There's always first...

I reckon this is my first post, posted not in October. It's November. It's also my first Sabbath here. (but obviously, I didn't go church, typing my blog...) Still in the transitioning mood.

I was watching TEDx on music education by Anita Collins. Yup, music education is mandatory here but only in elementary/primary/year 1-6 school. I hate music classes back then. In the first 3 years, I enjoyed music classes. Singing, making noises. But in the later year, we had a new music teacher. He would hit you if you play your recorder terribly. I kinda have stage fright. My music was horrible, I played the recorder until it literally 'shriek'... (try blowing the recorder very hard and you'll get the most annoying sound in the world... teeth shattering high pitch sound. One might have perforated their eardrums. Enough with the hyperbolic expression.

Besides that, I have problem with the musical notes. To me crochet is an activity akin to knitting. Musical notes look like bean sprouts dangling from the transmission line.

Playing a recorder is also a challenge to me. I had clinodactyly... my little fingers... (nope, I don't have Down Syndrome. I have a friend with simian crease... and again he's not...) The last hole is a challenge. I can't cover the whole hole (uhhh whole hole, nice word play). And I hate every music class.... Until........

During my second year in Uni, we had to choose a complementary subject. One of it is Music. I got out of my comfort zone and enrolled. Actually, the other subject wasn't that appealing. Music seem to be the lesser evil. Most of the people enrolled played at least one musical instrument. I have none. it's a leap of faith. Luckily, one does not need to know how to play instrument to pass. It's mostly on history, musical notes and basic musical knowledge.

I scored the highest albeit having no knowledge on playing musical instrument. Yup, it's actually mathematics, specifically fractions. Our teacher is also a fun person. She's Japanese. A soprano singer, and played a lot of musical instrument, keyed instrument to stringed instrument. She is very nurturing. I strengthened our stereotype on Japanese... very good at music. Initially, we had some problem communicating. Yes, she speaks English but with Japanese accent. Eventually, after a few classes, we are able to comprehend. She's not strict, but we do respect her. She said music should be fun. I wish my former music teacher had the same philosophy.

Since I scored the highest in Music, it helped my GPA and CGPA. I failed my haematology and immunology the previous year. :P

If only I enjoyed musical class earlier, I would have no problem with my maths. I would recommend parents to enroll their children into music classes. But make sure it's fun. Let your children learn music for fun, not just to pass their music exam. In this part of the world, parents tend to brag their children achievement.

example:
Scene 1.
Madam A and Madam B was chatting outside a musical academy. They are waiting for their children.

Madam A: My son is in grade 6 piano.
Madam B: My son is still in grade 5.
Madam A: How old is he? Mine is 7 years old
Madam B: My son is 12.
Madam A: That's my son. See you tomorrow.

Back home, Madam B is scolding her son
Madam B: When are you gonna finish your grade 5, Madam A's son is in Grade 6, and he's 7. Look at you

And Madam A is playing Madama Butterfly... (not related to the situation I want to show you)

See? That's why our children are stressed.  That's why we hate music classes. A colleague of mine hate music classes so much, she blackout the whole memory of playing a piano. How bizarre!


Bye, I need to unpack

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueqgenARzlE