Walk as much as I could bear
Sightsee if it pleases
Looking for ways to cope with
A pain that appears now and then
Refocus if needed
What can relieve?
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Walking
Hoping that it may bring some relief to the hurting soul, I walked from Empress Place to Sultan Mosque, and then to Crawford Street. Subsequently, I walked to Stadium Walk near National Stadium and took a look at the new entertainment centre. There were some nice sceneries along the way. I took an extra look at the Oasis building in Kallang area as it will soon make way for the new Sports Hub.
I had considered walking to Paya Lebar but decided against so as my feet were aching. Some physical activity does help to make one feel a little alive.
Is living necessary so full of ups and downs? I am getting awfully tired, and feeling out of the norm.
I had considered walking to Paya Lebar but decided against so as my feet were aching. Some physical activity does help to make one feel a little alive.
Is living necessary so full of ups and downs? I am getting awfully tired, and feeling out of the norm.
Week 13 of year 2008 on the double bass
23 Mar 2008, Sun: On hindsight, I was not in the right frame of mind for a focused session of practice. I started with sight-read one piece of study. Afterwhich, some time was spent practising a selected passage from Berkeley's Introduction and Allegro followed by Walter's The Elephant Gavotte. Then I tried to play selected passages from Marcello's Sonata in G major from memory. I am aiming to play this sonata from memory the next time I play it for music exams.
25 Mar 2008, Tue: Despite feeling fairly tired from the day, I was inspired after attending the double bass masterclass by Dr Erhard to practise. I was aiming to achieve a full sound on the double bass.
My rendition of the third movement of Marcello's Sonata in G major needed more work especially that of achieving a generally more legato sound. In addition, the left-hand needed more consistency in its vibrato technique. The first movement of the sonata fared a little better.
26 Mar 2008, Wed: Today I had double bass lesson with Mr GM. It has always been enriching to attend his lesson. We worked on the first and second movement of Marcello's Sonata in G major. He articulated reasons why it would be more effective for me to repeat the first section of each of the movements. In addition, he shared about how I could obtain more musically interesting phrasing. His guidance helped made my rendition of the work more interesting to the ears. This, I am thankful. We also discussed a bit on sound production. I still needed more work on achieving a sound vibrato technique.
27 Mar 2008, Thu: During my double bass lesson with MJ, I realised that I have been playing several wrong notes for Berkeley's Introduction and Allegro. As such, quite a bit of time today was spent unlearning and relearning several of the passages.
29 Mar 2008, Sat: A fairly unproductive practice session, it seemed. I did not have much focus as would be needed. I worked on trying to attain a good change of bow direction. When focus was lacking, I turned to sight-reading and working on sound production. Noticing that concentration level had been way below optimal, I decided to stop the practice eventually.
Time flies. A quarter of the year has just passed by.
25 Mar 2008, Tue: Despite feeling fairly tired from the day, I was inspired after attending the double bass masterclass by Dr Erhard to practise. I was aiming to achieve a full sound on the double bass.
My rendition of the third movement of Marcello's Sonata in G major needed more work especially that of achieving a generally more legato sound. In addition, the left-hand needed more consistency in its vibrato technique. The first movement of the sonata fared a little better.
26 Mar 2008, Wed: Today I had double bass lesson with Mr GM. It has always been enriching to attend his lesson. We worked on the first and second movement of Marcello's Sonata in G major. He articulated reasons why it would be more effective for me to repeat the first section of each of the movements. In addition, he shared about how I could obtain more musically interesting phrasing. His guidance helped made my rendition of the work more interesting to the ears. This, I am thankful. We also discussed a bit on sound production. I still needed more work on achieving a sound vibrato technique.
27 Mar 2008, Thu: During my double bass lesson with MJ, I realised that I have been playing several wrong notes for Berkeley's Introduction and Allegro. As such, quite a bit of time today was spent unlearning and relearning several of the passages.
29 Mar 2008, Sat: A fairly unproductive practice session, it seemed. I did not have much focus as would be needed. I worked on trying to attain a good change of bow direction. When focus was lacking, I turned to sight-reading and working on sound production. Noticing that concentration level had been way below optimal, I decided to stop the practice eventually.
Time flies. A quarter of the year has just passed by.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Searching
Groping one's way
What is ahead is unknown
Are the frustrations part of the process
While one searches for the purpose?
Or just simply a waste product
Of a search in vain?
What could guide?
And yet not make one be a blind-follower?
What is ahead is unknown
Are the frustrations part of the process
While one searches for the purpose?
Or just simply a waste product
Of a search in vain?
What could guide?
And yet not make one be a blind-follower?
Thursday, March 27, 2008
A possible choice
Having missed this year's dateline for registration of the ABRSM exams, I have been considering whether to register instead for the London College of Music Examinations (LCM).
A recognised international examinations board, London College of Music has for the past weeks struck me as an examinations board that provides more flexibility to the student. First and foremost, unlike the ABRSM exams board I don't have to register for the LCM exams at least five months before the exams date. I understand that I only need to register for the LCM exams about three months before the exams date, and I understand that LCM diploma exams are held about thrice a year. This would help me better gauge if I would be ready for the exams. In addition, if I were to wish to only register for the exams when I feel ready, I need not have to wait for too long to sit for the exams.
In addition, just about more than a weeks ago, I was making an online enquiry about the syllabus for LCM's diploma examinations. Last Friday, someone from the Kuala Lumpur's Thames Valley University's Asia Pacific Regional Office emailed me, and soon by Tuesday, I had received a complete copy of the diploma syllabus sent to me by courier. I would have received it by Monday if not for the fact that no one was at home to receive the delivered item. It made me felt that they go an extra mile for anyone who is keen to consider taking the LCM examinations.
It looks to me that LCM is quite a feasible choice.
A recognised international examinations board, London College of Music has for the past weeks struck me as an examinations board that provides more flexibility to the student. First and foremost, unlike the ABRSM exams board I don't have to register for the LCM exams at least five months before the exams date. I understand that I only need to register for the LCM exams about three months before the exams date, and I understand that LCM diploma exams are held about thrice a year. This would help me better gauge if I would be ready for the exams. In addition, if I were to wish to only register for the exams when I feel ready, I need not have to wait for too long to sit for the exams.
In addition, just about more than a weeks ago, I was making an online enquiry about the syllabus for LCM's diploma examinations. Last Friday, someone from the Kuala Lumpur's Thames Valley University's Asia Pacific Regional Office emailed me, and soon by Tuesday, I had received a complete copy of the diploma syllabus sent to me by courier. I would have received it by Monday if not for the fact that no one was at home to receive the delivered item. It made me felt that they go an extra mile for anyone who is keen to consider taking the LCM examinations.
It looks to me that LCM is quite a feasible choice.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
It can hurt
I am feeling hurt
Misunderstood
And not listened to
Sometimes sharing one's world
Makes one feel greater pain
Misunderstood
And not listened to
Sometimes sharing one's world
Makes one feel greater pain
Monday, March 24, 2008
Eastcoastlife blogs about the Children Little Museum
(Photo taken from Eastcoastlife's post)
Recently, Eastcoastlife visited the Children Little Museum, and she has blogged about her visit here: Children Little Museum - Weekend Snapshot #16.
The Children Little Museum is located at: 40 Kandahar Street Singapore 198895. The nearest MRT station is Bugis MRT station. This place is nearby Sultan Mosque.
Many weeks ago, I had passed by this museum one evening just before it was closing for the day, but did not have the chance to check it out. Eastcoastlife's blog makes me feel tempted to check out this museum soon. If the folks at the museum would please grant me the permission to take non-flash photography, I would gladly do a post on it when I visit it one day soon.
Meantime, according to this article by patch_alan, the opening hours are as follow:
Mon to Fri: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m, 5.30 p.m. - 8.30 p.m,
Sat and Sun: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Entrance Fees: $2
If you should visit the museum, do share with me about your visit.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
The inner sensations
Quietly,
The frustrations lurk
Even though not too painful
The fear is that
They can eventually lead to slow death
Each moment
Seems to be out of sync
Resolution,
How does one arrive there?
The frustrations lurk
Even though not too painful
The fear is that
They can eventually lead to slow death
Each moment
Seems to be out of sync
Resolution,
How does one arrive there?
It's spring time
Last evening, Carcar and I attended the Singapore Symphony Orchestra's concert, Sounds of Spring at the Esplanade Concert Hall.
Having played one of Sibelius' symphonies, I found that I was able to relate to his Spring Song, Op. 16 when I heard it last evening. As a piece of music composition, Beethoven's Third Piano Concerto has quite a number of interesting elements that had caught my ear. I personally like the second movement of the concerto. However, I felt that last evening, the orchestra lacked an extra touch of spontaneity that would bring out those interesting elements.
I personally did not like the interpretation of Schumann's First Symphony last night. It felt lacking in a refined character and sense of inner joy that I was expecting from Schumann's music. Despite so, it was still interesting to listen to the orchestra playing Schumann's First Symphony live. Somehow, live music just sounds more interesting to me than recorded music.
Nevertheless, on the whole, the concert was satisfying to listen to.
Many thanks to Carcar for the company.
Week 12 of year 2008 on the double bass
16 Mar 2008, Sun: In the morning, I practised one of the studies from Bottesini's Method for Double Bass Part One. Afterwhich, I worked on selected passages from Berkeley's Introduction and Allegro.
19 Mar 2008, Wed: There was no orchestra rehearsal. Nevertheless, I set aside time to practise Berkeley's Introduction and Allegro. The rewarding part is that my playing of legato notes has improved. The sound production has also improved.
20 Mar 2008, Thu: I had double bass lesson in the early evening. I feel a slight sense of achievement when I could better manage sight-reading the works that my teacher selected at random from the sight-reading book. There was still a few mistakes, but I was getting a little more competent than I was last week.
There was some time being spent on vibrato. I was glad that my tutor has been rather insistently to correct me when my vibrato technique was not accurate, and when my thumb was placed at the inappropriate places.
Finally, much of the lesson worked on Berkeley's Introduction and Allegro. I realised that I have been making mistakes to the articulations of some of the passages. It looks like I have to do some minor relearning. Learning is still fun nevertheless.
21 Mar 2008, Fri: It was Good Friday, so I did not have to report for work. I started the practice by sight-reading a few studies. Afterwhich, I sight-read Walter's The Elephant's Gavotte. The issues to be worked on are: Rhythms, rhythms, and rhythms. In addition, I need to work on improving the articulation.
Choosing a good programme can be a challenge at times. If it helps to choose a work that I have affinity for, so that I can play it for a recital, then the question would be: How do I know if I have an affinity for a piece of music?
19 Mar 2008, Wed: There was no orchestra rehearsal. Nevertheless, I set aside time to practise Berkeley's Introduction and Allegro. The rewarding part is that my playing of legato notes has improved. The sound production has also improved.
20 Mar 2008, Thu: I had double bass lesson in the early evening. I feel a slight sense of achievement when I could better manage sight-reading the works that my teacher selected at random from the sight-reading book. There was still a few mistakes, but I was getting a little more competent than I was last week.
There was some time being spent on vibrato. I was glad that my tutor has been rather insistently to correct me when my vibrato technique was not accurate, and when my thumb was placed at the inappropriate places.
Finally, much of the lesson worked on Berkeley's Introduction and Allegro. I realised that I have been making mistakes to the articulations of some of the passages. It looks like I have to do some minor relearning. Learning is still fun nevertheless.
21 Mar 2008, Fri: It was Good Friday, so I did not have to report for work. I started the practice by sight-reading a few studies. Afterwhich, I sight-read Walter's The Elephant's Gavotte. The issues to be worked on are: Rhythms, rhythms, and rhythms. In addition, I need to work on improving the articulation.
Choosing a good programme can be a challenge at times. If it helps to choose a work that I have affinity for, so that I can play it for a recital, then the question would be: How do I know if I have an affinity for a piece of music?
Friday, March 21, 2008
Always asking questions
The question on my mind today: "How do I contribute value to this world?"
Maybe the question could be better refined as: "In what way could I best contribute value to this world?"
While I may have a few little clues, but I have yet have any answer. How do I search for the answers?
Maybe the question could be better refined as: "In what way could I best contribute value to this world?"
While I may have a few little clues, but I have yet have any answer. How do I search for the answers?
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Pondering
Mistipurple pointed me to Karl Blog some time ago. I was just reading This Way or That Way.
I wonder how to be more spontaneous, and how to learn to listen to my intuitions more accurately?
I wonder how to be more spontaneous, and how to learn to listen to my intuitions more accurately?
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Freeze
Somehow the mind seems to freeze. Actually, there is a lot of activity within the mind, but somehow, the mind just seem to freeze into a passive state. These are the times when I wish I don't have to bother about the world outside me.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Things to be thankful for
My words of thanks to Mystic for taking time for dinner. I felt better after having a listening ear. Thanks Mystic.
There are other things to be thankful for. However, I am feeling sleepy and shall not attempt to start listing everything down. Please bear with me.
There are other things to be thankful for. However, I am feeling sleepy and shall not attempt to start listing everything down. Please bear with me.
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