Life is a Box of Music, or in short, LBM, is a blog where five friends have come together to post anything related to music. This includes topics like genres, favourite artists, music news, and even fun covers of popular songs like Kpop, Jpop, R&B etc.
(Week 15)
BA-MI-YA-MI-YA! B2ST made an awesome comeback with their 5th mini album, Midnight Sun, with their title track Beautiful Night. The music video for Beautiful Night shot in New York's alleys and graffiti covered walls, while they sang this electro-synth song with a party atmosphere. Yeap, B2ST has moved from love songs and dance tracks to this.
Yoseob (orange hair) has a new attitude while HyunSeung (red hair) looks completely different with that straight, wine-red hair. The members are constantly changing their hairdos and some do get confused with the who's who issue. Look at Fiction, and you'll see the difference.
Hi guys! I will be covering Studio Ghibli today! If you're wondering what Studio Ghibli has got to do with music, read on! Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation and film studio. They are famous for their Japanese films and the songs used in their films are awesome too! Scroll down to find out more! (:
Studio Ghibli has many films but let me list some of them that I have fallen in love with! There after I will be introducing some of their accompaniment music. There are also many soundtracks in just one film but I will be listing the ones that I like most. (:
Castle In The Sky (天空の城ラピュタ)
Sound Track: Carrying You (君をのせて)
I have the piano version for this song. If you want, do comment and let me know ya? (:
My Neighbor Totoro (となりのトトロ)
Sound Track: My Neighbor Totoro (となりのトトロ)
Grave Of The Fireflies (火垂るの墓)
Sound Track: Grave Of The Fireflies Ending (火垂るの墓)
Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し)
Sound Track: Always With Me (いつも何度でも)
I have come to the end of my post. Comment and share with me your views alright? You can always click here or comment on our tagboard too! Have a great day ahead! Hope you like what I've shared with you! :D
(Week 15) Hey guys, Raynard here. Today I am going to talk about a band that is going to come to Singapore for a concert. That band is none other than Yellowcard!!
Yellowcard
Yellowcard is a band that was formed at Florida in 1997 and based in Los Angeles, Californis since 2000. Yellow card is an American pop punk/alternative rock band. However, their musics feature the use of violin, which is unique for this genre. They are best known for singing "Ocean Avenue," "Way Away," "Only One," "Lights and Sounds," "Light Up the Sky," and "For You, and Your Denial." In 2010, they release a new album called "When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes" and soon, in August 2012, they are going to release a new album with the title "Southern Air".
History
Originally, Yellowcard was hardcore punk band. However, after some of the member changed, it turned into a pop punk band. Then Yellowcard started doing more recording. In 2000, Yellowcard signed a contract with Capitol Recorder and begun to record its major-labeled debut in late 2002 to spring of that year. After that, Yellowcard gained fame and started their tours and life as music artist.
Facts about Yellowcard
1. The group name, Yellowcard, was obtained from a phrases they used in high school when somebody did something "stupid" in a party. For instance, dropping beer on carpet.
2. "Five Becomes Four"
Misheard Lyrics:
When you're all alone in a melody
Do you close your eyes and take a pee?
Original Lyrics:
When you're all alone in a melody
Do you close your eyes and think of me?
(isn't that make sense and at the same time funny?)
3. Sean, one of the members is half Japanese and half Irish. His dad is Irish, his mother is Japanese.
"Five Becomes Four"
What did you hear?
Below is the music video of Yellowcard and the reason why Yellowcard is so interesting!!
Aren't you guys excited that this amazing band is coming to Singapore to have a concert here? Click here to get your tickets now.
(Week 15)
Hey what's up guys! Rhythmic or music games are extremely fun games as you can actually enjoy a game while listening to music. Listening to music is an extremely great way to relieve stress, the same applies when you play rhythmic games.(Unless if you play extremely hard difficulties that stresses you out instead).
When talking about rhythmic games, i believe that the first few games that you will think of is DJ Max, Audition, Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Heroes etc.. All these are extremely fun games. But in this post, i will be talking about a less popular, but equally fun game "Osu!"
The video below will explain more about the game play of Osu!
One thing i forgotten to include is that majority of Osu!'s song is Japanese song. So this game is highly recommended for Japanese song fans.
The offical website of Osu! is at http://osu.ppy.sh/
So while it might not be very good, please do view the video below.
If you have any questions or feedback to this post, please post it in the comment section!
(Week 15)
Have you guys ever thought of becoming a singer? I bet you have! Especially, after you watch reality television singing competition such as American Idol.
This time I am going to talk about people who have made name for themselves through reality television singing competition. They are Susan Boyle and Sung-bong Choi.
Susan Boyle
Some background info about Susan Boyle. Susan Boyle is a Scottish singer that took the public attention when she entered Britain's Got Talent. She sang "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables during the first audition. Her voice when she sang the song was mind blowing for the judges as well as the publics. she was overnight sensation.
Early life and childhood
Susan born from an average family and raised in Blackburn, West Lothian, Scotland. She suffered lack of oxygen during a difficult birth resulting in the slow learning ability. She shared that she was bullied and called "Susie Simple" in school due to her misfortune. Before participating Britain's got talent, she was an active choir member of her church. Thus, giving her the experience to perform in public.
Britain's got talent
Susan Boyle was destined to be a singer. However nobody would believe that as she has a plain appearance. One of the judges from television show, Amanda Holden, underestimated Susan during the audition, but after Susan finished singing her song, Amanda could not believed the performance she just watched.
Below is video of Susan's audition.
What you think about her singing?
Sung-bong Choi
Here is another singer that gave the world a shock through his performance. The performer was Sung-bong Choi. He is a south Korea vocalist that became famous after his appearance in Korea's got talent.
Childhood
Sung-bong Choi is an unfortunate child, as he was abandoned by his parents when he was only three years old. However, that was not all, he was abused in the orphanage. Due to that, he ran away from the orphanage. in order to survive, he sold chewing gum and energy drink from the age of five. He delivered milk and newspaper to ensure his survival in the harsh world.
Music background
He was inspired to become a singer when he was fourteen years old, after listening to a classical vocalist at where he sold chewing gum. He was drawn into the world of music since then and pursued classical vocalist training.
Korea's got talent
During the audition, Choi sang "Nella Fantasia". The performance he gave moved the judges and audiences to tears, as the show he gave was emotional. He advanced to the final, finishing second.
Here is the video of Choi's first performance.
Don't you think music is a very powerful element that can change a person's life? Other than powerful, it comes with a cheap price, because it can be practice alone without the need of instructor.
(Week 15)
Hey guys, today, I am going to blog about some of the best songs you will ever hear on the piano. The piano is a musical instrument played with a keyboard, and was developed in the early 18th century. It is now one of the most popular instruments in the world.
The main types of piano are the grand piano and the upright piano.
I'm sure you can guess which is which!
To Zanarkand - Final Fantasy X
This is a piano piece from the game, Final Fantasy X. It is a beautiful song composed by Nobuo Uematsu.
Theme Song - Harry Potter
This is a cover of the Harry Potter theme song covered by Jarrod Radnich, an amazing piano player! He also has a cover of the Pirates of the Caribbean theme song! Check it out too: Pirates of the Caribbean - Jarrod Radnich
River Flows In You - Yiruma
I'm sure you have heard this piece before. It is an absolutely beautiful piece composed by Yiruma, a korean musician.
Here's another great piece from him:
Kiss The Rain - Yiruma
My Heart Will Go On - Titanic
This is the piano version of the magnificent song composed by James Horner, used in the emotional movie, Titanic. Do listen to the sung version with Celine Dion: My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion
Sadame - X
This is the piano version of the song Sadame from the japanese anime X.
Canon in D - Pachelbel
Canon. One of the most famous pieces ever. You cannot ever die happy if you have not listened to this song.
Piano Battle - Secret
This is the piano battle scene from the movie, Secret. It will leave you awestruck.
I hope you enjoyed the piano pieces, and maybe gained some inspiration to learn the piano!(:
Congratulations to Super Junior (슈퍼주니어) for won their third #1 in MBC's "Show Champion"! The song, "Sexy, Free and Single", comes from their latest album.
However, today's post is not about their new songs, but about their history. Many people thought they started out popular with the song "Sorry Sorry" and remained the same, but a quick search told me that they were quite different. The group originally comprised of 12 then 13 then 12 members again, due to members (Kyuhyun) joining and leaving(Han Geng). Also the hiatus of Kibum (acting), Heechul and Kangin(both national service), led to Super Junior having only 10 members for this album.
Also, I watched a movie which contained exclusive and never-seen-before footage of Super Junior and other artists from S.M. Entertainment. The movie, named "I AM", showed the hardships of training and off-stage personalities of each and every member, from their younger times and teenage years to their debut. I learnt that members Eunhyuk had a passion in dance while Yesung always wanted to sing.
Here's a short promotional video on "I AM":
I'm sure many wish Kpop bands last forever. However, I can only wish them the best and hope they continue bringing music, dance and entertainment as long as they can. Fighting!
(Week 15)
1. Do you know that a piano is considered to be a percussion as it makes use of a hammer hitting a string, similar to how a percussion instrument works.
2. Do you know that it is possible to make use of music to enhanced your memory skill, concentration?
3. Do you know that music is actually like a drug?
4. Do you know that music is used for therapy in hospitals?
The facts on top are just some facts that i found to be rather interesting. Who would have thought that piano is considered a percussion?
Okay! Following on, i will like to introduce another Youtube Musician, "TheScreamer". TheScreamer plays the violin and mainly perform covers of Games and Anime. He is also rather popular due to his tendency to induce humor into his covers.
I really like his music covers as it is really pleasing to the ear, and it is also quite funny to watch him due to the humors he occasionally add into his videos. He is really a one of a kind musician and is really fun to hear and view his music covers.
The video below is one of his cover on GUNDAM-AGE ED theme Kimi no Naka no Eiyū"
This is the end for this post! If you have any interesting facts about music you like to share, or if you have any request, feed back or anything you would like to say, please write it in the comment section!
(Week 15)
Hey guys, today, I am going show some examples of the four main musical periods and the styles of music in each one. (this could be good for those taking music aural examintaions!)
First off, the baroque period (1600 to 1750). Listen to samples of baroque music by clicking the play button below, and read more about what it is at the same time (:
Baroque (pronounced BAR-ROCK) music is usually highly rhythmic, but with very little variation in dynamics. This means the entire piece actually sounds very similar, or if you don't listen carefully, actually sounds the same... It is polyphonic, combining two or more melodies played together at the same time (which means pieces does not have the same chords played over and over), and the melody is elaborate and varying. It is not easy to hum or remember baroque music pieces, which may be why it is not the most popular musical period. A famous musician from this period is JS Bach!
Second, the classical period (1750 to 1820). Listen to some of the most famous classical music while you read more about it below the video!
Classical (I'm sure you know how to pronounce it) music is strong, structured, elegant and poetic music. It has melodies which are easier to sing and remember (I'm sure you already recognize almost all the songs in the video above!). This form of music is also more homo-phonic, using a single, clear, tuneful melody. The harmonics used are simple throughout pieces. One of the most noticeable trait of classical music is the wide range of moods in a single piece, with music getting louder and softer to express contrasting feelings. Mozart and Beethoven were the legendary musicians from this period!
Third, the romantic period (1820 to 1900). Listen to this romantic Chopin piece and read more about this period below!
Romantic music is highly poetic, rich music with luscious harmonization. It is very expressive, emotional, and beautiful. Mainly characterized by extreme outpouring of emotion, romantic music pieces are vastly different from each other, with each composer having a unique style. The rhythm of romantic pieces is free and less strict, unlike baroque music. Also, romantic music has a generally "thicker" texture or feel, and this is caused by more notes being played together.
Lastly, the contemporary, or modern period (1900+).
Contemporary, or modern music is basically none of the above. It is completely different and arguably the simplest to identify. With slightly strange sounds with clashing chords or harmonics which are based off unusual scales or no scale at all, the easiest way to put it is: anything goes!
Personally, my favourite period is the classical music period. What's yours? Do tell us, and leave your comments by clicking "Comment" above (or was it below..?). Also, do leave your footprints in the tagboard above! Many thanks from Danboard, and have great day!
Hi guys! I will be covering issues regarding piano today! Basically piano is one of the many instruments to make music. Personally, I believe the best instrument is none other than the piano because a keyboard melody is always soothing to the ears. Take a look at my covers as I explain more on them below! :D
This is a rather normal and simple piece. It does not involve any musical terms except the Italian musical term, Allegro, which is an indication to play in a quick and lively tempo.
This piece of music is in a sequence of musical notes that are played in an ascending and descending order. This is widely known as Scales, it usually consist of both ascending and descending portion.
Introducing today, ThePianoGuys. The first video is Christina Perri's A thousand Years cover played using the piano and cello. The second video is a cover for What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction. This gets very interesting because they have basically used only the Grand Piano as a keyboard and drum accompanied with various syncopations and bassline elements.
Also do check out their youtube channel - ThePianoGuys here!
Subscribe to them and remember that you are in for a delicious earful! They're indeed pretty awesome with swag! (:
Of course there are many other forms of playing the piano but those above are just some examples. The following videos are in my own personal channel but do check out our YouTube channel too where you will find other playing types. Do subscribe to our channel and share your views with me under Feedback or simply click on the comment link. Thank you!
(Week 14)
Hey guys! Today, I will be posting about an extremely famous artist, Taylor Swift! I'm sure many of you out there absolutely love her music, and if you have never listened to her before, it's time you did! Also, I have done up a cover of one of her most popular songs, Love Story! Check it out below later!
Taylor Swift is a young artist who has released three studio albums thus far, with her fourth one due to be released in October 2012. Her songs are mainly of the country, country pop and pop rock genres.
Here's some fun and interesting facts about Taylor that you may have never known:
Her middle name is "Alison". Yeap. Taylor Alison Swift.
Her favourite number is 13. She considers it her lucky number (Her birthday is on 13th December, 1989).
She is super tall, standing at 5'11 inches. That means she's 180cm!
She failed her driving test three times, before finally obtaining it in tenth grade (16 years old).
She once dated Taylor Lautner, a famous actor from The Twilight Series, and even wrote a song, Back To December, apologizing for their breakup.
When she's bored, she likes to conduct random baking experiments in the kitchen (okay what...).
She used to keep practicing the guitar until her fingers bled!
She was bullied in school. Her song, The Outside, from her first album, was about the hardships she endured. (So if you're being bullied, don't worry, you could be famous one day too!)
Her long dress got stuck when she walked down some steps of her two-leveled stage while she was singing Love Story at a live concert. See the whole funny scene here (see 1m22s):
Tell me what you think about her dress getting caught, because I thought it was hilarious!
Love Story is one of her most famous songs! Here's a piano cover of it as promised!
Tell me what you think about my cover! Do leave your feedback on this post, and your footprint in the tagboard above! Have a good day ahead.. or night, if you're reading this at night! (:
