Since we’re on a high from JindoMaster808‘s excellent guest blog post (Big MLC Mahalo once again, JM808), I thought we’d do a Thursday 3 about Makin’ Music.
Copy and paste the 3 questions and answer them or just answer them by number, order, whatever. And don’t forget to leave any comments, stories, memories, etc. relating to the topic. So, with a one, and a two, and a three…
If you woke up one morning and had the magical ability to play, I mean really jam, any musical instrument – what instrument would you choose? And why?
If you used to or still do play a musical instrument, what made you choose that specific musical instrument?
What’s your take on music?
Here’s my replies:
If you woke up one morning and had the magical ability to play, I mean really jam, any musical instrument – what instrument would you choose? And why? In my younger days, I would’ve liked to play the electric guitar – like Eddie van Halen. But now, in my MLC age, I’d choose the saxophone. To me, the sound of the sax is both sexy and soulful. The way the notes have the ability to blend together. How you can almost feel your passion through the music that you play – like it’s an extension of your soul. Now that’s Makin’ Music.
If you used to or still do play a musical instrument, what made you choose that specific musical instrument? Since my brother had a guitar, I tried to learn how to play it. Didn’t happen. I think with my short and stubby Okinawan fingers – it just wasn’t meant to be. In high school, I tried taking a few slack-key guitar lessons. Nope. Nada. Nuttin’. I even tried the harmonica. No go. Then it dawned on me – even if I knew how to play something, if I’m simply not musically inclined – it wouldn’t sound good anyway (which leads me to question #3).
What’s your take on music? Since Makin’ Music was so hard for me, I gained an appreciation for music. It’s so amazing to me that individual instruments making all different sounds can come together and produce something so beautiful in harmony. And when I’m tired, stressed, or just need to relax – music calms me down. And one of my biggest loves for music is how it can transport me back in time and trigger my memories to when I used to hear that song. In fact, it still does that to me today. For example, a couple of times when we were playing at the Main Street casino, this song was playing in the background. I heard it although I wasn’t really listening to it – I’m guessing that my subconscious was soaking it all in – and the song was suddenly burned into my memory. So of course whenever I hear this song now, I remember sitting at the poker machine at the Main Street casino, relaxed and having fun.
Today we have a Guest Blogger: Our very own JindoMaster808. I’ve been keeping in touch with JM808 via Facebook after we parted ways from the break up of The Honolulu Advertiser and I saw that he had picked up an old passion – playing music. I wouldn’t call it a Midlife Crisis – but rather a passion that he’s put aside for more important things in life – like family, career, health, etc.
And now, like many of us MLCers – we’re finding more time for ourselves as our children have grown up and our careers are more stable. In other words, we got our lives back to do the things we loved – like JindoMaster808′s love for playing music. So I asked him if he’d be willing to share his story with us – which he graciously has done. So without further ado, I present to you:
JindoMaster’s Magical Musical Rediscovery
I sit here writing and reflecting upon tonight’s rehearsal with the Honolulu Community Concert Band. We’re preparing for a big concert next week and we’ve been covering a lot of material during rehearsals. I’ve only played with this band since January 2011. I didn’t know what to expect back then. Fortunately I’ve fit in with the group and I’ve made many new friends in the band. Best of all, I’m having a blast performing in a band once again.
The story of how I came to this point in my musical experience started in the early 70’s. During my first concert band class at Moanalua Intermediate School, I decided to choose clarinet as my instrument. I guess my dad thought it was a good fit for me. Playing a musical instrument gave me great joy and a sense that of accomplishment. I continued playing at Moanalua High School where I also played saxophone and piano. At the start of my senior year, I even entertained the idea of majoring in music. However once I started attending UH, I decided to pursue a career in Management Information Systems. Due to the time commitment with my studies, I stopped playing in my freshman year.
Fast forward 35 years to June 2010. As many of you fellow MLC’ers know, I worked at The Honolulu Advertiser with Rodney. During that month, hundreds of us were laid off due to the sale of The Advertiser. At first I found it enjoyable to not have the pressures of the job. But after a few months I only received a few invitations to interview for jobs. Things got quite boring and very depressing.
Then one day, while surfing YouTube, I discovered a young Japanese saxophonist named Kaori Kobayashi. I was impressed at how this demure young lady could play the saxophone so well. It started me thinking… I used to play, I wonder if I could eventually play like that.
That how it started again. I was hooked. I purchased a used student model Yamaha alto saxophone on eBay. I started taking lessons. Finally I had something to do while I was unemployed, something that I really enjoyed. I was so obsessed that, during my morning walks around Windward Mall with the retired folks, I’d be moving my fingers to the most recent sax exercises that my teacher assigned to me.
But something was still missing. What fun is playing music if there’s no venue to play at? So I asked my teacher about performing with bands. He mentioned the Honolulu Community Band and also the Thursday Night Jazz Band. To make a long story short, I made a few calls and I now play with both bands.
Which brings me to today. I am fortunate to be employed now and I still make time to practice and attend rehearsals and concerts. I recently purchased a used clarinet, too. Playing music again gives me great joy. When I play, I forget the stresses of work. Depending on the music, performing transports me to a different world – the old west, an Irish countryside, the Far East. When I play with the Jazz Band, I’m transported to the 40′s playing those big band hits. Best of all, I like being with my new friends who are as passionate as I am to make wonderful music and to entertain the audiences that we perform for.
If there’s one regret I have, it’s that I didn’t start playing again sooner. My parting words to you, dear MLC readers, is to seize the opportunity to do what you’ve always wanted to do. Don’t put it off because that opportunity may not come again.
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Note: JindoMaster will be performing with the Honolulu Community Concert Band in a joint concert with Omiya Community Band at 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at Pearl City Cultural Center. He will also perform with a saxophone quartet on KZOO radio at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, January 24 to promote the concert.
