AhDoe – Music as an International Language

I know I know…this is out-dated story again…

I know I know…the music from this movie is very nice…

Yayaya, the girl looks innocent and beautiful…

Yes, it reminded you of your first love during school time…

Anything else to add?

If you think the piano pieces in “Secret” is very attractive, I tell you, ya, quite true…

But if I tell you…

Jay copied the plot from another movie…..

Curious?

Which movie??

Does it imply that the piano pieces from THAT movie are more “BOMBASTIC“?

Well…see it for yourself….

That movie is “The Legend of 1900” (海上钢琴师)

No no no, it’s not rumour, Jay admitted this as well…

It’s Translation Time again…

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“Secret” is a pure love story that took place in school campus, with a twist towards the ending. When Jay was being asked about how he got the inspiration of the plot, Jay said: “I like horror movies and these movies usually consist of human-ghost relationship elements, but my movie is definitely not what you imagined.” He halted in order to protect the “secret which cannot be told”.

There are several interesting piano repertoires in this movie, including playing piano duets with Gui Lun Mei, competing against the Yu Hao, one of Nan Quan Ma Ma’s members, showing off his skill by playing the piano single-handed and playing two pianos concurrently. He admitted that he referred to “The Legend of 1900” for the piano duel part in his movie, but hoped that he can do better than “The Legend of 1900”.

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“The Legend of 1900” is an English movie directed by an Italian. I saw numerous comments and recommendations from Taiwan and China sites about this movie (could be an effect resulted from Jay’s “Secret” as well) which prompted the curious me to search for it.

I went into almost every VCD shops in Singapore to ask about the movie and all I got in return is:

“Sorry, we don’t have.”
“Har?? What?? No no no…”
“Wait ar……….NO”
A simple head-shake, sometimes bonused by a smile…

Very sien lo….

Went to Malaysia, did the same thing but with lesser expectation:

“Wait, I’ll check….oh, it’s out of stock.”

At least someone knew this movie…

In the end, I borrowed this movie from a friend and watched it…

It’s so……soo….nice and touching…

Let’s see how GOOD they are in this movie:

It’s Showtime!

One of them struggling

Stoned

See his reaction?

Wanna know how terror they are?? Maybe you can start to find this movie too…

Love is a complicated thing…

When you are at 18, love is a pure feeling that draws you to someone you love.

When you are at 25, time and experience complicates love and the “pure love” we used to defined, could be affected by reality.

When you are 35, let’s say, if you are married. Are you still certain that there is still love in the marriage? It became life…

As time goes by, is love the same as it was before?

We know what is love through songs, educations, movies and experience. It can be put into words and actions, of course.

But, are you sure that it won’t fade with time?

It’s sarcastic that divorce rate is increasing today. It’s as easy as breaking up, although marriage is bonded by law.

How should we play our part, to keep LOVE fresh all the time?

Ask them…

They shine among the crowd

How sweet…this scene is lingering in my brain now…
And it kept me wondering…

How did they do that?

I have been listening to their songs all this while but not even once, I took the initiative to find out who they are. Their songs are great, but on top of that, their piano is outstanding! This is why they have been honoured with the “The Piano Band” title and constantly compared with Coldplay.

Anyway, Coldplay fans…don’t get offended, I like both of Keane and Coldplay…(Phew~)

I just knew that there are 3 person in this team, namely Tim Rice-Oxley (Piano), Tom Chaplin (Lead Vocals) and Richard Hughes (Drums). Oh yes, they had a former member, Dominic Scott several years ago.

Members in the band

These guys are talented people, I don’t know how they cross-fertilized the skills and knowledge but they actually switch roles on certain occasions. That means, Tom and Richard can play keyboard as well, while Tim can carry out with other functions. (Go toilet maybe? Hehe..)

Apart from “Everyone’s Changing“, I like their “Nothing in My Way” very very much! I don’t know what’s the reason, but I would say this song is like a spell casted on me because I could never forget its melody since the first time I heard it.

Nothing in My Way is from this album

Beware, Keane likes to hammer piano keyboards non-stop. It’s obvious in their songs…So, if you want to play their songs, take a deep breath and relax, hammer your piano keyboards steadily but not hurriedly.

Oh ya, watch out for your wrists!

Nothing in My Way Piano Sheet Preview

Download and practise Keane’s Nothing in My Way Piano Sheet for free.

This is an interesting post from Sze Ping. He actually re-wrote the lyrics of “The Cowboy is Busy” (Originally by Jay) and sang it out LOUD!

Before we judge his singing…

Let’s see what his lyrics is talking about.

Oh my, translation time again!

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Sze Ping’s Not Blind

Previously there was Mathathir, the latest is Badawi. Rumours said that the election led by prime minister is coming.

I have completed my registration as a qualified voter. This will be my first time to vote according to my will.

I met several small-sized kids and asked them whether they will be participating. They told me that they are still too young to vote.

I felt surprised and realized that you can only exercise your right as a resident when you turn 21.

(I heard that~)

Election is coming! Election is coming! Why are you still hesitating? Go register yourself!

When election date is announced, I gotta pack my things, buy a ticket and rush back to Muar.

Election is coming! Election is coming! Find out who are the candidates at your constituencies and decide who to vote for.

As a Chinese blogger, I dedicate this to all of you.

(Righteous calling me, my country needs me, Sze Ping’s not blind)

Now let me tell you how to complete registration. It’s actually very simple and you’d just need your IC.

Next, proceed to the nearest post office, queue at any counter of your choice. Registration done by computer is impressive!

If you are still not panic, let me remind you that processing registration consumes time and energy. Therefore, don’t do it last minute.

Make use of your tool wisely to determine the future of our country. Don’t weep when it’s too late.

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He is ready!

Are you ready too?

Hope Sze Ping’s singing won’t scare you.

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….