Bobbing along to MJ

I think I'm on a roll these days. I'm coming back to my musical roots.

And it's been MJ.

After watching "This Is It" and seeing what a perfectionist he is, I've been so inspired. I went out right after the movie and bought a 2-disc album that contained his string of hits. And I've been listening to it every other day.

And I've had the luxury of having the songs loaded into my phone so I can listen to it. It's been a real adventure: breaking down the beats, bass, guitar riffs, the strings, and all the other sfx. This man was a GENIUS!

I'm actually contemplating doing some kind of a thesis on the movement and impact of MJ's music on pop. I've been hearing stuff I've never heard before, partly cos I haven't been paying so much attention to detail. Sometimes, I hear little beats or bass lines and think, "Hey...that sounds familiar." Before you know it, you hear an extended version of that beat or bass line, or something that evolved from the original, simpler version on another song much later. The feeling is like... "Wow!"

So I'm definitely intrigued. But if I'm really serious about it, I will need to do A LOT of research on MJ and his music. I will need to boost my musical knowledge and learn all about the history and his roots and how they evolved.

Okay, this may start to sound boring as it becomes a bit more academic rather than fun trivia. I am really excited though. I wonder if this has been done before. It probably has. I don't think I'm the first to be in awe of MJ, neither will I be the last.

Wow.

i wanna sing song.

i have this habit when it comes to music. songs, in particular.

recently heard these 2 songs: 掉了 and 我不是你想象那么勇敢. and i just felt in my heart that i need to learn how to sing these 2 songs. they sound like something fun to do.

in case you haven't noticed, i have a bit of a sadistic nature.

anyway, so i've been looping these 2 songs on my comp at work today. over and over and over again.

now THIS is my habit. i tend to listen to songs over, and over, and over again if i decide a song is nice enough, difficult enough and challenging enough, and i wanna master it. not learn. MASTER.

this is the process:

the first few times, listen, mostly just the melody.

next few times, start humming to the melody, pick up a few words.

then, think: why don't i just find the lyrics and learn the song properly? so, find lyrics, and for the next few times, sing along.

then, just loop the song a few more time (more like the next few hours) and try to get the melody, phrasing, ad libs, turns, techniques right.

and almost the last few times, but not least, listen to the song carefully. no need to sing it. just listen very carefully. listen for the breathing, the intonations, feel, movement.

i don't think there is a right or wrong way to learn to sing a song properly, but my way oughta come pretty close. i mean, by the time you start to take up the mic and sing the song, u would have at least heard the song 100 times!

i wanna go karaoke so i can practice the 2 songs!!!

Back to the 70s...

i'm very late (as usual) on the photos-front of things. so just to make it slightly more coherent, i'm gonna post up pics in a chronological order.

first up, was the "Psychedelic 70s". it's our annual year-end party! we all dressed up to the sevens and the girls and i did a little somethin'-somethin'.

started our day with last-min rehearsals at mdc.

memorise lyrics, memorise steps, memorise places...aiyo...

then we headed down to mimolette to watch the people dressed the place up!

and of course, we dressed up too...as witnessed.

and started taking photos..

us girls (the mimolettes) with our sifu jeffrey!!

and...let the show begin...

presenting...

MIKE

and the Mimolettes!

we did a grease medley. there's mike with his orange ass-tight pants and leather jacket.

and us in our super psychedelic look!

(i like my outfit very very much!!!)

capping off with the last song: we go together!

and our final pose!

it was a grand night, a great night. i enjoyed myself loads! it's been a while since i performed, and it looks like it may be a while before i'll be able to do this again.

good times, girls, good times. =)