OUR STUDENTS (A relaxed talk with Gabriel Leong, an honours-year Communications & Media major at the School of Computing, National University of Singapore
First, congratulations for a wonderful rendition of Leslie Cheung’s - (Zhuī) at Play by Ear’s 4th Annual Piano Recital Concert. How did
you manage something like that, given you began learning the piano barely 6 months ago?
Well, when I was first approached to play in the concert, I felt that it was still a long way off and there would be plenty of time to prepare. So I thought
it shouldn’t be stressful at all and readily agreed to perform. Just a couple of days later, images of playing to a fully packed Jubilee Hall with over 400
pairs of eyes centred on me started crystallizing in my head. I started to have second thoughts when the gravity of the situation dawned on me.
you manage something like that, given you began learning the piano barely 6 months ago?
Well, when I was first approached to play in the concert, I felt that it was still a long way off and there would be plenty of time to prepare. So I thought
it shouldn’t be stressful at all and readily agreed to perform. Just a couple of days later, images of playing to a fully packed Jubilee Hall with over 400
pairs of eyes centred on me started crystallizing in my head. I started to have second thoughts when the gravity of the situation dawned on me.
Pretty impressive what one can manage once you put your mind to it, don’t you think?
That’s easy to say with hindsight. But then again, it boils down to your own desire and motivation. And even though I had school projects and exams to prepare for, work
commitments as a part-time financial advisor at Great Eastern to fulfil, I managed to do myself a great service in fulfilling my dream of being able to play the piano.
What kind of music do you enjoy listening to?
My musical preferences are very diverse. Some of that is more suited for the guitar or an entire band. As for the piano, I envision playing mainly Chinese pop and some standard
classical pieces. So you can imagine I was always faced by the dilemma of choosing between classical and pop piano. Then on that fateful day, I decided to head to Play by Ear with
a good buddy of mine, I was amazed that instructors there could listen to any song and then replicate it on the piano. The free-flowing improvisation I heard convinced me that I didn’t
need to rely on musical scores to play songs I like. So I signed up for the Pop Piano Beginners Course and I hope I can one day truly play by ear.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Before we wrap up this interview, would you like to share with us what you’ll be pursuing after your graduation?
I like designing. It was and still is my dream to enter the world of graphical designing. That’s why I chose my course of studies, Communications & Media, in the first place. I supposed
it was linked to graphics & design, but I found out later it apparently was not. Meanwhile I’ll see what opportunities come my way.
That’s easy to say with hindsight. But then again, it boils down to your own desire and motivation. And even though I had school projects and exams to prepare for, work
commitments as a part-time financial advisor at Great Eastern to fulfil, I managed to do myself a great service in fulfilling my dream of being able to play the piano.
What kind of music do you enjoy listening to?
My musical preferences are very diverse. Some of that is more suited for the guitar or an entire band. As for the piano, I envision playing mainly Chinese pop and some standard
classical pieces. So you can imagine I was always faced by the dilemma of choosing between classical and pop piano. Then on that fateful day, I decided to head to Play by Ear with
a good buddy of mine, I was amazed that instructors there could listen to any song and then replicate it on the piano. The free-flowing improvisation I heard convinced me that I didn’t
need to rely on musical scores to play songs I like. So I signed up for the Pop Piano Beginners Course and I hope I can one day truly play by ear.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Before we wrap up this interview, would you like to share with us what you’ll be pursuing after your graduation?
I like designing. It was and still is my dream to enter the world of graphical designing. That’s why I chose my course of studies, Communications & Media, in the first place. I supposed
it was linked to graphics & design, but I found out later it apparently was not. Meanwhile I’ll see what opportunities come my way.
But there’re no regrets now, are there?
Definitely not! But I must admit it was quite a trying experience. The concert took place just after my exams and I was also due to run the full marathon
at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon the very next day!
Definitely not! But I must admit it was quite a trying experience. The concert took place just after my exams and I was also due to run the full marathon
at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon the very next day!
PLAY BY EAR MUSIC SCHOOL (SINGAPORE) - SPECIALISING IN POP PIANO & JAZZ PIANO IMPROVISATION COURSES FOR ADULTS
ADDRESS: 245A / 245B VICTORIA STREET, BUGIS VILLAGE, SINGAPORE (188032) | TEL: 63387939 | EMAIL: INFO@PLAY-BY-EAR.NET
ADDRESS: 245A / 245B VICTORIA STREET, BUGIS VILLAGE, SINGAPORE (188032) | TEL: 63387939 | EMAIL: INFO@PLAY-BY-EAR.NET
