My Role Model Contest by @sirkeyz101

Hello Steemians, with so much excitement, I'm glad to be part of this amazing contest organized by our country representative @saxopedia.

To me, I would define a role model to be a person or someone who inspires you, you have so much admiration for them, and you probably would in one way or the other be like them. Usually people with role models would like to walk, talk, dress like that role. Generally, a person role model is usually does the things this individual admires so much, most likely from their hobbies. That's why the role model of a footballer is mostly likely to be a footballer, and the role model of a musician is most likely to be a musician. This explains why our country's representative @saxopedia who has so much admiration for the Saxophone admires Kirk Whalum who is a legend on this instrument.

Am not an exception. Am a musician/instrumentalist (a pianist) and it's no doubt that my role model is a Pianist. I know you all reading now are excited to know my role model. For me, my role model is Cory Henry.

Cory Alexander Henry was born February 27, 1987. He has been playing the piano since he was 2 years old. He is a black American R&B/Soul singer and songwriter. He plays the piano, organ, and is a music producer. He has played for bands like the Snarky Puppy, the Funk Apostles just to name a few.

I first came to know of him in 2014 when a friend of mine showed me a video of Cory Henry play Lingus. This song went so viral and Cory Henry had won a Grammy award because of his performance on this song. When I watched this guy playing this song, I almost became discouraged continuing the piano. Later on in 2016, I intensively start following him. I have literally watched almost about 89% of his videos on the internet. I have subscribed to his YouTube channel and I follow him on Instagram, hence any video he post or any status on Instagram or he is going live, I always get notified.

I can say this year has been my best year so far because I saw my role model face to face and was part of a group zoom class. Earlier this year, yousicplay academy organized a 14day finger exercise challenge with Coryhenry himself. Since i knew if am among the winners, I would get to meet my role model Coryhenry. Though with the wound on my hand, and with the many people who took part in this challenge (about 4k Pianist) I emerged one of the 26 winners of this challenge.

I was so privileged to receive a group zoom class from Coryhenry. After the class, my mind was opened. I got to know how Coryhenry thinks when he is playing the piano. I started to develop a similar mindset to his.

Many people never get to see their role models. But I saw mine and even spoke with him. I was filled with so much joy which I couldn't even express.

By the years passed I have learned a lot from Coryhenry;
**How to play in a band,
**How to find my space in a band and how to make use of that space,
**Finger Exercises,
**Licks and runs,
**2 5 1 chord progression,
**Chord voicings
**Left hand comping,
**etc

The list is just so long. I literally listen to Coryhenry play and watch his videos on a daily basis. Thanks for reading. Peace ✌️✌️✌️