"Summer" by Joe Hisaishi

Today I played "Summer" by Joe Hisaishi from the japanese movie "Kikujiro No Natsu"! :)

I think what I love about this piece is the whimsical melody that replays throughout it... When the beginning begins with this melody, in my mind summer comes back- the blinding brilliant rays shining against the clear blue sky, the light breeze gently teasing my hair, the background lull of crickets and cicadas chirping amongst each other, and the heavy heat, settling upon my shoulders in an oppressive, and yet liberating way as eagerly anticipate what adventure each summer will bring.

I'd really like to see the movie actually to see how this piece is used in it...^^

Wistful in Winter

Still practicing "From the beginning until now" (Winter Sonata OST) :]
Its a now a little more fluid, I'm able to play the first few bars and lines and connect the notes pretty well ^^ but I'm still working on the second half of the piece...I think in the future I might try to memorize it? -I've heard that really helps one improve their playing of a piece because they don't have to focus on the notes anymore but instead can put more effort into emphasizing various dynamics of the piece and really putting more emotion into their performance- bringing the piece to life! :D

"From the Beginning until Now" by Ryu

Today I played "From the Beginning until Now" by Ryu from the drama "Winter Sonata" ^^
For me, since I'm not that adept at sight-reading, I really liked how most of the music alternated, the melody was passed off between the left hand and the right hand (which was easier for me since I didn't have locate the left and right hand notes at the same time >_<" I'm rather slow when it comes to being able to play a piece all the way through the first time I practice it...)

Plus, the soothing melody really brought back memories of the beautiful scenery (despite the cliche, it really looked like "Winter Wonderland"! ^o^)we recently had with the first true snowfall (before the snow had always melted T^T but it actually stuck this time! :] )

lost in a "Fairytale" daze

still playing "Fairytale" but...
so many sharps T-T
and then with the key change...
so many flats!! T^T
As you may see, I'm having difficulty with getting all the right notes >_<"

"Fairytale" by Guang Liang

Played Fairytale (Tong Hua) by Guang liang (Michael Wang); it was a bit difficult for me to sight read but its an amazing song! (terribly sad T-T music video)

"Wedding Dress" by Taeyang

So even though "Wedding Dress" by korean singer Taeyang (Big Bang) is more of a vocally focused song (versus a piano solo), I enjoyed playing the piece b/c I really like the melody throughout the piece, especially the piano solo at the beginning and the brief interlude towards the end with the, albeit bittersweet (b/c of the music video storyline >.<)but classic piano melody that signals the entrance of the bride at weddings ^^; it was interesting to observe the contrast this light tune created (esp. since it wasn't part of the melody of the rest of the song) and how it might be contrasting his outer appearance (the calm, composed, and perhaps looking a bit melancholy, best friend of the special couple whom they cheerfully asked to play for them at their wedding) with his true inner feelings (bitterness, hopelessness, heartbroken).

Anyway, though it was fun to play, and I'd really like to upload a piano cover of it to youtube, I could definitely use some more practice (it's so easy for your fingers to start "stumbling" in front of the camera T_T) so for now this bittersweet mv of the song will have to suffice (with eng. subs too! :D)

fresh start? o.O

I'm definitely glad I've started this 30 days project of playing piano once everyday since I'm never able to find time and so have kind of been on a hiatus of 4-5 years away from playing the piano (only recently started practicing it on and off and had to relearn how to read bass clef >_<") So I've decided to enjoy these 30 days by practicing various pieces and hopefully being able to improve my playing (lol i still fail at sight reading though >_< -sigh-)
Today I played "From the Beginning until now" a really lovely piece (you may recognize it from k-drama "Winter Sonata"! ^^) by Ryu and I hope to perhaps be able to record a video of myself playing it (a piano cover) before these 30 days are up!