First day of a rigorous practice regime went alright. Haven't practiced that hardcore in a while. At least I know I've done at least 4 hours of practice before mid day. Practicing stuff with Edmund was also good because I get comments on basic stuff like slurs and I'm able to more accurately pinpoint what to improve on. So there'll be at least 19 more days of such regime. Some days will be different due to classes but the core of preparing for the technical exam remains. I also have to remember to practice for my upcoming SNYO audition. Add to that I'm performing next Wednesday for platform. Many things to keep in mind while I'm putting more energy into practicing scales and arpeggios.

The Australian String Quartet's performance just now was fantastic! I mean, what energy and chemistry in their playing. And that cello sound, something so powerful and rich. Really one of the best concerts I've heard during my 1 3/4 years in NAFA. Bravo ASQ!

Oh well, time to sleep to wake up early tomorrow!

I think my chops have taken a huge toll over the last 2 days at least and now they are pretty much useless. Much like a tired reed. Going to get them well rested at least for today. All I'm gonna do is slide practice with a metronome and I may do other things if my creative juices flow and come up with other things to practice. I'm also going for a mind and body reset so hopefully it'll be a rejuvenating day for me later when I get up. Take care world!

My brain was literally fried after philwinds brass sectionals just now. The counting really was taxing on my mental strength. Thinking I have to keep doing it every week till the concert on 16 Dec really is daunting. Oh well, I don't have much to say right now because I really need the rest. Good night world!

Argh, I totally didn't practice today even though I planned to. Need to avoid such procrastination from happening too often. Oh well, at least I thought through some of the things I've learnt over the past year and put them into words that I can refer to on my computer. Really need a good wakeup call here and there. It's through these recalling and reflecting that I start to feel this deeper sense of purpose and understanding about the music, about my teaching, my performance and life as a whole as well. It's really enlightening to feel that and now I've got to put it into action.

I've just updated my Upcoming Performance section on the right so check it out and do come for the concert! Gonna feature other brass students from NAFA and there will also be other non-brass instrumentalists performing as well. Tomorrow's gonna be another 2-rehearsal-day so need to get some good rest so that's all for now, good night!

Alright, the end of Tuesday's concert signals the end of the first half of NAFA's performance season for its symphony orchestra and wind band. Concert went alright from our side of the hall but comments from the audience seem to suggest we're barely heard. Well, nevertheless, it was great to perform with my schoolmates as well as some good singers at my first appearance at the Esplanade Theatre. Now I'll be getting a break from a seemingly busy month of performances before my next one which is on 9 November. It's for NAFA's lunchtime concert and I'm planning to play two negro spirituals. Details are yet to be confirmed so I'll keep this page updated and once I get the slot, I'll update the details here. I'm free from school activities today and also on Monday so I'll be getting some more time to practice, read, listen to music and also, I'm back to teaching today! Really looking forward to seeing my students, or my juniors actually, later this afternoon. Well that's all for now, bye!

Finally have some energy to post about yesterday. Well, it's pretty much the same as ChildAid 2010 but I would think there are more things to coordinate in this concert so it was slightly less organised. But it was a nice experience nonetheless. Hopefully the concert goes well tonight. Here are some shots from rehearsal.

This was my first time on stage in the Esplanade Theatre and it's also my 10th performance at the Esplanade! What a way to mark a milestone. Alright, time to kick ass in the concert!

Alright, back from another 2-rehearsal-Sunday. I thought I wouldn't be able to attend philyouth rehearsal but I did. Quick dinner at Food Haven after rehearsal. I hope there will be more variety of food available around Goodman Arts Centre when rehearsals move there. Otherwise, it's back to buying breads for dinner. Philwinds rehearsal was interesting. Got some new scores today, basically the opening piece and the remaining 'movements' of a trilogy of pieces by Isao Matsushita. I must say the Japanese really know how to write interesting stuff. Here's a shot of some interesting things you don't usually see in wind band 3rd trombone scores:

Yup, these things keep my brain more active than usual during a rehearsal. Counting becomes more mentally tiring but these pieces are actually quite fun to play. Really looking forward to the months to come when the pieces start to take shape and we start rehearsals with maestro Bostock. 

Tomorrow shall be one of the rare days I go to school so late but I mean, only having Commuter Concert at 5:30pm and then going to Esplanade for rehearsal at night, it makes sense to practice at home then head out. So I'll be getting some good sleep then! Good night!

Today was rest day. I didn't do any practice. I woke up late, ate lunch then went to school to grab my horn and some scores for practicing. After that I went to Esplanade to get some Schumann recordings. Went home and basically rested my day away. Gotta get up reasonably early tomorrow, get some fundamental practice done before I attend my cousin's baby shower and rehearsal. Monday will have a long night, rehearsal in Esplanade all the way till 11. Hopefully that goes well and Tuesday will be fine. That's all for tonight then.

Back from a tiring fun day. Did much less this year. Just some soccer, frisbee and that's it. Spent most of my time sitting under trees and passing time away chatting with friends. Emerald gave me a scare towards the end, good thing she's well now. Feeling really tired now and as I watch TV now, I'm just about to knock off. I guess I'll spend tomorrow doing some practice in school and Sunday will be spent attending my cousin's baby shower and Philwinds rehearsal. Time to get some rest then!

I feel so refreshed and inspired by the brass pedagogy books I found in the library. I didn't even know they were there! How blur I must have been for the past year. Well, I've borrowed some of them and I tried out some of the techniques from them and it has worked! Now to make it habit!

Heading to Sentosa later for NAFA Funday. Not sure what I'm gonna do there because I have to take care of myself otherwise I won't be in the best condition to play for Tuesday's concert. Really excited to play for this concert, my first at the Esplanade Theatre! It will also be my 10th performance at the Esplanade! Many milestones to remember with the concert. Details are on the left and repertoire is mostly Chinese pop but there's also some jazz and songs like I Dreamed a Dream which is sung by a very talented young boy! Do come and support. Unfortunately I'm on a waiting list for complimentary tickets and I can't add on anymore so if you want to attend, please book your tickets through Sistic and support the National Cancer Society Singapore's patients!

I don't really know how to describe today. Partly lazy but also kinda time-well-used day as well. Sure I didn't practice at all; just warm up and orchestra rehearsal. I was even too lazy to bring my bag to school. But having nothing to carry home after school allowed me to spend some time walking around the city and find some really quiet time. It was so much better than the airport. Natural breeze, the ripples on the water, no screaming children. It was really time well spent to get my mind off things and really rest. Well, now that I've settled myself, time to push my playing abilities!

First long Sunday is over! If the current schedule remains unchanged, I'll have 9 more long Sundays! But oh well, repertoire is nice so it's good in a way.

I gave my instrument a bath this morning after finding out that my first valve had a buildup on it that caused it to slow down. Now the whole instrument is fresh, clean and well lubed.

My scores and CDs have finally arrived! Been waiting for such a long time. So if I interpret the NAFA syllabus for bass trombone correctly, my etudes are all on the first position! Of course it's very very highly unlikely. Going to have to check it out with Mr. Adams. The Goess edition for the Sachse Concertino also has some discrepancies with the copy Fredi gave me so I guess all this confusion has to be cleared up. Alright then, time to get some rest. A morning swim and orchestra rehearsal tomorrow!

18th birthday went well! Another enjoyable birthday. Once again I thank all my friends and relatives for your well wishes and to my parents for the fantastic dinner at Brazil Churrasco! To all meat lovers, this is a must-try place!

Now, looking and thinking about what am I doing in my music-making, I haven't convinced myself that I want this sound, I want this voice etc. I just can't seem to process all the ideas I've taken in and blend them into my own voice. It's quite maddening. I myself think about so many ideas when I'm away from the horn but once I pick it up, it just doesn't get through. I always feel I'm fighting the instrument but I can't seem to get myself out of it yet. Right, so I'll take a step back in my mind and just churn out the simplest mechanics of playing over the next few days and see how that works. Slow, warm and relaxed air; stable chops; relaxed posture; STOP THINKING!!

Ok personal rant over. I've just updated the "Upcoming Performance" section on the right. I can get complimentary tickets for this concert but I don't know how many I can get so if you really want to come, please let me know at the earliest possibility. Till next time, bye!

RIP Steve Jobs

Alright man, wind band concert over and I'm 18! Yeah! It felt as if it was just yesterday that I was replying wishes and listening to the wind band play happy birthday for me. It was such a wonderful day on my 17th. It really does feel quite amazing that one year has passed. Oh well I shall be living this day like any other day and only time will tell how it goes. Cheers to a good day ahead!

Alright, I've joined the Twitter network. My username is tanjiewei so if you want to follow me please feel free to. Spent my day practicing because lesson this week went pretty bad and I don't want it to happen again. Oh well, lots of things I need to work on now that I've neglected so many of them, especially the basics. The good thing is, no more history assignments! No more time used on history that can be used on practicing for the rest of the semester. Now that's great! Alright then, that's all for now.