Sky plays his favorite song from the Persona 5 game. Will life change if we take off our masks? Or perhaps we all need a place to hide.
Archive for the ‘Music’ Category
Life Will Change
Posted in anime, Art, Music, piano, tagged Drawing, Life Will Change, Persona 5 on February 17, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Fleeting Moment: Reflections on 2 years of piano learning
Posted in Art, Hobbies, Music, piano, Reflection, tagged moment, piano, reflection on November 20, 2022| 1 Comment »
Wouldn’t it be nice to entertain friends with music after a meal, jam with others when we feel like it, or just express ourselves through music anytime?
I started learning piano at the age of 37. After about 2 years, I have learned and recorded some music I like (here‘s a link to the recordings). I wish I could play these pieces whenever and wherever I want. But in reality, after finishing a piece, I tend to forget it quickly once I stop practicing. Something that I could play from memory one day, would feel like a new piece after a few week’s gap.
Perhaps this is because I don’t have music training when I was young, or don’t have enough hours of practice. A friend told me he doesn’t forget the music he learned while he was a teenager and can still play them after decades.
Space repetition (refreshing my memories by practicing a piece periodically) is probably the best way to keep them in my long term memory. But given time limit and the infinite number of music I want to learn, I haven’t been revisiting the songs I’ve learned so far.
So for now, every recording is a fleeting moment. Something I can experience but can’t hold onto, a bit like trying to hang onto our peak physical or mental ability as we age. While sad, it’s not as bad as some other aspects of life. Unlike parenting a kid at a certain age, once that period is gone, it’s gone forever. The hope is that as my piano skill gets better, the moment might last longer. Or at the minimum, I can relearn a piece faster and perhaps better.
Martha Argerich
Posted in Art, Music, tagged Documentary, martha argerich, music, piano on November 11, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Martha Argerich is still amazing at 81 years old. I’m glad she picked Schumann’s Kinderszenen Op.15: 1. Of Foreign Lands and People as one of her encores. When I was learning to play this piece, I listened to many recordings and liked hers best. I only learn later that Schumann is her favorite composer.
In a documentary made by her daughter, she often appeared nervous before a concert, but happy and satisfied afterward. I wonder if she also feels imposter syndrome like many of us do, or perhaps her perfectionism is what made her anxious. Is there still more that she seeks in her piano journey? Or would she rather take a different path in life if she could go back in time?
Follow your heart: Lyric from Persona 5 Royal’s Hoshi to Bukura to
Posted in anime, Art, Music, tagged Drawing, lyric on November 5, 2022| Leave a Comment »
In the endless days
We lost our place of belonging
and wandered around aimlessly
Streets of yesterday
are reflected in the mirror
Even if I try connecting
the mingled pieces of the past together–
No matter how much I try scooping them up
They slip through my fingers
like grains of sand
But even so
The things I can see
aren’t all there is to them
It’s in my heart
I will search for tomorrow
from here on with my heart
Under that sky
We were able to come across each other
through mutual attraction
I lived every day
spilling my feelings
Even if I try to only add up
my overflowing memories
They say that physical things
are all that exist in this world
But where they begin or end
shouldn’t be decided by anyone
I will follow my heart
Let’s return
to the future we aimed for
Anytime, anywhere
We can meet if you wish for it
From now on
We don’t need to make promises
We’re looking at the same stars
even if we’re apart
So that’s why we say goodbye today
No matter how much I try scooping them up
They slip through my fingers
like grains of sand
But even so
The things I can see
aren’t all there is to them
It’s in my heart
They say that physical things
are all that exist in this world
But where they begin or end
shouldn’t be decided by anyone
I will follow my heart
Let’s search for our future
with our hearts
I will follow my heart
It’s in my heart
Follow my heart
A friend got free tickets to 王力宏 (Wang Lee Hom)’s concert and invited me along. I knew Wang Lee Hom is a talented person and thought it is worth seeing him in actions. He plays guitar, violin, drums, piano, and sings surprisingly well too. I think he enjoys harmonic and rhythm more than melody or lyrics.
I can see why he is attractive: handsome, talented, and passionate about music. I guess he must have put in lots of efforts in practicing and learning, not to mention the discipline to keep himself in good shape. These behind the scene efforts are probably what I would find most attractive. I respect those who work hard toward their goals and find people who are passionate about something charming.
On my way home, the radio was playing a song I like from the Carpenters, which made a nice, quiet end for the concert trip.
Bonus: I saw 孫燕姿 (Sun Yanzi) in the concert hall as well ^__^
I Will
Posted in Music, Uncategorized on February 1, 2006| Leave a Comment »
Setbacks, obstacles, humiliations, mistakes, failures, none can destroy me. As long as I keep my pride, I’ll surpass all of them and regain my confidence.
I Will
Anime Lyric from Full Metal Alchemist
Vocal by Sowelu
Translated by Li
If it’s the overflowing tears, it’s okay that they don’t stop now
Light should be shining into the finale of the sadness
stay… stay… stay… stay…
stay… stay… stay… stay…
Right, we believed in the same feeling
We gazed at the vanished memory
Now I can’t meet you
But I can hide my painful thoughts
And become stronger
I’ll go ascertain that
If it’s the overflowing tears, it’s okay that they don’t stop now
Light should be shining into the finale of the sadness
The things that I destroyed when I was too rushed
I’ll regain them, to walk like myself
Hey, let me say goodbye first
To you again back then
I believe that surely, there’s a new tomorrow
Time that passes by unhesitatingly and unhurriedly
I won’t forget the pain that changes into kindness
My heart that I wounded when I was too reckless
I’ll embrace it, for the reborn me
I Will
If it’s the overflowing tears, it’s okay that they don’t stop now
Light should be shining into the finale of the sadness
Time that passes by unhesitatingly and unhurriedly
I won’t forget the pain that changes into kindness
The things that I destroyed when I was too rushed
I’ll regain them, to walk like myself
I Will
Ryu's Blog 