A Walk Through Life

When we were at the mall to do some grocery shopping, I noticed that our little girl keeps looking at the yamaha pianos on display at the music shop. We then decided to stop by because her curious gaze then shifted to the guy who started tinkering the piano to play a really feel-good love song. The guy certainly made a pretty good show because more and more people just can't help but stop by and listen. Not only did he lure some people to appreciate his talent, he also ended up getting a lot of inquiries about the pianos. Eventually, he ended up getting a sale. Now, isn't that great, effortless but effective marketing?

If you ask me today what kind of job I would want to do if I weren't doing what I am doing today, the first thing that comes to my mind is the teaching profession. Hopefully, someday I would get to fulfill this. However, there's another dream job that I would also want to try one day and that is to be a DJ. One of the challenges of aspiring DJs, though, is on their ability and willingness to learn how to operate different kinds of technology as they come. For me, I think I'd make a good DJ because I can imagine myself having fun while getting my hands busy with any DJ equipment. I thought it would be great to be listened to or to have an audience when you're talking or when you're playing music. I think this is a job that doesn't really feel like it's a job at all, especially if you're the type who loves music and is not also leaning to only a specific genre. Well, with this really cool job of playing and mixing music and talking to listeners, aging will...

Technology has already made it possible for composers, bands and musicians to conveniently explore or create great songs and great music in their own homes. Time was when recording and mixing of audio would necessitate access to a recording studio of a recording company. It can also be recalled back then that musical equipment for recording and mixing of sounds can take up a lot of space and were too expensive and impractical for the average musicians to have. Today, as technology got better and sleeker, musicians can already have their own recording studios in the comfort and convenience of their own homes. With a portable recording equipment, for example, one can already do a lot of things to create high quality music and sound in the bedroom, living room or any part of the house. It should be space-friendly, too. For those who are really serious about their music craft, this is not too huge an expense for them. Practically, this is an equipment for them to have as this may help furt...

To say that my dad loves listening to music is an understatement. I fully remember he doesn't just want to enjoy and listen to music alone; he wants us (members of the family) and the neighborhood (sometimes) to listen to it as well. Good thing, he's not playing those ear-breaking types as he loves to listen to old and classic songs. More than anything else on his playlist, I kind of dig his love for Beatles. This is why I wasn't the least worried when he got himself a new amplifier some years ago because I believe his choice of music is still cool. I have yet to find out from him though if his amplifier still works fine as I learned some of his appliances and gadgets got wet when water got inside the house at the height of the strong typhoon. Anyway, as soon as I find out his need to get a new one, I will let my brothers know as this fall under their budget department. LOL. :-)

We (husband and I) are getting more great tips from a common friend who knows how to play the guitar. He's been helping us with choosing the right guitar for beginners like us. We thought all guitars are the same except for the kind of wood being used to make them which also makes their prices vary a lot. However, there's more to it than that. In fact, even the size of the guitar neck can make all the difference. Indeed, when it comes to guitars, there is still a lot to learn from musicians like him. Hopefully, my husband will learn to play the guitar from him; and then later on, I will get to learn from my husband. It should be nice to have some common hobby to do together, isn't it?

No matter how much we would want to hold on to something, we would eventually find ourselves in the "letting go" phase. I'm talking about our sound system at home. It actually belonged to my husband because he bought it during his bachelor days. He said it has huge sentimental value because it took more than a year of saving some money from his salary to be able to buy it. We had pretty good use of it until it was already time to lay it on the side. Just when we needed one so we can have something we can use to train our daughter with her singing, we now no longer have anything to use. Well, not really. We do have a headset that she can use to sing along to a downloaded mp3. However, there are more things that our family can do and appreciate with a high-quality sound system. I initially got worried about the cost if we were to buy one pretty soon but I got pacified when I started comparing prices online. It's good to have more options, isn't it? I guess I'll ...

Just this month, I was one of those excited moms who want to see their daughter perform for the first time in school. This was on the occasion of the culmination of Buwan ng Wika . I'm sure moms could relate to how I feel when I watched my daughter holding the microphone and hear her sing in front of the audience in school. Although I am already used to hearing her sing at home, it's a different feeling to watch her perform for an audience other than her mom and dad. And even though it was not much of a big audience, somehow I am still proud that I didn't see any hint of stage fright from her. Gradually, I think she's building her confidence. Perhaps it has also helped that there were four of them singing the ' Pilipinas Kong Mahal ' song. What I found a little funny, though, was that she didn't think of sharing the microphone with her classmate, like she was only doing a solo.  I am not also sure if they have rehearsed this. Well, what can you expect from a...

It is good to be writing about music and guitars as topic as I am already assured of an audience because I'll get my younger brother's attention. In my last post, I have mentioned about my dream guitar and he sent me a message about how awesome it would be if he can buy it for me as his birthday gift. He said he is also thinking of getting an electric guitar for himself. Indeed, an electric guitar should be perfect for him since he wants to be able to play great music with his band again; although, right now, he is still focused on his new job abroad. Hopefully, when he's back for good, he'll get to play with his band mates again; that is, if they're still around.

When I was still single, I had this crazy dream of becoming a musician someday. I wanted to be someone who can sing, play the guitar, and compose some songs. No matter how hard I tried, though, my voice just wasn't good enough to deserve any audience, attention, or praise. Still, my love for music was so great that I wanted to learn how to play the guitar so I can go ahead with composing and creating songs. At that time, I got to learn how to play a few songs that only make use of the basic chords like A-D-A-G, C-G-Em-F. I didn't get to learn a lot after that, though, since I am only able to practice whenever friends or neighbors would lend me their guitars. Now, I thought it would have been great if I found the time and money to pursue what I loved to do back then. Even if I won't make a career out of it, I would have practically enjoyed doing it as a hobby and then I would be able to pass what I've learned to my musically inclined daughter! Well, it's not yet too ...

Want to learn something new this summer? I suggest you go for guitar lessons. Learning how to play the guitar is something that can keep your hands full when you have nothing to do on most days of summer. After all, music is also a great way to get out of boredom. Once you know how to strum the guitar, you will never feel lonely even when you are alone. If you're a guy and you play great music, girls will usually swoon over you for your guitar skills. The ladies usually are attracted with men who are in a band or know how to play a musical instrument, the guitar especially. On the other hand, if you are a girl and you play the guitar, men will usually find you cool and interesting. Well, that's just my opinion!

Aside from my smile, my guts is highly contagious. At least my husband thinks so. :-) I used to think I couldn't get my husband to sing even in our home karaoke sessions with the family but, as time progressed, I was amazed to find him no longer refusing to sing when asked to do so or whenever he's handed a microphone. In fact, he suggested getting us a good music stand so we can have the look of a singing bar at home. It should be fun, right? By the way, I am also impressed that he already kept in mind the songs and the genre that should be great for his vocal range. Singing, as we know, is really one good form of exercise for the lungs. It is also an activity that creates good bonding for the family and makes any boring day fun, lively and entertaining. I am very happy that this is one of those pastimes that husband, daughter and I can do together.

My husband told me that when he was a child, he used to borrow her grandmother's harmonica. He said he knew how to play with it but that was already a long time ago. If you ask him to play it now, he would probably need a week to revive his knowledge on how to play this musical instrument well. Grandmother-in-law's harmonica, by the way, is already 41 years old but it still looks as good as it sounds. Yes, it is still with her. Isn't that amazing? I personally saw it when we visited our in-laws when she showed it to me. There is no denying the number of years she had it with her as she did not forget to write on the box (something most elders her age would do) the date she received it as a gift from her husband. Yes, the casing on the harmonica is still very much in tact, even as of this time. I was really impressed at how she cherishes this gift. She even showed me samples of old songs she can remember playing with this instrument. So, when my husband started to look aroun...

Last night, my daughter told me she has a new friend in the neighborhood and that the name was Jim. She described him as someone who plays a drum. Her Nanay Thelma (the sitter) confirmed it. My little girl also tells me she wants to own one as well because she wants to play but her friend wouldn't lend her his drum. I am taking it as another sign that she is really into music. Now, I remembered that when I was younger, I had also wanted to learn how to play the drums. I never had the chance to do that, though. At that time, there was no way my parents could afford to spare an amount for this musical instrument. Now that I am a parent myself, it is also my wish that one day we can afford to buy one for her - if she's really serious about it. Hopefully, we can practically learn how to play the drums together. That would be cool, right? :-) Anyway, above is a picture of my daughter at a store, standing behind a couple of drums for sale.

I just noticed the date today - it's my rock star brother's birthday! Somehow, I felt guilty because I wasn't very nice to him when we communicated via Yahoo Messenger today and I totally forgot about his birthday. Had I realized earlier that his birthday is coming, I would have avoided being in an argument with him over something. Anyhow, I'm looking for something to make it up on him. I guess one of those excellent guitars for rock stars should be a good peace offering, right? Surely, he would love to create and play good music with it. Oh, how I would love to  support him as a musician! I'll see if he is still with his band and if my funds are already enough to cover the purchase; otherwise, I would have to call and greet him, instead. :-) Happy birthday, brother! You rock!

I have personally declared this day as husband appreciation day. I do appreciate him everyday for everything that he is and everything that he does but just this week, he had practically over delivered. I will spare all the details but it has something to do with him being a great listener. You see, when there's something that's bothering or troubling me, he is all ears for me. What seemed to be complicated for me seemed easy enough for him to solve. For all those times that he's been a terrific husband and confidant, I thought he deserved to have a gift from me and I am thinking of getting him a guitar and a chord book. He's been wanting to add guitar playing to his list of his hobbies. Hopefully, he will be able to learn how to play great music and I’ll be his biggest fan he will never lose. The purchase will have to wait, though, as I am still saving up my extra earnings online to be able to come up with an amount to pay for such a terrific musical instrument.

Happy Friday. It's almost midnight here. I'm already sleepy but I need to finish some online tasks. So, I  have to find ways to keep me awake. This is one of those times when music on Youtube can be of much help. Right now, the music of  Foc Fashion , one of Cebu's rising bands, is keeping me awake and enthusiastic about  completing my assignments for the day that I could do away with coffee and still stay focused towards the end. Of course, I had to stop briefly to check out their video.  I only have good words for this band. After all, I personally know one of its members. The bassist here is my sister's bf. Cool! :-) er

Here's one song that can help us handle whatever negative and unpleasant things we are going through at the moment and see them in a different perspective. It's called  "Blessings" from the Laura Story album. I wish I can get hold of a copy of her album before the year ends. Are you one of those who think that you've been bombarded with problems after another? Health reasons? Financial difficulties? Family problems? Loss of a loved one? Whatever problems we have at hand, it's time that we think of them as blessings and offer them to God.

I extremely admire talented people - especially the ones who can sing and play musical instruments really well. Nowadays, I think aspiring local bands can have the chance to make it really big in the music scene if they are serious with their craft that they are willing to spend their time and money (although some have benefited a little bit from sponsorships) to create great music. I believe it takes a lot of things to really stand out as a band. Other than talent and skills, bands need to invest in the best musical gadget/equipment, an example of which is the marvelous Eventide effects processor, which will help them produce unique and impressive music, sound and recording. Moreover, most local bands have also gained a lot of following worldwide even by simply sharing their videos on Youtube and Facebook. Of course, I would personally suggest that they have their own website as well for branding and popularity purposes.

Happy Friday, everyone! I found another favorite singer in the person of KZ Tandingan, grand winner of X Factor Philippines 2012. I really like her style of singing - it's like a mixed genre or something - I am not sure how they call that. Definitely, her voice is a delight to my ears. I would say she's really a total performer. I would love for you to listen to her version of the song "For Once in My Life" which I will happily dedicate to my hubby on the occasion of our wedding anniversary tomorrow. Nothing sentimental. :-)

My ex-workmates used to tease me that I have a thousand voices and that's because I enjoy singing along with the songs played on the radio in my own style and tune. They never complained about my singing, though, as I have already primed them up that I was a choir member when I was in high school. In other words, they have managed to accept that I am musically inclined. Haha! Speaking of my choir days in high school, I thought I would consider these days as one of the best times of my student life as this have somehow helped build my self-confidence. Being a member of a choir is probably one of the best memories I have of my younger years. Every time we go to church, I would remember the good old times with the group because not only did we perform onstage before, we also sang at our local Catholic church. And would you believe we sang even at funerals for free? Oh, it's not entirely free after all because we get served with snacks after the service. :-) I remembere...