Use boxnet to upload the recordings, found here:
http://www.box.net/
You have to register to get an account, but it's free, and they don't have all those annoying ads you can get with other free file-hosting services. However, .wav files are pretty big, and may exceed the boxnet limits. It's best if you can convert the .wav files to .mp3's. Audacity can do that for you; it's a free recording program, though make sure you also download the (equally free) Lame utility, because you need that for the mp3 conversion.
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/faq
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
My Notes on Piano Selection
Below are some notes which I have gathered. Hoping to get a good new piano to replace my old Schubert:-
General Notes
1. Minimum height of 121cm can be used until Grade 6 and sometimes to Diploma.
2. Steinway and Yamaha pianos are typically used for concert performance
3. Buy used pianos when you have a technician to help you check the pianos before you buy (someone you trust)
4. S$2,000 to $3,000: Can get older Kawai or Yamaha or other japanese brands.
5. S$1,000 - S$1,800: Can try yahoo auction or ebay for any good deals.
6. S$600 - S$1,000: May get reasonable gem and ask techie to help you tune it up.
7. S$500 and below: Test pianos for child who don't know if interest will last
8. For working adults, get a moderate range piano like S$3k to S$4K: to enjoy good sound and touch pleasure on what a good piano should delivery.
Japan-made Pianos
1. Yamaha U1 (expensive and sound might be too bright): $9k for new ones
2. Kawai K3 (mellow): $7.5k for new ones
3. Atlas at Piano Master: $3.4k for new ones
4. As a guideline only for original used piano:
eg: Yamaha U1: S$8000 (new), S$6400 (5yrs), S$4512 (10yrs), S$4096 (15 yrs), S$3277 (20 yrs), S$2621 (25 yrs), S$2097 (30 yrs)
Chinese-made Pianos
1. Hailun can provide better Chinese made pianos: HL125 at $3.6k for new ones
2. Pearl River Pianos (Cristofori)
3. Perzina Pianos (the best Chinese made pianos in Group 3A based on grouping by Larry Fine)
Korea-made Pianos
1. Young Chang Pianos
2. Samick Pianos
Continental Pianos
1. Continental pianos are good for higher grades but might not be suitable for due to humidity issues.
2. Wendl and Lung (W&L) is also solely distributed by Master Pianos International, with the same manufacturing background as Hailun pianos. (Austria)
Methods to Test Pianos
1. Hit the last left note firmly. is the sound firm and deep and still have sweet resonance? If not, forget it.
2. Run all the keys including the black ones (take your time) in 3 modes, soft, medium and hard. are all the notes have the same tone, color and loudness? If not, forget it.
3. Are any keys sticky? Like the key takes some time to lift up after pressing? Old Yamahas are known to have this problem. If yes, forget it.
4. Open up the piano and check the hammers for thickness and evenness, strings, frame and tuning pins for rust, the board for any small cracks...
Bottom Line
1. No point getting a cheapest piano but sounds bad. Not good for ears and learning.
2. No point getting a new piano, won't help the learning speed. But if one can afford, why not?
General Notes
1. Minimum height of 121cm can be used until Grade 6 and sometimes to Diploma.
2. Steinway and Yamaha pianos are typically used for concert performance
3. Buy used pianos when you have a technician to help you check the pianos before you buy (someone you trust)
4. S$2,000 to $3,000: Can get older Kawai or Yamaha or other japanese brands.
5. S$1,000 - S$1,800: Can try yahoo auction or ebay for any good deals.
6. S$600 - S$1,000: May get reasonable gem and ask techie to help you tune it up.
7. S$500 and below: Test pianos for child who don't know if interest will last
8. For working adults, get a moderate range piano like S$3k to S$4K: to enjoy good sound and touch pleasure on what a good piano should delivery.
Japan-made Pianos
1. Yamaha U1 (expensive and sound might be too bright): $9k for new ones
2. Kawai K3 (mellow): $7.5k for new ones
3. Atlas at Piano Master: $3.4k for new ones
4. As a guideline only for original used piano:
eg: Yamaha U1: S$8000 (new), S$6400 (5yrs), S$4512 (10yrs), S$4096 (15 yrs), S$3277 (20 yrs), S$2621 (25 yrs), S$2097 (30 yrs)
Chinese-made Pianos
1. Hailun can provide better Chinese made pianos: HL125 at $3.6k for new ones
2. Pearl River Pianos (Cristofori)
3. Perzina Pianos (the best Chinese made pianos in Group 3A based on grouping by Larry Fine)
Korea-made Pianos
1. Young Chang Pianos
2. Samick Pianos
Continental Pianos
1. Continental pianos are good for higher grades but might not be suitable for due to humidity issues.
2. Wendl and Lung (W&L) is also solely distributed by Master Pianos International, with the same manufacturing background as Hailun pianos. (Austria)
Methods to Test Pianos
1. Hit the last left note firmly. is the sound firm and deep and still have sweet resonance? If not, forget it.
2. Run all the keys including the black ones (take your time) in 3 modes, soft, medium and hard. are all the notes have the same tone, color and loudness? If not, forget it.
3. Are any keys sticky? Like the key takes some time to lift up after pressing? Old Yamahas are known to have this problem. If yes, forget it.
4. Open up the piano and check the hammers for thickness and evenness, strings, frame and tuning pins for rust, the board for any small cracks...
Bottom Line
1. No point getting a cheapest piano but sounds bad. Not good for ears and learning.
2. No point getting a new piano, won't help the learning speed. But if one can afford, why not?
Pictures of My First Schubert Piano
This is my first piano which was delivered to my house in 9 Jun 2000.
I bought this piano from my Piano teacher at S$450.
It is Schubert, first deliver to my teacher's house in 24 Sep 1973.
It is 101cm height, 132cm length (85 keys), 48cm depth. It is a console upright piano.
I bought this piano from my Piano teacher at S$450.
It is Schubert, first deliver to my teacher's house in 24 Sep 1973.
It is 101cm height, 132cm length (85 keys), 48cm depth. It is a console upright piano.
Useful materials for Adult Beginners
Below are some of the resources which I used for my Piano Learning Journey (updated as of Jul08), which I find them very useful in your step to step learning:
Books
1. Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course Lesson Book (Level 1)
2. Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course Lesson Book (Level 2)
3. Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course: Adult All-In-One Course (Level 3)
4. A Handbook of Music Theory (Grades 1 - 5) By Loh Phiak Kheng
Websites
1. http://www.playpianotips.com/
2. http://www.pianoworld.com/
3. http://www.free-online-piano-lessons.com/index.html
4. http://www.8notes.com/
5. http://www.private-piano-teacher.com/index.html
6. http://www.5min.com/Lypur
Books
1. Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course Lesson Book (Level 1)
2. Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course Lesson Book (Level 2)
3. Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course: Adult All-In-One Course (Level 3)
4. A Handbook of Music Theory (Grades 1 - 5) By Loh Phiak Kheng
Websites
1. http://www.playpianotips.com/
2. http://www.pianoworld.com/
3. http://www.free-online-piano-lessons.com/index.html
4. http://www.8notes.com/
5. http://www.private-piano-teacher.com/index.html
6. http://www.5min.com/Lypur
Piano Shops in Singapore
Emmanuel & Sons (Mr Kwan)
New Address: 124 Mackenzie Rd
10 Owen Rd Singapore 218846
Telephone: 6100 0111
(at Little India, opposite Mustafa Centre – shows new and pre-owned pianos)
The Piano Passion
5 Coleman Street #03-05
EXCELSIOR HOTEL & SHOPPING CENTRE,
Singapore 179805
p: 63366872
Luther Musicworks
5 Coleman St #02-08
Excelsior Shopping Centre Singapore 179805
Tel : 6569 4919
Mun Kai Piano Company
1 Coleman Street, #B1-47,
The Adelphi, Singapore 179803
Ph : 6883 2030 ;
Fax : 6333 4118
Email : query@mkpiano.com
Renner Piano
No.1 Sophia Road #01-09/10
Peace Centre Singapore 228149
Tel: +65 63370216 , +65 63383302 , +65 63368396
sales@renner.com.sg ------------ (General Sales/Infomation)
support@renner.com.sg --------- (After-Sales Support)
sfho@renner.com.sg ------------- (The Store Manager)
hozen@renner.com.sg ----------- (Web Admin Matters)
Hailun Piano (better China make)
Showroom:
Blk 1016 Geylang East Ave 3 #01-143 Singapore 389731
(Opp Paya Lebar MRT & S’ Post Centre)
Tel: (65) 6747 7695 Fax: (65) 6747 9163
Workshop:
Blk 1016 Geylang East Ave 3 #02-147 Singapore 389731
Authorised Dealer:
Stellar School of Music: Blk 214 Bishan Street 23 #B1-223
Pro Musique: 159A Thomson Road Gold Hill Plaza
Robert Piano (Robert Piano is the offspring of Keller)
Millenia Walk
9 Raffles Boulevard #02-33/36A,
Tel:065-63339495 Fax:065-3334553
Parkway Parade
80 Marine Parade Rd, #03-07/08,
Tel:065-63441903 Fax:065-63447345
CentrePoint
176 Orchard Rd. #04-01
Tel:065-67374667 / 67322969
The Paragon
290 Orchard Rd, #05-49/51, S(238859)
Tel:065-67320031 Fax:065-67326001
Cristofori Music (Showroom & Music School)
Blk 3014 Bedok Ind Pk E #02-2148 Singapore 489980
Telephone: (65)-62439555
Fax: (65)-62449555
109 North Bridge Road,
#04-01 Funan Digitalife Mall S(179097)
Tel: 6338-0009
21 Bukit Batok Central,
#02-04/05 Bukit Batok Community Club, S(659959)
Tel: 6899-6748
Asia Piano
190 Clemenceau Ave #03-22
Singapore Shopping Centre Singapore 239924
Chiu Piano Co Pte Ltd
301 Up Thomson Rd #02-06
Thomson Plaza Singapore 574408
Tel : 6454 7679
8 Kaki Bukit Rd 2 #04-01
Ruby Warehouse Complex Singapore 417841
Tel: 67478302
Music Companion
2 Jurong East St 21 #04-31K
IMM Bldg Singapore 609601
Tel : 6569 0648
Raffles Piano Pte Ltd
11 Empress Pl #01-00
Victoria Memorial Hall Singapore 179558
Tel : 6338 1723
Shelley's Piano & Instruments
Blk 1003 Toa Payoh Ind Pk
#07-1515 Singapore 319075
Tel : 6255 2222
Wagner Petrof Piano Pte Ltd
170 Up Bt Timah Rd #01-16
Bt Timah Shopping Centre Singapore 588179
Tel : 6293 9886
L J Liew Piano Co
1 Orchard Rd #02-02
Orchard Towers Singapore 238824
Tel : 6737 6328
Fax: 6736 1300
Klassique Musik Pte Ltd
271 Bt Timah Rd #02-19
Balmoral Plaza Singapore 259708
Tel : 6333 6486
Music Companion
2 Jurong East St 21 #04-31K
IMM Bldg Singapore 609601
Tel : 6569 0648
Music Lodge
170 Up Bt Timah Rd #01-16
Bt Timah Shopping Centre Singapore 588179
Tel : 6762 6378
The Piano Connection
35 Selegie Rd #02-04
Parklane Shopping Mall Singapore 188307
Tel : 6336 0097
Alliance Piano
100 Jln Sultan #02-43
Sultan Plaza Singapore 199001
Tel : 6392 1868
Gramercy Music (S) Pte Ltd
Main Office / Showroom
291, 293, 295, Tanjong Katong Road Singapore 437076
Tel : +65 6345 3815
Fax : +65 6440 4513
Email : info@gramercy.com.sg
Business Hours :Tuesday to Saturday ( 10.00am - 8.00pm )Sunday ( 12.00pm - 6.00pm )
Monday and Public Holidays Closed
Bus Services nos: 10, 31, 32, 40, 76, 135, 149, 197
From Paya Lebar MRT Station : (3rd Bus Stops from the Paya Lebar MRT Station)
Warehouse
No.21 Kim Keat Road #01-02Singapore 328805
Yamaha
http://www.yamaha.com.sg/main_contactus.htm
Sonata Music House
Main Office
Blk 140 Teck Whye Lane #02-353 / 357 Singapore 680140
Tel: +65 6765 3174
Fax: +65 6762 5035
Opening Hours Tue and Sat (9am - 6pm) Wed - Fri (9am - 9pm) Sunday (9am - 4pm)
Closed on Monday and Public Holiday
Branch Office
190 Clemenceau Ave #05-16 Singapore Shopping Centre S(239924)
Tel: +65 6333 4658
Fax: +65 6333 1526
Opening Hours Tue and Thurs (11am - 6pm) Wed and Fri (9am - 9pm) Sat (9am – 6pm)
Closed on Monday, Sunday and Public Holiday
Beethoven Creative Music & Art
2 Pandan Valley #01-211 Acacia Ct Singapore 597626
Tel: (65) 6468 5223
Century Piano
177 River Valley Rd #02-36 Singapore 179030
Tel: (65) 6339 2363
City Music Co Pte Ltd
1 Sophia Rd #02-12/13 Peace Centre Singapore 228149
Tel: (65) 6337 7058
Eason Enterprises
Blk 1 Rochor Rd #02-612
Tel: (65) 6294 7522
En-Rich Arts
110 Up East Coast Rd
Tel: (65) 6241 5100
Ephraim Music
61 Kaki Bukit Ave 1 #06-19 Singapore 417943
Tel: (65) 6842 5208
Shelley's Piano & Instruments
Blk 1003 Toa Payoh Ind Pk #07-1515
Tel: (65) 6250 8521
The Piano Connection
35 Selegie Rd #03-09 Parklane Shopping Mall Singapore 188307
Tel: (65) 6336 0097
Keller Piano Co (Pte) Ltd
176 Orchard Rd #04-01 Centrepoint Singapore 238843
Tel: (65) 6734 7855
Music Lodge
Blk 103 Jurong East St 13 #22-204 Singapore 600103
Tel: (65) 6567 9945
The Piano Music Galleria
2 Sin Ming Rd #01-08 Sin Ming Pl Tower 1 Singapore 575583
Tel: (65) 6454 8622
The Pianoman's Shop Pte Ltd
1 Jalan Anak Bukit#B2-16
Bukit Timah Plaza Singapore 588996
Tel: 6465 4465
Fax: 6465 2465
Abral Lim - Operations Manager: H/P: 9845 3505
Andy Png - Piano Tuning/Servicing: H/P: 9852 9555
Raymond Koh - Music Consultant: H/P: 9654 1541
Linda Wong - Executive: H/P: 8123 9400
E-Mail: pianomanshop@singnet.com.sg
Zodak Music Shoppe
360, Balestier Road #03-01
Shaw Plaza Singapore 329783
Tel: 6255 5450 / 6784 4266
Enquiries
Contact Person: Eric
Email: cyrus316316@hotmail.com
http://www.usedpianos.com.sg/
New Address: 124 Mackenzie Rd
10 Owen Rd Singapore 218846
Telephone: 6100 0111
(at Little India, opposite Mustafa Centre – shows new and pre-owned pianos)
The Piano Passion
5 Coleman Street #03-05
EXCELSIOR HOTEL & SHOPPING CENTRE,
Singapore 179805
p: 63366872
Luther Musicworks
5 Coleman St #02-08
Excelsior Shopping Centre Singapore 179805
Tel : 6569 4919
Mun Kai Piano Company
1 Coleman Street, #B1-47,
The Adelphi, Singapore 179803
Ph : 6883 2030 ;
Fax : 6333 4118
Email : query@mkpiano.com
Renner Piano
No.1 Sophia Road #01-09/10
Peace Centre Singapore 228149
Tel: +65 63370216 , +65 63383302 , +65 63368396
sales@renner.com.sg ------------ (General Sales/Infomation)
support@renner.com.sg --------- (After-Sales Support)
sfho@renner.com.sg ------------- (The Store Manager)
hozen@renner.com.sg ----------- (Web Admin Matters)
Hailun Piano (better China make)
Showroom:
Blk 1016 Geylang East Ave 3 #01-143 Singapore 389731
(Opp Paya Lebar MRT & S’ Post Centre)
Tel: (65) 6747 7695 Fax: (65) 6747 9163
Workshop:
Blk 1016 Geylang East Ave 3 #02-147 Singapore 389731
Authorised Dealer:
Stellar School of Music: Blk 214 Bishan Street 23 #B1-223
Pro Musique: 159A Thomson Road Gold Hill Plaza
Robert Piano (Robert Piano is the offspring of Keller)
Millenia Walk
9 Raffles Boulevard #02-33/36A,
Tel:065-63339495 Fax:065-3334553
Parkway Parade
80 Marine Parade Rd, #03-07/08,
Tel:065-63441903 Fax:065-63447345
CentrePoint
176 Orchard Rd. #04-01
Tel:065-67374667 / 67322969
The Paragon
290 Orchard Rd, #05-49/51, S(238859)
Tel:065-67320031 Fax:065-67326001
Cristofori Music (Showroom & Music School)
Blk 3014 Bedok Ind Pk E #02-2148 Singapore 489980
Telephone: (65)-62439555
Fax: (65)-62449555
109 North Bridge Road,
#04-01 Funan Digitalife Mall S(179097)
Tel: 6338-0009
21 Bukit Batok Central,
#02-04/05 Bukit Batok Community Club, S(659959)
Tel: 6899-6748
Asia Piano
190 Clemenceau Ave #03-22
Singapore Shopping Centre Singapore 239924
Chiu Piano Co Pte Ltd
301 Up Thomson Rd #02-06
Thomson Plaza Singapore 574408
Tel : 6454 7679
8 Kaki Bukit Rd 2 #04-01
Ruby Warehouse Complex Singapore 417841
Tel: 67478302
Music Companion
2 Jurong East St 21 #04-31K
IMM Bldg Singapore 609601
Tel : 6569 0648
Raffles Piano Pte Ltd
11 Empress Pl #01-00
Victoria Memorial Hall Singapore 179558
Tel : 6338 1723
Shelley's Piano & Instruments
Blk 1003 Toa Payoh Ind Pk
#07-1515 Singapore 319075
Tel : 6255 2222
Wagner Petrof Piano Pte Ltd
170 Up Bt Timah Rd #01-16
Bt Timah Shopping Centre Singapore 588179
Tel : 6293 9886
L J Liew Piano Co
1 Orchard Rd #02-02
Orchard Towers Singapore 238824
Tel : 6737 6328
Fax: 6736 1300
Klassique Musik Pte Ltd
271 Bt Timah Rd #02-19
Balmoral Plaza Singapore 259708
Tel : 6333 6486
Music Companion
2 Jurong East St 21 #04-31K
IMM Bldg Singapore 609601
Tel : 6569 0648
Music Lodge
170 Up Bt Timah Rd #01-16
Bt Timah Shopping Centre Singapore 588179
Tel : 6762 6378
The Piano Connection
35 Selegie Rd #02-04
Parklane Shopping Mall Singapore 188307
Tel : 6336 0097
Alliance Piano
100 Jln Sultan #02-43
Sultan Plaza Singapore 199001
Tel : 6392 1868
Gramercy Music (S) Pte Ltd
Main Office / Showroom
291, 293, 295, Tanjong Katong Road Singapore 437076
Tel : +65 6345 3815
Fax : +65 6440 4513
Email : info@gramercy.com.sg
Business Hours :Tuesday to Saturday ( 10.00am - 8.00pm )Sunday ( 12.00pm - 6.00pm )
Monday and Public Holidays Closed
Bus Services nos: 10, 31, 32, 40, 76, 135, 149, 197
From Paya Lebar MRT Station : (3rd Bus Stops from the Paya Lebar MRT Station)
Warehouse
No.21 Kim Keat Road #01-02Singapore 328805
Yamaha
http://www.yamaha.com.sg/main_contactus.htm
Sonata Music House
Main Office
Blk 140 Teck Whye Lane #02-353 / 357 Singapore 680140
Tel: +65 6765 3174
Fax: +65 6762 5035
Opening Hours Tue and Sat (9am - 6pm) Wed - Fri (9am - 9pm) Sunday (9am - 4pm)
Closed on Monday and Public Holiday
Branch Office
190 Clemenceau Ave #05-16 Singapore Shopping Centre S(239924)
Tel: +65 6333 4658
Fax: +65 6333 1526
Opening Hours Tue and Thurs (11am - 6pm) Wed and Fri (9am - 9pm) Sat (9am – 6pm)
Closed on Monday, Sunday and Public Holiday
Beethoven Creative Music & Art
2 Pandan Valley #01-211 Acacia Ct Singapore 597626
Tel: (65) 6468 5223
Century Piano
177 River Valley Rd #02-36 Singapore 179030
Tel: (65) 6339 2363
City Music Co Pte Ltd
1 Sophia Rd #02-12/13 Peace Centre Singapore 228149
Tel: (65) 6337 7058
Eason Enterprises
Blk 1 Rochor Rd #02-612
Tel: (65) 6294 7522
En-Rich Arts
110 Up East Coast Rd
Tel: (65) 6241 5100
Ephraim Music
61 Kaki Bukit Ave 1 #06-19 Singapore 417943
Tel: (65) 6842 5208
Shelley's Piano & Instruments
Blk 1003 Toa Payoh Ind Pk #07-1515
Tel: (65) 6250 8521
The Piano Connection
35 Selegie Rd #03-09 Parklane Shopping Mall Singapore 188307
Tel: (65) 6336 0097
Keller Piano Co (Pte) Ltd
176 Orchard Rd #04-01 Centrepoint Singapore 238843
Tel: (65) 6734 7855
Music Lodge
Blk 103 Jurong East St 13 #22-204 Singapore 600103
Tel: (65) 6567 9945
The Piano Music Galleria
2 Sin Ming Rd #01-08 Sin Ming Pl Tower 1 Singapore 575583
Tel: (65) 6454 8622
The Pianoman's Shop Pte Ltd
1 Jalan Anak Bukit#B2-16
Bukit Timah Plaza Singapore 588996
Tel: 6465 4465
Fax: 6465 2465
Abral Lim - Operations Manager: H/P: 9845 3505
Andy Png - Piano Tuning/Servicing: H/P: 9852 9555
Raymond Koh - Music Consultant: H/P: 9654 1541
Linda Wong - Executive: H/P: 8123 9400
E-Mail: pianomanshop@singnet.com.sg
Zodak Music Shoppe
360, Balestier Road #03-01
Shaw Plaza Singapore 329783
Tel: 6255 5450 / 6784 4266
Enquiries
Contact Person: Eric
Email: cyrus316316@hotmail.com
http://www.usedpianos.com.sg/
Friday, July 25, 2008
Chinese Pop Songs (Many mistakes...)
This is my first attempt to record some of the pieces which I have played, by improvising my own chords and the tune based on my memory of how the song should be like. Yes, made a lot of mistakes. But nonetheless, is my first attempt. Will brush up my skills and hopefully it will sound better as time passes by...
不想睡- 梁静茹 Fish Leong (Piano) (made in Jul 08):
http://www.box.net/shared/tpefacz0ow
Fairy-tale 童话 by Michael Wong 光良 (Piano) (made in Jul08):
http://www.box.net/shared/cc8vomtc04
Fairy-tale 童话 by Michael Wong 光良 (Piano & Sing) (made in Jul08 when having sore throat):
http://www.box.net/shared/oxjvm3ig44
JJ Lin Jun Jie, 林俊杰 - Killa, Sha Shou (杀手) (Piano) (made in Jul08):
http://www.box.net/shared/7vupvm2o00
不想睡- 梁静茹 Fish Leong (Piano) (made in Jul 08):
http://www.box.net/shared/tpefacz0ow
Fairy-tale 童话 by Michael Wong 光良 (Piano) (made in Jul08):
http://www.box.net/shared/cc8vomtc04
Fairy-tale 童话 by Michael Wong 光良 (Piano & Sing) (made in Jul08 when having sore throat):
http://www.box.net/shared/oxjvm3ig44
JJ Lin Jun Jie, 林俊杰 - Killa, Sha Shou (杀手) (Piano) (made in Jul08):
http://www.box.net/shared/7vupvm2o00
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