FAQ Classical Music

Q: "When did you start playing piano?"
A: "I started playing piano when I was about 4 years old. Mom bought a small keyboard and I started pressing the keys. It was interesting for me that I kept playing the keyboard day by day. Until my uncle shew me how to play the music and I followed the steps slowly."

Q: "So, how did you start the classical music?"
A: "I was firstly introduced to classical music by mom when we were in a music store. The first classical piece I heard was "Fur Elise" by Ludwig van Beethoven. I didn't know that the music playing when I pressed hold button on the phone was "Fur Elise". Yeah, it was so funny. Then mom bought me a Beethoven cassete. I started listening to the pieces and the first instrument I was really interested in was violin. I didn't suppose that I'd finally play violin and piano."

Q: "And how did you learn classical music?"
A: "I didn't start playing piano from classical. Mom taught me several children songs, yeah like "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", that was also known as "Ah, Je Vous Dirais Maman" composed by Mozart. I also played several national folksongs. It was hard for me to move my fingers on the keyboard. So I played those songs slowly. Yeah, that slow! Then I got used to play on piano and started some fast songs. I started from "The Musicbox Dancer". I love that song. I kept playing and improved my skills. I started playing classical in age of 10, where for the first time I listened to Mozart's "Turkey March". Actually, I heard that song when my brother was playing Pump it Up and he played that song. I asked him about the song and he told me that that was actually a classical piece composed by Mozart. I liked that minor chords so I tried to play it on piano. I started looking for the new great pieces and in age of 14, I joined classical piano class. Well I've been joining the class for approximately 4 years until today."

Q: "Was there any difficulties in playing piano? Remembering that you didn't start from piano but electronic keyboard."
A: "Definitely. Piano and keyboard are definitely different. Keyboard needs electricity to be used, whereas acoustic piano doesn't need electricity. So whenever you have no electricity at home, you can still play the acoustic piano. And also the mechanism of the touch. It was hard for me to play the piano, instead of keyboard. I had to press the key stronger to make it sound. Meanwhile, I just needed small touch to make the keyboard sound. I had hurt my finger also when I was playing the piano. My finger bleeded when I played it that hard."

Q: "Sounds painful. But yeah it was past. So now, how about your classical piano?"
A: "I'm taking break from my piano class, during this month. Depending on my business and activities, so I have to take a break for a while. But I can still practice or play piano at home. I also play piano at my school and perform some pieces when someone asks me."

Q: "What's your grade at your piano class?"
A: "I'm the 2nd A student. But my teacher sometimes gives me piece for 3rd or 4th grade students. And it's pleasure for me. I mean, it's such a great thing to play what my seniors used to play. Now I'm working on my piece for the concert, "Sonata in C Major K545" by Mozart and "Valse Op.64 No.2" by Chopìn. Both of them aren't easy to be played, and I have to concentrate more seriously to play it better."

Q: "And about your violin, how did you start playing violin?"
A: "I saw my brother playing violin once and I got interested in violin. I liked when my brother made a long tied notes. I asked dad to buy me a violin and then he brought me to a music store. He bought me a 4/4 violin and I tried to play it by myself. I didn't make good tunes that my brother mocked me. I was mad and I stopped playing violin. A couple years later, I listened to a song and I caught violin melody. I took my violin and tried to catch the melody. I got it and I became so curious. I started learning the basics by myself and then I asked dad to sign me up for the violin class. Now, I and my brother can play violin together. And he doesn't mock me anymore. He teaches me also how to play some pieces."

Q: "Isn't it confusing, learning two different things at the same time?"
A: "Yah, violin and piano are absolutely different. But I manage my time and divide it well. I have time to practice violin and another time to practice piano. I keep being zero in on each instrument. I sometimes play both of those instruments in a concert. I play the piano and then I take my violin and play the violin."

Q: "Talking about classical music, it will never be so far from the composers. Who are your favorite composers?"
A: "I cannot mention them one by one because they're great and they rock the concert stage! Chopìn, Mozart, Beethoven, Vivaldi, Rachmaninoff, Tcahikovsky, Saint-Saëns, Ravel, Faure, Satie, Strauss, and many more! I cannot mention them one by one! I have so many favorite classical composers!"

Q: "And at last, who influences you so much in playing classical music?"
A: "Maksim Mrvica. He's one of world best pianists. Lang Lang is also great pianist, and I was amazed watching his performance with Andrea Bocelli. Vanessa Mae is my favorite violin soloist. Bond is also great chamber orchestra group. Each member has different hair color and it's interesting. It's cool. Kevin Kern, Yanni, Enya, Wesley Chu, Taro Hakase, and other great musicians."

The Chronicle of Sakit Perut

Ketika saya sadar bahwa saya memang mengidap sakit maag yang datang tak dijemput pulang tak diantar, maka saya sudah punya pandangan mengerikan kedepannya. "Iblis ini bisa menyerang kapan saja", persis seperti kata di sebuah iklan obat! Dan memang benar, iblis itu datengnya kapan aja. Bahkan waktu saya udah berbaik hati menjauhkan mata dari pedasnya berbagai macam jenis sambel, tetep aja si perut ini susah diajak kompromi. Ya Tuhan, apa ada dengan perut saya? Eh, salah! Ada apa dengan perut saya?

Sangat menyebalkan ketika si maag ini kambuh di saat yang tidak diharapkan (tentunya tidak terduga). Saya ingat jelas liburan 2 tahun lalu di sebuah resort di Garut. Oh great, karena kepuasan batin telah terpenuhi setelah makan sambel tomat ijo dan nasi tutug oncom, sampe di kamar hotel berbelas-belas kali dalam hari itu saya mondar-mandir keluar masuk toilet. Bukannya mau apa-apa tapi cuman satu hal, buang hajat! Yap, penyakit menyebalkan itu mengganggu liburan saya! Bahkan waktu makan malem di restoran hotel, dimana setiap orang makan di satu ruangan besar lengkap dengan tatacara makan (table manner), saya justru kepaksa bolak-balik toilet restoran sambil bawa serbet makan. Soalnya kalo tuh serbet ditaro di kursi, makanan gue yang belum abis bisa-bisa dibawa masuk ke dapur buat dibuang. Kan sayang!

Masih bersambung dengan cerita di atas. Besoknya adalah hari dimana saya akan menjelajahi kota Garut sama keluarga. Waktu koko-koko lagi pada seeking jaket kulit, saya cuman bisa duduk di kursi toko sambil pegangin ini perut. A bit disgusting, saya harap nggak akan bocor! Walhasil dipegang teruslah obat diare dan juga botol isi larutan isotonik. Minuman isotonik itu berguna buat ganti cairan tubuh yang hilang, tentu aja gara-gara penyakit perut itu! Waktu si koko udah pamer jaket barunya, saya cuman nyumpahin dalam hati aja waktu cuman dibeliin gantungan kunci sepatu kulit.

Di cerita lain, waktu itu saya ada hari pertama ulangan semester. Dan tentunya setiap anak harus udah siap di bangkunya ketika jam ulangannya di mulai. Tapi waktu anak-anak udah pada ngisi lembar jawaban, si gue malahan anteng di atas kloset di kamar mandi sekolah. Pas balik-balik, malahan digodain sama temen. Sumpahnya, mendingan ulangan di toilet aja dah.

Ada yang menurut saya paling menyedihkan. Waktu itu lagi ada acara kumpul keluarga dan semuanya kumpul di rumah. Ini penyakit sialan muncul dan yang bikin geregetan adalah, yeah.. yang terburuk memang tidak terjadi tapi hampir terjadi! Sodara-sodara, I farted in front of them! Poni rambut tidak cukup panjang buat nutupin muka. Saya rasa pembalut adalah benda yang cocok buat nutupin muka saya dari pandangan haru para sodara-sodara ke arah saya.

Sempet juga ini penyakit muncul waktu saya mau berenang. Rasa-rasanya, saya mendingan berenang pake popok aja.

Dan yang terakhir, ini penyakit muncul di bulan puasa! So pasti saya kepaksa minum obat di depan orang yang puasa. Dan parahnya adalah di tempat magang saya! Ya Tuhan, saya dosa bikin orang-orang yang puasa ngiler ngeliat air minum. Tapi semoga mereka ngerti bahwa saya minum gara-gara obat diare. Yang ada mereka malahan pengen puasa sampe tengah malem kalo saya suguhin obat diare.

Haduh, beginilah hidup dengan maag..

They're Viewable, But Untouchable

Viewable, but untouchable. When the distance separate us apart, I might have to dry the ocean and enclose the sky to meet them.

A mile, two miles, three miles, but we are actually so close. It's a meter but it seems like a mile.
For every hour they spend, and every hour I waste.
They earn something, I waste something.
They make me happy. I make myself sad.
Cell phone, instant messenger, they do not work.
We have the connection, but it's dead connection.
So the distance seems to be further. And rocket will worth do us closer.

It's been an hour since the last time I saw you on Facebook.
It's been a day since the last time I saw you wrote something on your status box.
It's been a week since the last time I heard news about you.
It's been a month since the last time I saw you walking on that sidewalk in the downtown.
It's been a semester since the last time you hugged me that close.
And it's been a year since the last time you told me that you'd never leave me all alone.

An hour isn't enough for me to enjoy cups of Earl Grey in the poolside with you.
I cannot miss a day to not have breakfast together in our diningroom.
It mustn't be a week for us to have a great summer cruise.
A month isn't enough for me to see your face.
I cannot let you forget to see my achievement at school every semester
And a year isn't enough for me to love you.

You're always on the news. I'm always on the music.
You're into business and grad school. I'm into daily activities.
You're getting busy day by day. I'm getting bored day by day.
You're answering those phone calls. I'm ignoring those phone calls.
You're finishing your projects. I'm finishing my requiem.
You're enjoying night at Malioboro. I'm enjoying night at Bragawegg.
You're telling me, "UGM is a great choice for you!". I'm telling you, "Home is a great place for you!".
You're planning your trip to Egypt. I'm planning your way home.
You're taking plane to Bali. I'm taking a cigarette.
You're wearing a glasses. I'm wearing a glasses similar to yours.
You're listening to my piano plays. I'm listening to your advices.
You're missing your job. I'm missing you.

It's just upstairs. One level higher.
But why does it seem like a 50-storey building?
If it is, I would like to go to the top, look down to where you are and scream it aloud:

"Mom, Dad, I'm halfdead missing you all! Where have you been for this long?!"

Can you hear that?

Confession

God know answers for a love you questions.
The only thing that I know is that I do not know.
I don’t know me anymore.

No solutions for a love your problems.
The only thing I can’t be something.
I don’t wanna be I’m not what I used to be

Why I get mad, I don’t know anymore.
I cross my cell phone and I’m sharing the door.
I’m not the nice guy you fell hell of here’s in love befool

Something’s wrong with me and you don’t seem to disagree.
When I say “go away” it’s not really what I want it, want it to say.
Everything I said it’s descant lost things in my head.
I love you but it’s true I don’t know but thing that I do.
Maybe I’m crazy in love

God know problems, there are your solutions.
The only thing I can be what you don’t want me to be.
I’m not what I used to be

Why you get mad I know baby I see, you cross cell phone and the problem is me.
I’m not the nice guy you fell hell of here’s in love and sorry.

Something’s wrong with me and you don’t seem to disagree when I say, go away it’s not really what I want it, want it to say.
Everything I said it’s descant lost things in my head.
I love you, but it’s true I don’t know but thing that I do maybe I’m crazy in love.

Something’s wrong with me, but don’t you know I’m tried to be beautiful, wonderful.
Though I maybe crazy baby know that I’m crazy for you.

Hot Potato - Confession

Ditimpukin Es

Kemarin ini jadi pengalaman yang sedikit menyebalkan dan menyedihkan. Hiks, hiks, Kazu ditimpukin es >.< padahal nggak salah apa-apa. Eh, itu langit galak banget Kazu ditimpukin es. Padahal Kazu nggak nimpukin langit apa-apa. Jadi ceritanya, siang menuju sore itu Kazu jalan ke Borma Setiabudhi, soalnya magangnya udah selesai. Pas lagi di jalan Gerlong Hilir, mulai kerasa ada hujan rintik-rintik. Terus tiba-tiba ada yang jatoh ke tangan. Kaya batu tapi dingin. Ah, mungkin air doang. Akhirnya tambah lama tuh hujan tambah gede, kepaksa Kazu naekkin speed jalan jadi 3x. Udah masuk ke jalan Setiabudhi, hujan bener-bener ngajak ribut. Beraninya keroyokan, akhirnya Kazu kepaksa berteduh di warung remang-remang (Ya Tuhan!).

Sampe di warung, ternyata yang berteduh juga ada koko-koko gitu. Begonya dia pake celana pendek (tapi untungnya nggak basah, kaya Kazu pake celana panjang jadi basah banget). Si hujan nggak berhenti-berhenti malahan tambah gede. Ditambah angin ikutin nerbangin gak cuman daun-daun pohon gede, tapi juga ranting sama dahan gedenya. Dahan gedenya pada jatoh ke jalan dan bikin mobil-mobil sama motor-motor ngedadak Tokyo Drift! Mobil-mobil sama motor-motor pada ngepot ngehindarin serangan udara dari hujan sama ranting-ranting plus dahan yang jatoh. Ditambah lagi batu-batu yang berserakan dari gawean galian tanah bikin motor-motor kepeleset sama mobil-mobil slip. Sampe ada yang motornya kebawa hanyut beserta mbak-mbaknya! Ngeri lah!

Besok-besok, jangan timpukin saya lagi ya >.<

What's The Point? It Doesn't Seem Interesting.

Talking about the invitation I got several days ago. The invitation is about a dining invitation which will be held on the next week. Working on my workplace from morning to the evening, that I think I won't have much time to attend it. Else the atmosphere isn't really amusing for me (at last I'd better go somewhere else). I like dining invitation, but it depends on the situation and people who will attend it. Sometimes, I refuse the invitation that invites people whom I don't know or I'm not really into them. Sounds like I'm a stranger or I'm sitting among foreigners that I don't know what to do, what kinda language they're speaking and what's they're talking about. Okay, I'll leave my napkin on the chair and leave the hall. I've finished and I'm full. Can I go home?

The invitation can be described as a tribal gathering for a particular group. But they invite the others, too. And guess what will be the main topic for the conversation? Only the topic they've already known! And how about the rest guests? They don't even understand what do the group members talk about. So then there will be small groups talk about different topics. And then there will come more confusing plans from them. And for those who feels extremely bored will decide to go home. Yeah, and finally there will be only the group members itself still gathering in the hall. Well all guests will have dinner but they'll be neglected then.

So it doesn't seem interesting for me. I don't think to attend it.

Super Honeymoon

I used to listen to this song. Yeah, I have this song on my phone so I can listen to this song wherever and whenever I bring my phone. Firstly introduced by Ko Izi. He liked the catchy tunes and energetic beats. He shew me the song and I listened to "Super Honeymoon" for the first time. LOL it sounded twisty, funny, cutey, catchy, and yeah I like it!

Glamour and fashion
Models and magazines... a striking runway entrance
Beauty and passion
Stardust and high class scenes of popular teens
When I lived in Denver, I met a millionaire
With ribbons in her blonde hair
I still remember
She was like a princess straight from a dreamy castle in the air

So lovely...
She was everything to me

Both alone in the dark
We long to see the sun
Rise over the Bering Strait
I was sick of the west
When I turned 21
So I moved to the Sunshine State
We played golf on the moon
And tennis on the sun
Like athletes of the afternoon
The solar flares burned my arms
And made her makeup run
On our super lunar honeymoon

I was the youngest son of a congressman
And everything was my fault...
She was a gymnast, happily swinging
On the uneven bars, tuck in a somersault
So lovely... she was everything to me
So lovely... she was everything to me

Both alone in the dark
We long to see the sun
Rise over the Bering Strait
I was sick of the west
When I turned twenty one
So I moved to the sunshine state
Weplayed golf on the moon
And tennis on the sun
Like athletes of the afternoon
The solar flares buned my arms
And made her makeup run
On our super lunar honeymoon

Dengan Segala Keangkuhannya, Mereka Pun Akhirnya Terhempas.

Ingatkah kamu, ketika kamu mengambil jalan itu.

Setelah berulang kali kucoba ingatkan kau untuk tak menapakinya.

Termakan oleh hawa nafsumu, kau lalui jalan itu.

Setapak berbunga, deretan cemara, kicauan burung.

Sadarkah kau kemana kau melangkah?

Ingatkah kamu, ketika kamu akhirnya meninggalkanku di bawah?

Ketika kau berhasil meraih puncak itu.

Cahaya yang kau sentuh, mengangkatmu lebih tinggi.

Semakin tinggi sehingga kau terus memandang ke langit.

Sadarkah kau tempat pertama kau berpijak?

Ingatkah kamu, ketika tangan itu menggenggam tanganmu?

Meraih dan mencengkram kuat kau untuk berdiri.

Kau sudah bangkit, lantas berjalan sendiri.

Lalu kau hempaskan tangan itu ke tanah.

Sadarkah kau akan jemari yang membuatmu bangkit?

Derap langkahmu terdengar jelas.

Membahana, menggema di langit-langit.

Dan kau sadar, apa yang ada di hadapanmu.

Jurang. Harimau. Setapak berduri.

Apa yang kau lakukan ketika kau berjalan balik?

Kakimu semakin jauh dari bumi.

Seperti cahaya yang membutakanmu dari semua kerendahan.

Lantas cahaya itu sirna perlahan.

Bumi menarikmu kembali.

Apa yang kau pikirkan ketika kau terjatuh di tempat pertama kau berpijak?

Kau berjalan dengan angkuh.

Sejauh apapun kau melangkah, kau busungkan dadamu.

Mahkota yang mekar pun akhirnya tertunduk malu.

Tapi batu itu membuatmu tersungkur.

Apa yang kau katakan ketika tangan itu kembali terulur?

Why Did You Say "Yes" When You Knew You'd Bring Hurt?

One day, you got it.. The proposal.

You might had known it before, you'd take hard consequences.

You weren't that brave to accept it, you might had known what would happen.

You weren't ready for that, and you kept thinking.

But what was on your mind?

Why did you say "Yes" when you knew that you'd just bring hurt?

Sacrificed someone else and you were falling deeper and deeper.

You said that it would be a great expectation for everyone.

An expectation that you thought it would brought you to better place and someone over there was hurt.

You acted like everything would be alright, when you said that "It's just a minor problem".

Forgot whom you thought as "useless" and let yourself drowned deeper, much much deeper.

It was so blinding, and you were so blind.

It was written clearly on your drama.

But hey, remember?

Then you found out that you just burnt a match.

The fire could burn you and hurt you, and it happened.

The fire burnt you finally but you threw the fire to someone else.

You didn't take the consequence and you kept acting like a drama queen.

You acted like you were not guilty that you needed help.

You brought people to your drama and made them involved.

And you just made someone over there hurt, by your fire.

Now you keep hiding and hiding, and avoiding everything.

You try to runaway from your great drama.

You cannot runaway. You cannot runaway somehow.

No matter how hard you try to runaway, you'll always be a coward.

Someone has known the scenario.. and he can guess what will happen in the next scene.

And that person is me..

Happy Shark Goes Sad

Ikan hiu, katanya berbahaya (tapi memang berbahaya sih). Yeah, berbahaya kalau diganggu. Kalau nggak diganggu kan nggak akan ngeganggu balik (kecuali kalau lapar). Waktu ke Seaworld beberapa tahun yang lalu, Kazu main ke akuarium khusus anak kecil. Isinya ada penyu sama ikan hiu yang baik-baik. Kata guidenya, nggak boleh pegang ekor ikan hiunya, nanti dia nggak bisa nafas. Ikan hiunya baik hati dan nggak galak walopun dipegang-pegang. Terus nggak gigit. Jadi Kazu juga nggak takut sama ikannya.

*Picture credit by adriana7.deviantart.com

Oh, bisa juga berenang sama hiunya tapi di akuarium yang besar!

Tapi sekarang hiunya malah dijadikan santapan. Sirip hiunya jadi sup, kasihan ikan hiunya..

Lihat, siripnya berdarah. Kasihan..

Kalau begini, ikan hiu bisa-bisa jadi langka.. Kasihan..