Which Organisations have you joined

[iQing]

There are many organisations and groups in malaysia...

which organisation have you joined? can you pls share with us your experience in these organisations?

[iQing]

I have joined Robson Hights Reading Society.
we have monthly discussion where we are suppose to read a selected book and discuss about it.

Actually my friends and I are amongst the youngest participants.
We were sharing many ideas with older intelects and professionals.

We hear views and arguments from lawyers, engineers and businessmen.. even views from literaturist....

I find that thier discussion is far different from what we (people around my age) are discussing...
thier view, thier way of talking etc. really inspire me...

I hope I have to chance to rejoin such reading society..

maybe one day I will erect one reading society for the country...

[jiinjoo]

For those looking for a music group to play around the Klang Valley part time, ask around for PJYSB and KLSO. They are both semi-amateur, i.e. most players there are part time, playing as a hobby. But keep in mind your playing needs to be good to get pass the audition, so you still need to practise regularly.

KLSO - Kuala Lumpur Symphony Orchestra. Started 1941 I think, and has been around forever... Recently they have been pretty quiet because they are really losing business to MPO, which is a full time professional orchestra in the twin towers, funded by oil money. Nevertheless, YTL decided sometime ago that KLSO is worth having around, and since then more and more students who are still in school bands or orchestras have been playing with them. It is the best place to be if you want some orchestra experience, and you're not enrolled in some music program by the kebudayaan ministry. Good chance to land yourself in the private island of YTL playing for Mahathir and the cronies.

PJYSB - Petaling Jaya Youth Symphonic Band. Started just a few years back by some of our (CHS) alumni's, took shape to become one of the most respectable concert bands in the Kalng Valley. Dominated by fresh grads (just lost their love in high school, need a place to continue playing their instrument), this group has performed many difficult band pieces and continues to promote and up the standard of symphonic bands around the country. Lacking the necessary funding, their activities are mostly self funded, plus the meagre procedes from ticket sales. Went to Japan once for music festival (played my composition 7 years ago... hehe) and probably again soon.

Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur also have an orchestra that plays some musical and pop music now and then.

I was sort of freelancing when I was in school so I only got to play with these groups on and off. I highly encourage you guys who learn some orchestral instrument at home to join these groups. There are others that I didn't play with - 2 in Penang are quite known, 1 in Kuching too. UPM has an orchestra I think, UM should have one, if not it's the choir. I also remember a Selangor Philharminic Chorus and orchestra that performs theatre works, but I don't know of their existence as of now. Played with their production of The King and I when I was Form 1 (you go count the years..)

[iQing]

ooo... thanx a lot for sharing... actually when I was studying in INTEC I was finding such music groups but failed...

really thanx for the info...

do u know where we can get some woodwind instrument in KL? oboes, clarinet all those things... do u think self learning is adequate?

another question... are modern woodwind instruments all in C?

thanx again.

[jiinjoo]

do u know where we can get some woodwind instrument in KL? oboes, clarinet all those things... do u think self learning is adequate?
There are two shops that I frequent - one is close to Bukit Bintang / LOT 10 and the other one is opposite Metrojaya close to the Mcdonalds next to Kota Raya. Due to memory lost over the years, I forgot their names. But I can bring you there if you want. Of course you can also go to Yamaha to buy them - Yamaha's HQ is in Kelana Jaya (PJ). There must be other shops around too.

another question... are modern woodwind instruments all in C?
Nope. In fact, all "modern woodwind instruments" are "backward compatible" to their older counterparts. One thing for sure, their names didn't change. So other than the instruments who are originally in C (flute, oboe, basoon), C clarinets are rare - they are usually Bb, sometimes in A and Eb in orchestras. Saxophones (which I think is Brass, but others insist it is woodwind) have rarely been seen in C, the entire family is build on Bb and Eb (Sopranos and Tenors Bb, Altos and Baritones Eb) Then there are the miscellaneous that I won't bother to enumerate all, here are some: piccolo C, contra bassoon C, cor anglias (english horn) F (i think), bass clarinet Bb, Alto Flute G.

[iQing]

really thanx for the infos and offer.... you are really helpful
I think I know Kelana Jaya... I might have a look at it...
yeah, I have learned electone before and I learn recorder on my own...

I think can find some woodwind instrument in Germany..

do you have any website that teaches woodwind instrument.. I mean DIY learning...

I am thinking of going for piccolo.. it?s small and cute but I hope the pitch is not too high... kacao other people only

glad to know there are someone with the same interest with me in ReCom..

once more I thank you for sharing.

I hope I am not old enough to join the part time orchestra in the future...

I heard the great musician Yanni was once a swimming world record breaker. He says that we all have endless potential within us.

[iQing]

one more thing to ask..
do u know where can I learn vocal singing in malaysia?
or do u have any weblink on such subject?
I hope I am still young enought to sing with tenor voice...
I am interested in pop opera.

thanx

[Diesel]

There are two shops that I frequent - one is close to Bukit Bintang / LOT 10


Bentley Music, pricy. my guitar was RM2000 there. i ordered from another music store, it's only RM1700. but bentley has a lot of stuff. go there, find what you want, order from other store.


and the other one is opposite Metrojaya close to the Mcdonalds next to Kota Raya.


that's the place where i bought my first guitar. damn i dont remember the name of the store, it's some chinese name. i guess the price is ok, but the store looks shitty, and the people are very unfriendly.

there's a good store at sungei wang plaza, called chambers music. it's small, but ok.

[Diesel]

I am thinking of going for piccolo.. it?s small and cute but I hope the pitch is not too high... kacao other people only

glad to know there are someone with the same interest with me in ReCom..


i must say that the pitch of a piccolo is quite high. yeah, i think it's the highest pitched woodwind in a regular symphony orchestra.

listen to the very biginning of John Williams' Theme from E.T. it's the sound of a piccolo and an oboe.

well, if you're thinking of going for a woodwind instrument, be sure that making noise is not a problem for you, because unlike brass, you can't really mute a woodwind instruments, there are simply too many sound(noise) holes. it can be annoying. in fact, if you're a beginner, you'll have trouble playing softly. i have a soprano sax that i bought last year, but i rarely play it. and if i wanna play it, i'll do it in a closet, to avoid disturbing people. i'm just too lazy to get some low volume reeds.

[Diesel]

hay, go for oboe, the sound is really beautiful. it might be more expensive as compared to other woodwind instruments. but oboe, along with french horn, are among the hardest instruments to play, i mean, to maintain the right pitch, you know, to stay in tuned.

and if i'm not mistaken, piccolo is usually more expensive than its daddy, flute. and usually, a flutist is also a piccoloist, maybe because piccolo is often not needed, form my observations. i guess you should go for flute first, if you want to play piccolo.

[Diesel]

clarinet is cool too. listen to Rhapsody In Blue intro.

[iQing]

Diesel, thanx for sharing... your replies are very interesting.