Music

Went to The ARK aka MU CHUAN at Safra Clark Quay last Monday.. The MU CHUAN experience was totally enjoyable and worth every cent, I only had to pay $10 for an evening of performance upclose and personal, as compared to $70 at the back of the stadium with a horde of screaming fans.

YH and PY were totally mesmerized by the pianist, coz he plays very well and sings very well. It was not their first time there, and YH is even a student at MU CHUAN. I fully understood why my 2 dear friends were head over heels, as well as the audience (majority gals) during this session.

I think in general, girls would love guys who know how to sing and play piano. That would explain the legion of fans for artistes like Wang Lee Hom, David Tao , or JJ Lin. More so if these talented ppl are 'within' reach in our normal lives.

I remember when I was in my school days, I declared to my friends that I would marry a guy who can play the piano, wahaha. Thou this is unfortuately not coming true, the fortunate thing is I'm not into that belief now. A nice to have quality, but not a must to have.

I wasnt that crazy over that keyboard guy (maybe coz i was more 'into' the guitar guy, ha). Both gals were gibbering abt things like its so cool he plays without scores, fingers can fly over the keys, he can play by ear, how chen2 zui4 he is etc.. i was thinking, oh well, i can do that too!

I understood the part abt playing without scores. We play by chords, and improvise along the way. Its difficult to follow every single note of the original, and its even more cumbersome writing down every exact note at the exact timing. But ask me how to do it, I cant explain in words. Its just like that lor.. haha.. now u noe why teaching was never a profession option.

Then how to play by ear? I dunno, I'm just able to know whether its a C, D, F# or Bb when I hear it. Put it in physics terms, it means I'm able to tell the exact frequency of the notes being played lor. How to teach?

I'm grateful for the gift that I have, I do think its a very remarkable and rare gift. Even my piano teacher is not able to differentiate the exact notes.

However, as I meet and mix with ppl who are very 'into' music, into composing, into performing, I will feel 'ashamed' that I did not put my gift into good use. I've met alot of ppl, whom without music background and at this age, are still so keen to compose music to send to record companies, still so keen to learn the musical instrument, and keen to take the money,time and effort to practise, go for courses etc.

So feeling guilty, and very inspired after last Mon's session, I've spent my weekend downloading MP3s and scores, and listening and playing the pieces that were sung at the session.

I found the youtoube of Wang Lee Hom playing Kiss Goodbye live, I've mastered the jazz version of the interlude!