Wok with Me: Music and I | Columns | burnettcountysentinel.com

If I lived every day with alcohol, I would be labeled as an alcoholic, correct? Well, what if I told you that I have never lived a day without music? Then, will that make me a musicholic? Haha. I just made that word up, as it does not even exist. At least, there is no matching word in the thesaurus or the dictionary, but you catch my drift. Yes, I do love music; and I am not attached to any one particular style of music, but all styles and all kinds, even in different languages. I remember that when Disneyland was promoting their grand opening in the theatres, I was about five years old then. Somehow, instead of being attracted to all the fun rides like the Matterhorn, or the Pirates of the Caribbean, I was more interested with the barbershop quartet that was performing on Main Street. I had no desire to go on those exotic rides, but was more attracted to the four-part harmony. Looking back, that was very strange indeed. Growing up in Hong Kong, I was exposed to both the music from the western world and the traditional Chinese operas. For some reasons, I enjoyed them both. Even though I did not know the lyrics, I could hum along with the melody after I listened to it a few times. Yes, gifted with a good ear, I can figure out how to play different musical instruments as well. The sad news is that I cannot read music. I can read the notes on a song sheet, one note at a time, but just could not figure out the melody flowing if my life depended on it. I attempted to take lessons at different times, but failed miserably each time. So, I stopped trying, and just kept on singing and writing songs like the Beatles did. Comparing myself with the Beatles? Haha, how dare I? Well, they have written hundreds of the world’s most popular songs, yet they cannot read music either.

There is definitely something magical in music, not only can it provoke one’s inner feelings when doing it alone, like singing in a shower, but also, group singing (as in a chorus) is stimulating and inspiring, especially when the tune is harmonized with different parts. In Barbershop terms, it will be the Lead, the Bass, the Baritone, and the Tenor. Now, try that in a stadium with 95,000 fans singing all our parts together! Well, it just so happened that one of my favorite songs ‘You Never Walk Alone’ is also the anthem for the Liverpool soccer team in England. Would you believe that 95,000 fans would be blabbing the song out in unity before and during the game, to show their support for their team. What a way to get the message out – ‘Play well, give your best, we love you, and we will stand by you.’ Wonder if we have a theme song for the Packers at Lambeau Field, what would they choose to sing? ‘99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall?’

There is this popular violin concerto written by two young Chinese musicians back in the 60s – The Butterfly Lovers. It tells the romantic story of two young lovers whose fate ended up in tragedy. Many musicians have played the tune not with violins, but with other instruments such as the flute, Pei Pa, or Er Wu. I was surprised at the outcome, as the musicians managed to capture the essence of the story all along. I think that it is the most challenging part in being a musician, to tell a story with whatever instruments – with your own voice, the piano, harmonica, flute, or whatever devices that we can get our hands on. While impressed by musicians performing the violin concerto with different devices, I was awestruck to watch the piece performed by musicians from a different country! I was YouTubing one afternoon, and I saw that the Butterfly Lovers wea performed in Sweden by their local orchestra. Imagine my surprise, and the pride! Not only did they present the music well, but they captured the essence of the composition as well. That is when I understood why music is a universal language. No words needed to be spoken, yet the message can be understood by all. Just how magical it can be.

Maybe the world can be a better place if we stop using words to communicate with each other, but use some music notes instead? Imagine!

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