I am a self-taught American composer, and compose mostly in the Romantic period. I take extreme pains, though, to make myself musically balanced so I can compose in a very diverse range of styles, from Jazz, to Modern-Classical, to Ragtime.
Here is my musical story:
It was two years ago that I started learning music, what notes were which, how they were placed on the staff, etc. 4 months later, in December 2011, I began teaching myself composition, and to compose simple pieces like my "Canon in C," or "Fifty Years." Now, a year later, I am writing pieces like my "Impromptu Rhapsody No. 2" and “American Rhapsody No. 1 – Mystic Maine”, and am playing classics like "Fuer Elise," "Rondo alla Turca," "Canon in D”, and Liszt's “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 8”, and now I am learning Rachmaninov's Prelude in G Minor and Mozart's Rondo in D.
I have performed in three recitals, have played music for my church, and am looking forward to even more opportunities in and for the church.
With all that said, I would like to say to all of you pianists who are just beginning, like I was two years ago, stick with it, and come along. The world of music is wide open, be diligent, persevere even when you want to quit, enjoy performing and let it show, and be joyful about what you do, and you will do well.
P.S. If you have read this far, thank you.
The only real reason I have my music on the web is so I can get feedback and see what I am doing wrong, so please comment on my music, and, if you do play it, interpreter's mp3s are always welcome.
In Jesus Christ, Jonathan Sargent
SHEET MUSIC