Rondeau 20th

okay, i am a little slow in posting. too tired these few days.

so the curtains came down for the last time huh..? 2 years in NPCB breeze by just like poly life. A big thank you to manda, pee (hey, i have counted 6 concerts at least!), leen, law fatt, brian, shu qin and Ms Koh! Very honoured and blessed to be able to play with you guys. The section will not be what it is without these people. One of the best section i have ever played in! Will always look forward for a chance to play again! (p.s Switzerland 2006 anyone?) Gonna miss all the craps we have done!

Guys, don't hang up your horns k..!

For those who didn't come, u have missed a enjoyable concert.

Auf Wiedersehen!

Have u ever...

Been force to do things against your wish?

Do things because its a Social Responsibility?

Do things because its the end of it if you don't do it?

Or

Do things because you enjoy the process and do it out of your own freewill?

Auf Wiedersehen!

tuning systems

ever wondered how complex can tuning an instrument be? finally took the time and effort to seriously search the web about it after a conversation (obviously with someone!) about tuning a band and instrument. i think everyone will have a concept of tuning whereby we either follow a tuning fork, tuner, someone or something that can give a perfect pitch for us to follow.

from what i found out, tuning has become a very mathematical thing where we can actually calculate the frequencies in relation to any note, the different frequencies has a value to it.. blah blah blah...

so there is Equal Temperament, Well Temperament, Mean-tone Temperament and lots of other stuffs. i think it would be pretty cool if you can take some time to browse through this site >Click Me!< to find out about more. Get the gist of it! its too heavy for me to post it. i also having difficulties understanding certain parts of it. if not interested.... hahaa...

Auf Wiedersehen!

Repetition

is history gonna repeat itself again for the one... two... three... foruth time? haiz...

school have been generally okay... lots of interesting topics and yupz... we watching cartoon for lecture.. share some nice quotes from class

"Do not do to others what you do not wish yourself" - Confucius
"The wise are free from doubts; the virtuous from anxiety; the brave from fear" - Confucius

any relation to this post... NOPE!!!

anyway.........

Auf Wiedersehen!

Head Hunting

so.... i am returning back to school tml. Prepared for it? Well... i jus happen to found out that my class has been split up, so can't crap around anymore. =( And feeling abit weird, as normally i have been heading to office for the past 2 months. And i have not had regular classes for the past 8 months!!! geez! Attachment la..

okay. Anyway.... I AM LOOKING FOR HORN PLAYERS!! to join SWO for the December Concert and Switzerland trip next year. currently there is only one horn player and is yours truly. so please please please..............

Rondeau Concert
Date: 26 NOVEMBER 05
Venue: VCH
Repertoire: Mostly Alfred Reed's pieces e.g Second Suite in Band

SWO Concert
Date: 26 DECEMBER 05
Venue: VCH (again....)
Repertoire: Egmont (By Bert Appermont) and other nice pieces la...

Auf Wiedersehen!

Understanding Baroque

Hallo! Guten Morgen! Had discussions on styles of music recently and have realised that many still fail to understand the beauty of Baroque music. Baroque music have always served as the foundation to all music composed for the past 500 years. Even though this period of music is 500 years old and ageing, its still alive in many music we play today.

I have extract some key points from my previous post. To read the full post, scroll down! Its somewhere down this page.

Tempo
- Usually stays the same throughout

Dynamic
- Range in dynamic is narrow
- Terrace dynamic

Style
- Formal, imitative

A few important things to do when you tackle a piece of music, is to firstly determine the period of music that its in.

One thing to note is the tempo of music. As written above, a Baroque music have a relatively fixed tempo throughout, mostly it ends with a BIG retard. So why is this so, you would need to know that Baroque music are written for the Kings and Queens of that time. So music have to sound Grand and Formal, maybe if you were in Europe, you can see the intricate designs of the Cathedral. So music must have fixed tempo to fit the mood. Just imagine yourself walking down the aisle of a church on your wedding day, and the musicians playing pachebel canon with irregular tempo, I bet you will not be able to walk down the aisle with a regular pace. So without realising it, we have covered two points, Tempo and Style!

Tempo always set the mood!

Dynamic are Terrace whereby when a phrase is Forte, it is in Forte and when it is in Piano, it will be in Piano. There will NEVER be a Cresendo or Decresendo in between two phrases to transit the dynamics. Just imagine as music walking up and down a staircase. So the other point about dynamic is narrow is because of the limitation in the dynamic range of instrument of that time, where a Harpsicord or Clavicord only have a small dynamic range thus give this characteristic.

Well there is another point that i want to cover, which is the texture of Baroque. But its kinda hard to explain in words. So till i figure out how it should be written down, enjoy learning and understanding Baroque.

Auf Wiedersehen!

H I! B Y E!

so what's been going on recently?

currently working. temp assignment at IBP a.k.a International Business Park. working with a fun bunch of people.

My SLR is up for sale. Considering getting a Nikon D50, so my current lenses won't work on a Nikon system. Let me know if anyone is interested.

catching up with old pals, crapping, eating, slacking. great fun!

guess there isn't much to post. till then...

Auf Wiedersehen!

Wired vs Wireless

this is interesting... the whole family is trying to troubleshoot the house wireless network problem while i am enjoying a very safe and reliable connection. Why? because, i am on a wired network.

up till now.. i am still questioning the need to have a wireless network in this tiny house. i understand that its considered high-tech by my parents standards. but still i don't feel the need to. because mainly the computers that uses the network are the desktop which i doubt anyone would like to carry it around the house just to surf Internet anywhere anytime.

its quite ironic because I, a laptop user uses a wired network while my family, the desktop users uses a wireless network. Anyway, its their internet connection to troubleshoot. as long as mine is problem free i am happy with it.

Auf Wiedersehen!

Baroque Period (1600-1700) 17th Century

For the benefit of all... Understanding the style of Baroque Music. Need more in-depth understanding after reading this? Look up for me! Meanwhile.. enjoy learning and reading!

Texture
- Basically polyphonic, contrapuntal, or counterpoint

Harmony
- Chords and their inversions were established
- Basic cadence used (Perfect, Plagal, Imperfect, Interrupted)

Melody
- A melody (Theme) usually appears in sequence
- These reappearances could also be modified though the style remains the same
- Melodic lines can be quite chromatic at times
- Ornaments largely used

Tonality
- Diatonic key

Tempo
- Usually stays the same throughout

Dynamic
- Range in dynamic is narrow
- Terrace dynamic

Style
- Formal, imitative

Auf Wiedersehen!

IHP Viva

consider it a job well done. today didn't start off very good, raining like crazy. but still manage to get my butt to school. had this crazy idea of putting on a blazer for presentation because of the cold weather. haha.. but didn't. i didn't even manage to put on my tie in time for presentation. dressing quite slack.

anyway, go school early, finalize the slides and stuffs.. slides looks good. decide to send it for printing. it would be a reference for us, and a supplementary notes for the supervisors and 2nd markers.

20 mins before, had suggest this crazy idea of actually showing Phase 1 of this project. Side track a bit, my partner and I are doing the 2nd Phase of this project. So anyway, rationale for this idea, since we want to present this project, might as well show every damn thing rite? haha... went to get the laptop and try to set up the system. the system didn't work. haha... its impromptu la, so everything was rushed during set up. but still i think the idea was put through to the 2nd markers.

Presentation went on really really well. minor hiccups here and there, as usual. but its okay. comments from supervisors were, its a presentation that went beyond their expectations. A bit on the 2nd markers, both of them are Caucasians, one of them from Aussie the other was from States i think or another Aussie. Think its quite unique to have Caucasians 2nd markers. jus love to talk to Caucasians, it gives you a different perspective about things.

A big relieve, very happy and satisfied about the presentation.

Auf Wiedersehen!

my "lovely" family

10 things my family does best:

10. Playing Dumb

09. Disorganized

08. Take things for granted

07. Borrow things and never return

06. No action, Talk only

05. Distort fact

04. Cannot relay message properly

03. Forever assume things

02. Make false accusations

01. Being Idiots!

Preparing for important presentation, trying to recover from a sore throat with a terrible cough so that i can talk and expect me to send cousin for piano lesson at the snap of their fingers? This is damn ridiculous..! Insane..

Auf Wiedersehen!

Home Run... (IHP)

last obstacle but a major one to overcome next week. IHP Viva. in the midst of preparing the slides. met up with the supervisors. my idiotic partner didn't turn up despite telling him about it. disappear to work reason being he didn't know what time is the meeting. don't know if he is dumb or acting dumb. it was an oversight not telling him the time, but it was his responsibility to find out the time. i bet he has yet to realise the scale of this whole IHP thinggy. and of course jeopardizing everything in its way. as what the church had preached

Good things happen to Bad People, Bad things happen to Good People

this can't be more true. well... another saying goes

One for all, All for One

my horn section's motto. guess gotta bear all the unwanted shit. Optimistic or pessimistic about things? Shall see how things take its course. too tired to scream and yell at people. don't force me. i will do it if i have to.

***UPDATES***
Presentation slides have been re-done and looking good. totally change the format of topics. will update more on this post.

Auf Wiedersehen!

IHP Experience (Week 18)

BORING!!!BORING!!! BORING!!! BORING!!! BORING!!! BORING!!! BORING!!! BORING!!! BORING!!! BORING!!! BORING!!! BORING!!! BORING!!! BORING!!! BORING!!! BORING!!! BORING!!! BORING!!! BORING!!!BORING!!! BORING!!!BORING!!! BORING!!! BORING!!!BORING!!!BORING!!!BORING!!! BORING!!!BORING!!!BORING!!!BORING!!!BORING!!!BORING!!!BORING!!!BORING!!!BORING!!!BORING!!!BORING!!!BORING!!! BORING!!! BORING!!! BORING!!! BORING!!! BORING!!! BORING!!! BORING!!! BORING!!! BORING!!!

Auf Wiedersehen!

IHP Experience (Week 17)

i am on the verge of killing someone! argh! can't one idiot remember a very simple instruction that was given out on Week 15 which is just 2 weeks ago that the report is a combine report. and 2 weeks ago you gave that now considered as crappy big talk about having a discussion of what to put in for the report. Jolly well disappear for the past 2 weeks and now tell me that you have submitted your report when its suppose to combine with mine? hello to this idiot.. in the first place did you realise that this is a combine project? argh! Thanks for your idiotic actions okay.. it really "help" alot i mean REALLY "HELP" alot... f*** it alright.. go ahead and enjoy your chalet! bloody fool! only applies to this idiot, i withdraw my statement about attitude problem and declare that you have a serious ATTITUDE PROBLEM! for others, my statement applies k...!

seriously, i better think twice, thrice, million, billion, zillion times about working on this project further to prepare it for competition next year..!

yes... report submission deadline this friday 12 noon. so far so good. need to work on the diagrams and print and can submit liao... can consider on holiday from next week onwards!

Auf Wiedersehen!

attitude problem

do you have an attitude problem? what really cause attitude problem? do you like to be accuse of having attitude problem? do you accuse people of having attitude problem?

Let's see... defination of attitude.
According to dictionary.com - Attitude is define as A state of mind or a feeling

n 1: a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways; "he had the attitude that work was fun" [syn: mental attitude]

My theory is attitude problem is just a difference of attitude between two subject. Lets say.... Person A has a different attitude towards for example a project over Person B then Person A will accuse Person B having attitude problem just because he/she does not have the same working attitude.

But let say Person C is able to compromise with Person B, will Person C ever accuse Person B of having attitude problem?

In my opinion, everybody takes a different attitude towards something, attitude problem arise only when two attitude does not agree. So actually, I can say that attitude problem is not a problem at all. Any second opinion? This two words actually carry NO i mean N.O meaning at all...

So i hope all living human beings living on this polluted earth stop accusing people attitude problem and learn to compromise with each other. ATTITUDE PROBLEM is just part of the foul language family where when people run out of words to scold, they just pick up words from here and hopefully carry on with scolding!

Imagine a Husband takes a different attitude from his Wife when doing say household chores, the husband will accuse the wife "YOU HAVE AN ATTITUDE PROBLEM ISSIT?" and the wife will also go "YOU HAVE AN ATTITUDE PROBLEM ISSIT?" Wow... then i think i shall study to be a lawyer, all couples in the world will start divorcing each other. earning big bucks man.... You see, you don't see this in marriage often, why? because they learn to compromise each other.

So after all this rubbish, let me summarise.. Attitude problem is purely a difference of attitude between two individual!

Anyway, people, you can challenge my theory... jus tag your comments. or you want can call me or email me. I am all ears to it.

Auf Wiedersehen!

IHP Experience (Week 16)

Hmm... report writing this week. getting off to a terrible start. haha! don't where to start, what to write. so far only 1/10 of the report is written. still gotta prepare for Viva! anyone got FYP report sample? hahaha... wish me luck!

Weeks left = 4 Weeks!

Auf Wiedersehen!

Making of a Band

Got this from somewhere, to a certain Extend, its pretty true about what goes into a making of a band. =)

"If instrument doesn't exist,a band won't be formed. But, a band with onli woodwinds, onli a melody is formed. But, it is different, when only a band, is formed with onli brass instrument. A harmony, A melody, will be formed. But when a band is formed with every instrument a perfect band with a perfect music will exist. And that shows us, the harmony of music, the harmony of nature. But, when there is an instrument, without a player, music will be formed by nature.

The music that is formed by nature, is a music that is natural. But,when a music that is formed by a heart of a human. A perfect song will be formed, that will touches the nature's heart. And, with that way, a perfect song, a perfect melody, and a perfect nature will be formed. A band's harmony can be formed, when all hearts are connected, that will touches human's heart. But, without practices, a melody and harmony won't be formed. So, practice always. Practice makes perfect. "

Auf Wiedersehen!

Snapshots again

Planning to do my Cityscapes series....

Taken on 16/7 after Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra Concert

IHP Experience (Week 15)

LATEST!!! Project submitted!

feels good to copy and paste the files onto the server. it means submission of product. but still thinking should i improve on certain features, i mean making it more robust as it should be. seriously, lazy to touch on it.. haha..

looking at the guidelines for report writing, i am totally lost. expecting us to write 10,000 words?! geez.. i could barely write 10 words for a start.. okay. meeting my supervisor tml, once a green light is lit, programming is over.

Weeks left = 5 Weeks

Auf Wiedersehen!

Snapshots on dSLR

Sin City

Reflections

Two favourite shots taken today. Playing with SLRs.... Free to comment.

Auf Wiedersehen!