice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tip-1-ask-lots-of-questions\"><meta charset=\"utf-8\">Tip #1: Ask lots of questions<meta charset=\"utf-8\"><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>From the time he was in high school, Erskine was asking questions about a career in piano. This is easier today thanks to social media. And while not everyone will be willing to talk to you, it doesn\u2019t hurt to ask. It\u2019s likely at least one person will get back to you.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Piano Quick Tips for Fuller Chords\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/R5J6od2-9YY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Some tips from Erskine Hawkins on creating fuller chord voicings.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>It was through asking questions that Erskine decided with so much conviction to move to New York. (When he talked to gigging musicians, most of them lived in a big city like New York, Los Angeles, or Nashville.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tip-2-know-the-top-50-songs-in-your-genre\">Tip #2: Know the top 50 songs in your genre<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, Erskine recommends all musicians aspiring for gigs to build a repertoire of the top 50 songs in your genre.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This can come in handy when you audition because people tend to ask for certain popular songs as examples of your ability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-default is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I think I&#8217;m more centered in church than any of the rest of it . . . Like all this that I&#8217;m doing is really cool but the only place where. people&#8217;s lives are changed is church.<\/p>\n<cite><meta charset=\"utf-8\">ERskine Hawkins<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tip-3-practice-your-craft\">Tip #3: Practice your craft<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, there\u2019s no substitute for practice. \u201cBe good at your craft when you get your shot. You know, you might only get one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Erskine has achieved an admirable career, but it all started with him learning the piano two notes at a time in church as a pre-teen. He didn\u2019t blossom overnight; rather, he put in <em>a lot <\/em>of hard work and put himself out there to get more work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, Erskine Hawkins has come back full circle to where it started: playing music for his church community. That\u2019s where he\u2019s happiest, and that\u2019s where he wants to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<iframe class=\"email-form-include-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/weekly-email\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Erskine Hawkins has worked with Zendaya, Chrisette Michele, Eminem, and more. He sits down with Lisa at Pianote to share how he did it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":5366,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1108],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5319","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-musicianship"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5319","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5319"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5319\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10401,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5319\/revisions\/10401"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5366"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5319"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5319"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5319"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}