Monday, December 04, 2006

Music and me

Do you have a particular song that whenever you hear it, whatever mood you are in, it just makes you smile, pump up the volume and begin singing?

"Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing
Thanks for all the joy they're bringing
Who can live without it,
I ask in all honesty
What would life be?
Without a song or a dance what are we?
So I say thank you for the music
For giving it to me"

Speaking of music, I'm proud to say that I come from a family of musicians. My dad, who is now retired, started playing trumpet and later on he had his own orchestra. I remember when I was much younger, I would see him listening to his old tape recorder and writing music notes. At that time, I didn't understand why he had to rewind the tape everytime and copy the tone in his piano and then write the notes on this white-colored lined paper (I think they call it white staff paper). Yun pala, he was writing notes for every instrument of his band, for every song that they will play. Imagine! Sobrang hard work non! But of course, that was long time ago, hindi pa uso ang technology sa music.

It's not hard to imagine my mom would've been wooed by my dad's talents. I remember listening to stories that he and his siblings were invited to go to different barrios to play their music. Well, it is still happening now, except that the siblings are playing with their own bands or families in different countries. To name a few, the first on my list is Uncle Roy, a keyboardist, who is a member of Society of Seven. They're playing regularly in Las Vegas (with Lani M.) and based in Hawaii. Too bad I missed the show when I went there last 2004. They also had several shows in Manila and I remembered they have this Broadway-like production numbers, hilarious antics and celebrity impersonations. Uncle Roy imitated Tina Turner and Michael Jackson. He was really funny and very good!

It's all about jazz for my cousin Rachel. She is a famous jazz artist in Malaysia. She sometimes performs with her dad, Uncle Ador, plaxing the sax. I haven't seen them perform but I will someday when I go there.

And of course, my favorite, my brother, who is a very good vocalist, not to mention he plays guitar too. I was practically stunned when I first saw his college-band video were he was singing this hard metal music. My brother, who looks like an angel (ehem ehem!) singing a loud, full of rage music?! Is this why your friends baptized you with the name Rage? Just kidding, Rayms! I appreciate your music no matter how irritating they are. Hahaha! I still have your video in Gweilo's singing and playing Jeepney :) I miss you so much, happy happy birthday!!!

Basically, all my relatives from my dad's side are musicians.

As for me, ayun, wala akong natutunan na instrument! Actually, I tried to learn playing a piano and guitar but I stopped. Then singing but out of tune. Oh yes, I remembered we had this all-female band from my previous company and I was the trying-hard vocalist. Oh, that was fun! And it was just really for fun! And so, naging audience na lang ako. I just enjoy watching and listening to my family, friends and my favorite celebrity singers. I know... you would say, si Regine. Yeah, I influenced by her music since high school when I watched her first major concert on tv. From then on, I tried not to miss any of her major concerts and shows.

Well, I guess I can't really get tired of music...and can't live...and couldn't have lived without it (...in all honesty, what would life be?...)



posted @ 11:03 PM

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