Thursday, July 26, 2007

Talent in Music

How I wish I have a talent in music. Every time I listen to someone with a great voice (not the opera singers), I just really can’t help but to admire in awe. But music is not really for me. I just don’t understand why I was able to enter school choirs when I was in elementary. I was also able to join church choirs. Most of the time, I did lip sync. I hate those voicing acts, my excuse for not able to hit the right pitch. Some wise choir director noticed my deception. He let me sing alone, and as expected, I wasn’t able to hit it right. I was hoping and praying he’d ditch me right then and there. But he didn’t, saying he’d give me a chance. No, I didn’t volunteer in the first place. It was a teacher who included me in the list. I was just being obedient.

I tried karaoke and sang those Matt Monroes and Cliff Richards. My sis complained of the noise. I tried recording my own singing and was annoyed by my own voice. So rough!

I also tried playing musical instruments. First, it was the piano. I played by memory and reached grade level 1. But I was only using my short term memory. So, months after I finished the level, I no longer knew how to play the pieces. Then there’s the guitar. Some high school classmates got famous because they know how to play the guitar; strumming and plucking. I envied them. I tried hard to learn the instrument. My uncle is a guitar player but he did not teach me how to play. He left me a guitar lesson book which I did not understand. But I got to learn it one day, and played the bass guitar at the church music team. Still, I played by memorizing the chords. When the song leader changes the pitch, I’d go crazy.

I really suck at music. But some kids are really talented. If you remember the little bad boy I mentioned in this post, a year ago, he transformed into an adorable violin player (aside from having better manners now). He turned seven last Sunday and he played violin for a grandma. I heard that even his teacher was amazed of his progress. Though only 4 months in special lessons, he considered him as advance for his age. My sis-in-law, a music teacher and a violin player, also affirmed the teacher’s assessment.

Since I lack the talent, I’d better encourage the boy to practice hard and play more often. I’d be his no.1 fan. He might be famous someday you know.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm a frustrated pianist. My auntie enrolled me for piano lessons one summer but I just reached grade 3 because I have to go back home.

ladybug said...

Haahaha...pareho pala tayong walang talent sa music. Hayaan mo, what we lack in musical talent, we make up for in other things naman. Have a happy weekend!

Mommy Chi said...

same as you.. i tried very hard to be musically talented.. joined the choir, signed up for piano lesson and voice lesson pero wala eh.. sintunado pa rin (as per my mom). good thing hindi hereditary yun since my 7 year old daughter could really (as in really) sing and she's been taking up piano lessons for months now. :)

Tinunuy said...

Goodness, I see myself in you Kuya Laz. My teacher included me in a choir competition before, but I couldn't able to hit the right pitch. The next year, my teacher included my brother and our director saw a potential on him than me.

I bought a flute in my 2nd grade, but it ended up to my younger brother again. I couldn't understand how to play it, even if I have a manual. And I was really amazed to find him playing the piece of "Amazing Grace". I was thinking then how could he understand the manual in a very young age.

I tried piano too and after 3 months, I stopped. I tried guitar and quite enjoyed some of the tabs. I even introduced it to my younger brother again, and now he's way better than me!

I think music doesn't really like me. I envy my younger brother coz he could pick up the notes easily. But I feel happy somehow. Knowing that he could do what I couldn't. I guess I'm not really musically inclined.

vernaloo said...

I agree. A talent like thats shouldn't be ignored. It must be nurtured.

I wish I know how to play the guitar or the piano because I love music. I remember attending piano lessons when I was in elementary but unfortunately after that, I didn't do anything about it anymore. I actually envy the tambays in our town because most of them know how to play the guitar without attending any proper lessons.

Oh well..it's never too late =)

Anonymous said...

hahaha! pareho tayo! i cant sing. pero member rin ako ng choir nung elementary ako for two years!

Anonymous said...

Hmm, it's been a long time since I've caressed the sexy curves of a guitar. Even the callouses on my fingers are all gone.

I used to have two guitars, an acoustic and a classical, both are with my younger brother now and I doubt if he even touches them these days.

Hay, those were the days...

Wil said...

I've also recorded myself singing and I wasn't happy with how I sounded. That's not going to stop me from singing though. hehehe

Abaniko said...

I love listening to music but just like you, I don't know how to sing. Well, we can't have everything in life. So, let's both be content with our good looks na lang. Nyahaha.

Anonymous said...

I have the same frustration, although I can play a bit of guitar and carry a simple tune, I always think I'm not that good. Always thought of learning more by enrolling kaso parang huli na. Hahaha. Cguro sa mga bata na lang or sa next generation ko na lng ipapasa ang hilig sa pagtutog at pagkanta.

Francesca said...

this post reminds me of a film, true story of david helfgott,
in movie "shineé.

His bio is here:http://www.geocities.com/laosw/Classical_Html/HelfgottBio.htm

Gypsy said...

Di ka nag-iisa...I can't sing too! And I dropped out of guitar lessons..hehe...I like music but music doesn't like me..hehehe

Forever59er said...

I'd exchange a finger (hmmmm .. no .. maybe my post it notes collection na lang) for a singing voice .. doesn't have to be Barbra Streissand, kahit Norah Jones na lang. hehe Seriously, I just wanna sing videoke and get away with it.

But Lazarus, you write well naman eh ... siguro God spreads those things thinly. Pero unfair pa din di ba .. boohoo.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I remember you nephew Lazarus. It's nice to hear that he's picked up music. At least he has an outlet to express his feelings.

I also don't have any talent in music whatsoever. I avoid karaoke sessions kahit hilahin pa ako at pasahan ng mic, I won't sing. Malaking kahihiyan. :)

zherwin said...

i am not gifted with the best voice, but as long as no one's complaining with my videoke sessions, sige lang, kanta lang, ang mahalaga yung enjoyment at camaraderie, never mind the tune, second voice lang kamo hehe. :D

Anonymous said...

Paris, grade 3, wow! I guess you still remember how to hit the keys.

ladybug, what we lack in music...bahala na sila sa talent nila. ha ha.

mommy chi, be your kid's no.1 fan. They say that it's good to start them young. Young din naman akong nag start ah!

Anonymous said...

CM, akala ko you still play the organ at church. anyway, some are just talented in this area.

Verns, it's never too late. But it's late. A bro in law of my uncle is really good at plucking the guitar. When I asked him to identify the chords, he said he could not identify them. He played by ear.

Cess, ewan ko ba sa mga teachers. Ba't ganun sila? Proud naman din parents natin.

Anonymous said...

Sngl, i know a guy who became someone's crush because he knows how to play the guitar. Oo nga no. The guitar's body is shaped like the curves of a woman's body. hmmm...

Wil, don't give up man! I don't record my singing anymore. It's discouraging.

Abaniko, i certainly have to agree with you about the good looks. he he. Mas maayo pa ni kaysa good voice.

Anonymous said...

Ferdz, we know a little. but we have limitations in terms sa music. But you are very good at photography and web designs.

francesca, I have not heard about the film. But it should have a happy ending.

Gypsy, we'll just have to listen to the talented and hope that they use their gift in the right way.

Anonymous said...

got here from iskoo's blog.

i taught myself to play guitar. i am not good at it but i can play and sing at the same time. but, the saying "if you don't use it, you lose it," is also true in singing, hence, practice is the key.