TERM 3 REFLECTION

January

14.01.2009
Music Theory Class:
Today was our very first music class. My teacher for the first session theory class was Mr.John Legoh. in this class we were told to choose the instrument that we would like to play. I chose the piano class though I was not that fluent in playing it. During this session we were also told to bring four resources each session: Journal, Music Folder, Music Notebook and our Instrument if we chose a hand-carried instrument (guitar, violin).
Afterwards we had auditions. We first had a singing audition. We were told to listen to the notes played and repeated it by singing or humming. The auditions were individual. Afterwards, those who wanted to join piano, including me, had to take another audition so that the piano teacher Mr. Herry could see our abillities and then decide weather we made it or not.

21.01.2009
Music Theory Class:
Today we were informed that we would have to present about Asian Music in a form of a powerpoint presentation. We had to group ourselves into six and choose one music topic: Japan, India, Korea or China. I did the Japanese music together with 5 people which are Jacklin, Grace, Sarah, Jordi and Jesslyn. Together, we also filled our KWL Chart which we would use as a base for my team's presentation.

Instrument Class:
During our piano class, I had quite a difficult time because everyone was ahead of me and was more fluent in playing then me. We had to play one classical song that we mastered and also the scales. I was pretty okay in playing the scales but I wasn't very confident in playing the song. In this class there was Sarah, Jacklin, Minkyo, Nadia and Callista. I also listened to the others play; they were ah-mazing.

28.01.2009
Music Theory Class:
This week was the week where we had to present about Asian music. Our team did research on Japanese Music and had also prepared a presentation. Personally I thought our presentation wasn't boring and went pretty well. The criticism we got was to add music clips so that people could get a sample of the Japanese music. We also got a chance to watch other teams present. During the session, Mr.Peter and Mr.Tommy observed us. And, because we had to do these presentations, we didn't have enough time to join our instrument class.

February

04.02.2009
Music Theory Class:
In this week's session Mr John taught us an important part of music: The Major Scales. We were taught how to 'create' the next scale by adding sharps or flats. This theory is important if we want to be able to master a musical instrument. I quite understood it because I learnt it before but thanks to this I understood it better, it was like reviewing the subject more deeply. Also, we learnt about upper and lower tetrachords which would help us in understanding the scales. Besides that, Mr.John also taught us the hand signals for each note, DO RE MI FA SOL LA TI DO.

Instrument Class:
Honestly speaking, I felt quite left behind in my piano class, therefore I asked to move to the beginner guitar class so I can experience new things and play with those my level. After I moved instrument class, I felt more confident and excited in learning a new instrument. My classmates were Yonathan, Johan, Dimas, Cindy, Joceline and Jesslyn, During this first class, I was taught finger exercises. The order of my fingers from the ring finger to my thumb was called PIMA. The exercises given was PAMI PIMA PAMIAMIA and PIMAMI, basically just moving around the order of the strumming fingers. The exercises helped my strumming skils.

11.02.2009
Music Theory Class:
in this theory class, we were reviewing our Learning Plan Guide sheet that had been handed to us. We also then did an outline for our individual report based on the powerpoint presentation we had done earlier in the term. We also learnt and sang a Chinese song called "Little Silver Moon Boat'. It was fun singing as a class and listening to the teachers, Mr. Herry, Mr.John and Mr.Hary, perform. I even found myself humming the tune of that song.

Instrument Class:
During the guitar session, we put our strumming skills to the test. After practising the strumming exercises, we were then taught the C major scale. It wasn't that hard to memorize but we just had to make sure we used the right finger to press or strum. After being to able to master the scale, we played the song 'Ode to Joy'. When we made a mistake we just laughed it off and continued playing as a class. Besides that song, we also learnt a classical song I've heard so often and longed to be able to play. The song is "Romance DeAmor". I have heard many people play it and it's a very nice song, so when I was taught the basics by Mr.John, I was excited.

18.02.2009
Music Theory Class:
Again, during the class we had to sing the Chinese song we learnt last week, 'Little Silver Moon Boat'. This was just a practice, and I sang with Jesslyn. We sang loud an though we weren't that good we still had a good time, It was also nice to just relax and listen to other people's singing. If we were given any type of criticism, we just took it in so that we can improve for our real singing assessment.

Instrument Class:
Our homework was actually to keep continuing to practice our C major scale so that we could play the guitar properly and know which note is where. Now that we know the C major scale, we are now able to be taught chords, wich is really exciting. During this class we were taught simple chords which are C, Am, Dm and G. Even with just these four chords, I could already play a song! the song is called "I Can't Smile Without You". I was satisfied with the progress I have made and the things I have learnt and slowly mastered. But, I wasn't outstanding yet so I had to practice practice practice. My nails and fingers ached like crazy because I was not used to it yet.

25.02.2009
Music Theory Class:
In today's class, we had our singing assessment. It was nerve-wracking. I paired myself with Jacklin. We sang the song "Little Silver Moon Boat" again. It wasn't that boring though.
After the singing session, we had to prepare ourselves for next week's written exam. Therefore we didn't make time for an instrument class. Instead, two music teachers, Mr.Hary and Mr.John, explained the scales more so that we could understand it and would do well in the exam. I tried to pay attention on what was being told because I want to get a satisfying score in the written exam.

March

04.03.2009
Music Theory Class:
We finally came to the week we were quite nervous for: The written exam week. The test was about Asian Music, the chords and the major and/or minor scales. I actually did pretty well in the section about major scales because I quite understood the topic. But the Asian music section was quite difficult because the questions were based on the presentation given by us and our classmates, and some of them didn't give sufficient information nor gave it clearly. Next time I think I should study more. I hope I got a good score.

Instrument Class:
For today's guitar class, we talked more about chords. We learnt even more chords such as F, E, Em, D and A. I like today's class. Plus, we got a chance to play a song we liked from our iPods and such, giving a chance for Mr.John to listen, then he would play it to us, and help us learnt the basics of it. This way, we got a chance to choose a song we liked and learn at the same time. After reviewing a few other things about chords and strumming, we had free time and listened to Mr. John play some of our favorite songs.

11.03.2009
Music Theory Class:
Today's class was interesting. we learnt about two different types of pentatonic scales: DO RE MI SOL LA and DO MI FA SOL SI. We then had to create a composition using each pentatonic scale. Because I didn't have an instrument nearby that I could use to play the notes, I had to just use my feeling as I created my composition. It turned out okay. Then, the class got to see the compostitions of Sarah and Johan. When the theory class almost ended, each instrument class had to sing Johan's composition. Our guitar class confidently marched up front as the first class to perform. It showed team work and though we weren't as good as the vocal group we still had enthusiasm which was also important.

Instrument Class:
We focused again on strumming properly so our chords sounded good. We played again the chords we could learn. Afterwards, Mr.John taught us a song by Rod Stewart called "I don't wanna talk about it". Because it was an old song the melody sounded old and yet the song was catchy. the chords varied from D, E, to A7. I had fun strumming and just making music together with my fellow classmates.

Conclusion For Term Three
I gained a lot of knowledge from this term. When it came to music theory, I learnt alot. I learnt about Asian Music, and also about the chords. Besides that, I now understood clearly why this major or minor scale has this flat or this sharp. I was also able to create my own compostitions using pentatonic scales!
It was the same in my instrument class; I gained a lot of knowledge. I got to be able to play a variety of chords (C, D, Dm, E, Em, F, G, A, Am) on the guitar and also learnt a few songs. Besides that, I learnt how to play the C major scale using the guitar and also the basics like proper ways of strumming. Although I went through a few diffficulties in the beginning of the term, I am glad now that I am in a class I am more comfortable with and that now I could play a new instrument. I am proud of what I had achieved and is both glad and sad that the term is now over.