Goh Jun Hui "S Wonderful"

A beautiful song composed by George Gershwin, originally in Broadway style but Daiju Kurasawa had re-arranged this piece to give it a Bossa Nova feel.

Electone Performance by my students_02

• A lovely piece by Sadao Watanabe, from his 1979's album 'Morning Island'.
• Video was taken 0n 5 Dec 2009, during Anna's performance at Yamaha PS.

Electone Performance by my students_01

Electone Performance @ Yamaha PS on 5 Dec 2009.
Below are some of the photos, can you spot any of your friends?

Video is on the way, do drop by again.

Buying Registration Data Online for Stagea_02

Some of my students are still at a lost on how to buy the Stagea data online and a few of you also asked me to buy on your behalf, but my answer is NO, because as a teacher I don't wish to give you the fish but rather to teach you how to fish instead.

Please download the detailed instruction on 'Guide to buying Stagea data online' and print it out for easy reference.

Or you may prefer the online help instruction from the 'Electone Zone'.

Related Post: How to Buy Stagea Data_Nov 2014

                          Issue when you buy registration online

Jacqueline "The Medallion Calls"

• Theme song from the Pirates of the Caribbean
• The 2nd video from Jacqueline, recorded on 24 November 2009

Soundtrack Production Workshop @ Bendemeer Sec Sch

This is a post exam activity organized by Bendemeer Sec Sch specially for the following primary school: ACS, Balestier Hill, Bendemeer, Bukit Panjang, Farrer Park and St Joseph Jr.

There are divided into two groups and each group of students are required to attend a eight hours course stretched over two days. From 12th to 13th November for the first group and 16th to 17th November for the second group. There will be a friendly competition at the end of the course to select the best soundtrack.

Here comes the best soundtrack for the 1st group, done by Kai Lin and Kirthanaa from Bendemeer Pri Sch.

The best soundtrack for the 2nd group, done by Jeremy & Gerard from St. Joseph.

How do you like the soundtrack? You are welcome to post your comment below ;-)

Thoughts of the Day_05

Attitude alters abilities!

Thoughts of the Day_04

Tell me, and I'll forget.
Show me, and I may remember.
Involve me, and I'll understand.

Downloader & Converter for Youtube

This online service allows you convert a YouTube Video to MP3, MP4, 3GP, FLV, or AVI file online. So you are able to watch/listen to your favorite YouTube tracks.

When you submit a URL, it will download the video and convert to desired format, and then you can download the converted file. The conversion is without loss, that means you will get the MP3/MP4/3GP/FLV/AVI in the same quality it is saved in the video.

To check it out, please click here: Youtube Downloader & Converter

Tan Tiang Huat "龙的传人"

Mr Tan has been learning with me for two months. A very musical senior citizen and managed to play this Chinese song well, don't you think so?

活到老，学到老！I really love his attitude and we must learn from him.

How about posting a comment to encourage him ;-)

Kelvin Liew "Love Theme"

Love Theme By Barry White and Aaron Schroeder, Performed by Kelvin Liew on 7 October 2009.

Which version do you like? Kelvin or the Pop Orchestra's version?

Goh Jun Hui "Pomp and Circumatance"

This video was taken during lesson on 3 October 2009. This arrangement does not play the full version, if you're interested to watch the full version, please click the video below ;-)

Sydelle "Don't Be Cruel"

A beginner, learning with with me for about 5 months.

This was not a very nice performance yet and still have room for improvement ;-) Please look at my Practice Tips for inspiration.

Let me show you a video from Elvis Presley:

Anna "Eye of the Tiger"

The original registration data was meant for the EL900 which don't sound great on the Stagea, so we try to edit it and this was the final version. Hope you guys love it!

Jacqueline "Let It Be"

A neat performance but lack of expression. Anyway, this was her first recording and I know that she was very nervous. 加油! Jacqueline!
Let It Be was released in 1970, an ever popular song by The Beatles.

Let's Learn Music the Fun Way

There are four interesting games @ happynote.com, where you will learn to read music notes, note values and a game to play by ear.

• Treble Clef & Bass Clef: A game to learn how to read music in both Treble Clef and Bass clef.
• Tetris: A game to learn how to read music notes in Treble Clef..
• Music Notes In Space: A game to learn about note durations, boys will love this very much.
• Play It By Ear: An ear training game.

To download the above games, please click the link below : HappyNote.Com

Teachers' Day

This is the BIGGER & the BEST poster I ever received, thank you Grace! Consider that you're very busy with your JC activities, I believed by creating this beautiful poster you had to burn many hours of your mid-night oil, thank you once again. If you can put in the same effort, same passion & same attitude in your study, nothing can stop you. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best in your coming Yamaha & JC exam.

MacPerson Sec Sch_Students' Project

This song arrangement course is for anyone with or without music background, no keyboard or other musical instruments are involved. What you need is a computer with a pair of speakers or headphones, a sequencing software and your CREATIVITY!

I am showcasing some of the students' works from MacPherson Sec School. To listen, please click the links below:

• Ben: A short demo by teacher
• A Lover's Concerto by Busapun Serdumrongsak-Class 2B
• A Lover's Concerto by Celeste-Class 2B
• A Lover's Concerto by See Seng Yang-Class 2B
• A Lover's Concerto by Laksmi Cahyady-Class 2B
• Ben by Qain Li Juan-Class 2A
• Sha La La by Ng Chun Hui-Class 2A

Please return to this page again for more updates.

Tan Yan Ling "Reason"

Her arrangement for the coming exam in September.

This video was recorded during lesson on 19 August 2009, some slips could be heard and more effort needed to improve this song.

Anna "Farandole"

Joachim Wolf and the Yamaha PSR-E413

Another great video presented by Joachim Wolf, this Yamaha Keyboard 'PSR-E413' is loaded with many rocking features, small in price but BIG in sound, a must have for beginner who is learning the Portable Keyboard Course.

For more details, please contact my colleagues:

• Mr Yeo Wee Aik @ 90601545
• Mr Alex Joseph @ 81334953

Teachers Meeting on 5 August 2009

A very big THANK YOU to all you guys!

5 August 2009 was the day for me to remember, I was presently surprised and in fact nervous too.

I would like to say a million thanks to the following VIPs and colleagues:

• Mr Horie (MD, Yamaha Singapore): I'm very grateful that you replied my email and acknowledged my effect in starting this vblog. I was at a lost of words to say to you when Ms Cecilia Yue introducing me to you that morning, so sorry about that.
• Ms Cecilia Yue (GM, Yamaha Singapore): Thank you for introducing me to our new MD Mr Horie, I appreciate it very much.
• Mr Ng Tiow Seng (Manager, Human Resource): I was over the moon when you came to shake my hands and told me that you had visited my vblog.
• Ms Khor Poh Khim: Thanks for the many words of encouragement that morning, I believed all of us teachers need that very badly.
• Ms Lian Hee Yoon: My dear CI, you're so helpful when ever I needs help, please forgive me if I took you for granted and sometime forgotten to say thank you. Happy birthday to you again! I'm not going to reveal your your age here, you must thank me, okay? he he he...
• Ms Eileen Ng (Chief Examiner): Thank you for your words of encouragement and I shall rub shoulders with you more often. (I have learnt this phrase from Ms Khor)
• Mr Stephen Chia: Thank you 'Stephen' and that's the secret between you & me. Oh yes, "One bird in the cage is better than..." I like your words of wisdom, Cheers!
• Ms Sally Lee (Education, head office): Hi Sally! I have not forgotten you, without your approval at the initial stage, my vblog would have miscarried long long ago, you are the Godmother of my blog.

If I missed out any names, forgive me and please accept my sincere apology.

Finally, I would like to share with you guys my motto: "Don't just do it, Do it better!" Let us be united and work towards the same GOAL! Cheers!

How to pass electone exam with distinction?

The Yamaha lower grade (gr.9-gr.6) examinations are marked on a scale of five levels: A, B, C, D, and E on the marking sheet.

Each grade stands for the following evaluation:

• A: Very good (+2)
• B: Good (+1)
• C: Satisfactory, but passing (0)
• D: Needs practice (-1)
• E: Completely unsatisfactory (This grading for any subject will constitute a 'Fail' result regardless for all other subjects)

Overall result is a 'Pass' if all subjects add up to '0' point or above.

Distinction is awarded if all subjects are grade 'A' or 'B' and there are at least 3 'A' grades in 3 different subjects (ie:You must score at least an 'A' in each subject).

The three subjects are as follow:

FREE SELECTION

• Musical Expression: articulation, dynamic, pedaling and etc
• Rhythm: sense of rhythm, steady tempo
• Technique: fingering and posture

SIGHT PLAYING

• Effort to produce the image and the atmosphere of the piece
• Musical flow
• Accuracy

IMPROVISATION / ACCOMPANIMENT

• Harmonic flow, appropriate selection of chords and accompaniment
• Musical performance, dynamic, tempo, musical ideas

Finally, I would like to wish all you guys GOOD LUCK! Cheers ;-)

Thoughts of the Day_03

Nike's motto: Just Do It!

My motto: Don't Just Do It, Do It Better!

Anna "There's No Business Like Show Business"

• Yamaha ESCN course, Book 8.

Practice advice from the Camp Rock team

This video clip is meant for educational purposes only, not for resale.

"Practice! Practice! Practice!" You'd heard enough of what I always trying to tell you, I believed that you're very sick of it by now, but don't write me off yet. Let's listen to what Jonas Brothers, Anna Maria, Jasmine Richards, Meaghan and the Camp Rock team have to say ;-)

Thoughts of the Day_02

Teachers need to talk,
Students want to talk,
Everybody talks,
Nothing is taught!
(Saw this quote from Mavis Tutorial Centre)

Thoughts of the Day_01

The person to beat is not the one in front but the one inside ! (By 德明校长孙振炜)
You may read the full article from zaobao.com

Results of the ABRSM Music Theory Exam

Congratulation to the following students whom attained excellent grade in the March's ABRSM Music Theory Exam:

• Chua Jie Min (SK Branch): Grade 3, Distinction 98%
• Tan Yan Ling (PS Branch): Grade 3, Distinction 91%

Keep up the good work & let's do it again in the next exam.

Electone Concert by Students @ PS_Photos

Have you attended the students' concert on 6th of June? If not, you know that you'd missed an interesting event, look at all the happy and exciting faces, one of the performer even mobilize his CCA members to cheer him, which make it look a bit like '校园 Superstar'. He he he...

If you are not in the pictures, come closer to my camera next time, okay?
Anyway, can you recognise your friends?

PSR-E413 Demonstration Video

• Miss Yuki Wada presenting the PSR-E413.
• Star Buy @ $399 (Yamaha Great Music Sale from now till 26/07/2009)
• Please contact Mr Alex Joseph Pillai @ 81334953 OR Mr Yeo Wee Aik @ 90601545 for more product information.

My Green Baby "02"

Pteris ensiformis ‘Victoriae’

I propagated these ferns from spores, it took approximately a year to reach this size.
This project was so successful that I ended up with slightly more then 20 pots of these ferns, after I gave away some to my colleagues & friends and including some were stolen, now I have 8 pots to handle and is more manageable ;-)

1. Common name: Victoria fern.
2. Light: Bright; indirect sunlight.
3. Water: Light moisture, but avoid over-watering.
4. Humidity: High; mist frequently.
5. Propagation: Spores or Rhizome division.
6. Display tips: Place this showy fern on tabletops where the fine details of the leaflets can be viewed up close.

Troubleshooting

1. Fronds turn yellow and wilt: Over-watering.
2. Leaflets are light green and dull: Excessive light.
3. Leaves turn brown: Low humidity; natural ageing of fronds.

How to Practice?

An interesting article on HOW TO PRACTICE from Learn-Theory-Music.com, click HERE!

A weird article that's full of excuses of not practicing, click HERE! Learn them well & you may need it one day to use it on ME. He he he...

Happy Birthday to my daughter

• Happy birthday to you, my darling.
• Hope you likes my Hannah Montana & Avril Lavigne mash-up music ;-)
• For demonstration purposes only, not for resale.

My Green Babies

 

Zz Plant "Zamioculcas zamifolia" Propagated from leaf cutting.

Victoria Fern "Pteris ensiformis Victoriae"

I propagated them from spores, it took approximately a year to reach this size.

Boston Fern "Nephrolepis exaltata"

Another fern I propagated from spores.

Silver Net Leaf "Fittonia verschaffeltii"

Another baby of mine, I propagated this beautiful plant from a single stem tip cutting several months ago.

Mother-In-Law's Tongue "Sanseveria trifasciata"

"Dracaena marginata"

Girls having Fun @ jamming session

Hey! They're the Musemob Girls, jamming "JYONETSU TAIRIKU" by Taro Hakase and this video was taken during their jamming session.

I enjoy this video very much, their music really made my day! Hope you too will feel the same. Cheers ;-)

Anna "Greensleeves"

• A traditional English folk tune.
• Click this link "Greensleeves" to watch another video, performed by Paula Bär-Soprano & Hans Meijer-Lute.

Free Music Notation Software "Musette"

• Free forever. No ads or splash screens
• Requires no special installation
• Just click to place a symbol anywhere
• Click and drag to move or adjust symbols
• Keyboard shortcuts for faster editing
• Cut, copy and paste
• Re-size note groups
• Transpose and change clefs
• Just click and drag to add beams or ties
• Just click and drag to group notes into chords
• User-translatable menus and hints
• Sample files and demo included
• Click this link "MUSETTE" for more details & download.

Nicholas Chan 'Baby Elephant Walk"

• Theme song from the Paramount Picture HATATRI.
• A cheerful & cute song composed by Henry Mancini.
• Can your hear the Lion, Monkey & Elephant?
• Watch the movie "HATARI"
• Henry Mancini also composed another very popular song for a cartoon character in 1963, do you know the song? Game enough to post your answer?

Buying Registration Data Online for Stagea_01

Remember the earlier post on "How to order Electone books from Japan?" dated 27 Dec 2008. After you've received your books, you'll be wondering where the Floppy Disk is. The Stagea book does not come with the Registration Data and you have to buy it online.

For detailed instruction, kindly click on the link: "Buying Registration Data Online"

Free Download Manager

Have you wondered how to download videos from my blog or others such as YouTube & Google Videos?

I would strongly recommend this free software "Free Download Manager" to you. It has very powerful features, you can use it to download videos or movies from various video-sharing site, and you can convert these from the usual FLV format to more compatible formats such as AVI, WMV, MPEG1, MEPG2, MP4 & MP3 too. Yes, this software is capable of extracting the music from your downloaded video and convert it to MP3. This application also makes downloading go faster.

You may download a copy "HERE".

Chua Jie Min "GrimGrinningGhosts"

• From the movie "Haunted Mansion".
• Click the link to watch the original soundtrack "Grim Grinning Ghosts"
• A very interesting song that's full of action & foley effect, the kids will surely love it.
• What about YOU? Please consider to leave a comment to show your support. Thanks ;-)

Anna "That's What Friends Are For"

This is another of her exam song. Yamaha Gr. 6 level, but she is using it for the Gr. 7 exam.
Do you like this song? You may post your comment below.

Who's the better performer?

1) Herman Chong "Way To Go"

2) 崖の上のポニョ　/　スタジオジブリ作品集③

3) Pirates Of The Caribbean

Please listen to all of them then vote for your favourite player, post your answer in the comments section below. You may tell me which song you like, who plays better and etc...

Kelvin "I've Never Been to Me"

• A Hit Song in the 70-80's, sang by "CHARLENE".
• They're many versions, Chinese, Japanese, Swedish, Korean, and German. I'll show you the other version from "S H E" and "Teresa Teng".
• Electone Popular Gr 5, Vol 50, GTE740720.

A Single Most Important Question!

You see, the amazing thing about human needs is that; no two people are the same and we all play music for different reasons. Every child, student, parent, grandparent and teacher including myself has very different needs. You may want to be a musician, a music teacher, a performer, or you may want to collect an extra certificate as a back-up; just in case you don't do well in your study, or you may want to learn a few simple songs to make yourself happy & etc...

Today, I would like to ask you this question "What is it that you want to get out of your music lessons?"

To all my dear students, parents and grandparents, in order for me as a teacher to help to fulfill your needs, avoid mismatch between you and me, it would be nice if you can share your thoughts with me. Please post your thoughts in the 'Comments' tab below or share with me during lesson, whichever you feels comfortable.

Hope to hear from many of you :-)

Chua Jie Min "Lost In Your Eyes"

This was one of the hit song from Debbie Gibson, "Lost in Your Eyes" had held the No.1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for 3 weeks in 1989.

Drums sequence & Registration done by Jie Min & me, hope you'll enjoy listening to this beautiful ballad.

Revision of Electone Exam Syllabus "Gr. 5-3"

Kindly note that the new electone exam syllabus for gr. 5-3 had been revised with effect on 01/01/2008. For details, please click the link below:

http://www.yamaha-mf.or.jp/english/syllabus/index.html

In Loving Memory Of My Pet Dog

This coming Sunday on 25th of January is my darling "Joy-Joy" 2nd anniversary, I have created this video in memory of her.
For demonstration purposes only, not for resale.




Loving You - Minnie Riperton

Loving you is easy cause you're beautiful
Making love with you is all i wanna do
Loving you is more than just a dream come true
And everything that i do is out of loving you
La la la la la la la... do do do do do

No one else can make me feel
The colors that you bring
Stay with me while we grow old

And we will live each day in springtime
Cause loving you has made my life so beautiful
And every day my life is filled with loving you

Loving you i see your soul come shining through
And every time that we oooooh
I'm more in love with you
La la la la la la la... do do do do do

Ringtone "CNY"

Here's my CNY Ringtone, Hope you like it :-)
You may click on the tilte "Ringtone CNY" above to listen or download.

Ong Tian Nee "Yesterday Once More"

This video was recorded on 14th of Jan 2009.

Own arrangement of Gr.9 level. We had sequenced the drums track & the registration data together.

• Name of Student: Ong Tian Nee
• Title of Song: Yesterday Once More (ESCN Step 5)
• Level of Difficulty: Yamaha Gr.9

Practice Tip "An Interesting Statistic and Unrealistic Goals"

"A student of mine told me that it takes 10,000 hours of practicing a new skill to become a master over it. It’s students that understand this that are aware of the importance of practice, whereas the occasional student expects their teacher to make them good players without much effort on their part." Quoted by Leah Coutts.

• If you put in 2 hours a day, you'll need 13.7 years to be an expert.
• If you put in 1 hour a day, you'll need 27.4 years to be an expert.
• If you put in half an hour a day, you'll need 54.8 years to be an expert.

Sound familiar & interesting? Please go on to read her full article "An Interesting Statistic and Unrealistic Goals"

Happy Reading!