AhDoe – Music as an International Language

Gary (曹格) is a Malaysian, to be specific, he is a Sabahan.

He had been drifting from Malaysia to Canada, and from Canada to New Zealand throughout his childhood. And what a coincidence, I just knew that my sister, who spent her few years studying in Auckland is an acquaintance of Gary Cao!

So, Gary! Listen carefully, if you read this post, contact me! No joke man, my sister really knows you.

Ok, I’m done with the personal part. Let’s continue with his music.

Gary mentioned that his music career was not successful from the start. He even revealed that he once had the idea of ending his life when he could not find his way in his life. Not knowing which path to choose and going through some turmoils at the same time is certainly demotivating.

That was the past, and Gary is a blinking star who never surrenders to destiny. His music, always the style of “Gary”, proves to be well-accepted by us.

I like his Betrayal (背叛) a lot.

Betrayal (背叛) by Gary Cao Piano Sheet Preview

Even before Taiwanese star search show indirectly promoted this song, I already thought that this song is a wonderful masterpiece. Even though some people claimed that the contestants made this song famous instead of Gary himself, I still think that the song itself deserves the fame…

Reminder: Gary composed this song…

I spent some time transcribing this song into a piano sheet. The original key is in B Major, but I transposed it into C Major out of convenience. Chords and lyrics are included.

Gary Cao’s (曹格) Betrayal (背叛) complete piano sheet available for download here.

My favourite version of Gary’s Betrayal (背叛) video:

I think I am crazy! Out of so many songs, I’ve chosen to transcribe this R&B song and put down all the Rap in notes.

(Drums rolling) Let’s welcome….The Black Eyed Peas’ Mas Que Nada!

To be fair, Mas Que Nada is the signature song of Sergio Mendes. This piano sheet version generally imitates all the rap and rhythms from Black Eyed Peas version. Not forgetting the strong base which brings out the merry Brazilian atmosphere too.

I’ve had the urge to compile this song when I first heard it. The gentle strum at the opening turned out to be the prelude of the Samba style behind.

In short, feel like shaking with the melody~

Come come, instead of dancing, let’s challenge yourself with this song on the piano.

Mas Que Nada Piano Sheet Preview

Watch out for the different tempo before and after Bar 7. The tempo marks an important divider between the two melody styles.

Besides, several points about this piano sheet:

1) This piano sheet is in its original key, i.e. Ab Major.
2) Chords and Lyrics included.
3) There is not much accompaniment and chord enrichment at the part where female leading vocal enters the main melody, to make a little difference from the “rap” part.

Please download the complete Mas Que Nada Piano Sheet in PDF format here.

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Have fun!

When we are talking about James Blunt, maybe you will start to picture an image of him saying “You’re beautiful” to you.

I must say, James Blunt is really a genius! Not only his ability to compose and write nice songs, his gifted voice makes him an exquisite brand in the industry of music. Sharp (i.e. not Blunt) but gentle, he reminds me of another voice: Aaron Neville.

I am glad that James Blunt survived through the competition against dozens and tons of other over-artificial songs that come from the digital age. I mean, how many live unplugged performances we can get to enjoy since year 2000? I like the purity and originality in his songs, his voice and his creativity.

In year 2007, James Blunt released his new album, All the Lost Souls, where he kept a song called 1973 in it.

James Blunt’s Latest Album: All the Lost Souls

1973 still sounds like James Blunt, it’s truly his style again. And I loved it.

Guess many people have listened to this song before, but how many of you have heard the acoustic (or better known as Unplugged) version of his singing recorded in Ibiza?

Inspired by this video, I’ve transcribed a piano sheet for 1973 as well. Those who are interested can watch the video for reference before going ahead to play at the piano. This is also a good excuse to skip the dreadful sight-reading.

1973 Piano Sheet Preview

Just a coincidence, this song is in A Major. (I noticed that I have been writing piano sheets in A Major since 2 weeks ago. Luck is not always good I guess)

If you’d like to team up with a guitarist, it’s just simple. The guitarist is recommended to follow the chords that I have jotted down in the piano sheet, and strum it with a continuous 8 beat (Quavers) at the chorus part. This will greatly enhance the rhythm and make this song less monotonous.

Please download 1973 Piano Sheet at this link below:

James Blunt’s 1973 Piano Sheet Download Link.

Another Jay Chou’s piano sheet from me.

After posting 2 piano sheets from his latest album: Rainbow and The Cowboy is Busy, this is the third piano sheet from that album. If you are familiar with Jay’s song list in every of his albums, you will find at least one Oriental style in it. This time, his oriental Porcelain of Green Flowers (青花瓷) is finally written on paper.

Among all the lyrics translations I have ever accomplished, Porcelain of Green Flowers will be the hardest of all. Fortunately, an unknown genius had done this part for me, and I think it is good enough to convey the original lyrics.

Don’t know which porcelain Jay Chou meant?

Here we go…

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Another Angela Zhang’s (张韶涵) nice song after her famous “Invisible Wings” (隐性的翅膀).

However, not every of her songs suits my appetite. Angela is well known for her wide range of pitch, that makes her capable of singing high-tone songs that others can’t. But sometimes, when her voice reaches certain pitch, I’ve been vibrating like a tuning fork. Please don’t forget that we are still human, “vibrating like a tuning fork” is only a step away to the effect of “shattering glass”. Hahaha…so, well, *ahem*, I mean, only some of her songs….

Her latest album, Ang 5.0 is already sticking to the radio station billboard now. I really like her “Dear, that’s not love” (亲爱的，那不是爱情).

  

Angela: If this is my 3rd album, I will name it “Ang Ang Ang“

You know, the first question arises when I first heard this song: Wow, who can compose such nice song besides Jay Chou?

Then I checked and found out that the composer is really him! Jay!

Ah Doe singing: Oops, Jay did it again…

Wonder what’s the lyrics? Translation time!

~.~.~.~. ~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

The accordion in the classroom is playing.
It sounds like how you confessed to me
and reminds me of your gentle movements.
I watched your back when you turned around after delivering your letter that was filled with care to me with a wan smile.
I hold the lukewarm milk bottle in my hands firmly
and I can feel the similar warmth in my heart wherever you are with me,
Those days are like a carousel that keeps spinning in my head,
and I see the good memories of how good you were to me.

You said a commitment is established once you hold my hands,
But dear, that’s not love,
Just like how we missed to make a wish to the shooting stars,
No matter how beautiful they were,
they were already bygones,
We made beautiful promises because we were too young,
But dear, that’s not love,
Just like an elf residing in a wrong forest,
our love was a clear mistake.

~.~.~.~. ~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

By the way, this is the second time Jay Chou mentioned about drinking milk in the lyrics. Remember the Cowboy is busy?

OK, heading into the main point now: Piano sheets? Music scores? Music Sheets?

Look what have I got here?

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