Working with Jarome in the last 2 weeks on music projects has been very inspiring and rewarding.  Part of our time was spent focusing on the songs that will be on the upcoming marriage CD and looking at the structure, melody and phrasing of each piece.  The next step for this project will be to practise the piano parts so that additional instrumentation can be added to the pieces.  This summer I hope to complete the vocals in Jarome’s studio.  But that’s not all we’ve been working on. We have been trying new ideas for very new and different music projects and writing original lyrics for some exciting new songs.   

Working in person with Jarome has been such a wonderful experience as we have been able to create spontaneously, feed off each others’ ideas, and experiment. One of the major benefits of working in person has been saving time, being more effective and improving our original ideas.  I am also thrilled that Jarome has set-up my studio so I can work more smoothly composing with Cubase and use it more comfortably without technical issues.  

It may be a while before we are ready for the public to hear these ideas, but I can’t wait for you to experience this new music. I have been considering making new songs available for listen and purchase as they are completed rather than making you wait until the whole album is ready.  If this were an option, do you think people would still want to purchase the whole CD?  I would love to hear your thoughts. 

In two days my producer, Jarome, will be arriving in Beijing and I’m very excited!  He is coming here to assist with several music projects that we are working on. One of our tasks is for me to learn the basics of Cubase (the music program that Jarome uses to record in his studio). In order for us to be able to collaborate more smoothly on our projects, I need to be more proficient in using this program. 

The first time I used Cubase three years ago, it took me a couple of months just to learn how to record and hear the sound of my vocals as I sang into the microphone.  As I live in China and Jarome is in Canada, technical support has been a challenge but he has been available to assist whenever I have had technical issues.  Learning basic engineering aspects of recording has been a laborious process and I have had to practice a lot of patience!  So I’m eager for Jarome to assist me in making the process of recording the piano and vocals much smoother for the future.  I look forward to sharing some of the results of our projects sometime soon.

Thought of the Day:

“The diversity in the human family should be the cause of  love and harmony, as it is in music where many different notes blend together in making the perfect chord.” -Abdu’l-Baha 

I have been working with my vocal coach this week on singing certain pieces from ‘Fire and Gold’ to prepare for future live performances.  As there are several harmonies on some of the pieces, it can be quite technical figuring out which parts to sing live and which harmonies to leave in the background.  Hard work, but most enjoyable (and having the help of my talented producer made the process much easier)!

The practice will be put to the test next week when I will sing ‘Should Prosperity befall Thee’ during a musical evening at my home.  The evening will be a concert to be given by one of my dear friends, Martin Kerr, who has just arrived from Canada.  Martin was a great help to me while making ‘Fire and Gold’: he accompanies me on ‘The Prison of Tihran’, the last and most intense piece on ‘Fire and Gold’.  You may have noticed the rich voice reading the introduction and singing the male parts – both are Martin.

Martin is a wonderful vocalist and guitar player and recently released an incredible album called ‘I know you’re out there’ (you can check it out on his website).  Martin’s music is catchy and melodious and his lyrics are witty, charming and thought-provoking.  I hope you get a chance to see him play live.  If you ever have the opportunity you won’t want to miss it!

 Thought of the Day:

“Try if thou canst, to use spiritual melodies, songs and tunes, and to bring the earthly music into harmony with the celestial melody.”

-Abdu’l-Baha