HMI 06 (2nd part, week two)

So now's the end of week two. Let me look back and see what happened.

x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Allan Pasqua's improv class on Monday was awesome, he taught Giant Steps in the class. He designated some practising schemes, such as playing the changes in 14 bars, which means cut down the last two bars to lessen the feeling of settling down. This is for practising your skills of knowing where you are in the changes. Pretty tough, especially when he asked the students to trade 8 with the drummer, pengsan! They would all go back to 16 bars so easily, haha!

Nothing much to say about this week except Laurence Rosenthal came in to conduct us playing his Miracle Worker score, man... that was some deep ass music he was making man. If the same music goes to any other conductor, it would turn into another cheesy Hollywood music. Then Johnny Mandel came in to conduct his songs "A Time For Love" and "Emily" as well. Man, I can't help but be deeply touched by the music. And I totally salute to Mr Mandel because he is already 80 over years old like Larry, but he is still so clear about EVERY SINGLE note that we play. He could HEAR EVERY WRONG NOTE people did. He could hardly move his arms, but sure as hell his brain could move!!

Then it was the Big Band concert, pretty kick ass with Christian McBride. It was awesome! There was big party after that, threw by the string section, but sorry lah, I didn't contribute any beer, I only consume them, haha!! I even did a beer bong with two beers inside, crazy... And we were hugging each other so lovingly after we were all "gone", especially A and H! Haha! That was fun.

The film concert on the next day was awesome! People loved it, and we loved it too! I thought Richard Kaufman did a great job in conduct Austin Powers and Spiderman with the big screen behind us. Everything was DEAD ON the cues!!! My god... How could he possibly do that?!!

Post-concert party was another thing worth mentioning is that I jammed, for the first time in the post-concert party, with the real jazz cats, and the audiences and sponsors that came were all there. That was a bold move, I know... But at least that gained myself a little respect rather than hiding myself in a corner. String players who improvise should have more balls and stand out and say something with their horns!!! (See the video, although you can't see me, but you can hear very well for sure! )



After the concert, I found myself breaking up with HP... Might be a good thing though. But I'm sure she's feeling very very bad. I'm sorry HP, but this is a decision I have to make. I hope you will find someone that loves you back as much as you love him. Dont' find that asshole back again... promise?

Updates on HMI 2006 (first part, week 2)

So I wrote the first concert is over, pretty good.

Had some fun in the post-concert party, man, them jazz players tore it up!!!

Talked to Su a little, she's a fun person, especially when we use Manglish to talk, WOOHOO!!! What a rush!!!

The next day we went to Warner Bros., but since we were all so fucked up (we had ANOTHER party the night before right after the post-concert party ---- folks, that's HMI!), we woke up like zombies at 7 in the morning. And hell, the fuckin' bus didn't show up till late...sigh*, should've slept longer...

The Indiana Jones session in the Clint Eastwood Recording Stage in Warner Bros. wasn't as good as last year, I have to confess. The brass players this year, I dunno why, they kept cracking their notes up! We had to take so many takes until we didn't have time to look at the final result!

After the session, I followed Russ and his friend, Micah, to Universal Studio that's just around the corner to watch Superman Returns in IMAX version. Saw the movie before, so the whole point there is just to watch the three 3D scenes, yes, I said THREE. ONLY THREE. Luckily it's not so bad.

That night we went to Ken's place to eat Bak Kut Teh, yummy! HP made some chicken too. That was something! Then Nick came to let HP try his Izuka viola and fetched us back to the dorm.

* * * * * * * * * *

Rest of the week up till now is all about playing. Orchestra in the morning, 9.30am ---- which sucks. This week we're performing film music with a big screen behind. But not as good as last year cuz we almost don't have any other film composers to conduct us, except Pat and Larry Rosenthal. PLUS, no Paul Chihara! :( I miss him, hope he will show up eventually.

String band is going alright, more systematic this time. What I like is we only play one piece in the combine string band, which saves the havoc from last year.

Then, it's all jamming jamming and jamming. Jamming with any cats I would like to jam with. It's fun, it's great! I got better, I feel. And Jeremy and I came up with a new tune!

Music filled my life right now, I'm really really happy and satisfied. I don't think I have time for any other things, I really need my own space and my own time. I don't even know if having a girlfriend at this point is such a good idea anymore...

Ertinya "Malaysia Boleh"

The fanatical nationalists like to shout "Malaysia Boleh" before they think. Why shout "Malaysia Boleh" over those "longest, biggest, tallest, shortest, highest, youngest" records in the Guiness Book of Records?

Three nights ago, I shouted "Malaysia Boleh" in Los Angeles, CA. Not only out of patrioticism, but out of the bottom of my heart.

I saw Kamrul Hussin, directed such an excellent piece of music, that was used as the closing of the 2nd Salon of APPEX --- an Asian-Pacific cultural exchange programme held this year in LA.

I saw Joseph Gonzales, dancing away with his beautiful body movements, and choreographed such an excellent dance programme.

Pessimists like to say "Malaysia Tak Boleh", they think our culture and art is next to nothing.

But if they saw this, they have to admit they're wrong ---- Malaysia DOES have something to offer to the world!

Kamrul sung with such passion,"Maju seni, maju budaya!" Indeed, if the arts are advanced, the culture will grow.

That's what Malaysia need right now --- the growth of culture --- since our economy is so much better than a few decades ago.

I hope there are more people like Kamrul and Joseph, or even better ones, appearing in the art scene, I honestly hope so.

Good job Abang Kamrul, saya memang terharu!

Henry Mancini Institute 2006 (Week 1)

So I'm back here again, to HMI.

I took off from KL in the morning of 13th July, after a whole 3 weeks of craziness there.

Transit in Hong Kong was fun. I knew Julian was going home on the same day but I didn't know what time was his flight. I tried my luck by calling him with my cellphone. But there were some limitations going on there, I could only SMS him. Surprisingly, he called me back! Then he told me he was upstairs in the airport!

So I went up to meet him and Eddie. We took a couple pictures and they went to buy wine for people in KL. Then they told me about the whole Jackie Chan scandal in their gig with Jonathan Lee (李宗盛).

Anyway, I stayed on in the airport for one more hour after they took off.

Then I reached LA, my beloved city.

Waited in the special registration room for about an hour before I could come out as a free man. Then I waited for Ken and his woman to come fetch me at the airport. He told me there was big traffic along the way.

After I hopped on to his car, he drove me straight to see Pirates of Caribbean 2. I totally fell asleep in many parts of the movie. So I can't tell if the film is good or not, saw some nice effects, so I think it might be good...

Night time was drinking time with Ken, we went to buy sake and plum wine and had quite a lot, didn't get fucked up though, so it's fine. But whenever I get alcohol, I will always shit like mad the next day, haha! So you know what happened to me right?

So the next day we went to pick up HP, then checked in to HMI.

Many news faces, a few old ones. But it's cool, cuz my roommates are great people, including Jeremy my buddy, and Russ the viola principal of our 1st week, and Ben the bass trombonist who always seek for more jazz solo opportunities, haha!

* * * * * * * *

The funny thing about this time was, we started party in the first night! That, I guess, never happened before. At least we're not that crazy last year.

Anyway, in the placement audition, they asked me if I mind sitting in a principal chair again. I said I wanna do more of my own stuff, so the less responsibility the better. My wish was granted, I get NO principal chairs whatsoever, NO CHAMBER ORCHESTRA!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!! So this time I can sit in the audience and watch Gonzalo Rubalcaba perform!!!

Orchestra pieces this week are very nice this time, more depth, more artistic. The highlight of the program, I think, is Pat Williams' "August", a work he wrote after he had a health breakdown and went through a big operation. I guess life experience could change a person entirely. Pat looks different, not that his looks changed, but his whole attitude of talking and everything looks so unlike last year.

As for string band, I got put into Lesa Terry's band, which is cool. She is known to be very organized and systematic in teaching. I'm glad. A little disappointed that I don't get to play in Danny Seidenberg's band though... But oh well, others deserve an oppotunity.

This Saturday will be an audition day for us violinists to choose a soloist for Stardust, a piece arranged by Pat. There are some open solo changes that I need to work on. Ray Pizzi, my father figure in improvisation helped me for a whole one half hours yesterday. I'm soooo grateful about that! Thanks Ray! I will remember all the scales you taught me.

Tonight was another fun night, it's the SIMPSONS READING SESSION!!! Alf Clausen, the composer himself, came to conduct us as usual, and told us some nice and funny stories. It was great.

One thing I need to mention is the jams I had since I came in this year. I never had that much jamming last year, because of the business I had. So this time I got to jam a lot with Jeremy, and also the "real deals" in HMI. It was scary in the official jam session on Monday, seeing all them great players burning their solos like nobody's business. I played really really badly that night.

But just now after the Simpsons, somebody started a jam session, and I watched for a long time, wondering if I should join in, cuz I was nervous, plus I dunno those tunes. At last, they said, "Let's play a last one, All Blues in 11!" So immediately took out my horn (it's actually my violin) and joined in. It was fun, I thought I played well.

I guess I just have to keep on playing with other people, jamming without thinking what others might think of me. To be totally fluent in jazz is my goal, I think I can do it, it only takes time. So I will spend a lot of time digging into it, learning everything I can learn to be a pro. I don't think I have time for any other thing in this case I guess, but it's OK, if I can get it. What else matters?

Time to think...

So it is time to sit down and think
Should still be playing a solo recital
Should I? Or should I not?

I always feel so much relaxed and comfortable playing with my friends in a chamber group.
Be it a duo, a trio or a quartet.
But SOLO...

Sigh...

Sometimes I think classical music simply gives me a lot pressure
Pressure and pressure
Scared to get things wrong
Scared to play one wrong note
Scared to go out of tune
Scared of how people think I suck...

So it's time to sit down and think over
Should I do a recital anymore???

Chamber makes me feel much comfy
Why not just chamber?
And all other stuff
Like jazz, rock, experimental...........
Maybe I was born for those things, not for being a solo musician
I'm just not into that shit

Stereotyping musicians...

Most people that I know (not to mention those that I don't), have a stereotypical image of musicians.

They think musicians' life is easy, and they're poor, can't make enough money to eat, dreaming all the time about flower fragrance, praising the sun and serenading the moon... etc.

And all you people who think like that, please remember this phrase of mine: This idea is disgusting!!!

First of all, we musicians, like anybody else, need to eat and sleep and shit. We make money out of our hardwork. "How do you guys work hard?? I thought you only need to play music?"

HELLO????? ONLY play music did you say?!! Bitch you're too ignorant.

If we ONLY play music, why do we have to go through all those hazzle to find a good teacher, to go overseas and study?? You think playing music is easy ah? Try learning Tai Chi for a month then you will see how difficult playing music is! It's exactly how it feels like!

Then I've even came across some people that think that a musician can't fix their flat tyres, or wash toilet. COME TRY ME!!!

Basically, for them, musicians are bunch of sissies who drink the morning dew, serenading the lunar, chasing stars, surfing wind, diving in the safari, dance on the water, walk in the night sky... anything else you can think of?

In fact I'm tired of this shit, that's why I wrote this.

Eh, please lah, before you say such things think again lah! We are also human, flesh and bones like you OK?

Lunch at TP's

Big face lah me and KC, makanning TP's own cooking at her place!

Walauweh...

At first we said 8pm, but later TP changed time and we didn't know.

But luckily Yayasan is available for practice. So it's fine.

TP's cooking is mmmm mmmmm..... SOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!!!!

Nasi lemak I had two, her rendang~~~ OH MY GOD~~~ SYURGA nie!

Then Mama Mon made a vodka orange for me to drink, so good...

Then I met Camelia, the famous Malay singer... didn't take a pic....apalah me...

We couldn't move eventually, too full, even dinner also I didn't take. You can see how full I am.

But it's great to have that great meal! The bestest so far since I got back!

Thanks TP! You the man!!

June 29th '06

So I woke up early to rush "Canon in Z" today. First rehearsal will be at 1pm but I still didn't finish it. So I kept on writing without even thinking if it sounds good, just following my instinct. I don't think it would sound good...

So I rushed until almost 1pm right? I called up KC and told him I'm fucked, I can't be there on time. But he was cool, he said it's ok take your time and shit.

Ok lah, since he said that then I mah rilek loh...

I arrived around 1:30pm, started rehearsing my piece of shit. It was sounding quite funny but later we figured out how to shape it, then it sounded more like music then. One thing is for sure, the ending sucks. It's cheap and tasteless. And too short. (No time mah...)

Then we went to City Square to eat and copy out the parts, man, I had the worst Lemon Chicken Rice I ever had (or will ever have) in my life!!!!!!! Mahai... that dish is full of slimy lemon gravy that looks so artificial you can't even stand looking at it!!! I tasted a few bites, walauweh, tak boleh tahan! So i finished up the chicken and left it in peace. Cuz it doesn't seem to like me as well.

Then later I went to Petaling St. with Putra LRT and met up mama to go home.

After I got home we got out again to visit Masterclass, to let them sell some of my tickets. Dan saya nampak sesuatu benda yang begitu elok dan dahsyat!!!

Suatu insan yang berjantina perempuan~~~~ Oh Tuhan~~~ Tolong aku~~~~~!

Oh yeah~~~

OK, so then next thing was my dinner with my folks with my cousin Ah Let joining in for a drink. I paid for them.

The next thing was me having a drink with Adeline in 1 Utama's New Wing, in Chilli's. Jon the Joker was there also lah (who else would it be?).

At last I got a chance to talk to Ade about the piece she is writing for us!! YES!!!

Thanks Ade, you da best!!!

Recording for Ning

Did a recording for Ning's new song last night, don't even know the title...

Genervie is the arranger, she did a pretty good job. Maybe because she knows how strings work, that's why her string parts are all very executable and yet beautiful.

Jon was the biggest joke of the night! Out of tune, cannot concentrate and shit... Haha! Because he was starving --- or so he said.

I was the idiot lah, thought I would wait for him to go back same car with me so that he doesn't need to take a cab. Then motherfucker keeps on making mistakes until I fell asleep!!! Luckily Gen's bro Nigel could fetch us...

But because of this session, we missed the chance to meet up Ade that night... :( We will try again tonight...

Sick...

I felt so much air inside me yesterday, went to toilet so many times, even made myself vomit a little...

I dunno what happened to me. Maybe because I drank the old canned Nescafe gua?

Funny thing was, when I played in the gig, it was fine. But once I stopped playing and sat in the car or sat in the mamak, I started to feel weird.

Shit lah...

Talking about the gig, people liked what we did. Delighted to know that Kah Ming is the new and upcoming talent in Malaysia! He's got talent, this guy, he should keep it up, which he will!

Back Home

OK, I'm typing this in Manglish, because I'm now in Malaysia.

My aeroplane touched down at 12:27pm KL time. I felt myself starting to smile. Then I told myself, "You chi sin ah?! Smile what lah??"

Then I told myself because I'm home mah, excited lah!

OK, so my first stop after my parents picked me up was not home NOR mamak.

It's UPM.

Strange right? But I guess it's reasonable because it's on the way one, so why not pay Chan and Arif a visit. They visit was delightful. Lam and Indra was there also. Had a pretty long conversation, everybody was happy.

THEN, mamak.

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Next day I went to Puan Intan's house with Kett Chuan, had a long conversation, in and out of our recital matters. Sounds like they're experimenting in creating a concert series in the future here. That sounds like a great idea!

Then after that we went to makan in the great Thai restaurant in City Square. Mmm~~~ mm! Still the same taste!! How can I ever miss that lah?

The pandan chicken is still so good, and the mango salad, woohoo~~~~~!!!!!!!!

Then after that we went to KLCC to find music to fill up KC's program, but we couldn't find anything. So I decided to write one myself.

After my parents picked me up in KLCC, I went to ASK to meet up with Joseph to pass him his new toy ---- the Barcus-Berry 3100 bass pickup. Yeah babe, he was so happy.

Then I went to Woh Fatt to look for a 1/4" cord for my violin pickup. They weren't so bad, but maybe can find good ones in say, Bentley.

So we went to Bentley, and the guy inside handed me an Ibanez brand cable. He said, this is the best. So I tried on it, oh yeah, smooth! They give me RM5 discount, so it's RM90, very good price! Better than buying it in US.

Then later we went to Secret Recipe to buy two slices of cakes.

Then Low Yat Plaza. Bitches who know me well might what I was up to.

Yeah I went for pirated DVDs, but fuck lah, habuk pun tak ada! Seems like the government is very strict about it these days. But look at the price of the original DVDs they sell, it's ridiculous! 50, 60, even 90!!

Oi, our pirated DVDs are only 5 or 6 ringgit leh! How much a Malaysian earn a month lah? How can we afford??

Look at America, their DVDs are usually 15 bucks to 20 bucks. Their pirated ones are 5 or 6 also. So if you earn American dollar there, u don't have to consider buying pirated products!!

Anyway, I got home after that...

(What the hell am I writing?)

My Possible Lifetime Record

I flew in to Los Angeles last week on Monday, and yesterday (Sunday) I flew out at 11 at night and reached NYC at 8.30am this morning.

Tonight I have to fly another 11pm flight back to Malaysia, which will take 25 of my precious hours.

I don't remember ever having that much of plane flight in my life!

I think this really worths a blog, Michelle's right! So here it is:

MY POSSIBLE LIFETIME FLYING RECORD!!!

50 fuckin' hours of flying within 2 fuckin' weeks!!!!

I'm da man alright!!

John Williams

It's a bird, it's a plane...

NO!!

IT'S JOHN WILLIAMS!!!

Yes... that what he is for me. He is my hero.

And today, he walked in and rehearsed with us!

I heard he's not such a great conductor, but I think he is!

He has the Hollywood efficiency while working with orchestra, but in the same time, he has the New York intellectual mind.

"Sayuri's Theme" in Memoirs of a Geisha is not such a complicated piece, but he could make magic out of it by working on some details that non-other Hollywood conductors i had worked with would normally work on.

He told us to think about the beautiful sound before we try to play in tune. That is, if you have a perfect sound in your mind, it will make you play more in tune because a perfect sound also includes the accuracy of pitch.

Once the orchestra was in his hands, we sounded 10 times better than before!

Mr. Williams is definitely a great musician, I salute him.

No wonder he's my hero.

California Hangin'

So hear I am, in LA once again, after the big delay in Atlanta. Felt bad for my friends Ken and Fumi who were waiting for me on the car for a fat hour.

Never really like flying.

Luckily this gentleman, this doctor who sat beside me was a friendly man and we talked a lot about many things. Including his son, a medical student who plays the violin and loves Irish music, his daughter who is a stage actor and went to Interlochen, his trip to Nepal 30 years ago...

By the time I reached New York, it was almost 12am. Simply crazy! It should have arrived around 10.30!

Anyway, the next day, the girl who's got the hots for Mr. Hor here came and brought us out for a nice Japanese lunch and went to Venice Beach for a little walk. The beach was beautiful, it was all blue, the sea and the sky.

Then Fumi brought us to Fry's Electronic to buy some computer stuff. It was a big discount day, the things were so cheap. I bought a wireless card for my laptop, a cassette adaptor for my CD player in order to be played on a car, and... stuffs...

After the shopping, Ken and I went to UCLA to catch the UCLA Film Festival, which was featuring the spotlight movies by the students. Unfortunately, we failed to see anything, the James Bridges Theater was locked. Only later that night we found out that Ken has misunderstood the place that shows the movies ---- it was in Hollywood...

C'est Ken...

But anyway, we went to Noodle Planet to have a nice dinner and got home.

I didn't really know what happened next cuz I crashed on the sofa around 11pm something... See how tired I was? Never slept that early for a long time and it was a good sleep. Opened my eyes at 6.30am...

And today, NOW, I'm going to meet up with Bob Lennon in UCLA to play some music!!

Cassie's gig... for real...

So, it was June 9.

Cassie's gig.

I went to her apartment for a rehearsal that afternoon at 3pm. Nice small and cozy apartment, but strictly for person. So I sat on her pillow and she at her electric piano to rehearse.

We did all the songs, I did the stuff that I planned to do and some filling-ins, she was happy, so that was it!

Also, I showed her Chris Howes' CD, she was amazed by his playing.

Then I went off to walk around Times Square area. Planned to go to the Union to ask about the criteria to join them, but didn't remember the address, so I gave up.

Then I thought of going for a movie, so I went to AMC Theaters on 42nd to watch The Omen. Big theater it is, haven't been in there, 25 auditoriums. I was in the 18th.

8pm, I bought a chicken rice bowl from Yoshinoya (first time in New York), then I went off to take 1 train in the 42nd St Station.

Took me almost 30 minutes to find Caffe Vivaldi. Thought I would want to try out my pickup before the gig. Didn't work out though. Joy Askew was singing inside. So I had to wait, standing outside the door.

Then Cassie came with her crew and her boyfriend cum guitarist, Jim Adamo.

We waited for about 20 minutes for Joy to finish her set, then we went on to setup. It hardly took ten minutes.

I followed Pete Teo's advice, adjusted my violin sound on the EQ, and it turned out HOT!!

Thanks Pete. I know I've already told you that, but I want to thank you again.

Gig was cool, people liked it.

Think it's over after I finished the gig? No.

CODA:

This dude, Michael, who's a Russian jewelry dealer came to ask me if I wanna go to Caffe Taci, he said there's an open-mic that night.

I asked him what kinda music they play, he said, "Opera".

What the fuck??

So I went (of course!!).

Two sopranos were tearin' it up on the stage when I got there.

Man, ain't they great?!! The piano acccompanist --- an 87 years old Russian old lady ---- was amazing in following their rubato. For those who dunno, opera is much harder than any symphonies to be played correctly. Cuz singers like to stretch (this is the nicer word for it) and speed up spontateuosly (also a nicer word for it), so it's not easy at all, though you're not the main part.

Then I went on stage to play the famous Musetta aria from La Boheme (forgot the title, but you know what it is). People digged it (did they really?), they cheered and yelled and clapped and shit. It was fun. Open-mic for classical musicians and opera singers, this restaurant's boss IS smart.

So the boss came up and asked me in Italian of what I wanna drink, surprisingly I understoof him. So I said a beer. That made my night!

Met some great singers in there, all of them professionals. Also met this composer who wrote a jazz violin concerto 8 years ago, he said he will dig it out or me to play. I hope so.

POST-CODE:

What is that?!

OK lemme tell u the funniest story in the world.

I think I was too tired, I slept on 7 train once I got on it in Times Square.

When I woke up, I was still in Times Square...

You figure out why! ;)

Chris Howes

That was almost two years ago.

I came out from Manhattan School of Music after my lesson with Mr. John Blake. I carried my violin on the back and waited for the 1 train in the 125th St station.

This big guy came up to me and asked me, "Hi, you're a violinist?" I said "yeah". Then he said, "Do you study here? (as in MSM)" I said no I was taking a class with John Blake. Then he was like, "Oh!! John is my good friend!"

So we went up to the train later, he didn't stop talking to me. I asked him what is that big box carrying, cuz he was having two cases at that time. So he told me it's a baritone violin, and immediately took it out to show me ---- in that packed rush hour train. He didn't only show me how it looked like, he even showed me how it sounds by plucking changes on it.

I didn't know I was getting to know a great man and musician that would change my improvisational life forever.

He told me his name is Christian Howes, gave me his card, and invited me to go to his place to play with him together with his cellist Dana Leong.

I was a new guy in New York then, how the hell would I know who the hell is Dana Leong?

Because I didn't really know him well, I didn't dare to take that very kind offer, I told him I need to go home.

I promised him I will keep in touch with him though.

After that brief encounter, shit started to stir.

I started to see Chris' face on Strings magazine, both in an interview and a Yamaha Silent poster ---- which he is the sales representative.

Only then I knew how big he was.

I went up to his website and listened to his samples and told myself that he is probably the greatest jazz violinist in our time!

I finally had a chance to call him up to ask to play with him.

He immediately said yes and asked me to meet him up in the Musicians' Union.

That was a chilly afternoon before my 2005 summer vacation. Chris was rehearsing with John Abercrombie in the Union.

After he was done, he told me sorry that he couldn't get a room in the Union. "But let's do it outside!" he said to me cheerfully.

I rolled my eyes big and looked at him, "Outside??"

He was like nothing bothered him, "Yeah, isn't it a beautiful day?"

So we went out and went to this high school besides the Union and started to play. After a few minutes, he certainly could tell that I had more to learn. So he stopped me and started to ask me why do I play like that? And also other very simple, almost silly questions ---- that are actually very deep ---- that we usually avoided or ignored in life. We kept on playing till the school security told us that we can't do that in a private property.

So we changed our spot to the sidewalk of the streets, and we kept on going for about 2 hours. The chill penetrated into my bone but I didn't make a sound as a complanation because I knew this was a rare opportunity.

He taught me so many things, and was being strict. He really helped me a great deal!

He didn't want money from me, he said he was happy to be able to help me. I was very touched by his kindness.

And just now, I went to his show, meeting him one year after the lesson. He still looked the same, but his solos were amazing!! That was the first time --- but will not be the last --- I've seen him playing live.

During the break between the first and second set, I went up to ask him when I can have lesson with him. He really tried hard to squeeze out time for me, and suggested a variety of venues, such as his apartment in Brooklyn, and Iridium Club's backstage during Les Paul's show! (he wanted to give me lesson in between the songs he doesn't guest play in)

Unfortunately, none of them works for me because of my tight schedule.

So I guess I'll have to meet him after the summer. I have a feeling it will be exciting! In the mean time, time to start seriously practising my chops!

June 4 2006

I never used a date to be my title, I dunno why I'm doing it.

My day kicked off with La Boheme at 10am, it's a long-hour rehearsal, till 5pm.

Within that period of time, we had to finish running the whole opera (in for acts), while working on some difficult parts in between.

One very annoying thing that might happen in an orchestra is when you just raise your violin ready to play, the conductor stops you and went on to fix things with others while you just sit there looking. No, I'm not talking about once, but CONTINUOUSLY.

It's necessary to fix things for sure, but still it's annoying.

Where the hell is my six-dollar-check from Ambitious Orchestra??? dammit...

Is the landlord Mr. Zhang gonna show up or not? I have a feeling he won't. If he doesn't show up till HP goes home, I'm fucked. Then I'll have to buy the cable myself and then ask for compensation from him.

Oh, forgot to say...

... I'M DONE WITH SCHOOL!!!!!!

Upcoming program/ Flood

As we thought we might be putting one of Mozart's Duo for violin and viola into our Carnegie debut recital, new works flowed in like flood.

First Mikael already agreed earlier this semester to write something for us, FOC, as long as it's performed and recorded. This is further confirmed the other while talking to him.

Then Tyler said he will write something for us too ---- which I always welcome.

Now Momoko's asking us to try out her new violin duo short piece.

And then...

I was chatting with Adee that night and told her our duo got into this thing in Carnegie Hall to do debut there. She was like, "Do you want me to write something for you?"

OF COURSE!!

So there u go!!! Adee!!!!

Plus Paul's Duo Concertante is ready.

So why the hell do we need Mozart anyway? Looks like it's the modern music that rules!

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Talking about new pieces flowing in like flood, let me tell u about the REAL flood.

I was about to take a shower and go to FP's wedding... I have a strange habit to play CDs whatever I'm doing ---- except practising of course. So I switched on Wayne Shorter's JuJu.

Just when the first augmented chord on the piano hits the air, I saw a stream of water flowed in like Yang Tze River!!!

"I'm fucked," I told myself, "can't go out now, no way..."

HP was not at home, so what should I do?

DIY!!!

But the water flowed too fast, it hits the living room and HP's room right away!!!

So I didn't make a second thought and call up Brother Ming who lives across. Luckily he was free and he came to help.

Sigh... It took us more than 1 hour to clean up the whole mess in the house!!

That was a big effort.

So later I bought dinner for Brother Ming in the bakery, had some chit chat. It was still raining.

After I got home, everything was fine, no more water coming in.

BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!

My computer's fuse was busted... shit...

My fuckin' landlord came and saw the whole situation, he was just saying lightly, "We can't control mother nature."

Yeah right. Why didn't he block the whole first anyway? He knew that the water flowed in from the garage! Why didn't he do anything?

And when I asked for discount from him because my computer was busted, he said, "Oh! My son can fix it cuz he owns and internet cafe!"

Fucker, I knew you are afraid of losing money!! But I haven't told him that my bed is also soaked with water. I'm gonna tell him tomorrow. I swear I wanna get some discounts from him!!!

I'M DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I'm done.

I used up the last minute of the library hour today and found out that I finally finished my final paper.

And thus, a freeman I am.

.........................................................

Met Prof Ritt today, she told me she let Jesse Levine listen to G2's recording of the Chihara Duo Concertante, and he really digs my playing.

Prof. quoted him, "The violin-playing is superb!" And she repeated, "Yes, 'superb', that's the word."

I'm glad Mr. Levine. If you ever walk by here and read this. I really appreciate your kind compliment.