Monday, June 13, 2011

Music Ministry


        Here I am again playing violin in Balanga Cathedral. But this time, it's only me who played there. My teacher asked me if I could play on their intermission number. So, why hesitate right? He said that it's 50-50 chance that the church priest will be able to play the violin part. That's why he contacted me to substitute there just in case Fr. Perry could not make it.

       We played Aquino's Medley that was arranged by my teacher Nesty Enriquez. Instruments were 2 flutes, violin and a guitar accompaniment. We only practiced the day before the event. I know, it was a 'lil short practiced but it's okay because I know that we can do it! =)


        On the day of the event. Surprisingly, Fr. Perry said that he's gonna play the violin part! So, how about me?? That's what I thought. My teacher decided that we could duet together. Problem solved! =D It was a very lucky day for me because I did a duet with Fr. Perry whos' violin's an antique Stradivarius that was a gift to him with his great great great (how many great!?) grandfather! Ahhhh! Wish I had some! Yes, their clan's a musician particularly violinists.


my mommy together with Fr. Perry

        That was a memorable event of my life! =)

Saturday, June 11, 2011

New violin; new Life!

           I had to sell my Mozart violin because of some reason. Honestly, I cried, the time when someone bought it. Good thing my mother was there to comfort me and said that there's another much better violin for me. And it happened!

           I named it "Chen" from the brand Bachendorff. It's an antique style violin which I really love the most! Most especially the fittings of Chens'. I think Chen was destined to me. You know why? Because when we bought it, it's already the last stock on the store. Oh by the way, we bought it in Lyric Trinoma Branch. =) Another good thing that amazed me was the case of Chens', a rectangular one! I really wanted to have one and it came true! And I also love the bow!! =D

       
           
       
          Other accessories that I bought was the shoulder rest which I badly needed 'coz of my neck! >_< and a branded rosin (I don't like stock rosins ^_^).

          I know that when time goes by, my Chen will bloom into a warm and brilliant sound! I bet! =)))

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

For the second time around

          Another opportunity for us to play in church again. But sadly, only five of us made to the event including my teacher (flutist). We did practice for a short time only because of our conflicting schedule.
          It turned okay but not as better as the first one! The most important of that day was having fun and learning the lessons of what music is all about.
Early practice before the mass event

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Get out of my Comfort Zone!

            For the first time in my life, I got the chance to play with other violinist together with my teacher! He listed me to join on one of the instrumentalist in Balanga Cathedral. I'm so glad that he choose me! Of course I'm so excited when I heard that news and most especially to jam with other violinist!

            Day 1: I met 3 of the members. The girl was a beginner like me but she plays piano really good. The other one was, I can say that he's an intermediate already because the way he played the songs..he knows vibrato! Haha! But the only problem was, he forgot how to read notes! A major problem! And the last one was another an intermediate player because he can read notes very well and knew how to do vibrato..a little I think. So it was a fun day for the three of us; practice, practice and practice! =P

            Day 2: We went to the cathedral to meet other players. There were 3 of them again. One was a violin teacher, so I can expect that he's good! The other two was his students. So, all in all we're 7 violinist who played on that event. We practice a lot but honestly speaking, it's kinda hard for me because I didn't used to read notes that fast without hearing the melody first. Awww..I struggled there! But of course, my teacher always motivates me and cheered me. I remember that night, he said: "It's okay if your tone's not perfect, at least you enjoyed what you are doing and in HIM, your tone is always superb" I nearly cried when I heard that from him!

            Day 3: It's grand assembly and general practice. We met the pianist, flutist and the grand choir. We practiced almost a day! I was nervous at first because of the crowd..Haha!

            Day 4: The event. We got there early in the morning for tuning and practice a 'lil bit. By the time came, almost every corner of the cathedral were flooded by the people! The time we entered our seats, all of the people were staring at us. I guess, that's the first time they encountered violinist in the cathedral. We felt like professionals! =))) The performances were good..nearly great! We had good feedback coming from selected guest and priest. They wanted to perform us again..Wow!
            And the day ended with a delicious salo-salo meal. We really had fun! Cheers!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Invasion of La Corda D'Oro! (Kiniro No Corda)

         Have you watched it already? If not, go watch it or you'll miss half of your life! =p
My high school classmate introduced me to watch this anime. First I was hesitant to watch it but when I google it..the first thing that comes from my mind was..Oh great! Definitely must watch it! Thanks to some free anime website, I had the opportunity to watch it! Really enjoy every part of it! And of course, because of La Corda D'Oro, I gotten much inspiration to play and play the violin! As Hino Kahoko said: "Moto moto!" means more more! Haha! This really inspires me until now. Oh and by the way, this anime influenced me to try and play Ave Maria and Tristesse. Hmmm..it's not very well played because I did it on my 3rd month of playing my violin but I'll definitely redo it!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Presenting..my own Youtube account!

         It's getting more and more interesting whenever I played violin especially when I had a lesson. I really enjoyed Suzukis' exercises piece and Wohlfahrt book because it's a duet between me and my teacher.
        Whenever I don't play violin, I used to surf the net but most part of surfing was watching others on YT playing their own songs or pieces on violin. Sometimes, I imagined myself that I look like them, superb and awesome! But of course, I also enjoyed watching beginners' video, sometimes I totally laughed at them (sorry for saying that, but I had a reason for laughing! It's because of thinking that how come if I'm on that video and others saw my cruel sound? Oops!) Anyway, it's for fun and getting attention to others and getting criticism to others was way too healthy I think?
        To my frustration and excitement, I did sign-up in YT! Yes you read it right! Hahaha! Well I think it was fun though! Most especially when you're getting friends and subscribers. Yipeee! =D
www.youtube.com/blackcantabile

Stiff neck! Help!!!

       So the story goes as a beginner violinist. My first lesson was bowing the 4 strings without getting scratchy. I said to myself that "this is it??" I thought it was so simple and easy but I'm wrong! Hahahaha! It was totally hard the first time I tried it. All I got was scratttcchhyyy sound from my violin! I want to jump from another lesson but I need to perfect my bowing so I can move on with another one. My lesson ended with just bowing back and forth..pretty boring huh? (^_^)
      Another day has passed. Oh my God! Why did I felt like this early in the morning?? I had a stiff neck that day! Plus my collar bone was a 'lil numb too! "What will I do?" That's what I thought that day. So I searched and searched the caused of my pain. Answer? The position of my violin on my shoulder. Tsk! "Is there a solution? I asked to  myself. So I hurriedly texted my friend who plays violin for almost years already. Then he suggested that I should buy some shoulder rest. "what's that?" I asked. It's an accessory for easy carrying violin on your shoulder and to feel much comfortable.
DADI shoulder rest
      Thank God that I bought that thing. Now my problem had solved! Stiff neck? Bye-bye!!