THE MUSIC IN ME

Music has been a big part of my life since I was in Nursery. I’ve always wanted to learn the drums. While most kids my age were going for piano and guitar lessons, I wanted to learn the drums. But, the financial aspect was a deterrent for my Mom and there weren’t many drum classes that were being conducted at that time that were cheaper than the ones at Yamaha Music School. Hence, I resorted to learning the piano. Specifically, at Cristofori. I went till grade 2, I think, and then I quit. I just wasn’t interested in the instrument.

Then when I went to Primary School, I joined the military school band in the hopes that I’d get a chance to play the drums. I was told that I had to play the trumpet first, before moving to drums. And I, gullibly, believed them. I blew a trumpet for 2 years before quitting.

In Primary 4, the school brought in a violin teacher to see if having a permanent violin CCA was possible. Hence, the violin classes, as a trial, were offered to 4A and 4B. I was in 4B. I signed up for it. I learnt to read scores and got better. The usual class was 2 hours long, once a week. But because a few of us were learning stuff at a faster pace compared to others, the instructor gave as few an additional 1 hour of lesson at no extra charge. In Primary 5, performing for Teachers’ Day as a violin ensemble was one of the highlights in my 6 year Primary School journey. Due to the PSLE, I had to, unfortunately stop going for the violin classes, and over time, I lost the skill to read scores and play as well.

Starting to attend Epiphany, also meant the start of my drumming  “life”. I always sat near to the musicians during service just to watch and hear Rachel play. And she was/is a really good drummer.  And before I knew it, I was learning the basic of drums under her. The childhood desire was slowly being fulfilled. I was finally starting to play the drums. It was not until Abe Sir printed out some drum notes of basic drum beats, that I knew drums too had scores. It was an eye opener which further fuelled my desire to practice even more. Countless hours of watching drum tutorials on the internet and hearing of music across all genres helped me to learn more as well. Somehow, God, was slowly helping me learn the very instrument I so very desired to play.

Being nurtured by good musicians in Epiphany (my seniors) further extended my music vocabulary. I started appreciating other instruments as well. Something I couldn’t do when playing the piano, trumpet and violin when I was a kid. And because I was playing in a band setting I was able to, slowly, learn how to play the bass, the guitar and a little on the keys. A result of my growing appreciation of these instruments.

Looking back, I do have regrets for not persevering in that piano class, for not being enthusiastic about blowing a trumpet and for blaming a national exam to stop learning the violin. Having started to grow my humble home studio has further fuelled these regrets. If only I had learnt these instruments well, it would definitely give me more knowledge in music production. Someday I hope to write, compose and produce a song. And my prayer is that it is a song from God.

Even after all these years, I still have so much to learn. So much to practice. May His Grace, enable me to have that strength to continue to learn and be inspired to learn.