AhDoe – Music as an International Language

I really respect the first person who invented the method to record music on papers, that’s more primitive than recording live sound on magnetic tapes, which had already shocked the whole world with such invention.

I wonder how many people appreciated his (that pioneer) effort and achievement that time…

During my trip to Vatican City, accidentally saw this:

Known as the first musical score in the world…

Sorry, I really don’t understand it. I can’t even identify a single Do Re Mi from it, but hey, the illustration is nice! I guess this is a religious song.

Long before I knew about the existence of musical notation software, I seldom record transcribed songs on papers. When my adult students wanted to play some songs they like, I’ll spend the first few minutes (depends on what song and its length) to “construct” a piano sheet music manually and get them sit beside me observing the whole process.

Incomplete Piano Sheet Music…My Fault

Closeup

This is the reason why I need all my students to buy a manuscript book: For this purpose, and also for some handwritten exercises.

Good Point: Students will get involved with the progress and start to ask relevant questions that could be helpful to them. It’s a “Seeing is Believing” benefit.

Bad Point: Too bad, it’s a little time-consuming, especially in the case when your students suddenly request something on the spot. As a teacher, you have to consider whether their request is achievable, and how much time to reach the target etc. Drawing those “bean-sprouts” takes some time, even if you tried not to be so fussy on tidiness.

Thanks to our technology today, we have computer softwares!!!

Even if you are not recording the musical notes through electronic musical instruments, the piano sheets construction is still relatively easier.

This is how I am able to generate neat piano sheets and musical scores.

Tadah!

Only flaw I had been thinking all this while: How do they pass down an emotion of a song?

This had been bothering me for some time and I really could not unlock the mystery. A musical score can tell you to play at what speed (i.e. How fast), at what intensity (i.e: How strong or how loud?) and even with what kind of mood (i.e: Expressively, sweetly) but but but but….

Most importantly, if the original composer was dead with zero disciples, who would exactly know how he expressed his song?

So, sound recording today preserved the emotion and solved it. In the end, we still have to say “Bravo” to Edison….

This post is dedicated to those who are getting married soon…

Chinese Traditional Bridal Costume

I don’t know much about other’s wedding, but from what I observed, Chinese’s wedding ceremonies usually cost a lot!

They have to pay for wedding photos and albums, wedding banquet, Ang Pows (Red Packets), wedding rings and a lot of traditional items (differs by dialects). I really don’t know how a young, newly-wed couple can fork out more to buy a house and go for honeymoon.

Sometimes, they even pay for live performances in their wedding dinner!

I have been invited to play piano several times, with certain amount of “Ang Pow” as well…(Please don’t ask how much…shy~). Besides my pay, the couples have to consider piano rental, wedding hosts and PA system as well. Sometimes, they will just go for an event organizer to sort these things for them. This is where I came into the picture: The organizer called me to schedule for the performance.

Due to my past experience, I can fully understand what songs should not be played and what songs are suitable during the auspicious day. Come on, I have seen people making mistake by singing “Turning Back Again” (再回首) when the couple is busy toasting with their friends! That’s rude, isn’t it?

Normally, I’ll try to understand whether there is any special request from the couple and whether they preferred Chinese or English songs, just to please them and make their big day more memorable.

This is a short song list that I normally prepare for wedding dinners, which appears to be acceptable by majorities:

1) The Moon represents my Heart (月亮代表我的心)
2）Endless Love
3) Your Name, My Surname (你的名字我的姓氏)
4) First Love
5) I am going to marry you tomorrow (明天我要嫁给你啦)
6) Along with Love (爱相随)

Etc…

Notice that some are older songs? Some are English Pops and even Japanese? Just to make sure everyone gets entertained.

Too bad, sometimes, they can manage to entertain themselves, leaving me entertaining myself…

I think it might be meaningful to post the real, original and genuine wedding songs here, as a form of sharing. You certainly know these songs!

Maybe a short preview on the video before you decide which piano sheet to view?

Free download of Bridal Chorus by Richard Wagner piano sheet here. It’s actually from the Opera Lohengrin, for your information.

Free download of Wedding March by Felix Mendelssohn piano sheet here. This song is also an incidental music for A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Hmm…any other songs that ought to be in the list?

This is a post without much words…

Yummy Birthday Cakes!

A Birthday Celebration in Korea

Happy Birthday to you Fakebook

I heard this song coincidently in my car in one sweet day, but I was not planning for any sweet escape like what Ms Gwen Stefani did with Akon. Of course, I guess that is the consequence of being too lonely for Akon.

Am I nuts or what??? *Knock knock*

At least I am honest with the first sentence: I really heard it in my car.

Gwen’s voice is so unique that you’d hardly mistaken it for another person. She is so unique and cool, especially her accent. Unfortunately, I did not go to any of her concerts before, although I knew that they are quite reachable for me (as far as I know of, she sang in Malaysia and Singapore this year). There is news about Muslims organization (singular or plural form? Excuse me for my bad memory) that protested against her over-exposed costumes and requested the authority to ban her concert unless she promises to be more conservative.

In the end….Gwen Stefani sang in Malaysia, of course…in an obedient manner….(Quite hard to imagine)

However, she told the press that she had fun in her Singapore Concert. By the way, she brought her baby along as well…how cute!

“4 in the morning” is from “The sweet escape” album, which impressed me with its groove and rapping part…yo yo yo!!! You know, it’s something new for me to write the chorus with 90% identical notes. If you really sing it without any background music or accompaniment, it’d be boring…

But I think it’s fun!

Wanna try it out?

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3 years back, I made three wishes in front of Trevi Fountain, Rome, by throwing coins into it. I heard that your wish will come true and you will be able to return to Rome one day.
 
The fact is, I forgot what were my wishes…Ooops, just hope that they will be true because I couldn’t have made any bad wishes right?

 

Here we go…

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