Canada’s National Day is on June 27th.

I’m told to prepare for that day. My first time experiencing exposure in playing piano to the public.
It was on that day, I played for the first time in public.

Before that day came, I prepared not only for my fingers , but also my attire. We went around shopping for formal clothes. But on that day, I just wore a red t-shirt saying Canada.

The event was held in Sheraton Hotel. I arrived there to see lots of people.

Expression Music School was assigned to supply music. Music played by the selected students .

There were Piano playing and violin playing. Young musicians awaited their turn eagerly. I didn’t have to wait, because I’m the first in line. I have 15 minutes to complete my medley of  five songs.
After I started playing, I didn’t feel nervous anymore. I just started to play and play like I usually do but only to the best of my corners.

The ambassador of Canada gave a speech in a hall after the pianists were done. The national day was celebrated afterwards, with a barbeque by the poolside. With violinists playing they’re all by the poolside to entertain the guests. I could see the smile on the guests’ faces , enjoying ,not only the food, the music by the pool side.

It was quite a day. Its a great experience for a first time. Even though I’m the eldest there, I still enjoyed the day very much as for playing the piano and entertaining the guests. I’m looking forward for more opportunities like such for me again to attend to.

Now I know what it really feels like to play in the public .

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Now hardwork. What do you think?
Its not just keep doing, practicing and working. Without effort and dedication , hardwork isn’t hardwork. Just a waste of time.

Here’s the story of Tigerwoods.

The world greatest golfer. If you didn’t hear of him, you’re probably the world greatest slacker.

His father , taught him how to hold a stick and hit objects with it when he could , listen to speech ofcourse.

Well at that particular time there was a golf competition for 6 years and below. Tigerwoods dad had entered him at the age of Two.

Tigerwood was the only black competitor and his dad was worried that he might feel left out or be despised.
When it was his turn, tigerwood was brimming of confidence.

And guess what? He won !
The first black competitor to win golf.

So some people offered him professional golf courses and lessons, but that would take money. That time, black people were treated badly and most of the were poor. His dad had no choice but to turn down the offer.

When tigerwood was 9 , he had an idea. He decide to pick up golf balls in the golf course during his summer holidays. The boss , looking that he was just a kid, insisted that he stayed at home.

After persistent days of trying and convincing, the boss finally agreed.
So tigerwood went ball collecting , and after the balls are collected he would listen to the professionals teaching and learning.

Then during lunch break, the hot shining sun would urge everybody to take a break and eat. While tigerwood would be munching his sandwhiches as quickly as possible and tried out the techniques he heard.
A few days of this kind of training, he practiced, collected and repeated. A security guard noticed him.

He came up to tigerwood and said
“Hey kid , not bad for a 9 year old playing golf”
The security guard was also black. Thats why he was that kind.
“Do you think, I can be america’s best amateur golfer ?” tigerwood asked.
“If you can be america’s best amateur golfer, then you’ll be the first black golfer ever”
Then after that day, the security guard would let the back entrance open for him. At night he would practice and practice.

Then one day he entered the amateur golf competition for the whole of america when he was 18.
He won. The first black winner .

Now ask your self, how did he manage and achieved all of this?
He had hardwork , he never gave up.
Not just hardwork, he had dedication and persistence.
He knew he could do it. Thats why he kept practicing.
Thats the real secret of hardwork.
The real secret of succes.

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Ever wonder what makes a good pianist ?

No ? Then for all those out there playing the piano. You should be awake enough, to play piano and be a good one.

Often before,thinking of being a great pianist. I’m always practicing. Without knowing whats about pianist, then you’re just going in circles.

In my point of view. If you just keep practicing without knowing how to be good. Its just a waste of time.

Well to me, music isn’t about winning our fitting all the notes together. Even more its not about slamming it hard then playing so quietly you barely can even hear it.

Music is about the texture, the wave like milk pouring down in to your daily cup of coffee.
not slamming hard and playing so quietly and making a huge contrast. Theres a certain volume to stick to . No playing like robots. Robot just play accurate and dull. you like that? Ofcourse not.
Nobody likes dullness. As I said black and white , isn’t dull. Its trendy, its cute its everything you want it to be. You think to it as music.

When we speak of music , the first thing that comes in to your mind would probably be.

I LOVE ROCK !

Thats what I think. Well rock is good. But it isn’t music. Its rock.

You don’t say songs in music. You say pieces.

And to be a good musician or pianist, you need to know that. Practice makes perfect. But what do you practice ? You need fluency,sharpness, most importantly you need what all music pieces have. A heart of hardwork and persistence.

All these are in the point of my view and advices from my teacher .

T.Lily chiam of Expression music School.

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Since I have two more of my childhood photos I’ll upload one of my family’s photo.

| Me flying a kite |

| in pink ? |

I like this picture. Photo taken by my cousin. Lawrence Lau a photographer in training
First row left to right: My elder sister,My dad,My mom and melody.
Back row left to right: May and me.

Flash up.
Play on !

Hey !  these are my childhood photos. Requested by Yousof.

(Click the photo for a larger image)

| The first month of my life |

| The first year in this awesome world |

| The second year of my life |

| My third year of this awesome world |

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