N. Paganini

Tonight I decided to skip violin practice..

Not for long.. IZ asked to search for Paginini's on YouTube. And so we spent the whole night listening to some of the most difficult violin pieces and learning the life of Paganini.

One of the best "practice" days.

IZ's 1st Performance with Seed Orchestra

IZ's first performance with the Seed Orchestra.

Venue: Cairnhill CC

Date: 13th May'17

Conductor: Mr Keita Suyama

Not perfect, but I know how much effort he's put in.

Thanks to buddy's family and Biaoyi for coming to support him. A boost of confidence before the show started. :-)

Keep it up, IZ!

Ultraman

Composer: IZ

Violin Grade 1

He's only 5 (and close to 3 months).. crazy I know..

But that's what the dad wants to do. To start him earlier so that the journey is less painful as he grows.

(although to be honest, we can only help and hope that IZ continue to be interested in music...)

I really don't know what we got ourselves into!

Jia you to both IZ and me!

Learning Progress

I was away for 11 days.. one of the longest since I could hold proper conversations with IZ.

He told me he missed me, and asked for video call on the 2nd week. Something he has never done before. And he also talked to me properly on the 3 times video conference we had during the trip.

I was really impressed, when I reached home, of how he has progressed over the last 11 days. There were a pang of disappointment that I was not around during the progress, but I strongly believe it is for our good.

I came back re-charge, and have better patience, for now (2nd day home).

English Spelling

So while I was away, school gave a notice that they will be holding spelling English and Chinese on alternate week basis. I felt sad I was not around to practise with him for the very first spelling he would have in his life.

The words were: people, that, from, with

I was surprised really. I was expecting something easier for the first one. But he did it.

Chinese Spelling

Also known as Ting Xie. I can't tell you how surprised I was to see the list of words.

I was certainly expecting words like "wo", "ni", "ba ba" or "ma ma" or that sort.

I couldn't even read 2 out of 3 that were listed for the first spelling. Hahaha!

But I decided I can't contaminate and influence IZ on Chinese. I decided to charge my Creative tablet once again and try to use it.

IZ knows the hang of it. He can even write properly, I nearly cried.

He's so much better in Chinese compared to his mummy.

Music

Edvox teacher told daddy the previous books were too easy for IZ. So she personally chose this Grade 2 book. 

I took a look at the book. It's boring and not easy. But I also know kids do wonders. You can throw anything at them and they can take it.

2 days ago, he told me he wanted to learn piano. He said violin is too difficult. I told him I'll teach him some at home. He asked me to put dots on the keyboard coz that's what KDL do.

IZ's 1st Violin Performance

I was at Willing Hearts Soup Kitchen for community service organised by my company when I got a text from hubby who accompanied IZ to his group lesson.

"Mr Lee ask if IZ like to perform later at Simei CC at 12pm"

I was like, "what? does he even want that?"

"Mdm Teo says he wants"

They came to pick me, went home, ate, changed and off we went to Simei CC.

I didn't even know which song he was going to play. 

Then Mdm Teo told me "Song of the Wind".

IZ was oblivious of what was going on, he just followed suit. He told me he didn't want to perform when we were going to assemble with the rest. I said ok, although my heart fluttered (why did you agree in the first place? beats me, really).. But I also told myself, it's ok, it was not planned, so it's ok if he really didn't want to do it.

The moment he saw so many kids in the dance studio playing their violins, he said "I need my violin", and he started playing.

Mr Lee was arranging the group when we were told IZ was going to play solo and we had to go to the stage right away. The audience was waiting for the next show!

I briefly told IZ to introduce himself (not knowing what else to say/do - I was anxious, nervous, panic, lost)..

He didn't want to go up the stage alone, so I had to go with him, and hid behind the curtain.

He started "Hello! My name is IZ. I am 4 years old"

And started his piece.

I couldn't breathe.

I guess the dad was anxious too, for the video he took, was shaking.. badly.

He was off pitch, but I gave him credit for being so brave, steady and cool on the stage, went on even when there was mistake.

I couldn't have done it as well as he did.

Proud of him.

He's still oblivious of the whole thing.. he said "I practised on the stage, alone".

His first solo performance @
Changi Simei CC Open House

Random updates over the weekendI

Dr Tan polishing and scaling his teeth
Super co-operative!

Strawberry Cheesecake, anyone!

The first title I could read ever since I took up Guzheng for real

Free performance by BHSO
I saw a Lute today!

How about modern guitar in Baroque music?
Thumbs up!

Random update..

I was just saying last month, that I didn't care if he couldn't read music...

A few songs later, I slap myself for saying that too soon.

So, I've signed us up for individual lessons in Edvox. Class will start in May.

**looking forward**

Music lernen-reise..

It has been 3 months since he started attending violin lessons. He still can't read music.. not that I care.. he can play some simple songs and many times, he wanted to make some noise music himself. Good enough.

Completely reliant on my mouth and his ears, he can play most of Rondosaurus now.

Learning violin is seriously not easy. You'll have to watch your posture while you STAND, correct way of holding the bow with your right hand making sure the pinkie finger is touching the end of the bow (to ensure the bow is straight), pressing the right place at the string using your fingers on your left hand, making sure there's no double string played, making sure you do not pull the bow when you're changing fingerings.. the list goes on.

All this, while remembering the music and playing at the right tempo.

ALL TOGETHER AT THE SAME TIME!

It was really difficult for him in the beginning. I think he's progressing well.

He would hum the song he learn when he's doing nothing.

Lately, he wrote them down too (albeit not really music notes)!

Music lernen-reise..

I'm not one born with music talent. I remember dreading piano practices as my mom nagged and "forced" me to practice. I don't remember why I took up piano, but I vaguely remember started my journey in a music school and then changed to a private teacher.

In the beginning, I didn't have a piano. I had to practice in the music school. I guess that's why I didn't do well the first 2 years. Understandable now (but not then), my progress was quite stagnant in the music school that my mom got pissed and engaged a private teacher instead. By now, you could guess my "talent level".. almost non-existence I guess.

I went to the teacher's house, half hour of playing and the remaining on theories. Gosh, I remember dreading the theory part too. I couldn't go home if I did not answer all correctly, and I had to do, re-do and re-do until I got them right. Especially bad when preparing for exams, I always felt like crying.

I quit piano when I was in Form 6 (JC1 equivalent) at the age of 18, when I was preparing Grade 7. I quoted I couldn't cope, I needed to prepare for STMP (A level equivalent). What a bullshit.

Hearing piano sound now, makes my fingers itchy. But tell you what, I couldn't play for my life (not without pieces anyway). I was trained to play classicals, I was not adventurous, I have never ventured anything more than Richard Clayderman's pieces. Other than that, give me a piano, I have to figure how to play Happy Birthday song. Now you can confirm I have no talent at all.

But I love music. I love hearing music sound. I love hearing different instruments.

It is in my wish, to let IZ explore music. It is really good for emotion expression. I remember banging on my piano when I was angry, when I was sad, when I was happy. There was a channel to vent.

While watching Cantabile Tomorrow (a Korean show about orchestra, instruments, talented musicians), I was mesmerized by the sound of a cello. It's so melancholic.

So I hope IZ could take up cello. Unfortunately, he's too young. The only instruments he could play at the age of 4 is either piano (or keyboard) or violin.

As Kinderland has keyboard lesson in the music class, I decided we should go for violin. Afterall, if he can play a violin, he shouldn't have problem playing a cello, wouldn't he?

IZ obviously has different opinions. His list would go: trumpet, ukulele, guitar..

I told IZ he will learn violin till he turns 5, and then he can choose an instrument that he likes then. Actually at 5 years old, he probably can choose ukulele and guitar, for trumpet probably close to 6 or 7 years old.

It's not that I want to groom him as a violinist or musician whatsoever. It's the whole package. The joy of playing music on an instrument, using both hands for brain stimulation, the discipline to practice diligently, and also if possible taking up cello if he likes it? Hahaha...

To cut story short, he is we are now attending class on Sunday by MusArt Edu Hut who is run by Kids Philharmonic founder, Mr Lee.

More on the violin lernen-reise in future post..

His 1/10 and my full size

Random Updates

Cherry tomato with plum powder.. yums

Duet with YJ Ah Yi

Reading time with daddy

Smiling face!

Isn't she a beauty? :-)

Introducing my beauty, freshly delivered last night!.. It was love at first sight..

Brand: Shanghai Dunhuang
Type: 21 string performance grade

It was the peacock that called out to me when I went to look at the instruments.. as they were handmade, each one is different.. another one I saw didn't call out as much as this peacock.. super love it!



Music & Me

A brief summary on my past "musical" journey:

I don't remember when I started piano lessons when I was little, but I always felt I do not have what it takes. Not musically inclined.

But I love how a piano sound, very much. It made me feel at peace.

I started learning piano in a music centre. Still remember I had to go there for pratice before my parents bought me a piano. I'm not sure if I played really badly or the music centre really "eat money" as my mom called them, eventually my mom switched me to a private teacher who teaches from home, citing I was stagnant in a grade for a tad too long.

Switching me to private teacher, I jumped a grade. And I stopped learning when I was in Form 6 after I passed my Grade 6 practical with Merit. My teacher thought it was a waste but I thought STPM was much more important.

And so, I stopped learning piano there.. Although ocassionally I still play, playing a musical instrument is very therapeutic, happy, unhappy, sad.. etc..

But my musical journey didn't stop.

Few years into workforce, I signed up for guzheng class in community club here in Singapore. I couldn't catch up as I was too used to invidivual music lessons, I felt left out, couldn't catch up and gave up after a few lessons.

Why guzheng?

I have no absolute answer, except guzheng is the next instrument I love after piano.

Recent 2 years, I had the itch to take up music lessons again. There was no suitable guzheng lessons near my area, and we do not have the space to get a piano yet.

Finally, in Oct, I found a new guzheng class starting at the community club near our place, and so I registered. I've attended the 5th lesson on Saturday. Oh god, I finally realised teacher plays such an important role. This teacher teaches us from very basic, history of guzheng, the structure, playing with 1 finger, progressed to 2.. and now I can play simple notes.

Hmmm.. the musical talent didn't improve much, but I'm trying hard. I rented a guzheng as I know learning musical instrument without practising is as good as dumping water in the sea. But I dare not invest in a brand new one although hubby told me he would buy one for me. I really do not wish to get a white elephant.

The irony is, I'm practising everyday now, without the nagging of my mom. She used to nag at me everyday for not practising my piano.

I miss my piano... but I enjoy learning guzheng now too.

P/S: the best part of my practice, IZ would not disturb me when I told him I need to practise. He is very supportive too!

Music Trial in Seimpi @Hougang

Although I do not encourage competitiveness in enrichment, I do think our children should be exposed to various activities when they are young, and see if they have passion and interest in it.

I have been waiting impatiently to let IZ goes to multi-sports and art class - in my various posts.

To cut story short, there was new slot for weekend class in Seimpi for music. Then, I got a slot for trial for multi-sports! How lucky!

We went for music trial on Sunday. It was not our first experience with Seimpi, I've brought IZ to their classes when he was 1 year plus. I stopped then when he couldn't sit still and just kept playing with the keyboards in the room. And he didn't want to pay attention to the teacher unless if she sang new song. Then, he could mimick teacher's actions although his back was facing the teacher. So, I pulled out.

This time, I'm still a little bias, coz I would love it if he could learn music, so that I have a reason to buy piano at home?! Hahaha!

Anyway, there was only 1 permanent studen in the class, with 2 children (including IZ) attending trial. While I still believe in Seimpi's method of teaching, I strongly believe the kids will have strong foundation in music, I found the teacher not as interesting. Well, just say IZ could action Humpty Dumpty better and more interestingly than her.

IZ remembers what was taught in the class, but I'm hesitant. I can't foresee IZ paying attention to this lady teacher after say, 3 lessons? or 2 maybe.. **shrug**..

So I asked the front desk staff if they had other weekend classes for the same age group (3-4 yo), he said there was one, but it's on Sat 3-4pm. That shucks.. coz that's IZ's naptime. I'm not willing to risk a cranky child to the music class. The plus point is, it'll be taught by a male teacher who appeared on papers before.

Anyway, I guess it just not meant to be.

This coming Sunday, while I'll be away, hubby will bring IZ to multi-sport class in Ready Steady Go Kids in AMK branch. They were very responsive when I enquire, and the trial will be FOC, the timing is about right, 11.30am-12.15pm. So, why not? We shall see if he likes it...

He has been telling me that he likes sports! I just hope the class would be interesting. :-)