ToneGym Hero: Mihai Cosareanu

A dedicated musician, and software engineer, merging his early fascination with rhythm and guitar mastery with a deep understanding of technology, crafting a unique identity as both a performer and innovator. Mihai Cosareanu is this month's ToneGym Hero!

How did you first find your way into making music?

My father was a well-respected guitar player in our area, involved in various bands and projects in my hometown. Ever since I was three years old, he would take me to the band’s rehearsals, and I remember being completely captivated by the drums.

I was fascinated by the movement and reflections of the cymbals. I tried to replicate this effect by hitting the open flaps of a vacuum cleaner cardboard box with a pair of drumsticks that I received as a present. That’s how my passion for drums began.

Eventually, I asked to sit at the drum kit during the band's breaks and started experimenting with the instrument.

When I was about 12 years old, my parents bought me a drum set, which was one of the best gifts I could have received at the time. I took drum lessons until I grasped the basics. Since I picked it up fairly quickly, I stopped taking lessons and began playing along with my favorite songs instead.

I picked up the electric guitar later, during high school. My father had a VHS tape of Guitar Legends Seville '92, which introduced me to Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Brian May, and other incredible guitarists. Inspired by Satriani and Vai, I started learning Always With Me, Always With You by using online guitar tabs.

During high school, I also joined my first cover band and played my first live concert. That pretty much sums up the beginning of my musical journey.

Aside from music, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy?

I love traveling the world, exploring nature's wonders, and experiencing different cultures and ways of life. So far, I've visited more than 30 countries and 13 of the most breathtaking U.S. states.

Another hobby I’ve invested countless hours in is gaming. I'm very nostalgic, so I often replay many of my childhood PC and PlayStation games to relive those memories.

What’s something you're surprisingly good at that has nothing to do with music?

I would say "computers". I have a deep understanding of how they work, as I've studied them for years. I can explain, even to someone with no technical background, everything that happens - down to the electrical level - when you press a key and see the corresponding character appear on the screen.

This naturally led me to a career in technology, and I became a software engineer. I've been working in this field for the past 10 years.

If you could play or create with any artist, who would it be and why?

It would be a tough choice between Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. Their music has been a constant in my life since childhood. Besides being phenomenal composers and guitarists, they both seem like genuinely great human beings. After watching numerous interviews with them, I'm convinced I would love to meet and play with them.

I was fortunate enough to meet Steve Vai in person and even jam with him during an Alien Guitar Secrets masterclass in Bucharest. We took turns soloing over a backing track for Building the Church. I'd definitely do it again! :)

What musical instrument do you love the most, and what makes it irreplaceable for you?

This is another difficult choice between drums and electric guitar. They each evoke different emotions, and my preference shifts depending on my mood.

I love the drums because they were my first instrument, and they fascinated me as a child. They are relatively easy to learn by ear, and you can start having fun quickly.

On the other hand, the guitar is more complex, with a steeper learning curve. However, once you're comfortable with it, the way you experience music is entirely different from playing the drums. The guitar is also more practical - you can get an amazing sound through headphones without disturbing anyone, whereas electronic drums still feel like a compromise compared to an acoustic kit.

What daily or weekly habits do you have in place to keep you creating?

Honestly, I don't create as much as I'd like. I find a lot of joy in playing along with backing tracks or covering my favorite songs.

Composing happens when I stumble upon a small musical idea I really like. When that moment comes, I try to capture as much of it as possible before it fades away.

I'm definitely not as disciplined as I could be, and this is something I need to work on.

What keeps you motivated to continue making music?

The process itself is incredibly enjoyable! I love sitting at the drum kit and jamming over drumless tracks or playing along with my favorite songs. Picking up the guitar and playing a simple melody or an intense solo is equally satisfying. That feeling keeps me coming back for more.

What song would you choose as the soundtrack of your life?

It's tough to choose, but I'd go with Joe Satriani - Always With Me, Always With You. Since it was the first song I learned on guitar, it opened up new ways for me to enjoy music.

I also love the song's structure. If you ignore the title, it could serve as a great metaphor for life:

• The major section represents hope, dreams, and courage.
• The minor section reflects the inevitable setbacks and hardships of adulthood, as reality often differs from our idealized expectations.
• The return to the major section symbolizes gaining experience, managing life's challenges, and focusing on what truly matters.

That's what I love about instrumental music—without lyrics guiding the interpretation, you can assign your own meaning to the piece.

What's your favorite feature on ToneGym, and how has it helped you in your musical journey?

Before joining ToneGym, I had almost no interest in reading sheet music. I knew note durations and could identify middle C on the treble clef, but reading an entire score took me days.

When I first started playing guitar, I relied solely on tabs because they were more intuitive. Over time, I transitioned to learning by ear.

However, ToneGym's daily workouts introduced me to games like Rhythmania and Notationist. Playing these games has gradually improved my ability to read musical notation. I'm more motivated to learn now, and I appreciate that these skills were integrated into my usual chord and interval recognition training.

What’s something exciting you're working on or looking forward to?

I don't have a specific goal I'm working towards; I just enjoy the process. Currently, I'm trying to learn slap bass technique and improve my piano skills.

I'm also working on developing my ear to play more pieces by ear without relying on trial and error. The feeling of progress is what excites me the most!

You can follow Mihai on his Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, or his website.