Oh, how I love 3-octave scales, when they blister your fingers.
But really, they're awesome.
Absolutely.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Writing, Oh Writing!
How long has it been since I updated? All right, an irrelevant question; anyone can simply look at the difference between my past post date and today's. But just allow me that rhetorical question.
More updates on my writing: I have decided to scrap the current story. Not really the whole thing; just the setting. Instead of a science-fiction novel it will be a fantasy novel. Characters should remain the same, with similar personalities, but names may be altered to suit the time period. A comprehensive history and information on the demographics of the new world, as well as the specifics of its culture, technological status and magic system will be available when I get the time to work on it.
Not sure what else to say. I'll get back to you all when I remember what I want to say.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
23rd May
23rd May: a special day.
I went out with Sophia today, for a celebration. After 3 years of acquaintance, and 2 years of dating, we're still together.
I believe it says a fair amount about our devotion; most relationships I hear of last less than a month. Some can be measured in just days, in fact.
We bought a little special something today, to commemorate the occasion, as a symbol. And therefore, let us strive to keep this relationship strong and alive.
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I got sick and tired of the E string on my violin the past week. The set of strings on my violin was a complete Dominant string set. The G, D and A strings sounded great: rich and with great overtones; I had no complaints there. Nevertheless, the E string had problems in satisfying my desire for a warm and soft tone. The harshness was just plain horrible. Its quality does not match the rest of the set, and apparently there is a large proportion of violinists who feel the same way.
Today, I went to the Esplanade, and chanced on a shop specializing in violins. I've forgotten the shop name, but that isn't really the issue here; the thing is, I decided to inquire about whether they stocked E strings or not. Unfortunately, they didn't stock the Jargar E string, which I'd heard plenty of wonderful reviews about; virtually all of them unanimously declared the Jargar Forte as the undisputed perfect match for the Dominants of the lower registers. I'm not really surprised they don't have it, for apparently production of these strings are somewhat sporadic, and they quickly go out of stock.
My next instinct was to try the Obligato/Eudoxa strings, but I realized these two sets were rather more expensive than I was able to pay. According to reviews, they are the only synthetic strings that sound closest to gut strings (which generally have beautifully complex overtones with a warm and gentle sound). I quickly zoomed in on the Evah Pirazzi E string: less than 10 dollars, and I hadn't heard much bad things about it.
When I went home, I changed the E string, and swiftly realized several things.
1. The string had BLOODY HIGH TENSION. It was hell to press it down onto the surface of the fingerboard in higher positions. If it doesn't stretch and settle in a few days I am going to cut my finger on it sooner or later.
2. The string is quite stable. It's easy to tune. However it does possess a rather metallic sound, which unfortunately bears resemblance to the Dominant's sound that I was trying so hard to get rid of. Bugger. I hope that it'll produce a better tone in a few days.
3. The presence of the E string has changed the tone of my violin. Now the G and D strings sound deeper with a good tone. Certainly an improvement.
Nevertheless, I will try Obligatos next. I will save up for it.
I went out with Sophia today, for a celebration. After 3 years of acquaintance, and 2 years of dating, we're still together.
I believe it says a fair amount about our devotion; most relationships I hear of last less than a month. Some can be measured in just days, in fact.
We bought a little special something today, to commemorate the occasion, as a symbol. And therefore, let us strive to keep this relationship strong and alive.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I got sick and tired of the E string on my violin the past week. The set of strings on my violin was a complete Dominant string set. The G, D and A strings sounded great: rich and with great overtones; I had no complaints there. Nevertheless, the E string had problems in satisfying my desire for a warm and soft tone. The harshness was just plain horrible. Its quality does not match the rest of the set, and apparently there is a large proportion of violinists who feel the same way.
Today, I went to the Esplanade, and chanced on a shop specializing in violins. I've forgotten the shop name, but that isn't really the issue here; the thing is, I decided to inquire about whether they stocked E strings or not. Unfortunately, they didn't stock the Jargar E string, which I'd heard plenty of wonderful reviews about; virtually all of them unanimously declared the Jargar Forte as the undisputed perfect match for the Dominants of the lower registers. I'm not really surprised they don't have it, for apparently production of these strings are somewhat sporadic, and they quickly go out of stock.
My next instinct was to try the Obligato/Eudoxa strings, but I realized these two sets were rather more expensive than I was able to pay. According to reviews, they are the only synthetic strings that sound closest to gut strings (which generally have beautifully complex overtones with a warm and gentle sound). I quickly zoomed in on the Evah Pirazzi E string: less than 10 dollars, and I hadn't heard much bad things about it.
When I went home, I changed the E string, and swiftly realized several things.
1. The string had BLOODY HIGH TENSION. It was hell to press it down onto the surface of the fingerboard in higher positions. If it doesn't stretch and settle in a few days I am going to cut my finger on it sooner or later.
2. The string is quite stable. It's easy to tune. However it does possess a rather metallic sound, which unfortunately bears resemblance to the Dominant's sound that I was trying so hard to get rid of. Bugger. I hope that it'll produce a better tone in a few days.
3. The presence of the E string has changed the tone of my violin. Now the G and D strings sound deeper with a good tone. Certainly an improvement.
Nevertheless, I will try Obligatos next. I will save up for it.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
So much work, so little time...
Or maybe, I'm just plain lazy.
But it just seems like there's a crapload of work to do. JC life really is quite strenuous, for all the praises that people give it (I'm kidding about the praises; it usually is classified under curses). Now, I'm well into my second year, and it's test after test after test. No week goes by without at least 1. Some subjects manage 2 tests, or even 3 a week. I don't know how I got past that.
I did, though. I got through Common Test, with rather disappointing, but expected results.
H2
Physics: A
Computing: A
Maths: C
H1
GP: C
Literature: S
Honestly, I did try my best (in the holidays) for Maths; I spent ALL my time on it, but apparently the very fact that I'd been lagging behind for a month in class or so (I blame it on my ABRSM violin examination) really condemned me down to a C. I guess I'm lucky I didn't fail. And on the day before my results for Maths were released, my teacher was sighing in a rather secretive manner about my results, which he refused to disclose. The way he went on about it, I was convinced I had failed. Looking back on it, I should at least be proud that he had such high standards for me.
Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like I'm really meeting them anymore. My work is quite behind. I need to catch up, bad.
And it's not because of my relationship with my girlfriend, or with writing, or anything like that. I have no idea why, but for all the long hours I spend at home, I rarely am able to get my arse off the chair to do some work. I haven't even been writing a single word for my novel recently, which really says a lot.
I believe I'm quite committed to it though. I suppose when I'm in a more relaxed state I'll get back to work on it. Meanwhile, the ideas flowing in are really reshaping the story. I've practically decided on using a different voice for my story: third-person instead of first-person.
Which... you can guess, involves a complete rewrite of the story.
But hey, I enjoy writing. It's my life.
Anyway, my violin teacher loaned me a violin that's half a century old recently. After doing a bit of restoration work (changing of strings, cleaning off residual rosin, etc), it sounded beautiful.
The violin will be mine, officially, in a short while. Right now, it's technically on loan to me, but since my teacher has agreed (actually, proposed) to lend it to me indefinitely, it'll be in my hands till then.
I don't know whether to laugh in joy at how well one half of my life is going, or to cry in despair at the rest.
...
I've made up my mind. Smiling is best. For all those who are reading this, thank you. Fight on in your life; let nothing stop you.
To our success in life!
But it just seems like there's a crapload of work to do. JC life really is quite strenuous, for all the praises that people give it (I'm kidding about the praises; it usually is classified under curses). Now, I'm well into my second year, and it's test after test after test. No week goes by without at least 1. Some subjects manage 2 tests, or even 3 a week. I don't know how I got past that.
I did, though. I got through Common Test, with rather disappointing, but expected results.
H2
Physics: A
Computing: A
Maths: C
H1
GP: C
Literature: S
Honestly, I did try my best (in the holidays) for Maths; I spent ALL my time on it, but apparently the very fact that I'd been lagging behind for a month in class or so (I blame it on my ABRSM violin examination) really condemned me down to a C. I guess I'm lucky I didn't fail. And on the day before my results for Maths were released, my teacher was sighing in a rather secretive manner about my results, which he refused to disclose. The way he went on about it, I was convinced I had failed. Looking back on it, I should at least be proud that he had such high standards for me.
Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like I'm really meeting them anymore. My work is quite behind. I need to catch up, bad.
And it's not because of my relationship with my girlfriend, or with writing, or anything like that. I have no idea why, but for all the long hours I spend at home, I rarely am able to get my arse off the chair to do some work. I haven't even been writing a single word for my novel recently, which really says a lot.
I believe I'm quite committed to it though. I suppose when I'm in a more relaxed state I'll get back to work on it. Meanwhile, the ideas flowing in are really reshaping the story. I've practically decided on using a different voice for my story: third-person instead of first-person.
Which... you can guess, involves a complete rewrite of the story.
But hey, I enjoy writing. It's my life.
Anyway, my violin teacher loaned me a violin that's half a century old recently. After doing a bit of restoration work (changing of strings, cleaning off residual rosin, etc), it sounded beautiful.
The violin will be mine, officially, in a short while. Right now, it's technically on loan to me, but since my teacher has agreed (actually, proposed) to lend it to me indefinitely, it'll be in my hands till then.
I don't know whether to laugh in joy at how well one half of my life is going, or to cry in despair at the rest.
...
I've made up my mind. Smiling is best. For all those who are reading this, thank you. Fight on in your life; let nothing stop you.
To our success in life!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
I Passed!
Woot! I found out yesterday that I managed to clear my music exam! Though I'm not really sure how that happened, seeing as my sight reading was all FUBAR. So now I'm officially a Grade 4 violinist. Still got a long way to go though.
On another note, I'm thinking of doing major revisions on my novel's storyline too, not just on the structure as I had mentioned earlier. These past few months of 'novel-less' time has given me a bit of perspective; particularly the weeks after my music exam ended, because I actually managed to get some time to continue thinking about the development of my story.
Anyway, I'm out.
On another note, I'm thinking of doing major revisions on my novel's storyline too, not just on the structure as I had mentioned earlier. These past few months of 'novel-less' time has given me a bit of perspective; particularly the weeks after my music exam ended, because I actually managed to get some time to continue thinking about the development of my story.
Anyway, I'm out.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Writing (yes, again)
It's been a long while since I did any work on my novel, and I regret the lapse, but it has allowed me plenty of time to think about the way I'm doing it.
The conclusion I've arrived at is simply that I cannot rely merely on my story's strengths. It has to be told well, too. I notice that people enjoy stories that, at every stage of its telling, involve something important. It could be character development, plot advancement. It could be anything that furthers the story.
What it cannot be, however, is purple prose.
Tons and tons of beautiful, elaborate imagery describing an incident or entity, that happens to do nothing but what was just mentioned. You could try reading the following passage and think about what actually happens in it.
Notice how your eye has the tendency to skip ahead? At least, mine does. I assure you, I had a hard time writing this crap (purely for demonstration purposes). And, I can say in a short sentence what the above paragraph took.. well.. a paragraph to say: The woman combed her hair.
Admittedly, the passage did throw in some other details, and we can infer a fair amount from what we read there: that the woman was (probably) prim and proper, that she had a (shiny blue) comb and a handbag, and that she had (good) hair.
But come on, would you really want to read something like that? I see a fair amount of this, and I often think, "Get on with it already!"
A lot of thick fat books on the market get by with something like this *hint* recent popular series *hint*, and fans flock to them like... I don't know. Suggest a good expression for fans.
Like, "Squeeeeee!" (sound that fangirls make)?
If I ever write like that shit, please bash my head against the wall.
But tell me first.
At any rate, now I'm working on tightening up my writing. There is a lot of background information thrown in as dialogue. Or at least, there was. It shouldn't be the case. Characters should not mention things that they know about to each other simply to let the reader know about it. An example of a telephone exchange, by yours truly, to demonstrate my point, is as follows:
I don't think I need to point out why this conversation is so horribly crafted. Nevertheless, for those not familiar with it:
This is widely known amongst writers as the "As you know, Bob" form of dialogue. It is, in fact, a term used by Wikipedia: "As you know, Bob"
I'll take a break for now.
The conclusion I've arrived at is simply that I cannot rely merely on my story's strengths. It has to be told well, too. I notice that people enjoy stories that, at every stage of its telling, involve something important. It could be character development, plot advancement. It could be anything that furthers the story.
What it cannot be, however, is purple prose.
Tons and tons of beautiful, elaborate imagery describing an incident or entity, that happens to do nothing but what was just mentioned. You could try reading the following passage and think about what actually happens in it.
The woman seated her posterior down primly upon the sleek wooden bench, and reached daintily into her pink fluffy handbag. With a gentle flourish, she brought out a shiny blue comb, bringing it through her lustrous golden hair, playfully teasing her locks in the way she usually styled her hair. Bringing it through once, and twice, she concluded her session of personal grooming, and placed her comb back into her handbag.
Notice how your eye has the tendency to skip ahead? At least, mine does. I assure you, I had a hard time writing this crap (purely for demonstration purposes). And, I can say in a short sentence what the above paragraph took.. well.. a paragraph to say: The woman combed her hair.
Admittedly, the passage did throw in some other details, and we can infer a fair amount from what we read there: that the woman was (probably) prim and proper, that she had a (shiny blue) comb and a handbag, and that she had (good) hair.
But come on, would you really want to read something like that? I see a fair amount of this, and I often think, "Get on with it already!"
A lot of thick fat books on the market get by with something like this *hint* recent popular series *hint*, and fans flock to them like... I don't know. Suggest a good expression for fans.
Like, "Squeeeeee!" (sound that fangirls make)?
If I ever write like that shit, please bash my head against the wall.
But tell me first.
At any rate, now I'm working on tightening up my writing. There is a lot of background information thrown in as dialogue. Or at least, there was. It shouldn't be the case. Characters should not mention things that they know about to each other simply to let the reader know about it. An example of a telephone exchange, by yours truly, to demonstrate my point, is as follows:
Bob: Hi Jane, my dear wife.
Jane: Hi.
Bob: What are you doing?
Jane: Cleaning up the old and musty shed using our blue broom.
Bob: I see. I thought you're supposed to be at the wake of our dear friend John, who died in a tragic car accident last Monday?
Jane: Oh no! I forgot all about it! Well, sorry. Anyway, I found out some details of his demise from Elena, who is his wife.
Bob: Tell me then. It remains an absolute mystery to everyone what happened.
Jane: As you know, Bob, John was driving along the PIE highway. When he was about to exit to CCK, he veered off course and smashed his beautiful Lexus into a lorry. Luckily, his wife survived the crash.
Bob: Yes. I know she survived the crash.
Jane: Yes. That's why this conversation is absolutely pointless.
I don't think I need to point out why this conversation is so horribly crafted. Nevertheless, for those not familiar with it:
This is widely known amongst writers as the "As you know, Bob" form of dialogue. It is, in fact, a term used by Wikipedia: "As you know, Bob"
I'll take a break for now.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Of Strings and Laptops
4 days after my music exam (i.e. today), I purchased a set of Thomastik-Infeld Dominant strings, and had them fitted on my violin. It cost me 50 dollars, but hell, it was worth it. The sound is rich and beautiful. It certainly makes a massive difference. Though I will have to change strings every 6 months to keep the sound, it's worth the cash. I'll keep shelling it out for the sake of my music career.
I took a dive and replaced Ubuntu with Fedora 10 on my laptop. I got sick of having to tweak Ubuntu all the time. Fedora 10 works out of the box. WOOT!
I took a dive and replaced Ubuntu with Fedora 10 on my laptop. I got sick of having to tweak Ubuntu all the time. Fedora 10 works out of the box. WOOT!
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