During the Bandung trip, I have come to the realisation that the old songs of mine better kept within myself. Besides, instead of practicing my songs during my stay in Bundung (Indoesian), I have written new songs. So, for this new solo album of mine, why not?
After much consideration, I shall record the latest songs for my friends and families. And there you go, I am now practicing hard on these new songs. Hopefully, my NoEyeCandy band take some of the songs into our band core list.
Interestingly, whenever I listen to my old vocal recording, I always find it horrible. Looking from past to present, it is an improvement. Looking from present to past, it is pure embarrassment. Good thing or not? I would rather be like Cynthia who is born with a good voice and no need to do 30-40 minutes warmup (like I do) before recording.
Just to further elaborate, my band member Jason for instance would politely ask me to lower the key of the song or suggest (sometimes subtlely) someone else to sing the song if he thinks that I can’t make it. And he suggested that Cynthia should sing the high part of the song Jealousy.
Today, I sang the song Jealousy with the new technique I have learnt over the last month (read: I have not been singing that song for a month) through the acoustic amplifier and my new classical guitar. Surprisingly, Cynthia found it ok to listen to. She mentioned that I am relax and consistent. (Just for the record, the last time I sang that song, Cynthia pointed out at least 26 words I went flat. Horrible.)
That is indeed an achievement because to earn that ok (and not great as cautioned by Cynthia) is not at all easy. I guess it is indeed a baby step. I do really want to able to sing the entire song without lowering the key or pass it to another vocalist again (like what I have done for 2 of my songs for the band already). After all, the instrumental track of the 16 minutes and 32 seconds song has been recorded so the key cannot be lowered.
God help me so …
I was contemplating whether or not to record my new songs written while I was in Bandung or to record the song Jealousy that is long overdue. I have decided to finish off the instrumental tracks for Jealousy.
I am so looking forward to finish off the vocal piece. This song will be the classic piece for my band No Eye Candy.
It has been a productive trip so far. I have taken some great photos and written 3 songs so far. My idea is that once I am back to Singapore, I will select some of my most beloved pictures and post them in my website and let people vote for the best photo.
Back to my songwriting activity, on the Christmas eve I was with Cynthia in a very porsh Japanese restaurant in Jakarta (S$60 per head). After 3 glasses of Martini, I started writing the lyrics onto the napkin. Ever since I named my upcoming album as Eternally Thankful, an idea came up. Why don’t I write a title song called Eternally Thankful? And so I did. The first verse goes something like this.
Old man knocked at my door, asked me what I adore
All that glitters aren’t that all, be careful what you wish for
And I managed to finish writing the song by Christmas day.
My brother-in-law, Eric, commented that most of my songs are in minor key, which is true. I then asked him how to write major key songs and he showed me a few chords. I said to myself, why not give it a try? I have fun with it. Eric jammed with me on his keyboard with just the first 3 lines of the song. Fun.
Writing a major key song is kind of tough because I am not that used to it. Although Eric and his fiance Julia commented that the song, titled Sunflower has a bit of a dark side here and there, I am indeed very much happy with the result. I am the dark man. What can I do? Extract of the lyrics below.
Sunflower that’s what you’ve become
Sunflower we’ve had so much fun
Sunflower you don’t have a face
Sunflower do you know my face?
Next day, Eric showed me some interesting chords progression with the verses in minor keys and the chorus switches to major keys. Woah, that blew my mind away! And within minutes, the structure of the song was out.
Perhaps it was under the high effect (had some wine and port) and most likely because of the regularity of the song, the end result to me sounds like a trance song with a lot of interesting repeating melody that kind of stick into your head if you know what I mean. Song title is The Words You Said and the bridge of the song as follows.
You are the charm of my life, honey in my cup of tea
I want to spend my life with the concept of you
You are not making easier for me, getting lovlier each day
And I run, I run, I fall into your embrace.
Eric asked me if I could send him a recorded version of the songs and he is keen to take it to his friends who are in the music industry. Hmmmm. That could be interesting.
Kathleen Carey is the senior vice president of Song/ATV Music Publishing and in Roger Love’s Set Your Voice Free, her advice for aspiring musicians who would like to make it in the music business was:
“… Most important, stay true to yourself and in terms of expressing your own individual gift, and don’t water it down by listening to what’s on the radio and changing your sound, or tyring to make yourself commercial. Espeically now. A top band today may well be gone in months. So you need to hone your craft in any way you can – as a player, as a writer – and keep your focus on what you can do that is unique. The people who do that are the ones who win in the long run.”
After hearing a number of critism from the serious music listeners, I was much affected and influenced and somehow I could not write for a while. Lately, my songs are more commercially geared and are written well within my vocal range. Instead of letting the song goes freeform, I stick with the usual verse-verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus pattern. Each song I consciously put in a hook that keep repeating throughout the song. I used to think that this pattern is boring is uninspiring but I kind of yield to the critism.
When I shared my recent change in songwriting style with Jeremy, my “band manager”, he said the similiar thing. He said that I should stay with my own style as he do like my freeform stuffs.
If only I can find a balance somehow …
Well, actually I don’t know what good voices are made of. According to the book, there are different stages in singing technique breakthrough. Basically, one will encounter of cycles of improvement, setback, and breakthrough.
Yesterday was actually a setback. I hated my voice throughout the jamming session and I hated my vocal recording prior to the session itself. It was as though all the old habits just creeped out from nowhere.
Today, I tried to record my 2nd Christmas song, Don’t Give Up, and to my surprise I was able to record 3 takes in one go without doing any punch-in (i.e. minor correction). It was as though the confidence has come back to me. After Cynthia ok’ed the recording (3rd take to be precise), I was so much relieved that it is over.
I have broadcasted the 1st Christmas song last night and I have received feedback and encouragement from my friends in various forms (emails, online chat, and comments on the site). These messages touch my heart and that is exactly why I keep on moving forward.
Putting Don’t Give Up side by side with The Right To Live (Oh Holy Night) is a big risk. The last time I tried putting one song sang by Cynthia and one song sang by me, the contrast was so great that one song was deemed unacceptable to listen to. And you know which one I am talking about of course.
Nevertheless, I still wish to upload Don’t Give Up mainly because this song is entirely written by me and I would like to dedicate this song to my sister whom is in need of some cheering up right now. Hope she can find the strength she needs from the song.
Well, actually I don’t know what good voices are made of. According to the book, there are different stages in singing technique breakthrough. Basically, one will encounter of cycles of improvement, setback, and breakthrough.
Yesterday was actually a setback. I hated my voice throughout the jamming session and I hated my vocal recording prior to the session itself. It was as though all the old habits just creeped out from nowhere.
Today, I tried to record my 2nd Christmas song, Don’t Give Up, and to my surprise I was able to record 3 takes in one go without doing any punch-in (i.e. minor correction). It was as though the confidence has come back to me. After Cynthia ok’ed the recording (3rd take to be precise), I was so much relieved that it is over.
I have broadcasted the 1st Christmas song last night and I have received feedback and encouragement from my friends in various forms (emails, online chat, and comments on the site). These messages touch my heart and that is exactly why I keep on moving forward.
Putting Don’t Give Up side by side with The Right To Live (Oh Holy Night) is a big risk. The last time I tried putting one song sang by Cynthia and one song sang by me, the contrast was so great that one song was deemed unacceptable to listen to. And you know which one I am talking about of course.
Nevertheless, I still wish to upload Don’t Give Up mainly because this song is entirely written by me and I would like to dedicate this song to my sister whom is in need of some cheering up right now. Hope she can find the strength she needs from the song.
It is Christmas time (and see how happy my wife Cynthia was to receive a gift from a party)! Here is something for you all – two songs that I have recorded just for this festival. I hope that these songs can touch your hearts and to be reminded what Christmas is all about besides all the shopping and partying. The title of the 1st song is The Right To Live (Oh Holy Night) and as for the 2nd song, it is Don’t Give Up.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
The Right To Live – Written by Wilfrid Wong
Oh Holy Night – Tradition
Vocals: Cynthia Arianto, Wilfrid Wong
12-String Guitar, Classical Guitar, and Bass Guitar: Wilfrid Wong
There are wars that break out everyday
People dying everyday
If we strip away our faith and race
Don’t we all see a common face?
No matter if you’re a believer or not
No matter which religion you come from
We all wish this world a better place
We all love one another like brothers and sisters
We all love one another like brothers and sisters
There are sorrows that plague the world today
Children crying everyday
If we stop to hurt and start to think
Tell me where do these ever make sense?
Let’s give each other peace and love
Let’s give each other the right to live
The right to smile, the right to laugh
The right to share the joys in life
There are many songs that sing this hope
There are many songs that sing this love
Let’s start with a song that I know
Let’s start with a song that I know
O’ Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world
In sin and error pining
‘Til He appeared and the soul felt His worth
The thrill of hope,
The weary world rejoices
For yonder brings a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
Oh, hear the angel’s voices
O’ night divine
O’ night when Christ was born
O’ night divine
O’ night, O’ night divine
In this night when hope was born
This is when we started to see
This light that warms our heart
That is when our souls felt its worth
The thrill of hope,
The weary world rejoices
For yonder brings a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
Oh, hear the angel’s voices
O’ night divine
O’ night when Christ was born
O’ night divine
O’ night, O’ night divine
Don’t Give Up – Written by Wilfrid Wong
Vocal, 12-String Guitar, Classical Guitar, and Bass Guitar: Wilfrid Wong
Don’t give up. Have faith in what you do
Trust in God our Lord who will leave you peace and shelter you
Through the darkest hours of yours
Don’t give up. Have faith in who you are
Trust in God our Lord who will lift you up when you’re down
Time and time again, and again
And when you’re weak, He sends His spirit to dwell within you
Making you stronger each moment you pray with Him
His love for you is overwhelming and so it is this perfect love …
That casts away all your fears
Don’t give up. All you need to do is to
Say His name and he will be there for you
Everything is gonna be fine like before
Don’t give up. Leave it all to Him and you know
In your heart He will carry you once again
So long as you let Him to
And when you’re weak, He sends His spirit to dwell within you
Making you stronger each moment you pray with Him
His love for you is overwhelming and so it is this perfect love …
That casts away all your fears
And this Christmas marks a new beginning
For the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ
And His love has inspired us for thousands of eyars
May you find your strength in His name
May you find your strength in His name
And this Christmas marks a new beginning
For the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ
And His love has inspired us for thousands of eyars
May you find your strength in His name
May you find your strength in His name
Copyright © 2004 by Wilfrid K. F. Wong. All Rights Reserved.
First, it is the recording of the 12-string guitar. It is tough because playing a 12-string guitar by itself is very tough. It requires a lot of stamina from my fingers, mainly because instead of pressing 6 strings in a normal guitar, I have to press 12 instead. So painful to play and so frustrated when I need to rectify my mistakes. Hope the reward is there because 12-string guitar does give a very nice atmostpheric sound.
Next, it is the bass guitar. I am not a bass guitarist and so playing bass is never natural to me. I have to play the notes evenly and at the same volume and it is not easy. It is not as though I have been practicing all these while. Nevertheless, my music cannot live without the bass.
Playing the electric classical guitar is the easiest for me. But the challenge here is to follow the 12-string guitar because even the slightest out-of-sync would be very obvious. And I don’t want that. In fact, I shall innovative a different strumming pattern that complement the 12-string guitar. Tough … tough.
And the vocal recording. What more can I say? I have to love my own voice. I have to love my own voice. I have to …
Of course, we still have all the mixing and fine tweaking …
Passion is beyond all rationale …
Have you ever wondered what recording is like? Have you ever wonder what are the basic ingredients of a home studio? Now, here is the chance to see how I record the songs.
As you can see, recording the 12-string guitars itself is not a trivial tasks. Welcome to my world of recording.
Recording the 12-string guitar is never easy. And I think that getting a bit drunk kind of take the pain out of the concious mind. Today, I have recorded 7 songs in one go. If I didn’t make a irrevisible mistake on the 8th song, I would have ended up with 8 songs. Well, I guess it is a long process. I have till Valentine day 2005 to get it done.
