MUSO LIFE
“Mathematics and music, the most sharply contrasted fields of scientific activity which can be found, and yet related, supporting each other, as if to show forth the secret connection which ties together all the activities of our mind, and which leads us to surmise that the manifestations of the artist’s genius are but the unconscious expressions of a mysteriously acting rationality.” —— Hermann von Helmholtz
How can one not to love percussion when have all these beauties right in front of your eyes?
Once someone said to me: "Anybody can do percussion." The fact is anybody can make a noise, but not everybody can play. Good percussion is full of detailed techniques just like any other musical instrument. Most musicians can concentrate on their rhythms while playing solo, but when it comes to orchestra or ensembles of any size, it is the percussion family that ties it all together and makes it whole.
The wind section may shrug their shoulders at percussionists, the brass might stick their noses in the air at them, the strings at the front may never looked at them. Then suppose one day if the orchestra performs without percussionists. Guess what? It is hard to keep steps, the melody sounds hollow, the music loses its excitement and life. Why? Simple, it is the time to learn the importance of percussion.
How many people have heard a Christmas carol without the happy sound of sleigh bells? How many people would be able to shake their bodies along with a Latin dancing piece without the kick in a little wood block? How many people can still get excited with the magnificent visual effect of the Lord of the Rings or Star Wars without those amazing cymbal crash and bass drum?
Percussion is the soul of music.
I have been passionate about music since I was 5 years old. I love playing piano, Bawu flute, Hulusi, as well as ukulele.
I'm currently playing with a few orchestras and opera productions actively as a percussionist. I feel this is one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life. I know I have always loved music, but this is the first time I feel the greatest joy and appreciation for music that I've never felt before, and I would like to give full credit on this to my dearest musician friend Greg Sully. Greg works as a percussionist with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, one of the most amazing orchestras in the world as well as the oldest professional orchestra in Australia. It is very fascinating to watch Greg play. It is a kind of confident, focused, caring, serious, yet relaxed style. These are very adorable characters a musician can have. I believe the best musician plays with confidence, knows exactly what to do, cares for the rest of the ensemble, most importantly, at the same time very humble and full of natural emotion. That is a kind of musician I see Greg as.
Greg has not only demonstrated himself as a humble and dedicated musician, but also a kind and adorable friend. He is one of the four people who I dedicated my lifetime PhD research work to. The great influence Greg had on me is amazing, no matter music-wise or friendship-wise, and I will be eternally grateful.
Bawu flute has very similar sound as Hulusi, but even more mellow and a little bit sad.
I have been playing quite a few pieces by the Swiss band Bandari with Bawu lately.
"There is geometry in the humming of the strings, there is music in the spacing of the spheres."
Pythagoras
I started playing piano at the age of 5. However, my piano journey hasn't been smooth. I had to give up formal piano study at 9 due to some serious family crisis.Though I'm glad I was able to get back into it after many years.
I absolutely love playing any piece by Ludovico Einaudi. At the moment, I'm also working hard on Rachmaninoff's Prelude G minor.
Hulusi is a type of free reed wind instrument. It has very pure, mellow, and clarinet-like sound.
Many people are used to play it in the deep mountain or valley, as it creates beautiful echos in the air.
I have been playing Hulusi for about 10 years, it is certainly one of my favorites.
NEWS AND UPDATES
Funny video to share:
Professional vs. Beginner Percussionist
(Proud of being a percussionist!)
Childhood Memory by Bandari band
Bawu solo - Golden Peacock
Here are a few short Bawu flute solo recording I did recently.
I've never really tried to do any recording before, so this was the first time I tried to record some stuff, just for fun. Therefore, I was pretty nervous the whole time. I made some obvious mistakes, my sincere apologies. Hopefully I will have chance to make some better recording to upload at some point.
Annie's Wonderland by Bandari band
Current song for sharing, How To Save A Life by The Fray.
"Music is the human soul experiences from counting without being aware that it is counting." —— Leibniz
What a perfect quote for a mathematician percussionist!