At the age of five, Warren began playing the piano by ear, after being taught a few songs by his mother. For many years thereafter, he immersed himself at the piano—learning to play various styles by ear and creating new arrangements of existing pieces. As early as the age of seven, he was accompanying vocalists at the piano, for their performances at school or church. He soon became sought after as an accompanist in the community and continued to do so, frequently, throughout college and graduate school.