Some Guitar tips from my point of view

Hey all!
So today I suddenly though of talking about guitars.
 I do own one and its an acoustic guitar.
It ain't branded at all but I love it and weirdly I got it from a christian guitar shop.
So I guess I own a hole-y guitar...Ok bad pun.

Anyways, I am self-taught so there are many little things I've learnt over the years by myself
It may not be any professional advice and to some it may just be some worthless advice
but I'm just going to type out anyways.

1. Strings 
I had no idea about strings until 2 years back when my 1st string snapped
(My advice to those who are afraid of the 1st String snapping is to slowly turn your 1st string slowly when you tune it. When it is about to snap you will feel that string seems to be too tight even though its not tuned yet, so that is the point for you to stop turning and change to a new one..that is if you are afraid of it snapping.)

That was when I started to look into the type of strings for acoustic guitar and came across this website.
 http://buystrings.blogspot.sg/2011/07/gauge-page-part-iii-which-gauge-is.html
It explains what are the difference in the strings and what type of strings there are.

I personally like to use Light because it gives a strong and clear sound but bright as well.
However I recently changed to Extra Light and the first time I changed it I disliked it because the string's vibration echoed a far too much to my liking and it was too bright for my ears, however I'm getting used to the sound now. It sounds a bit brighter then the Light strings. The brand I've tried so far is D'Addario.



My advice to you on strings it to experiment. Try different string types than brands to figure out what type of sound you think would best suit you or suit the songs you play on the guitar.


2.Playing bare chords
When I first tried to play bare chords I gave up because it seriously hurt my hand and the sound just doesn't come out right and I got irritated (yes I am impatient).

There isn't any simple straightforward tip for this but for me I practiced my basic chords everyday so that my fingers had calluses so that pressing on the strings wont hurt as much as when my fingers are just plain raw flesh. Another thing I do is that I place my thumb behind my 2nd or 3rd finger(depending on the bare chords I play, in the picture below it eh F chord) so that it seems that i'm pinching the fret with my fingers and press it down together.This would help to stop the buzzing you hear whenever you try and play the bare chords.

Curve your 2nd finger, by doing so you will bare whatever fret you would want to barre.
Also I place my 2nd finger near just before the line so that i dont have to stretch out my other fingers. If you find it hard to play a F chord, try the Bm. To get the hang of it, try practicing by moving down one fret one at a time after you get one chord.

My Style of playing barre chords 

3. Guitar Chords
I am still currently learning how to read tabs so i rely a lot on chords to play my favorite songs.
I normally Google in this format "Song name artist chords" and always tend to choose
'Ultimate guitar's' website.

This is as some of the song have different version you can choose so if you find that version too hard to play, you can easily change the version OR you can transpose it.However I find that transposing the chords makes no difference.

One other good thing about ultimate guitar is all the chords have guides.
So for example if you don't know how to play cm7 you just hover over it and they will show the guide.
If you think that its still hard to play, press 'variations' to see other methods you can play the chord by.

Also if you want to play without scrolling down there is a 'launch auto scroll' whereby it will help you to scroll down automatically and you can choose the pace for it to scroll.

Do enlarge it for a better view

4. Plucking 

For plucking you just got to work with the song. Don't try to pluck with the music on in the background as of course it would be hard for you to catch up with the song. Try to have the melody in your head.

I tend to have my thumb on the 6th string and take it as the base. and ignore the 5th string and use my 2nd and 3rd finger to pluck up the 4th and 3rd string. That sound to me matches any song its just whether your rhythm is fast or slow. As a start learn from this video, more than words. Its a easy song to learn and get a feel of what plucking is like. 

So that would be my be on my list of the 4 things you need to know about guitars.
Also, one more thing is don't give up.Ever!
Honestly when I first diverted my attention from the piano to the guitar I gave up.

I got my guitar when I was 12 and honestly I didnt know how to play and it was painful to press my fingers on the strings after playing for 30minutes. I couldnt even read chordsa and I didn't know what tools I had to learn my faverite songs. I also dreaded bare chords so I tried to avoid songs that had them but realised that many songs used barre chords.

However 2-3 years back I had some time to spare and started practicing everyday. Finding sources to learn from and achieving my goal of getting a hang of barre chords.
SO never ever give up. Just try playing your favorite songs and if you feel sick of the guitar take a break. Sooner a later the guitar will call for for you..haha.

Okay then I hoped these stuffs has helped you,
if  it didnt and you feel they are not the right techniques then well I'm sorry.
 As I said before I was self-taught and these are the things I learnt to grasp each things easily.

Alright then! Till my next post!
Cheers! 

You only get to live your age once.

Theres so many things I want to do..

I've recently been listening to 'millionaires' by the script and the song itself tells to just enjoy yourself and live life the way you want it (thats my interpretation though)

It then made me realise that though this word YOLO has been used a million times by people as a trend its true that you only live once.

But to me, rather than the fact that you only live once, its more of  "you only go through this stage of life once".

Honestly I've been thinking alot.

A whole lot cuz I realised I am turning 19 soon (Didnt expect it to be so fast though...it felt like my birthday was 6 months away) 

What have I done over the past 18 years that could make me say "I'm living my age"?

None really. 

One reason I couldnt live my "age" was because of the restrictions I had from my parents. 

Since young I was really restricted in my actions and I guess that made me a kind of an 'indoor kid'.

Whereby I lost intrest in actually having a life. 

Going out with friends felt tiring even going shopping with my parents was a bore. 

Nothing interested me, I'd rather stay at home and just watch TV. 

That was until last year when I moved up a stage to a new school life and realized that there were many things to do out there and really, I've been missing a lot. 

I've never really acted my age. While my friends were attending sleepover parties at the age of 9 and 10, I was helping my dad to do deliveries around singapore or reading a book at home. 

I never really went out with my friends alone (like shopping or playing outdoors with them over the weekends) until the age of 13. (Impossible right) 

And I felt that..that life was normal. However it slowly turned me into an introvert who's only comfortable in an environment with familiar people. Therefore it is always hard for me to talk to others first and make friends. 

There are many things you can go through at a particular age and i missed almost every single one of them and I truly regret not rebelling against my parents. However I guess when I was younger, it did not matter to me. I did not realize what I was missing.

But i guess it could be because in the past, if I had a book and my favorite music on my stereo, life was good. I went to school and came home just in time for my TV programme (And yes I did remember the whole schedule till today.) Not to mention though my parents were strict with me going out but they surprisingly allowed me to go for concerts. So till this day, I have been to about 5-6 concerts. 

And I must say there are things that I have cancelled off my 'to-do' list after I got some freedom from my parents when I turned 18 last year. Like going for class chalets and getting drunk. Of course there are somethings they don't know I do. 

But after all those things I did, it made me realized how much I have missed in my teen years. If i had rebelled against them in the past would have things changed? Would i be better outside my comfort zone? Would I have been more confident of myself? Or just living life the way I did the best?

I don't know. 

Maybe in the next post I'll talk of the things I wanted to do and why I regret a handful of things. 

Cheers 

Summary of my the past week....

Bought these babies as soon as I got my pay.
Wanted to get the classic but got this old school instead after consulting
with the kind store assistant.
The store assistant was super super kind and cool!!

The one who has been neglecting her blog
The one who is starting school next week

Going to the beach!! 

The one who isnt ready for the exams to come

Sup peeps!
Didnt blog for long after my 'rant' cuz I've been running around and stuff.
Work, Birthdays,Extra classes, Work again.
That was basically what I've been doing this holiday.

But of course I didnt want my holiday to end just like that
So, I squeezed in a day to go to the beach.
It was superbly fun and I worse a singlet out for the first time.
I must say I wish I had the guts to wear singlets out every day.
I got tanned (a little bit) and I can't wait for my next holidays to go there again.

Totally in relax mode 

I cycled till the end of ECP and it was really refreshing.
Cuz I didnt cycle the route people normally take so..
All I saw was green and the sea and the wind just slapping my face.
(Literally slapping..the wind was super strong that day)
I wanted to cycle till marina barrage (cuz I heard you can) but I didnt.
(cuz I didnt wannt go alone.and I cycled quite far away from my friends
so I thought I should turn back while I still had energy left)
I also learnt that day that I can indeed wear sunglasses cuz
I don't need glasses to walk or cycle..I just need them to read.
So I thought..why not invest in some sunglasses haha..
Feel like asking my manager for a discount on those pair of frogskin or hollbrook.
But I feel I shouldn't take advantage of my time working there so..I probably won't
Maybe I will work my ass off more and save money for a pair of them.

So other then that day at ECP I have basically been at school for a day for some Photoshop and indesign workshop. (Which I must say was super complicating. I got a hang of Indesign but photoshop..like seriously when did you evolve into a mindwrecking software? Do note the last time I learnt to use Photoshop it was when it was PS 5..if I am not wrong so...yes I was very lost in class)

I also was frequently at work this holiday..I was barely home.which was fine for me.
I'd rather be out then be at home so..
Work is fun and awesome especially on event day.
We recently wrapped up the 'Bike' event and yes that made me want to cycle
hence the trip to ECP.
I woke up at 4.30am, my dad and I got lost at changi coast road
and eventually made it to the venue to deliver the goods. (YAY!)
Then halfway through the race it started to rain..badly.. but our small little tent sheltered us.
After all the rain and wind was gone, I saw a rainbow with my eyes for the first time.

I really do enjoy working at the place I am helping out now.
All the people there are so friendly and funny.
Also I, an introvert, is forced to interact with people.
The next event coming up is this weekend so..lets see what interesting happening they will be.

Okay then I shall end it here today then.

Look at the difference in the toolbox..Jeez!

There is a FIFA match tonight at 2.45am
Brazil vs Japan.
You can try to guess which team I will be supprting ;)

Cheers!!

[Ask me any questions at ask.fm/MLTZ94 !! Also, I have a question to all you silent readers. Lets interact more and let me get to know you..especially the people who I have never met before.
Tell me. What was your May playlist? Leave your top 5 songs in May in the comment box below!!]

Just a small little Rant and my may playlist

Just gonna write something that I have been wanting to get off my chest for a while.
As normal human beings we LOVE to judge.
By the clothes people wear, the way they speak, the way the act.
We would judge every single move. Some may be a good judgement some may not.
We take one look at the person and just think that he/she is just like that.

I am guilty of judging others but these days I have tried my best to stop.
Because I know in return I am being judged too.
But one thing I can't stand is how people judge others by the music they listen to.
I mean okay, I know there are people that HATES kpop.
But just because this person listens to Kpop does not mean that the person is a bitch or something.
Or like their some obsessive fanatics or worse still a brainless bimbo.
Music is universal. Kpop is just a type of music that is sung in korean.
Their Taylor swift is like Juniel.
Their Backstreet Boys are like shinhwa.
Their Bon Jovi is like Boohwal.
Same type of music just different language.
So why the hatred?

There was a certain period of time I didnt dare to tell people the type of music I listen to
because I knew I would be said against.
Heck I was one of the people that was strongly against Kpop music.
But then one day I stopped and think. Why do I hate their music?
Is it because my friends hate it?
Is it cuz it makes me look like a weakling and a girl?
Am I really gonna let people's perceptions get in the way of the songs I listen to?
HELL NO!

One thing I learnt growing up and listening to music is
its the Lyrics and the songs that makes up what music is.
Yes I may not understand german or korean but the song's melody is what gets to me.
I have grown up listening to english songs and sometimes I get sick of it.
So when I heard Big bang's Lies. Things changed.
I was like " what is this? Korean? I didn't know korean music is like this"
Listening to other types of music broadens borders.
I used to only stick to alternative music until one day I heard kpop.
I honestly at first felt ashamed cuz it was the type of music I looked down upon.
But when I look back i think..Why did I look down on Kpop?
I mean their songs too. No difference. If you don't like some of their songs then just ignore it.
Korean music is not only revolved around SNSD and Shinee and all those 'Idol groups'
There are really some good indie groups and rappers behind that whole scene!
You just need to open yourself up and explore.

Recently I was talking to a group of friends and I let them see the songs I listen to
and they were like " You listen to Zedd and calvin harris?!"
and I asked" What do I look like I listen to?"
and they were like" Jrock"
Well yes I do listen to Jrock but it dosent mean I just stop there.
I just really love exploring the music out there.

Overall my message today is just dont go hating on music.
If you hate this genre or language then don't listen to it.
Don't go telling or like showing people that their doing a crime listening to those songs you disagree with.
Its not a crime to listen to justin bieber/one direction or kpop.
I mean I don't go around telling others their stupid cuz they support JB just because I am against listening to JB.
And I would also like to encourage you all to try and listen to songs from the type of genre you hate.
Explore it a little. Don't just stick to one genre. and if you hate it. Keep it to yourself.
If you can't stand it then complain to your best friends at most. (Friends who agree with you..don't go fighting about who's playlist is better than the others)

Beneath all this random rant I hope you guys got my message.
Anyways, have a great weekend
and

Cheers :)

[If you have any question your wondering about me. just drop me a question at ask.fm/MLTZ94]

MY MAY PLAYLIST

 

Music Fridays: Japanese Songs off Japanese Dramas

Hey!
So another end of the week means another Music Fridays!!
This week I will be introducing some of my all-time faverite japanese songs taken from the many japanese dramas I watch.

I grew up watching Japanese dramas and I've been watching since the age of 5 cuz my mother always watches them and they used to be played on channel 8 and channel U.
They dont do it now anymore cuz its the 'Korean Fever'.
In the past, Japanese/Jpop was very popular so they used to play japanese dramas on local tv.
And I prefer Japanese over Korean dramas at times because I understand Japanese rofl.
But then again these days I haven't found a nice Japanese drama so..I've been rewatching my all time faves.
Haha.

So this week's theme for Music Fridays is  Japanese Drama OST




This song was the song that made me love Greeeen a lot. This song 'Kiseki' (meaning miracle or seasons..but i think it means miracle)  was used in the dramas 'Rookies' (which is a high-school action dramas that is very recommended. Its my all time favorite and was a hit show in Japan.) I don't know why but I always seem to tear when I hear this song. (Though its not as bad as their other song 'Haruka' now that song just makes me cry) The lyrics are just really well written and just hits you in a way. A fun fact about this band is that they have never showed themself. When you search Greeeen you don't see real life people but a picture of 4 people. This is as they started this group to earn money to pay for their college fees and now their day-time job are dentists. Do listen to their other songs because their really good.



Ikenai Taiyou (Tried to translate it but can't seem to find the right words cuz. ikenai means 'banned' or just something thats wrong. then Taiyou is the sun. So it becomes Banned sun? SEEE..its not easy..translating,even for a half-native like me..) Anyways, this was used as the theme song for 'Hanzakari kimi tachi e' which i'm sure you guys better know it as hana kimi or for you in full blossom. Or for korean fans you will know 'to the beautiful you'. Well, this is the Japanese version and my MOST favorite version (not cuz its japanese. if you havent watched it, watch it. You'll know why its the best) . Also this group Orange Range sings a great deal of awesome songs. Another faverite song of mine from them would be 'Hana'.



The song, Love so Sweet, that made me love them. The drama that was another all time faverite of mine. From the OST of hana yori dango or better known as 'Boys Over Flowers'. Love so sweet by arashi!!
Arashi is a boygroup that is loved by a wide spread of people in Japan. Many in japan would know them and love them. (Even my mom..my mom was super crazy over them at a point of time.) Their concerts are exclusive to Johnny fans and are chosen by balloting but the stadium seats are always full. They are not only awesome singers but good at variety shows as well.
They have sang many songs for dramas and most of them are dramas that I have enjoyed.
Like 'Truth' . If you love a suspense filled drama so watch it. It starts Ikuta Toma and Arashi's leader, Ohno Satoshi.



I said above that there were Japanese dramas shown on Local TV and the drama this song was taken from is just one of those shows. Hitoribochi no Haburashi (The lonely Toothbrush) was taken from this drama called 'Mukudono!' or 'My husband'. The show was broadcasted in 2001 and sometimes when I get bored I go back to watching this show. Its a really cute drama of how this guy marries the girl she loves but this guy is not an ordinary guy. He is actually a sexy charismatic idol singer and got secretly married to the girl. However the thing is, he lives with his wife's family but the wife and her family does not know that he is an idol and the fans of the idol does not know that he is married!
If you are interested in how things go do check this drama out.


The last song I will introduce today is from this drama called 'Buzzer Beat' which is a romantic drama that revolves around basketball.
This song, 'Ichibu to zenbu' (Just a part and everything) is sung by B'Z a Rocking awesome duo.
I first heard of B'z from an older drama called 'beautiful life' that stars kimura takuya and I love that song as well. The singer, Koshi-san has a really unique rocking voice that just suits all the song they sing (which are written by him as well). Not to mention, Matsumoto-san  is a grammy award winning Japanese Guitarist.
His skills are awesome and I admire him as well for his skills. They are a group that have been around for a long time and a group I will be listening for a long time as well.

So thats the end of music fridays and maybe if I have a chance I will write about the Japanese dramas that I watch and recommand. I know many of you won't be interested because you all probably prefer american/british and korean dramas. Now don't get me wrong I have nothing against those dramas cuz I myself like some american/british/korean dramas. Its just that some Japanese dramas has that humour and horrific and just a really well-written script. If I ever had a chance I would love to work on a Japanese drama. (Another reason why I chose my current course.)

Ok then with this have an awesome weekend and....

Cheers.

Pictures Pictures PICTURES!

Distorted Images

The one who's on diet this week
The one who's finally getting a rest
The one who seriously needs to start studying

Olla amigos!
A short update on how I have been living.

Well, I have been working for 4 days straight the last week and I must say its very draining.
Having to wake up early though its the holidays was tough.
But I enjoyed my days at the office and the expo.
However as I was always tired after work I havent been able to start making my notes.

Today was not a productive day either as I just kept watching shows that I have missed since school started. Pfft.

Anyways, I had an enjoyable weekend because of my buddy ker whom I asked to work with me at the event.
On Saturday after work, we went to devour some korean BBQ after walking around city square mall
thinking of what we should eat.
Eventually we settled at this place Gangnam Garden.
Its a nice and cosy place but the choice of meat was limited as compared to 2days1night
However I still enjoyed my meal thanks to the animated chats I had with ker.

Sunday was not different expect I had to drag myself over to City Square Mall and I was shocked on how people get up early just to go to town.

Apart from work I have been shopping online as well.
My haul from Cotton On came in last week and I'm happy with my buys.
As it is currently the GSS season, I am itching to buy somemore
however, I need to wait till my pay gets in *insert sigh here*

I guess thats all I have been doing and I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Cheers :)

[P.s Do ask me questions on ask.fm/MLTZ94!! I'll be more than happy to answer them!! Also if you havent tried this, try it!! Its fun to get questions from people and answering them!! ^^]

A book I've been trying to finish, Its really not bad,
but I just need to find the time to read it. 

Played some old-school monopoly with ma friends

Tonight's dinner to mark the start of a healthy diet week.

Back-track Saturday

Hi all!
I am sorry I missed posting Music Friday but by the time I reached home from work last night and finishing up my stuffs it was already 1am.
I had work at 9.15am this morning as well too so yeah, I've been leading a hectic life these days.

So to make up for Music Fridays,
this week I bring you Back-track Saturday whereby I shall introduce the songs I used to listen when I was young. Maybe you will feel nostalgic as well ;D

 

Fort Minor
A small project group that Mike Shinoda made and this song was one of my faverites when it was first released. Remember the name; I definitely did.



Linkin Park & Evanescence

I was a troubled kid and I struggled a lot to find myself and I was always angry at everything. However listening to bands like linkin park and Evanescence helped me to calm down or it helped me to release the stress that was cooped up in me. Now that I think about the days when I was listening to these songs, I realise how far I've come and how I have grown.




Maroon 5 & The Killers
These groups were my 'guilty pleasure'. I didn't like listening to such type of songs but I don't understand why these 2 groups songs kept pulling me back to listen to them over and over again.'Sunday Morning' is a song I really love because it was the song I used to listen to in sec 2 when I was down and out by a lot of things. As for 'Mr Brightside' the song slowly grew on me over the years like any other 'Killers' song.Its a type of song that is uniquely 'Killers'.





Black Eyed Peas, Chris Brown & Mario
The first CD I ever purchased myself with my chinese new year money at the age of 9 was Black Eyed Peas. It was the first ever CD in my later to come CD collection. I really loved 'where is the love' and  I remember rapping to the song when the song came on the radio..I still do though. The songs I chose from Chris Brown and Mario were the other 2 R&B song I often listened too as well. The lyrics meant a lot and rather then helping me get over my first crush it made me more miserable but still, these songs all hold a meaning to me.




Train & Goo Goo Dolls
These two songs are my all-time faverite. Often on the radio I enjoy the lyrics as they all hold meaning in each way. I wish that 'Iris' will be played on my wedding day and 'Drops of Jupiter' during my funeral. But of course I have other songs I would like to play on those two occasions but still these 2 are on the top list. It would be nice if someone sang Iris for me cuz its my all-time faverite song. Such a dream I have. Haha.

Ok so with that I will end this post.

Have a good Weekend!!
As for me I'll be working on Sunday as well so..haha...

Cheers Then!