Melodies of one's passing.

I heard this song being played by a pair of seniors last Friday. They were the guest performers for the week, and it's been awhile since the duo had been on stage together. Eugene and Terry, our college's very own Antoine Dufour & Tommy Gauthier. I did not initially know what song they did, but I do know it was a really heart-warming song. I went home to search for it, and lo I found it:

As I've guessed, they did do a Antoine/Tommy number, and also found out that this version is actually a cover. The song was originally written by Don Ross, a Canadian finger-style player. He wrote this song in memory of his Aunt who passed away. Catherine was her name, and the song invokes a really charming and heartfelt impression of her. Sounded lovely when they played it last Friday, and now, the song is stuck in my head.

Tribute to Coldplay.

So yesterday, we paid tribute to the one and only Coldplay. A mini-concert so to speak, organised by an all-student team, it lasted for 1 and a half hours maybe? I had loads of fun, loads of emotional moments through the songs, because some of them remind me of a time I once had. Singing along was fun.

After months of planning and probably a year or so of envisioning the concert, Karen, one of the final year students in college (also a Coldplay nut like me, maybe even a bigger one) successfully organised and produced the show she wanted to do. The concert happened in the college recital hall, and the chairs were cleared away from the hall, it was an all-standing concert (rock concert ma). The band consisted of my fellow college-mates, and the production team were a band of volunteers. Weeks spent into brainstorming the décor and layout came into being last night.

Opening the concert with their new numbers, the show started off at a high point with Hurts like heaven and Charlie Brown. The Christmas lights and bright colours were mesmerising I must say (Probably because I'm part of décor team, I'm biased :P). Glad to say that the crowd were really sporting, singing along, dancing and really getting into the music. The band was tight, and the mix was good. Viva la Vida played, the bells struck, the strings going off. Clocks was good, and the Scientist brought my thoughts back to her a for moment, since the song made sense to my situation now. I really love Yellow, that was the high point of the show for me. Also, I came to like a song I didn't initially like, "In my place" :D. Violet Hill was dedicated to out college management, hahaha, and boy it was a killer rendition. Balloon party started with Lovers in Japan, and the show came to a close with Paradise.

Until the crowd grew restless and asked for an encore, because yes, we left the best for last. The crowd wants it, we'd love to do it. And we did, we wrapped it all up with Fix You. If I hadn't had any video shooting duty, I'd be in tears already, haha. It was a good show yes, although the confetti-clearing part was quite a pain, but fun nevertheless. Now all that's left is for Coldplay to actually come Malaysia and have a concert, I will be sure to be there.

The tribute band. Photo credits to my college-mate Louisa, taken from facebook

Helping HELP.

So I got myself into this small (Ok, not that small) gig recently. I'm gonna play drums for a HELP University concert somewhere in late May. The set-list? It mainly consist of pop and rock.

And today was our first meeting as a band, some from my college, some people from HELP, and we had some discussions on arrangements and roles in the band. Practices begin maybe next week, so yeah, late nights a-many.

There was this ex-senior from ICOM in the band as well, now studying in Aswara. Couldn't stop going on about how life changing it is for him since he went there instead of continuing ICOM. And he's not the 1st to tell me how great the guys from Aswara are musically. Call it tempting, but he himself is a testimony I guess. When he was in ICOM, he was not that impressive in his playing, but a quick look at him just now saw a more confident player with prowess I've not seen during my 1st semester. But ah well, I've become attached to ICOM.

So what else? I guess I can say I actually look forward to playing with them.

Kiss the girl and make her cry.

It's not your situation, I just need contemplation over you. I'm not so systematic, it's just that I'm an addict  for your love. Just think how long I've known you, it's wrong for me to own you lock and key. It's really not confusing, I'm just the young illusion can't you see. - "Georgy Porgy" by Toto

Funny how events lead up to one another. You see, I've heard this song in the past and came to like it to an extent, then it passed me after some time. But then last Friday, I heard it once again, and it is kind of relevant to my situation.

Jalapeño, a band from my college participated in this battle of the bands competition, and Friday was the semi finals. Being the fellow course mates we are, the whole lot of us went to watch, and it really was a show to behold. I really enjoyed the set list, and the arrangements are joys to the ear. But among it all, Georgy Porgy struck me down the moment I heard it. In all that fun singing along with it, there came a bitter-sweet realisation that the song hauntingly fits into the situation I am going through.

I kissed a girl, and regrettably, I made her cry.

Lamentations.

No, nothing related to the book from the scriptures. It's me being gradually weary of my task and commitments, all to college and bands... Of course, not to mention a straining, almost dead relationship that I have.

It's the middle of the night now, I'm suppose to wake up early tomorrow, at 7am. Just came home no more than a half hour ago, done recording and the likes with one of my course mate. Waiting for my hair to dry, so I decided that I want to lament, here in this old gold of a blog. I still yearn to revive it. I enjoy the feeling of solitude now, I guess you can say I am not ready for a commitment to another person. It's sad to say in a way, I need to learn from mistakes every so often.

I don't think she will find it easy to let go... And I'm sure she will wonder why I'm giving up... I can't be too sure myself either, all that I can say is, my heart is indeed starting to be with another... That other being my work. I enjoy drumming more as days go by... And I ever so often get distracted from her, sad to say she isn't part of it, music... Not the like before... We no longer are in the same band, that has been such since 2 years past, and it did nothing to improve our standings and understandings...

And I say here, I have been broken... I turn on my own word... I have almost decided...

I want to give up.

Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony.

Oh the unexpected discovery, this great joy...

You see, the thing about The Legend of Zelda's renowned soundtrack is that over the years, it manage to garner a near cult-like following. Koji Kondo, who worked with other well-known Nintendo game music helmed the role of composing for the series, creating many iconic leitmotifs from the game. The sad part is, even up until the latest games (Skyward Sword, 2011), all the soundtracks are predominantly MIDI, which means they do not use any acoustic orchestras to record the grand scale of the orchestral themes, resolving only to the sampled sounds. Boo hoo... :(

So with that said, I've failed to find any orchestral recordings that are officially tied to the series, only fan-made ones. Until I came across this:

Soundtrack list:
1. The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Medley [00:00 - 8:10]
2. Kakariko Village - Twilight Princess Theme [8:11 - 11:00]
3. The Wind Waker Symphonic Movement [11:01 - 21:30]
4. Gerudo Valley [21:31 - 25:03]
5. Great Fairy's Fountain Theme [25:04 - 28:11]
6. Twilight Princess Symphonic Movement [28:12 - 38:42]
7. The Legend of Zelda Main Theme Medley [38:43 - 43:09]
8. Ballad of the Goddess from Skyward Sword [43:10 - 45:18]


In celebration of their 25 years since the 1st game, apart form all other things, they've made a 25th anniversary symphony to commemorate the event. Songs and themes that occur and re-occur through the series, along with the iconic fanfare, soared through. The arrangement, all being medleys, are amazing, capturing the essence of the song and bringing it to a whole new level. Hand-picked by Koji Kondo himself, no one has to this point had any qualms about the music selection.

Having already played 2 games from the series, call me a fan, or a newbie. I love the soundtracks, some of the songs had me drowned in emotion.

I do say, if you have time, do spare. If you've played Zelda, don't miss out, go have a listen.

Being a supposed histrionic.

A not so long break from blogging, and I'm back. It's the semester break now, and I feel the impulse to write once again.

If you mingle with me to a degree long enough, you will realise that I demand attention. Deep down in this insecure person, I seek comfort in praises of people.

It's not something I would willingly admit to you as a reader. But I thought that it's time I acknowledge it somehow. I have this history to say rash things, make bold claims and do unusually outgoing things. I seek that attention.

That aside, I have not much to write any more. Maybe I feel the foreboding of the start of college, that I will do badly as the drummer I am now, still slow in progress.

But isn't that why musicians become what they are? No matter how relaxed they seem, even the good ones, it is because of the attention they thrive in. They like it, nay, we like it, the cheers, the claps and applause. It brings that much joy...

Until you screw up while performing... You become extra sensitive to criticism, you feel like you no longer have the right to continue as a musician... For a moment, everything crumbles on you...

Until everything shadows you... You feel as though you are always doomed to be the worst... Everything you've work for... Is no more than a pathetic attempt... To seek attention...

Drumming from a different angle.

I was a marcher, a marching drummer... High tension snares, quad and quint toms, multi tone bass drums, flashy cymbals... Those were my stuff.

Kick drums, floor toms, hi-low toms, crash and rides. These are my new stuffs... I'm beginning to respect those set-drummers more now, something I used to NOT do... I used to think it's pretty cheap an instrument... I was so wrong...

I think I'm really falling in love with the drum kit, it's potential, the grooves and moves... I want to really learn it properly, make it my thing.

I was a minimalist, a rhythm rider, striving in moody and minimal music... Now I strive through jazz, blues and lounge...

Yes, jazz and blues use to be the genre I really ignored and disliked... But that was because I knew little of it... Now I'm seeing the extremely wide coverage of the genre in music... I see now I actually like jazz...

So last Friday's performance seminar. I managed to witness really good performances. In particular, I really liked this particular song...
"Painter song"

Education, work, driving.

So how things fall into place since coming back to Subang Jaya? Okay, I'm so free nowadays I rarely update my blog any more... But I'm back, after a week.

Of the progress on my decision for my further education, I've applied, and official accepted into ICOM, pursuing my much wanted prospective career in music with a music degree. Class starts on the 4th July, that leaves me 2 week of free time...

Until I got offered a part-time job~ Tun Huang Music School, huhuhuhuhu, my cup of tea indeed. free-lance, helping the boss run around and do petty stuff, teach a little. This school is Chinese-based, so it's er-hu and la-pa and pi-li-pa-la I'm facing... =_= Dunno if I can actually blend in with my western-influence...

2 weeks full time, and probably weekend part-times when I start school... How nice. Least my hands won't grow hard.

And that bring us to the driving... In Subang Jaya... I simply myself. I got a headache just driving one round to fetch my sister... Blood rush to the head... Stress... AHHHHH

So well, things to become, or to come... No idea... Head too pain to think at the moment.

Decisions and determinations.

Back to Putra Heights for now. What did I do today? Went to ICOM for one more inquiry session. Clarified the audition procedures, and application period. So I can say I am pretty relieved for now.

So the audition can be done live or I can opt. to send in a demo tape of me playing. Drum sets, not really my prime, but for Malaysia that's the only outlet for a percussionist in a formal education of music.

Songs I intend to audition with? 3 is required, I only thought of 2. "Young Man Y.M.C.A." and "Goodbye My Love". 3rd song, still undecided.

Deadline is mid-of-June, hopefully I can make it.

So here's my commitment in black and white. I will finish this 3 songs by the end of May and will have them ready for filming by start of June.

A shoulder to cry on.

Maybe being a musician wasn't that suited for me after all. Maybe my illusion of an aspiring musician all this years, was nothing but dreams that are too sweet to exist...

Well, I'm at the peak of my dilemma now. Having so many people telling me all the things to consider before making the leap, I only see more and more things that I lack, that I can't seem to achieve...

I think about technical field of music... Yes, the back-up plan... Can never go wrong right? Well, dignity and pride overrides me... I feel, lousy, if I end up just pursuing it for the sake of a job...

Called mum just now, yes even a guy my age needs his mum to talk to. Shared my problems again, insecurities... Separation, makes the heart grow fonder, indeed...

And I felt better. Well everybody needs a shoulder to cry on sometimes.

I worry about my future, my credibility, and my standings in the society, partly because of me, partly because of my family. But also another part would be you... How can I afford to be in love, when I can't even afford to feed myself? Well, maybe our parents can laugh at our relationship now, thinking it cute and part of growing, but when the time comes, I'll be facing questions on how worthy I am to have you beside me... But it is MY worry, you're not the reason, don't blame yourself. Just felt you needed to know... - to my significant other.

Egypt Ending.

I remembered 1 year exactly from now. The early stages of Prince of Egypt theme was in the works for us. That faithful night where we caught a glimpse of that powerful song "Deliver Us".

Soon we discovered a masterpiece of a movie score. Prince of Egypt begin to take shape in the course of the next 3 months.

And then it was cruel sun and hot practices for 7 months.

All ended last week... Indeed, it was a journey of faith and fellowship.

I thank Nan Hwa Band for giving me such an opportunity.

Scaborough Fair.

Scarborough Fair, is a song that tells the tale of a young man, who tells the listener to ask his former lover to perform for him a series of impossible tasks, such as making him a shirt without a seam and then washing it in a dry well, adding that if she completes these tasks he will take her back. Often the song is sung as a duet, with the woman then giving her lover a series of equally impossible tasks, promising to give him his seamless shirt once he has finished.



A song of unfortunate and impossible love between two people. Surely the theme and layers of the song are depressing and somewhat sad. But the reassuring tone on the overall is what keeps it uplifting.

The lyrics however, is anything but simple. It is but symbolic and with layers, its meaning different in many people's opinion.

The lyrics, brackets is the duet part:
Are you goin' to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.
Remember me to one who lives there, she once was a true love of mine.

Tell her to make me a cambric shirt (On the side of a hill in the deep forest green).
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme (Tracing a sparrow on snow-crested ground).
Without no seams nor needlework (Blankets and bedclothes the child of the mountain).
Then she'll be a true love of mine (Sleeps unaware of the clarion call).

Tell her to find me an acre of land (On the side of a hill, a sprinkling of leaves).
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme (Washes the grave with silvery tears).
Between salt water and the sea strands (A soldier cleans and polishes a gun).
Then she'll be a true love of mine.

Tell her to reap it in a sickle of leather (War bellows, blazing in scarlet battalions).
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme (Generals order their soldiers to kill).
And gather it all in a bunch of heather (And to fight for a cause they've long ago forgotten).
Then she'll be a true love of mine.

Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.
Remember me to one who lives there, she once was a true love of mine.

History of the Nexus.

Well, 31st of January, last day of the month. Time passes so quickly, it waits for no man. Soon, SPM will come.

And talking about the past, I suddenly feel it again. Nostalgia.

Somehow, nowadays, I feel less motivated to post anything about my musical life... It's deteriorating? I hope not.

It wasn't like this in the past. We never question, nor ask questions. We cared only to strive further and go beyond our previous levels. Now all is lost?

No, yet a bit of yes... Alas, indeed, if this is the fate.

Seek truth and answers.

Thank-you for the music

Oh there I stood, thanking something for the workings of divine,
Frustration, frown, mysteriously reaching to the grand climax of the stave.
I stand here, humbled by this working of which a King will bow,
Yet not knowing the host of this magnificent dove shall clench in its hands so tightly.
Struggling, slowly, silently, Reaching out!
Yet it fails.
All tragedy, all lost? Not!
For not one will lose faith, as like the soul cannot be destroyed.
In pain, in limbo, the bird searches and finds not a place to go,
Travelling, seeking truth and answers.
Light, LIGHT!
There was ever purifying light! Seek guidance from it, saith a voice in the avian.
Floating, dancing, glorious light, Grand, powerful, magnificent light!
Guide this lives that seek you! For one is to thrust, one is to guide,
Needed are you, so you must fulfill! Seek it, savour it!
And all shall be answered, all shall be cleared, all shall be revealed, all shall know.
All shall be at peace, all shall be at peace with music.

I'm just here to make music.

What is this? What is your reason to be here? This is the question that seems simple to answer, the 1st day I went into this society built on a rock, the band.

I answered flawlessly my intentions, my wishes, my ever lasting dream, to be an aspiring musician, to learn this magnificent creation that is able to rouse the fiercest storms and calm the wildest of beast. I wanted to learn music! I said to myself, that has always been my intention. I want to make friends, that was my secondary objective. Such beauty in this plan, to make music with my friends and be a humble agent of this beautiful art form, I couldn't have ask for more.

So now I challenge you readers, band members especially. I know that we are in one of the biggest torrents the band ever met so far, so now I ask you to remain strong! I challenge you to question yourself, why you joined the band in the first place. If you just wanted to enjoy the learning of this awe-inspiring art called music , then all else is not important. If you have other intentions, then the band isn't meant for you.

Let the energy of melodic sound waves overwhelm you, all else is not important.

The Little Drummer Boy.

The Little Drummer Boy, a song that can be found in most Christmas Song compilation. Only last year did I actually sang the song and get to know it. And boy, what a song it is indeed.

Recently, I was spending my time re-arranging Christmas songs into parts for Percussion Keyboard Ensemble, using Finale. And until now, I am still compiling. So far, one of my favorite is The Little Drummer Boy, partly beacuse I myself am a drummer XD (biased...)

The song tells the story about a boy who wishes to meet the New Born King, Baby Jesus, but has no gifts fit for a King. All he brought was his drum to play on, where he would play the songs he played on the streets, songs which most people would ignore. Nevertheless, he was granted permission to play, and he played with all his heart, making the Baby smile. This shows the beauty of music, that even a single-pitched drum can create the wonders fit for a Divine King, how much more can you get from music? Ah, such wonder and awe.


This version is arranged by me, for keyboard percussion, made using Finale. Do leave some comment.

Instruments: 1 snare drum, 2 bells, 2 vibraphones, 1 chimes, 1 triangle.

The lyrics: link