Talking About The Barang

Dream Theater is on one of my frequent play list. Been listening to them since 1999 when I spent some of my unproductive moment of my life at one of this music shop in Plaza Alam Sentral where Azim used to work there and he always put on the DT’s DVD (Metropolis II: Scenes From a Memory) on the display. We used to adore the whole band performance, since it was a live concert and until today, I still love to watch them live whenever I got chances on Youtube.

I always wondering what makes these guys so good. Was it because Portnoy, Petrucci and Myung were from Berkelee or were they just pre-installed with talent, creativity and madness at the same time when they were born? For me, a good musician is innate in musicianship and God knows how they could evolved into a highly talented prodigy. Practice is essential as well. Practicing (and lots of it) will turned most people to be excel on bed in music, but it won’t be enough or satisfyingly without the natural talent.

I’ve seen numbers of musician were being so stiff hitting the notes while turning the music sheet pages. Technically, these people can perform flawlessly. Average people might simply absorb what they delivered on. But music shouldn’t be limited to the form of what you only listen. It’s a whole soul and physical experience. The feel must be there thoroughly. I can’t enjoy the music if the musicians weren’t enjoying it themselves. Itu barang kena ada, brader.

Today, anyone can produce a good music providing they have the idea, creativity and good music software in hand. A person who never touch a piano in his life could write a classical piano piece with soft synths and sequencer software. In fact, there are lots of bands who relies on software to achieve any sound they need. While it may work, the sense of touch should apply as well. Double pedal kick, snare, hi-hat and cowbells didn’t sound right if they were struck at the same time, unless you’re doing techno, but cowbells on techno? I won’t feng tau to that.

My point here is, to be a good musician or to produce a good music, one need to actually understand how the instrument works. Make a sense out of it. You don’t have to apply all the whole orchestra strings in your music if you perform as a 3-piece funky band.

Finally, have fun with it. Enjoy the flow of delivering the medium of God’s breath (quoting Beethoven) to the audience. If you don’t have charisma, find way to have one. You need it as a musician. At least if you want to be a serious musician.