活到老，学到老~ Don't Laugh at Others!

One day, a form 2 Chinese girl told me that she saw my next student after her class is an adult (woman)!! She was so excited and said sarcastically: "So old already still learning violin?? My father also saw her that day and keep laughing, my mum heard what we discussed also keep laughing, very funny!!" 

When I heard these words out from her mouth that day, I felt quite sad and disappointed on her attitude, also her parents. They don't understand the Chinese term of "活到老，学到老".

I asked her: "Why can't adult learn to play violin? Is there any problem??". I told her that lady is my student, she has strong musical background, she is a fast learner! Just came for 1-2 months already learn to play up to your level, almost finish the book too! She has great listening skills, she knows whether she played correctly or not, either in tune or out tune!! Her rhythm and count with accuracy!! She know how to play piano and other instruments as well.

This form 2 girl with zero musical background, silent when I talk about my adult student's background. Hope she will feel guilty on what she talk about.   

I would like to say, I'm teaching many adult students, female/male, some even from top companies in the world with high position, with/without musical background. There is a retiree playing too! One thing I would like to confirm: Their learning skills during my class really superb compare to teenagers/children!! Therefore, stop laughing on their hobby of playing violin.

My advice to youngster or parents, educate your love ones and people from different ages, kindly do not laugh at someone who has great passion to learn, either learning to play music instrument or anything else that is worth to learn. We respect such positive learning attitude! 

DON'T LAUGH AT OTHERS, BUT LAUGH AT YOURSELF!

Adult student point of view: The world consist of different kind of people, just ignore what people comment, just be brave, be passion to learn, nothing will be your obstacle! You learn something and that is your own knowledge benefited for whole life! 

Fantastic Scenery!

Such a Beautiful Scenery with strings instrument!! Love it!

Humour Music Comic!

Jacob Dont Viola studies become Cant studies~ Don't vs Can't

Is this the thought of the general public --->
What a simple job scope for an orchestra's conductor? !

Where's the ESCAPE key then?? >.<

A Rest vs ARREST???!!! ~~>.<

Handmade DIY Silent Piano Keyboard

One of my student, Li, 8 years old, she studied piano with me a couple of months ago. She has very good memories. She can remember every lesson where her fingers should be placed on the piano. She read notes and rhythm fast! Unfortunately, her parents unable to afford to buy her a piano or even a small keyboard (a few hundred ringgit). 

Even though she has good memories, but without practicing, she is unable to play with fast tempo. Her speed is limited. This cause her still playing the same beginner book for a few months. Without a piano or a keyboard to practice at home totally slow down her progress! Parents outside kindly take note on this issue. 

Handmade Piano
In this case, I just do what I can within my capabilities. I took some time to make a 3D piano (touchable key) ^.^ for her to practice at home. Even though the keyboard I made has no sound at all, but she did appreciate my hard work on doing that keyboard, used 2-3 hours to complete including of drawing, cutting, sticking, covering etc etc. (I'm not good in this >.<)

While waiting for her father to pick her up after my lesson, she helped me in sticking the "Black Keys" by using double sided tape and cutting it out! Thanks to her!

Li asked me a question, "Teacher, how you got this idea and produce a handmade Piano?". 
I told her that: "When a person has the passion to do something, whatever you think impossible will turn possible! Believe yourself you can do it, then you can do!" ^.^

Practice on the Table
Another student name Nurfatihah, 10 years old, before she owned a piano, she has got the idea to practice on the TABLE!! Yes, is a TABLE, on a BLANK TABLE without paper keyboard!! She opens up the piano book, PRACTICE on the table by imagining her fingers on the keyboard. 

Therefore, during the piano lesson she able to play it SMOOTHLY!! A big clap and thumbs up for her passion to learn to play piano!

A little keyboard for Li, my student! "3D Piano Keyboard" ^.^

2-3 Hours to complete: Drawing, Cutting, Estimating, Sticking 1 by 1 etc etc.

P/S: For the children and teenagers out there, if your parents are able to afford to buy you a piano, you should APPRECIATE it and play the piano well in order to thank your parents! Stop complaining that you have many school work..lazy to play the piano etc etc!

There are still many poor students who love to play piano out there but unable buy piano, some can't even go for a piano lesson! Do appreciate what you have right now! Cheers!  

Cute Music Comics!

Hahaha! cute music comic found on the net and share it out here! ^^ 

Well, there are not enough music comics around~~ 

My energy level was a bit flat, but after seeing this my mind is totally sharp!

Comments on the net:

- I think I may need a "full bar rest" here!

- Who is taking "notes" in the meeting?

- Strange, they should all be working in "harmony"!

- When your energy level is a bit "flat", take a "rest", think about this picture! Your mind will be totally "sharp" and you won't miss a "beat"!

p/s: Musicians are able to understand the meaning of this comic~ So if you don't get it, nevermind, let's enjoy the art, the drawings of Treble Clef, Bass Clef, notes and else! 

ppp (Pianisissimo) to fff (Fortisissimo)~~~

Nowadays cute card printing material really attract some students to learn music theory with fun n fresh idea! Even myself as the teacher addicted on it!

The "10" vs "A" become a BlackJack right?? Cool~

                                       

Well, let's learn the Universal Language of Music required by many musical pieces/songs!

Italian Musical Terms:
ppp (Pianississimo)  - softer than pp (oops, printing mistake,1 "s" is missing)>.<
pp   (Pianissimo)     - very soft
p     (Piano)            - soft
mp   (Mezzo piano)  - moderately soft
mf    (Mezzo forte)  - moderately loud
f       (Forte)           - loud
ff      (Fortissimo)    - very loud
fff     (Fortississimo)- louder than ff (oops,printing mistake,1 "s" is missing)>.<

Performance Directions for the String Instruments, for eg, Violin.
1. Pizz. (Pizzicato) - to pluck the strings
2. Arco                 - to play with the bow
3. Down bow sign
4. V                      - Up bow sign
5. W. / WB           - Whole Bow / full bow
6. Saltato               - Rebounding bow, bow rebounds on several notes in the same bow, springing.

Passion is the Key!

Music lovers especially for those who learn to play musical instruments or planning to take up music lessons, do you own with strong passion? How long your passion will be maintained in your heart? 3-5 minutes? 1-2 years? Forever? No idea?

For a person who really play well on a music instrument, eventhough their profession not major in music, definitely Passion and Enthusiasm are the Keys! 

Flowers / Plantations!!

For instance, you love plants! You have your own garden and filled up with colourful flowers~ You watered and fertilized them, cut away unwanted grass etc with your passion day by day! You just can't wait to see the flowers growing up! And then, if your beautiful flowers got "hackers"! What will you do? Sure you will find a way to solve your problem right? And, finally!! Colourful flowers surrounding the beautiful garden! During this moment, you are so so Happy to look at your plants and feel thankful to yourself of your effort! 

Music Instrument!!

Playing a music instrument also can be same as above! With your strong passion, you believe in "Practice makes Perfect!". You practice efficiently on what your teacher taught including the basics i.e. notes, rhythm, technic etc. During practice, you meet some difficulties, sure you will discuss this with your teacher for problem solving right? After certain of period, you pass your exam with Distinction, or perform in front of public, or even a simple one, you are able to PLAY WELL on your favourite pop songs, not only one, but MANY!! Congratulations!! This is the result you gain for investing a lot of time to practice!

In Short:

1. Water & Fertilize the flowers / Practice efficiently = Self-discipline, Patience, Passion, Enthusiasm!

2. Flowers got "hackers" / Meet some difficulties of a song =  Problem Solving! If failed, try again!

3. Can't wait to see flowers growing up (healthy) / Your playing skills enhancing = The Process of Improving, Keep Motivating, you are a step nearer to Success, don't give up! 

4. Garden filled up with colourful flowers / Well Performance / Exam score Distinction = Success, Result, Achievement, Effort, Happiness! 

5. Repeat Step 1 to 4 as mentioned above!

Watering / Fertilizising~

Your Achievement!! Your Garden!!
Thankful to yourself!! Your Effort allow these wonderful moments to be REAL and it's HAPPENING!! 

Practicing! You need Patience!

Efficiently!

Your achievement!! To Conquer your favorite songs!! 

Your achievement!! To perform in front of public!!

Your achievement!!

A certificate RECOGNIZED by the WORLD!
The Associated  Board of The Royal Schools of Music, London, UK!!

Receiving a certificate awarded by UK is the Happiest feeling  in the world!! 

*What you wanna be?? You will be!! Don't think!! Take Action!! You decide on it!!


Passion Quotes:

"Love is the spiritual essence of what we do. Technique is the manifestation of the preparation and investment as a result of the love." To a Young Jazz Musician

— Wynton Marsalis

"Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

"With out passion you dont have energy, with out energy you have nothing."

— Donald Trump