Archive for July, 2006

Musicfest FAQs (17 Sept 2006) Full

July 31, 2006 · Filed under events & gigs, it's just bluffs, ruang rindu

You surely can’t believe MUSICFEST is back. The premier showcase of UTP talent is now been up and running. Feel the blast and be among hundreds of students that dare enough to come to our own fest in Musicfest and Musicfest 2 series.

We combine unique and numberous bands of our own university and have them all STARing in one stage. You would have chance hearing live song of artist you want. Ask those who come to Musicfest Series before. The response was awsome and overwhelming.

Musicfest Episode 3 back with new concept, “Student’s Day Out”. Note; as far that we’re concern, we don’t have much event to have fun but still relishing ethique of students. Now it’s your chance to have one! We’ve been brainstroming from the day Musicfest 2 ends on how to get more students feel the heat and also to the side to lighten our musicianship level and passion of music.

The stage is set for anyone who want to perform their talent and also for music listener that just love music. We encourage the bands to have an own song so you guys entitled to have a recording session for one song with Skarface Music. We want to expose the creative side of your musicianship. Be it of any genres. Funk, Rock, Metal, Slow rock, Ballad, Jazz or even Techno. We will be the first one to hear your own music. As long as it is original, we will be happy to give you guide and honest comments. Not the author, but our Music Director.(We’re in much awe if you give us chance to hear your own song!)

Come on, feel music alive while retaining the value of student in MUSICFEST Episode 3; Student’s Day Out. MUSIC is not a crime!

FAQ’s

What is Musicfest?

Musicfest is an event where music of our own bands is staged without hesitation and unwanted restriction. As long as it don’t go against the law but still in the context of having fun, you’re in the pack. We’ve had Musicfest and Musicfest 2 success in our sleeves starting 2005. There are 14 bands on both episode with varying genres (from punk to metal and from easy to technical-as long as it is music).

Why we look forward to have Musicfest?

1. It’s the chance you want to hear your favourite song played live. With varying genres on numerous bands, they definitely caught you in your ass.
2. There’s lack of entertainment for students. There are sceptical prejudice if you want to have fun in gigs or live shows because of some issues. Musicfest is series of event for students and the ethique of students is held firm. You won’t have to worry anything.
3. To have fun and knowing friends of all race, batch and religion. After all, we don’t promote hate to each other. Unite for the LOVE OF MUSIC!

What about sensitive issues (praying time etc?pub?)

Those two issues back us down for previous series. We’ve been come up with solution to have it in a hall. Yes. It is held at St John’s Ambulance Hall (beside go-kart park). About praying time for muslim, we’ll have short break to give you time without missing any performer. We’ll start tentatively 2.00 noon to 6.30 pm. Restart at 8.00 pm – 11.00 pm. For some reason, (janji melayu, bands soundcheck etc) we’ll have it started 12.00 on our flyers.

What’s new in musicfest 3?

1. Recording deal for new song with Skarface Music to promote creativity in music.
2. There’s featuring artist. Not necessarily big artist tough. (budget. hehe)
3. New place (St. John Ambulance Hall)
4. We invite UITM and Ungku Omar Poly to be with us this time.
5. We’re in collaboration with Ministry of Sports and Youth, and PROSTAR for their campaign for youth.

Do i have fun?

It’s a day of happiness and enjoy after stressing days of lectures and homework. You don’t want to have fun?

How i can enter as performer?

Contact Izham, (heaven^s on mirc or 017-626 1845). Audition will be held in event where the band is too many. Band with own song will be having edge.

How to get the ticket? Price?

As soon as the band list is out. They will go near you for tickets. Just wait and buy from them. You are entitled of presale RM 15 if you buy from the bands. If you want to buy at the day, the ticket is RM 17. You can’t wait the bands to reach you, contact Izham.

The price is fairly low, concerning the hall rent, audio system (we’ve got better deal to improve quality than last year), and featuring artist fees.

What do organizer get?

The organizer, Skarface Music is in the journey to mark it’s reputation. Musicfest Episode 3 is the best way to show their quality, spirit and passion for music.

Why must we have our own song?

Musicwise, having your own song will force you to know music a bit deeper, thus you will develop better understanding to music. We want you to have the gut! Having your own material will mark you towards more passion and aim.

Insults, comments, suggestion?

We’re open for suggestion or any types of response. Leave it here. Or send to rev_styla@hotmail.com.

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7 Practical Way to Practice

July 27, 2006 · Filed under lesson to me, ruang rindu

Hi,

You scream out loud how important is it to practice. My friend tells me that he practiced 17 hours a day.(so when do you sleep, and go to toilet?) He has a guitar right in his toilet so practicing is still on when he go for the ultimate call.

Other friend, tells me getting itchy hand give you the sign you have enough practice. Take a look on what experts says…

The quality of your practice is much more important than the quantity. The old saying “practice makes perfect” is only true if the practice itself is perfect. Here are 7 tips to help make your practice more effective and efficient.

Practice motions slowly

The muscular memory of our bodies allows us to physically carry out patterns of motion with little or no conscious involvement. Examples of muscular memory include walking, riding a bicycle, typing, and of course playing a musical instrument.

In order to develop this memory, the muscles require training in the form of repeated conscious guidance from the mind. First the mind must learn the pattern. Then the mind must “teach” the pattern to the muscles.

The mind initially must control all the motions of the muscles. The more controlled and precise the motions, the more quickly the muscles will develop muscle memory.

Slow practice also allows the mind to teach “antagonistic muscles” to relax. Antagonistic muscles are those that move in opposite directions. By relaxing antagonistic muscles you can reduce tension and facilitate faster and easier performance and avoid potential injury.

Practice in small cells

A “practice cell” is simply a finite series of motions. Musical cells can correspond to anything from a few notes to an entire work. When practicing, it is important to practice small cells of just a few notes. Practicing small cells limits the amount of information the muscles have to learn at one time. It also facilitates the mind’s focus and concentration.

Link the end of one cell to the beginning of the next

To help the muscles develop a sense of continuum throughout the piece of music, the last motion in a cell should be the first motion of the following cell.

Practice each cell in bursts

Once the muscles have learned a pattern, they will be capable of executing it without conscious control. Initiate the pattern through a conscious command and allow the muscles to execute it in a burst.

Don’t practice mistakes

For every repetition required to learn a pattern of motion, it takes 7 times the number of repetitions to change the pattern. If in the course of your practice you make an error, stop. Review in your mind the pattern. And further reduce the speed of your motions.

Pause between repetitions

When dealing with repetitive activities, the mind is better able to focus when the repetitions are broken up by short pauses. After two or three repetitions, pause for about 30 seconds to regain focus.

Take frequent breaks and don’t “over-practice”

B.F. Skinner and other experts have found that the mind’s ability to learn drops significantly after prolonged intense concentration. Research shows that studying too long (i.e. more than four hours) can deplete chemicals in the brain necessary for learning. Therefore, it is best to take frequent breaks (a 5 minute break about every 20-25 minutes) and practice no more than 4 hours consecutively.

By applying these techniques, you can dramatically improve the quality of your practice. You’ll be able to use your time more efficiently and increase the effectiveness of your practice.

extracted from: Kevin Sinclair

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GEGARAN MERDEKA 2006; my first flyer design

July 17, 2006 · Filed under events & gigs, ruang rindu

gig at dewan bulan sabit

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Journey to first photoshop gig design for musician part I

July 17, 2006 · Filed under events & gigs, it's just bluffs, lesson to me

Hi,

Weeks ago i got myself a copy of Photoshop 7.0. I would reccomend them to you guys. It’s simple yet powerful. Don’t limit yourself saying it’s a hard stuff. Consider the benefits; you would know how to make your own demo album cover, adding your other value aside your technical musical prowess, and it’s quite fun too.

There are 3 steps to be a good designer. Remember; imagination and inspire are the key to mind blowing design. Haven’t got anything within those two, like me? Don’t worry, I still believe we can be a good designer. Haha.

1. Start a habit of taking every picture/design that catch your eye and save them in your secret folder subfolder of your bands stuff, heck! Eg; my music pics (concerning you are a musician, of course)

Don’t know how? ok it’s hard so follow me. Point your pointer to the design of metallica wallpaper you like and carefully right click. Choose save picture as/save image as (in mozilla). Phew.

2. Now consider you have a bunch of pictures under your music pics folder and you want to try something fun. Choose simple design and start to analyze how the pic turnout like that.

This is the most important rule, you don’t have to be a designer from the beginning, but be a copycat. Why would i said that? If you can copy what you like in your reference wallpaper, you stand a bright way to make your own design with the same concept. Being a copycat first, you will know what skills you need to have in order to come out with such a design.

Regularly, you would want to know what are the functions of the tools. Google all your question. Note about tools; there are alternate tool for most tool. Right click at the tool and you’ll see alternate tool for every function. Left click to pick the tool to use. Basic tool is move tool (to move tool) and rectangle marque tool (the name’s suck but it is simply used to select a fraction and/or an object).

3. Now you’re able to apply what you know how, come to design a good design and call it your own design. That’s the hardest part. Starting from a scratch. But, don’t worry my fellow friends, it isn’t as hard as yngwie malmsteen’s solo.

Firstly open all basic picture you want to have in your design. Eg, guitars and basses for background, chains for side decorations and etc.

Note; when you want to make your own design that doesn’t mean you would have to take your own image via camera or pathetically draw them. Don’t my friend. You can use your image from previous bank or use google images to search for any images you want. It is really helpful. Some images from the net are not copyrighted but can’t be used other than personal reason. Beware!

Open them all at once so you can cut using marque tool and paste to project file.

next part, i will share some basic setting for dummy like us in order for me to finished up my gig flyer design. to be continued…

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Musicfest Revisited

July 17, 2006 · Filed under events & gigs

Hi,

What is musicfest? It is simply where us UTP student having a real good way listening our own bands and new talent. It is shocking how far the organizing team has gone. I got this review written to go down the lane of our own premier battle and showcase. Those who just come in after 2003, wouldn’t know there are such event INSIDE UTP. So enjoy…

It all start with Stage series, an annual event with Battle of The Band format held inside the UTP. The years goes by, and the series goes well giving one and only platform to UTP bands. The organizing is of course, bounded by a very critical moral code. Despite all the hard work to make the event as ‘good’ as possible, there are a lot of party trying so hard to make the event impossible. You know who!

Stage (2001) happened to come across many challenges and guess what? It happened until Stage 4 (2003)! Thanks to Sapek. The challenges become harder every year, and with new management taking part in our beloved UTP, the daunting task managing such event looked doubtful. The Stage series no longer exist. A great loss to many bands aiming to enhance their skills.

The level of bands playing in Stage series is quite high. I remember our first band meeting, we’re targetting to compete Stage in our final years. (not thinking there would be no more such thing) And the years would be 2008. You can see how long we think we would be able just to compete into our premier battle.

There’s no battle, or any shows to showcase or where musician having their time out. They’re roumors about Stage 5 everynow and then, yet still to come. The drought come to 3 years. 2006, the wait come to an end. The name was changed to Euphonius (good name). Wondering why the name wasn’t Stage 5? Having to name such event a Stage would leave everyone in the opposing side become nervous and shaking. I suspect they will do everything to stop such an event. Good way to mask the attention.

A committe setup, and the event become more formal with sponsors and good judge (juwita suwito), and very good promotion. The director was err a girl (putri). Applaude! Good determination and good planning. I guess it come due to various background in their committe. The proposal was properly taylored to meet standards of UTP. No metal and over distortion. I call it no gain’s law. Additional music instrument to show variety and difference, and of course high entry fees. Sigh. (no offense but RM 70?) I got a glimpse of the preliminary, when my roomate’s turn (guvnor) and miss yana’s sessioning with Sneak Preview were performing. I think the vibe is more in the prelims, maybe because the hall is not big enough. And the amps are enough to cover that size of hall.

The finale day, everything was good. Good mcs duo. There’s a good gimmick having space shuttle interviewing bands competing in the Finale. Most applaude (+i mean standing applaude) would goes to Nani. She’s so talented being an mc. She’s not scared out of her spine, talking to 1000+ audience, adequate humours, and not at all looking like a dumb being sarcastic. Haha. Minor blemish, the sound isn’t professionally handled, the prize giving ceremony isn’t up to standard concerning how big the event and the turnouts, and most of all; slightly wrong dressing code for the President or Director I think, of that event. No comment!

Musicfest on the other hand, started in 2005. It is strictly where crowd can go a little bit wilder. The organizer was Izham (rather called Am Basir). Having held out of university, the gig didn’t officially using any link to UTP but the turnout is quite a number concerning the location of the gig. (Casanova Pub, Ipoh mali maa). Yeah we had it at the pub. Because of the location many having hard time to come out. Yeah. I mean, a pub.

musicfest 1 flyers black

Second Musicfest, (Episode 2) held in 2006, held at at the very same place. The cover stories of Musicfest 1 hooked some crowd.(400+, wow) And yes, the perfecto pullout would be of the bands competing in Euphonius, (legendary band Silent Noise, Guvnor, and the king of Euphonius, The Diminished minus violin section). This time the crowd were outstanding, no violence but all about hype and good support. I remember Musicfest 1, when I had to go with just a few friends to mosh at the dancefloor. Quite embarassing. U don’t have to be ashamed at Musicfest 2, everyone’s is having good time. I got no space! The organizing party are once again Mr Am Basir (hail Mr Charming!), Mazby on finance, and designing part is up to Mr Hanamichi (quite good design dude!)

ticket for musicferst2

Those who miss Stage, Euphonius or Musicfest series, don’t worry. The premier showcase will be back in November. This time it’s bigger, having some featuring artist, and pre-sessions to choose bands to perform. There would be recording benefits for all bands participating, so check out your K5 always. Most of all, the event will be no longer held in pub (good news for those with ‘principle’), but in a hall (Dewan Bulan Sabit opposite Ipoh Stadium). The pre-sessions for selection (kinda prelims in Euphonius) will be held in early August. You should start having ur own song because it would be a requirement! Now that you know, don’t tell we don’t have enough good hanging time! Anyone interested to join the crew (for now i would say the benefits is tag and shirt) but more still to come. Write to me!

Later guys.

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Join into the club

July 17, 2006 · Filed under it's just bluffs

Hi there, first thing first. Let me talk a bit on how i come to join in the club. hell yeah. Bloggers. I used to think blogging is some senseless diary and overprecedented people looking for popularity telling stuffs like the colour of pants he wears today. I’ve changed. However, i’m not telling my personal thing that much. At least not into that extent. It’s music that i care.

I had remember having interest in writing since my younger time (standard 1). I have write my friends name (girl of course) and what she like. That is normal on my childhood. I didn’t remember that thing. After a few years leaving school, my old exercise books expanded over the years and collapse the drawer. And that would give me lines like (ini che s*****i, dia suka pakai baju putih).

I quite sure she didn’t know that. I hardly remember that act. Kinda weird. That’s explain, why she’s one childhood friend that i had still sms-ing. Once a year, maybe.

I luv writing. However, writing in English is quite new for me. U’ll find errors in this page. I didn’t giv it a damn. Can i consider it an art? The art of being wrong. Haha. I guess it’s better than being selfishly saying i’m right but commanding bullet of crap. U know, like politicians around here in our beloved country. So into capitalist la.

Enough. I’m not to speak politics. But music. First big influence was Too Phat, because i think they’re cool. Not because they’re rappers, rather because they’re local and having heard their outstanding studio release Whuttadilly (from Synchrosound maybe), I was impressed. Literally i didn’t know anything about music at dat time. I used to think bass is some sorta drums. Yet they sound serious. So international. I happened to build unofficial web page of how i really enjoy them and having change my name to ilflizzow. Eeek. Now it’s so scary.

It was back in 2001 when i first have a glimpse of local music, or rather indies. ACAB looked a bit scary to me back then. And there’s this friend, Azizi (Azibir) really love them so much. That’s why la u really tough aa? It’s maybe the serious effort that made me like some of early indies. There’s Positive Tone’s gang few years back. The artist in their compilation was good. I mean, sumthin new. Not to say originality, they’re good in fashionaby different from others in the music industry.

In this page, I’ll do reviews (on instrument, gadget, bands, individuals, events), some learning stuffs theoritically and practically that i myself have experienced since 2003, and a bit of my own life. I consider this page as my own resource where i checked back and say geez this is wut i used to think. Feel free to have ur comments on topics. Ermm, wanna submit ur article, views, insults, or just saying hi. Contact me. We’ll do some negotitiation (+audition). Haha.

Later guys!

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