Practice, practice, practice...(are we there yet?)

Excerpt from today's "Our Daily Bread", with emphasis added.

Leonardo da Vinci spent 10 years drawing ears, elbows, hands, and other parts of the body in many different aspects. Then one day he set aside the exercises and painted what he saw. Likewise, athletes and musicians never become great without regular practice.

Practice and training is VERY, VERY different from the actual performance, or actual thing. One thing we must realise is that for a very good or even exceptional performance to be materialised, there has to be thorough and intense preparation and training involved.

Likewise, to become excellent at something, one needs to devote and be willing to sacrifice long hours in training. There are no shortcuts - an initial burst of enthusiasm to pursue something is, bluntly put, not good enough. What's necessary and crucial is actually steadfast and faithful practice - despite emotion, circumstances or others.

There are many times when I see some musician perform or do a cover on Youtube and I'm so amazed and inspired by it, I grab my guitar and search for the tabs and try it. Then reality hits - it is not as easy as it appears to be.

Yes, practice, practice, practice...it's the long-term consistency that counts.

Live life like there's no tomorrow

Do things as if you won't be able to do them again tomorrow. Not to invoke a sense of doom-and-gloom, but to really bring of the essence of the importance of seizing opportunities in life.

Yesterday I watched "The Bucket List" starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson. In short it's about these 2 men who have been diagnosed with cancer and eventually they found out how much time they have left to live.

Freeman comes up with some items in his "Bucket List' - things to do before one dies. Nicholson happens to see it, adds some items into it of his own, then off they go to accomplish them.

A couple of takeaways from this show. That at the end of the day - end can mean the conclusion of life, a season, an opportunity, a period, etc - things/issues like what others think of you or what you think of yourself doesn't matter at all. Afterall, these 2 men are "dead" anyway.

Receiving Christ into my life and dying to myself has once again reminded me that my life is there for me to live it, God is there to help me on, despite what happens or what others do along the way.

That movie really enlarged my perspective of life once again. Bringing death, or even the light of eternity into the picture, being frustrated or uptight with trivial and insignificant things seem to be totally a waste after all.

The soundtrack of this movie is entitled, "Say" by John Mayer. (Roy introduced the song to me, which in turn led me to the movie)...

Take all of your wasted honor
Every little past frustration
Take all your so called problems
Better put 'em in quotations

Say what you need to say (x7)
Say what you need to saaaay...

Walking like a one man army
Fighting with the shadows in your head
Living out the same old moment
Knowing you'd be better off instead

If you could only
Say what you need to say (x7)
Say what you need to saaay...

Have no fear for giving in
Have no fear for giving over
You better know that in the end
It's better to say too much
Than never to say what you need to say again

Even if your hands are shaking
And your faith is broken
Even as the eyes are closing
Do it with a heart wide open... wide...


At the end of the day, what's most important? Fear, pride? Your opinion/approval and theirs? God's plans and purposes intended for you?

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I'm really encouraged by my Dad's friend's (who's into guitars and who also helped me get some of mine) heart in his playing.

While we were in a guitar shop and trying out electrics, he took one of the guitars, played his blues and sung along to it.

To me, he had his heart in it. Even if you can definitely find another person who can play or sing better than him - it doesn't matter - he held NOTHING back. He gave his ALL.


Colossians 3:23 - Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.

Currently listening to Sonic Edge Band's: Surrender....

Just love the acoustic guitar's sound in that track.....I guess it's Marcus Wong's Gibson Hummingbird True Vintage...

Okay...back to tutorials and school work....fingers need to rest too, from all the guitar playing today.

Life...enjoying the whole process of it all...

Let me talk about or confess on what I did this week so far and 2 weeks ago (my school's recess week).

For the recess week, honestly speaking, I spent only Monday and a few short afternoon slots to do my work. Other than that, its me on my computer, me on my guitar or me going out. Really.

I've never played so much guitar and enjoyed the whole musical process in this recess week as compared to this WHOLE semester. Coupled with 4 or more occasions of having 11 hours of sleep...woot!

The take-home lesson for myself is: being thick skinned - not being arrogant or rebellious, but being bold and courageous - to dare to relax and pursue my hobbies.

Because I know for many other students, the recess break is a study break for them - to catch up on tutorials, meet up for projects, to mug, etc..Nothing wrong with that, but I realized that since I'll be doing that on the rest of the normal school days, I should make an effort to enjoy myself.

Which brings me to this week. So far, minus the extremely sleepy and grumpy weekday mornings, I've been more excited and happier about living my life. WHY?

It's because I have finally made it a point to pursue my musical passion and that is something which I really want to do...So, in short, it's doing what I like.

Balance is the key. Too much or too little of something is no good. There a time for everything. And it's about daring to step out to pursue your passion.

Nice songs need not be difficult to play

Collide, by Howie Day.

Capo 3.
Chords: G D/F# Em7 C ; G/B C D

Yeap. Nice songs can be pretty easy to learn. Found this one on Youtube. Reminded me when I tried playing this 1 year+ back then (when I wasn't really that confident with the instrument).

I learnt that with more experience, you gain more confidence - and you tend to have greater boldness to experiment new techniques and tricks....rather than sticking to the rigid DOWN-DOWN-UP-UP-DOWN-UP-UP-DOWN...haha...

As much as this musical ability is used to serve God, I'm beginning to see its potential value as an asset...some sort of planning for my future....like 40+ years down the road.

I'm investing in this hobby because I can forsee myself teaching younger ones how to play it, in the late future...yeap...so it's definitely a worthwhile investment, which I believe will eventually pay off.

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Here's a blunt question: Out of the so many hours pursuing [a hobby, interest or activity - sporting, clubbing, chilling, going out, etc], how much beneficial, constructive value have you gained out of it?

Very, very honestly speaking...if you think you play your instrument well enough, or you think you know enough or you feel you're good enough...just go over to Youtube, and you'll be blown away.

My guitar playing was somehow or rather reaching its pleatau stage (if you plot out the progression graph with respect to time). So, I decided to check out Youtube...especially for instructional worship songs.

And boy, was I amazed at the amount of techniques and tricks that those people there have to offer.

I also want to learn....

And I'm way excited...

Gee-tar

It's been some time since I grabbed my guitar and had a solid time of playing and mingling with the strings.

Because of time constraints, the most I can do is to stare at it and 'wish that I had more time to play it'.

But if I love something, I would go the extra mile to make time for it, right?

Same applies here.

Just had substantial practice time with it (not too long ago). It's nice to feel my fingers pressing hard against the bronze/nickel strings and my left palm getting cramps due challenging chord changes and stretching.

Finally, the guitar passion is getting back....hehe...

And there's more to look forward to:

• dexterity training
• scales and soloing
• Jazz
• Blues

All I have to do, is to make time for it and just get down playin' it. Woohoo!

Back from Varsity Camp...

The one very 'trademark' thing about our varsity camps is the time where people will sit around with guitars and play and sing along side one another.

And that's one of the very things which I look forward to, for each varsity camp. (not to say that the other activities are inferior, or what...)

It's been around 1 year plus since the day I started learning the guitar.

The days of:

• getting the chord fingerings right
• trying to play songs which I really love
• figuring out the rhythm (strumming patterns)
• seating and awing at how other people play sooooo well

This time round, I got to awe at how people like Pastor John or Marcus run their fingers down the fretboard.

As for myself, it's always a learning journey. And ever since I made it a point/goal/ambition to play well in that instrument, I never fail to recognise people I can learn from and absorb some tips and techniques from them.

Whenever I see someone with superior playing skills, it gives me the drive to improve and to better myself. Not to make myself look good, but to enhance my ability to express myself through music as well as to be able to pass down skills to people who want to learn as well.

I never knew I could teach people the guitar...

I'm seeing that the will to stretch your playing abilities and the conviction to learn beyond what you already know is paying off. In the coming months, I expect to see myself roughing out with the scales for soloing, in Jazz and Blues, and more dextrous finger techniques.

there must be more than this

Tim Hughes' title "Consuming Fire" seemed to want to re-ignite a flickering/dying flame of passion in me.

The line, "There must be more than this" kept ringing in my head ever since last week.

And somehow or rather, I feel that at this moment - how I spend my time, how I live my life - there must be more to them. I'm kind of feeling like "it's not it, yet..." and "it's like further potential waiting to be unleashed".

My heart cries out desperately for more. More things to pursue, to engage, to commit, to live for, to give up, to serve, etc.

But some side of me fears burning out and having insufficient time for myself. Internal conflict.

That's something in which God has to help me sort out.

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Honestly, I HATE the feeling of not having anything to look forward to.

Especially for my guitar playing.

I'll be uneasy whenever I find out that there's 'no more' to learn. As in, you have expended your current learning and practice resources.

So that's why I ought to read up and find out more on what I can pick up in the days to come. Like what I mentioned before, "To take your playing to a higher level".

I'm not being obsessed with technicalities, but I'm cultivating a spirit of excellence in me, to strive for and give my best in whatever I'm pursuing.

So great to have the Blues to learn and fingerstyles to brush up on....

I'm having a little efficiency problem

Erm...from what I see myself doing right now, I think I'm experiencing some sort of an efficiency problem. My productivity level's way too low at the moment and I fear for the worst.

I'm unable to wake up on time (6.30am) and I snooze/ignore the alarm clock for too long. When I wake up I dilly-dally and wonder about aimlessly.

I know I've got some admin work to do for church events and camps, but I can't take all day to do them right?

I've got my Blues dummies book and guitars lying around. I play and practice on them. I try new things, tricks and techniques on them. But still, I sense that my life right now is way too unproductive.

I fear I might already be.......slacking....shit!

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After analyzing today's work progress (if any), I found out that much of the inefficiency is derived from me trying to do too many things at the same time.

I can have my guitar on my lap, then I practice worship songs, then go check out some blues licks and rifts, listen to their mp3's, check my email, reply emails, surf some guitar sites, etc.

Thing is, I'm a person who's better at doing a few things, if not one, and doing them/it well.

Therefore, I should focus and not digress. One thing at a time, Dominic....one thing at a time.

Am almost there. 1 more paper to go.

Was practising for my song presentation this afternoon. To say the truth, "Holy is the Lord" isn't a difficult song to play. The key is in G major and the chords are easy to handle.

Am going to use that song....but the thing is, I'll be playing it differently this time.

In the past, I can just grab the guitar and the pick and hit it. Not really a big issue.

But for now, I'll be presenting the song without using the pick. Just the guitar and my fingers. I'm doing this because:

• I can fingerpick, then strum
• I can vary the dynamics
• I can feel for the strings

The 3 above-mentioned points is (honestly) enough to shake the way I play that instrument. But it takes a lot of practice, patience and perseverance.

Simple to say, but not easy to press on with it.

They say musicians learn faster by seeing, hearing and watching other people play. VERY TRUE!

During the previous guitar lesson, one of the teachers screened a short segment of the Hillsongs "Mighty to Save" DVD. The song "None but Jesus" was shown. It had Darlene Zschech as the lead singer and Reuben Morgan as the acoustic guitarist - that's all.

The way Reuben played the guitar simply inspired me to take my playing to a higher level. There was just such a nice touch to his playing and it really set the mood and atmosphere right for the song.

Furthermore, Reuben was strumming with his fingers! Which is why I need to get that technique right. Also, my guitar teacher is 'pick-free' and his plays exceptionally well.

So much things to pick up and so many people to learn from. I know what I'm gonna do during the holidays...hee...

In the midst of the stress

My buddy and I will always do the countdown. So for today, it's 8 more days to the end of the exams.

Yes, I can't wait for the holidays to come. But before I go into the details of what I plan to do during those few months of break, I shall get a little serious now with certain issues.

During this period of examinations, I must really take a tough stance against procrastination and complancency. Even on the last day of the exams, I mustn't let my guard down. For a single weak point in the formation will lead to the collapse of the entire army.

This morning I took out my laptop and I got distracted. Wasted quite a bit of time surfing around instead of diligently pracitising my guitar playing and mentally preparing myself for the afternoon paper.

I'm not being harsh on myself. I'm being firm. And certain things cannot be compromised. Because after the exams, I have (somewhat) all the time in the world to do whatever I want, so for now, I'll concentrate on my exams.

Reality is, for certain things in life, we only have one shot at it - so give your best. Do whatever you want to do later.

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I long to have another jamming session with the rest of my cell-mates after the exams.

In view of this, after evaluating our previous jamming session, I noted one major concern: the need for more dynamics.

How?

• giving more space during parts of the song
• listening to one another
• varying touch and volume
• exercising variation in playing

In line with this (plus the guitar lessons I'm currently taking on in church), I have looked at my personal playing skills and I realised that there is a dire need for improvement.

Which is why I'm constantly on the look out for more ideas, techniques, tricks, advice, etc from various sources.

And to enhance our playing dynamics I'm spurred on to learn damping techniques, to sharpen my fingerplucking skills, and most of all to have pick-independence - to strum, pluck and do everything with my fingers only.

I have thought of picking up the bass guitar during the holidays too, but I'll see how it goes first. Still got way too much things to learn and do on the acoustic.

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Will share more in the entries to come. Back to studying. God bless!

Exams....

Yes...they are here. Mine's starting on the17th of April till the 27th.

The usual mugging will start soon. But the one thing different this time is that I will still devote time to practice my guitar playing.

The last semester I didn't touch that stringed-instrument for around 3 weeks plus and when I did pick it up after the exams were over, the feeling was terrible. (Not to say that I'm good or what, but) I felt so mediocre. I felt as if I've lost quite a bit of experience during the time of abstinence.

Like swimming or cycling, you can never forget how to play an instrument after putting it aside for some time. The issue is, will your playing skills be as proficient? Answer is no.

Therefore, I feel convicted that there is always a need to at least maintain my playing proficiency. When the exams are over, I will be experimenting new songs, new styles, new techniques, new genres, etc.

I'm always striving to find more things to do with that instrument. To learn new stuff so that there's always something to look out for.

Nothing wrong playing whatever you're familar with, but if you really want to improve, then you will have to step out of your comfort zone to experience something different - then, will you be able to take your playing to a higher level.

And yes, May's approaching, the month (last year) when I picked up the guitar and decided I wanted to learn how to play it. Will talk about the details in another entry.

For now, all the best for your exams. Will see you at the finish line. And will definitely need jamming sessions to release the pressure valve.

God bless!

To take your playing to a higher level

One very important lesson I learnt from our church's guitar lesson:

If you want to be good at playing or doing a note/chord/song/solo/rift/particular technique/etc...

...do it 1000 times.

If that's still not enough, do it 1000 more times. If not, add more 1000's till you are good/satisfied.

Practice makes perfect. And one thing which the instructor said to us is that there is bound to be pain and practice regardless of your playing competency or experience.

Fingers' gonna hurt and left palm's gonna get cramp. All these pain for the greater gain.

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If you think you are very familiar with a song in the key of A, C, D, E or G, use the capo and get a different playing experience.

For the songs in Key G: Capo 2, play in F

For the songs in Key D: Capo 2, play in C; or Capo 3, play in B

Barre chords are good for you. They strengthen your muscles and barring finger. A little practice everyday makes a proficient player in the long run.

Experiment more. That's the fun and vibrance of music.

I finally got to enjoy a full day's worth of rest. After rushing here and there - from home to church office - to make bookmarks.

It was definitely an enjoyable experience working with fellow cell-mates. Colour copying, tearing along perforated edges, laminating, pen-knifing, hole-punching and threading. Lots of laughs, corny jokes, ice cream, root bear, artery-clogging snacks and hospitable church staff around.

In the midst of so much work, I did show signs of breakdown - bad attitude, whining, exhaustion, etc. But the journey was definitely not travelled in vain.

The Lord's really answering my prayer - when I told Him that my free time (when clearing ORD leave) would be for Him. Not part time jobs, no time for myself.

And I got what I asked for.

1. Varsity camp publicity
2. Skit/platform announcements
3. Making church camp bookmarks
4. Going for church camp
5. Going for varsity camp
6. Sec 4 cell visitation (this Sat)
7. Mission trip
8. Helping out at JOW (Jesus Only Way)

Sometimes, my head feels like it is going to blow. But if it has to blow for the Lord, then let it be.

Still learning the C and F chords. Will be able to play more songs once I know those chords well. Finger dexterity and strumming patterns come in handy as well.

Yup...back to worship training...

I think I need my own guitar

Been practising and playing on my Dad's guitar. I think it isn't for beginners. Requires more pressure and exertion on the frets just to let it sound right.

Tried playing on other guitars....simpler, lighter ones. And yes, it's much easier to play on those. I think the strings are closer to the fretboard.

But I really thank God for all the progress I have made and been through.

I think one day I'm going down to Peninsula Plaza to get my own one.

Yup...got to get back to publicity work soon...