What Kind Of Player Are You?

I think this is an extremely important question to ask ourselves - "What kind of player am I?" And no, I'm not referring to this - that's absolutely disgusting. I'm talking your personality, playing style, character, energy, etc - all these contribute and affects the way we perform. By knowing all this, we can slowly answer the question ourselves and more importantly, understand how we will make music when we work with other people in ensembles, bands, or a collective.

During lessons and coachings with Bob van Sice at Peabody, he would always tell me to put my "dining table manners" away and play with a certain character that befits the music. I never knew our playing was a reflection of our personality, and it's funny because I never noticed it till I actually started teaching and seeing the correlations. My general observations are that quieter students tend to play softer and for the more outspoken students, louder. Of course, that's an over-generalisation and it doesn't mean we will always play that way. I've met seniors and colleagues, whom I think are rather introverted and less vocally expressive, become monster players when they're with their instruments.

A number of years ago, I remember attending a recital and that experience changed my attitude completely. I had known the musician to be pretty soft-spoken, kind, and at times blur like sotong (scroll to the phrase if you don't want to read the whole thing). But during the recital, the playing was completely different from the "dinner table" personality and that took me by complete surprise!

So what's up with knowing what kind of player we are?

Over the years studying and performing, I realise that while we can train ourselves to develop that ability to switch characters/personalities for pieces (kind of like an actor in a different role in every film), we naturally have something dormant in us that tells us what kind of player we are. For me, I've come to realise that I'm a very team player and don't really want the limelight. Which is why for Lorong Boys' performances, you don't really catch me doing lots of solos - of course, the drum solo has to fit in musically for it to work, but unless the guys suggest to have a drum solo somewhere (like for our Hua Yi performance), I don't outwardly ask to insert solos at all.

Then what about Classical pieces? After all, there are actual notes and rhythms to follow. I find that I will naturally play with more caution and tend not to diverge too much from the piece and I think this comes from my super OCD days when I was 7 haha.. And also, because I tend to be quite serious all the time, it takes a while for me to loosen up and enjoy the piece and my playing - again, probably from my childhood. My learning point came when I realise that while I tend to play a certain way from my dormant personality, I had to work on playing more 'outwardly' - really like an actor, consumed by his craft to portray his character as accurately as possible, regardless of his or her individual personality.

I'll admit - it's tough working on invoking a different personality, especially one that contradicts your beliefs. I'm generally a shy guy and it still takes me some time to get comfortable when someone tells me "play/show me something" if I'm behind a kit, or a snare drum, or a xylophone. And it's really because I'd rather make music with people than perform solo, which is also how I concluded that I'm more of a team player than one who likes the limelight. Having said that, I am finding my way to get in that head space of just being flashy and playing as if I rule the world. I don't like thinking that way, but it's something that I'm still working on.

If you haven't found your answer, it may take a while but you will eventually find it. I didn't even ask myself this question till a close friend provoked me into it, and I slowly found my way and my answer. You may have to do some soul-searching, but I feel that once you've found your answer, it will make you a better musician through learning who you are, and also making you work on your strengths and weaknesses.

Thanks again for reading this week's entry - I hope it'll help you on your musical journey! Don't forget to share this post or share your thoughts below :) Till next week, stay safe and well.

Joachim

Can You Feel It?

Jam sessions can be really inspiring yet intense, depending on how you approach it and who you jam with. Some time back, I came out of a jam session and a close friend asked, "how do you feel about it?" and it sparked me to write this, even though it took quite some time before I could organise my thoughts.

 

(Shoutout: this post is dedicated to him, for not only being a great friend, but an inspiration to me)

I think every type of music has a groove, a feeling. Much like Adam Neely's concept on time and pulse between classical and jazz music, there is also this innate feeling to the music and how to play it. I know, "feel" of the music is different from the question of how I felt about the jam session, but it was a good learning experience that I wouldn't have thought about, especially more so if I hadn't been asked that question.

Take jazz for example - while it is not incorrect to think of the subdivisions being triplets, it is also not correct to think that way. During JARD, Greg Hutchinson would have us listen to and watch some of the best jazz drummers and he would often say "Man, that sh*t swingin'!" And unfortunately for me, I couldn't quite figure out why - it's all because I don't speak the language to understand it. Hip-hop is also another genre that has some pretty great stuff! Sometimes the drummer goes into this groove that doesn't quite fit and lock into the grid (in comparison to pop or rock music) and again, we can try and decrypt whatever subdivision the drummer is playing in, but it will never come close to the "feel" of it. Even sometimes, while I sit and listen (especially when I'm not playing) from the back of the orchestra, I get thrown off by how the orchestra can feel the pulse and play together. There have been instances where I thought people were missing beats here and there but somehow, everyone manages to stay as a unit - again, all about the "feel".

I'm not qualified to educate about this "feel" thing, but in my opinion, it's about knowing the language and nuances, to be well-versed in it, and the "feel" will come as a result of practicing and performing it. It's also knowing your instrument so well and being so comfortable that you're not thinking technically but rather, immersed fully in the music and making the music sound better.

But to sum this all up, my takeaway from the question wasn't the answer itself, but the revelation (well.. not really as it's more of a reminder) that not all musicians feel music the same way. And these jam sessions can be a good platform and opportunity to understand each other, and also a great way to learn from one another. So next time you're in a jam session, I hope that this week's post has some takeaways you can bring to the table!

As always, thanks for taking the time to read. Stay safe and well, and I'll leave you guys with this :)

Joachim

Jacob Collier

The world is full of diversity. Some people are gifted, some have pure raw talent, others are geniuses, and then there's Jacob Collier.. hahaha. But in all seriousness, he has such an amazing mind and a humble personality (I've never met him in person so I don't know this, but I say this because he just feels that way through watching videos of him)! And if that wasn't enough, he is a multi-instrumentalist, he can sing, and can do so many other things that only ordinary people like myself can only dream of.

What's more epic is that he is coming to Singapore! When the announcement came, I really wanted to catch him but was already scheduled and booked for a gig on the 27th - and this was confirmed last year! But in some fortunate twist of fate, the organiser had to reschedule the event and so, the first thing I did was to get tickets! Naturally, it was already sold out and I was pretty bummed.. until they announced a second night! This time, I managed to get seats! So if you're catching him on the 28th, I'll see you there :)

Earlier this year, there was a video of him explaining the concept of harmony on 5 different levels. It was such an inspiration to watch and to witness such musical maturity! If you haven't seen it, do click on the link above and I guarantee, you'll be able to learn something from it. And if you've seen it, just go watch it again! It's always refreshing to re-watch/revisit things that we've watched or done before as our maturity could be drastically different from then and now. Like sometimes, I find myself listening to stuff from the past and I realise that I'm hearing a lot of different sounds, ideas, grooves, rhythms, motifs, etc, as compared to 20 years ago.

But returning to the video, my takeaway is how he manages to explain concepts at various stages of human maturity. Basically, he was able to teach them something based on their knowledge, and to educate them from their perspective. It's something I struggle with in my own teaching - trying to convey concepts and ideas that are hopefully not confusing to the students. Perspectives are really important, and I hope to keep reminding myself to see things differently - like reminding myself that a 2 year-old doesn't know much and can't control his emotions well.

What about you? Do you have similar struggles when it comes to teaching? Hope to hear from you in the comments or DMs! Thanks again for reading, and remember to check out Jacob Collier's YouTube channel! Stay safe and be well!

Joachim

How Do You Do It?: Part II

Thanks for the wait! Part II is going to be different. It's not going to be about music, and it's not going to be about you (or me) as well. It's going to be about those around us. And if you haven't read Part I, please click on the link and give it a read! I promise it's short and succinct :)

But how exactly does what you do depend on those around you? After all, we are the ones who have to put in the time and effort ourselves. To me, that's only half the formula. The other half comes from those around you who allow you to make things happen. I'm not sure how to best explain this, but let me speak based on my experience. From conversations with friends and colleagues, especially about Life, these phrases usually come up:

• "How do you practice with a kid?"
• "If you can do what you do with a kid, so can I"
• "I don't know how you do it"

And while it seems like I'm doing the right thing, I know that it is only possible through my support group - those around me. If you're married and already have kids, you'd probably understand better. Not that this isn't applicable to singles (more on that below), but it's really about those around you who enable and allow you to grow, pursue, and chase your dreams. 

I have been extremely fortunate and immeasurably blessed with loving families and a selfless, supportive, understanding, and encouraging spouse. And because all of them understand what it's like to start a career and a family, they help in every way they can. My wife even tells me to practice or to take up jobs and gigs, and assures me not to worry while she takes care of our son. Honestly, it is a bit hard to say "ok" because my son is also my responsibility, and I always feel bad if I'm not taking care of him and helping out when I can. But having said that, I also understand the need to use that time to work hard through practicing or performing to my best abilities, so that I ensure a future for them.

A while ago, I was having this conversation with a friend (which actually sparked me to write this post) and it went something like this:

Friend: "How do you practice with a kid? Isn't it tough?"

Me: "Yea it is! I mean, the only time I can do anything is at night, but you have to give and take and make sacrifices."

F: "That's the word - sacrifice. That's everything."

And it really means to give up on things or to put some things on hold, at least for a couple of years (I think.. I'm only 2 years into this "business" haha!). But how I seem to make it work is really through my support group - my family. They enable me to hone my skills and my craft, and always provide the best for me. It is something I am so thankful for (because I know, some individuals may not be as blessed as I have been) and is why I work hard, not to make myself feel or look better but rather, in appreciation for their time and sacrifice to me.

Now, for those who are single, it may seem as if this post isn't meant for you. Here's the thing: while a lot of it deals with family, child-caring, and having a supportive partner, you too can surround yourself with like-minded peers, friends, colleagues, etc. Those people will become your support group and help enable you to be a better you - I touched on this in a recent post. I truly believe that if you surround yourself with people who inspire you and push you to improve, this positive cycle will feed itself, and you in turn, will also inspire those around you.

I'd like to dedicate this post to my support group, for their sacrifice for me - if not for all of their help, I will not be where I am today, doing what I do every day. As for you guys, I really hope you enjoyed reading this, and if you know and have your support group, be sure to thank them! It also pays to help them out whenever you can too - I think it's what makes the world a better place :) Do share this post and/or your stories below, and I hope everyone stays safe and well. As always, thanks for reading!

Joachim

Reflections On JARD

Learning something new is akin to opening a can of worms, and it can either intimidate you or inspire you. I've always been inspired by jazz musicians. Their ability to express themselves on their instruments with such ease and finesse, their control and mastery over their instrument(s), and their listening precision are all qualities and traits that amaze me. And when I was informed by a close friend of the Jazz at the Red Dot (JARD) workshop happening again this year, I knew I had to sign up for it - to open that can of worms.

JARD didn't disappoint at all. Of course this was because I knew next to nothing about Jazz, and this 5-day workshop was like a crash course on how to play, listen, and practice jazz. It was even more inspiring to learn from so many big cats in the business, to listen to advice and hear stories from their experience in the industry. I'll be honest - it was intimidating, especially during ensemble rehearsals (for me at least). I know, I always talk about practicing to make sure that the effort pays off when the time comes for execution. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you don't have to practice (you still need to), but from attending JARD, I've come to realise that experience also plays an important role in the overall plan of improvement - it's been an eye-opening experience to say the least. I think I've got quite some experience with classical percussion and if I was in a position of unpreparedness, I probably can still tread water and stay afloat to survive. Being behind the kit this time round felt like I was drowning.. lol! That being said, I really loved and enjoyed the pressure and most importantly, I knew that these cats mean well for us, that they want us to improve and play the best we can, and so I took none of it personally and used it to fuel my drive to improve and learn.

Greg Hutchinson was a beast too! Our masterclasses with him weren't too much about technicalities/coordination (something that we just have to work on on our own) but were more focused on the art, the passion, and also some life lessons along the way. We paired up with Ben Williams for some drum and bass playing, and hearing what these masters said about other instruments were in itself, great lessons. Which also got me thinking - sometimes, we have to learn from someone other than our main instrument to learn more about it, and also more about music. It's all about the perspectives as well. 

Over the course of the workshop, I met many new friends, and really capable musicians! Our lessons and rehearsals culminated in a concert at Botanic Gardens, and it sure didn't proceed as planned! I was told that last year's concert was also wet, but the rain this year was just insane - shoes and jeans drenched even though I was carrying an umbrella, and it caused huge delays for the performance. The soundcheck was scheduled from 3pm to 4pm, but the rain came in about half way through and didn't let up. And then Greg made an announcement that the concert had to be cancelled!! But it was an April Fool's joke hahaha. We ended up starting past 5pm (from the scheduled 4:30pm) and everyone had a great energy and put in their best efforts in the show.

It was also comforting to hear Greg always saying "Go slow" every time something technical came up - partly because I tell that to my students all the time, but it was also because it aligned with my beliefs that music is not a race. We're not out to compete with one another or to see who plays faster or longer or better. It's all just about being a better musical self than we were yesterday, and constantly seeking improvement. The only true "enemy" is our self, and that's who we should only compete with.

And I guess my takeaway from all of this is that you don't have to be afraid of doing something you're unfamiliar with, or something you've always wanted to do. All it takes is some humility and willingness to learn - we all start off somewhere, and it just so happens that I'm starting my jazz journey now. I don't expect to be the greatest - there are tons of better drummers out there, but I do expect excellence from myself, for myself.

As always, thanks for tuning in and I hope you enjoyed the read. Stay safe and well!

Joachim

P.S. I wanted to post Part II to last week's post, but since JARD was still kind of fresh, I thought for sharing it first. Part II drops next week! :)