I’m now maintaining a newsletter mailing list. It’s currently a tiny-volume (about an email per month) mailing list containing updates on my musical activities. Subscribe now! Why should you? You’ll obtain first-hand info from me, and I’ll announce special offers. The current offer for the list subscribers is two free MP3 tracks from Visions.

What are you waiting for? Subscribe now!

Got an email from Bob Engelbardt, the DJ of the Smooth Piano & Keyboard Internet radio station, saying that some tracks from Visions are now in its playlist. According to my search, the following tracks are there:

• Matahari dan Rembulan (track #2 in the album).
• Sky (track #3).
• Soil (track #5).
• Rain 1 (track #6).
• Morning Feeling (track #9).

This radio station is free, so this is a good chance to listen even more of my music. Don’t miss it!

One of the practices that was taught to me when learning how to play the piano was controlling my breaths. Playing the piano is like, sort of, giving a speech (I much prefer the former). At the end of legato phrases, my teacher would say, “Breathe!” It proved to be not easy. Being aware of my breath as well as keeping my playing smooth has been a real challenge. Even up to now. But whenever I’m aware of my breaths, I play better. One of the best practices I had was playing J. S. Bach’s inventions. And I’m still fond of those pieces.

And then, years after I finished my tutelage with my latest music teacher, I got initiated into the Naqshbandi Haqqani Sufi Order. One of the principles is conscious breathing. Wow! (Sorry, I can’t talk this in great details. Apart from being not authorised, I still can’t do it properly. I’d rather not preach what I don’t practise.) I’ve been getting breathing exercises from my master’s representatives, so, whatever your belief is, if you’re interested to learn more about breathing, meet him.

Anyway, I personally find that breath awareness to be highly beneficial, be that for piano playing and life in general.

[Photo by Jon C.]

You never know when you get inspired. It’s not strange when you try hard, no matter how hard, you cannot produce a work of art. But when you don’t actually prepare anything, you can come up with something pleasant. And probably, since you don’t expect anything, you’re more ready to accept whatever is given to you.

That was probably what happened to me yesterday when I wrote a new song. It’s called Blessings. I didn’t wait long after I got the inspiration to transcribe it. I just got a chance to played it tonight, and admittedly, although I already “heard” the song, it surprised me a bit. By that, I mean, pleasantly surprised. Teehee… I still haven’t memorised it. Ah well, I’ll just enjoy it, and I hope I can share it with you.

Peace be upon you all.

Welcome to my blog. This will be one of my side activities when I’m not playing music. I also hope to communicate things behind the screen here.

Enjoy!