KANON WAKESHIMA NEW ALBUM, LOLITAWORK LIBRETTO: WIN AUTOGRAPHED POSTCARDS! BASSIST TAIJI PLAYING WITH X JAPAN IN TOKYO, D’ESPAIRS RAY CONCERT BOOKLET.
It’s a Jrock / Visual Kei announcement day! First, Kanon Wakeshima’s new album, Lolitawork Libretto, is finally out (pick it up here). To celebrate, I’m holding a giveaway contest with her record label Maru Music. Meaning you can win Kanon Wakeshima postcards autographed by the Gothic Lolita doll herself! Read on for details, and for exciting updates on the X Japan and D’espairsRay tours.
Kanon Wakeshima sings and plays Baroque cello, and is the prodigy-protegee of Visual Kei god Mana (Malice Mizer / Moi dix Mois). Above is the PV of her new single, Lolitawork Libretto, with French storytelling by Solita. Both her classical songwriting and Gothic Lolita princess dress are entrancing.
Here’s your chance to enter her lovely Lolita world — you can win an autographed 4-piece Kanon Wakeshima postcard set! Three of the postcards are photos of the adorable artist; one showcases an original artwork by her. And one of the cards is signed by Kanon Wakeshima herself.
HOW TO ENTER THE CONTEST…
† Amazingly, Kanon began playing cello at age 3. How about you: what was your earliest encounter with a musical instrument? Please leave a comment in this blog post, sharing your story. If you don’t play any instruments, let me know what you’d like to learn and why.
† Please promote the contest in a blog or forum post, or link to it via Facebook, Twitter, Stumble or other social network. Include the link or username in your comment for verification.
Contest is open worldwide and ends Tues, August 3 at midnight Pacific Time. You may only enter once and must fulfill both requirements to be eligible. Winner will be picked at random. Email Carmina if you have questions.
I previously shared the news that Visual Kei legends X Japan will be touring North America in the fall. Here’s another exciting update: the band’s former bassist Taiji Sawada will join X Japan on stage as a special guest! He’ll appear for two concerts, held August 14 and 15 at Nissan Stadium in Tokyo.
It’s been 18.5 years since Taiji and X Japan last played together. Don’t you love the band’s hair-raising look in the 1980s? It seems like the increasing interest in Visual Kei outside of Japan is encouraging bands to reunite. And if the Kozi-Mana-Yuki love at the July concert was any indication, Malice Mizer is next… fingers crossed!
Finally, Askew Magazine has teamed up with D’espairsRay to create a special tour booklet. I’ve seen a preview, and it’s ultra-professional and made with love. The booklet contains entirely original photography and an in-depth look behind the creation of Monsters and the “Death Point” music video. This special edition item is only available via the merchandise table at D’espairsRay concerts in North America and possibly Europe — so head out to a show! And good news for fans who bought tickets to the cancelled shows (Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta) — Askew will send you a booklet for FREE (if you have proof of purchase and cover the shipping/handling). Head over to Askew Magazine’s site for more Visual Kei goodies.
Anyone pumped to see D’espairsRay live? Come enter the Kanon Wakeshima contest by commenting about your first musical experience and spreading the word on the giveaway. (I’ll get the ball rolling.)
Japanese Word of the Day: Zetsubou = Despair
Song of the Day: TAIJI with HEAVEN’S (from “The Birthday Eve” show in Tokyo on March 26, 2010).
This entry was posted on Monday, July 26th, 2010 at 22:34 and is filed under J-News, Tokyo Gothic Lolita, Visual Kei + Music. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
July 27th, 2010 at 06:36
lacarmina says:I started playing piano at age 4 — Kanon beat me by a year! I took lessons until I was 17, and got to an advanced level (Grade 10 on the Royal Conservatory of Music). I'm out of practice today, but the training remains… I can read music well and hope to pick it up again in the future.
July 27th, 2010 at 06:42
La Char / Diabetic Lolita says:I actually didn't really like her album! I found her first album way better and much more cello like.
But d'espairsray! <3 I didn't know about their show, but they were in the Netherlands! T_T (Why didn't someone tell me! ; _ ; )
I hope they come again!
July 27th, 2010 at 06:48
lacarmina says:Ah, check out their site for tour dates – they'll be going to Europe! Even if you don't like Kanon's new album, feel free to enter the contest and win signed postcards from her. ;) xoxox
July 27th, 2010 at 06:53
Shannon says:When I was 6 my babysitter had a piano and I'd never seen one up close. I spent hours banging away on it and eventually taught myself scales and whatnot. I'm weebeasty on twitter.
July 27th, 2010 at 06:59
KiroinKirai says:My first encounter with an instrument would have to be when I was 5… My uncle brrought his guitar during a visit, and I took it and “played” it by strumming and pounding on the guitar like a madwoman, haha!
Years later, I begged my parents for a guitar and got my first real acoustic in the fifth grade. In the seventh grade I started playing asian songs such as Cassis by The Gazette and Haru haru by korean pop-band Big bang. From then on, I've been playing and learning new sogs, and hope to get an electric, since it's much easier!
url: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=10000007...
July 27th, 2010 at 07:20
Flip says:<3 Taiji <3
And we can only wish MM does a reunion. That would be utterly amazing. BRING BACK TETSU <3
Haha. I can dream right?
My first encounter with an instrument, its hard to say, either it was a piano at the age of 4 or being adorable playing with a family friends cello at around 5/6ish [Never picked it up, but I did fall in love with the violin]. I just remember being a little kid learning to play piano, and my hands being so tiny. I got so frustrated because I couldn't reach the keys and would always cry. My teacher wasn't very fond of me because of that, I dropped lessons when I got older, though I continued to practice on my aunts piano until she sold it a few years back. It was a nice piano too, small, but very lovely. Since then I've picked up various instruments, still fooling around with my keyboard from time to time, however I love to spend my time with violins, classic or electric. Or my guitars <3 I even play woodwinds! Sadly my flute is long gone ;o; I play far to many instruments, I suppose thats what happens when you dedicate your life to music~ <3 I don't regret a single moment of it.
Thank you darling for this wonderful post. I just loved looking at some 80's X!
-Flip
July 27th, 2010 at 07:22
Flip says:Im not that skilled! Wow, thats absolutely wonderful! :) Bravo!
Reading music is much like riding a bike, you never forget <3
July 27th, 2010 at 07:41
Abhishek Duggal says:My earliest encounter with a musical instrument was when at the age of 8, I started taking harmonium classes from a blind teacher who was very talented. I've added La Carmina on Facebook and the page URL is http://www.facebook.com/forsurveysonly
July 27th, 2010 at 07:44
Marie says:I have never taken any cources to learn how to play an instrument. However, I have a friend who plays the violin and when I first her play I had her teach me some songs. I have a thing for violin music in movies and such, so I am very fond of the violin. I think it is enchanting to hear many violins play together. I love it. That is why I would like to learn how to play the violin!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=102252111...
http://twitter.com/mriesu
July 27th, 2010 at 07:50
Enola Aroniq Camui says:I've learned how to play the song “Twinkle Twinkle, little star” on the violin when i was 10 when my friend taught me how to play on her violin. So i've played on the violin once. haha.
I did have an encounter with the piano when my younger cousin started learning it around 6 or 7 years ago. So, I learnt Grade One piano from her and that was it.
Around two years ago i got an acoustic guitar as a present. That was the time when i as really obssessed with Jrock and Visual Kei stuffs and had dreamt of knowing how to play an electric guitar or even drums. However, i was having important examinations during that period of time so i didnt got a chance to learn it. The most i did was strumming it for a few times. Since then, the poor guitar is lying in my store. Oh, i was lazy. That was excuses.
Unfortunately, I've never really know or learned how to play any musical instruments before. :(
Sadded much but i would like to learn how to play an electric guitar or even a cello if i had a chance.
July 27th, 2010 at 09:09
Chiara Abigail says:My first encounter with a musical instrument was the piano in my uncle's house in Naples..I was really small back then, and I thought my uncle was probably rich because I had never seen a piano in a normal house before (>_<) When I first saw it I wanted to try it but my father scolded me, my uncle then smiled and made me sit on the varnished bench and we played togheter…well he played, using my hands (>_<) I was so amazed! Then everytime we went in my uncle's house I used to sit and play some simple songs my uncle taught me, pretending to be a famous pianist (^_^) My parents never bought me one, of course it costed too much for them…I started playing guitar in middle school (that's the only instrument I got my parents to buy :P) and I enjoyed it but my teachers didn't teach us much unfortunately…I got a huge passion for violin, I love the sound and love the concentrated and inspired expression of musicians when they play it, the way they move following the notes like they're one with them, I also do like drums, I played a bunch of times with my friend teaching me the basics, it's powerful and rhytmical, I love it (^_^)…this winter I'd like to start playing the electric guitar in a serious way, I love music so much, I like singing and it would be good singing and playing the same time! Hope I didn't annoy anyone (>_<)
I already have you on my facebook^^
My FB profile: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=10000006...
Thank you for your hard work as usual, bye bye!
July 27th, 2010 at 13:34
Battleroyale24 says:My first encounter with a musical instrument was with an electric bass guitar. It was a X-mas gift when I was 16. I loved it! I quickly became obsessed with bass lines in all the songs I heard. I soon fell in love with Nine Inch Nails & the keyboard. I decided to try to become my own Trent Reznor & learn as many instruments as I could. I soon learned electric guitar, piano, & producing. I recorded about 10 tracks on my own which are to this day is my favorite music I've ever done. I ventured into the world of hip hop producing beats for my friends who rapped. Performed locally @ clubs & bars. Sadly I was never able to perform my own music, just beats & back up vocals for other groups & artists. The highlight was being able to open for Method Man @ the Webster Theater in Hartford, CT back in 2005. Since my pretty recent finding of Mana, Moi Dix Mois, & Malice Mizer my music juices have begun flowing again. Ready to head into another creative direction!
Posted a brand new article of La Carmina on DeathRayWeekly.com
Posted on Facebook
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DeathRayWeekly.com
July 27th, 2010 at 16:24
Yahiko_manga says:My first encounter with a musical instrument at the age of 4 years was my first electronic organ, despite being so small I quickly learned the basic melody for a child of that age ^ ^ I quite like the idea of having a piano mail, used it daily, and little by little began to specialize coming to learn a little more complex melodies, then move to have another body over big boy xD, and so I kept practicing, quickly my evidence given in electronic music fruit, now managing more complex devices, now thanks to the practice I had as a kid, I can make my own electronic databases for (for now) my remix of Japanese electronic music or music etc vk. … (If you remember to send you one of Kaya – Psycho Butterfly * w *) Expert now have a good synthesizer, and make better music … * w *, all this love Kanon Wakeshima … I love her new songs are a good basis very danceable;) (after I send one to listen xD) I liked one in particular Kanon Wakeshima – Suna no Oshiro (Midnight'mare Remix) heard the sound of it is great;)
Ms. Carmina Well, I say goodbye I hope you liked my story over there, greetings ^ ^
Dj.Y4h0 *w*
July 27th, 2010 at 16:25
Yahiko_manga says:Spanish vercion :
Mi primer encuentro con un instrumento musical fue a la edad de 4 años fue mi primer órgano electrónico , a pesar de ser tan pequeño me aprendí rápidamente las melodías básicas para un niño de esa edad ^^ , me gusto bastante la idea de tener un piano electrónico , lo utilizaba a diario , y de a poco a poco comencé a especializarme llegando a aprender melodías un poco mas complejas , luego pase a tener otro órgano mas de niño grande xD , y así seguí practicando , rápidamente mis indicios en la música electrónica dieron frutos , ahora manejando aparatos mas complejos , ahora gracias a la practica que tuve desde pequeño , puedo hacer mis propias bases electrónicas para ( por ahora ) mis remix de música electrónica japonesa o música vk etc. … ( si lo recuerdas te mande uno de Kaya – Psycho Butterfly *w*) Experto ahora tener un buen sintetizador y así realizar mejor música … *w* , a todo esto amo a kanon wakeshima amo sus nuevos temas … con una buena base quedan muy bailables ;) ( luego te mando uno para que escuches ¡ xD ) me gusto uno en especial Kanon Wakeshima – Suna no Oshiro (Midnight'mare Remix) escucha ese sonido de ella es genial ;)
Bueno Señorita Carmina , me despido espero le alla gustado mi relato , saludos ^^
July 27th, 2010 at 16:38
RoseSaga says:What a great post, it contains all of the artists I love! I listened to Kanon Wakeshima's album already and I can't wait to pick it up in Tokyo in August! Also, I'm going to see D'espairs Ray in October, yay! I can't wait, they're such a great band… as for live concerts in general, I'm going to see Luzmelt this weekend at a convention and I'll maybe go to some lives while I'm in Tokyo.
July 27th, 2010 at 16:41
Francisca Hagen says:I think I was 7 or 8 years old when my dad played with a simple drum at baseball games. My dad has passed away when I was 10. But I always liked to drum! When I was 17 I began playing with an acoustic guitar. I know now I still want to learn to drum, it's just to great to hear the drums when someone is drumming solo or in a band!
I'm Seraphinne at Twitter, Francisca Haha at Facebook.
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July 27th, 2010 at 16:57
lacarmina says:I'm seeing D'espairsRay too — can't wait!!!! Glad you like the new album – I'm looking forward to hearing it. xoxo
July 27th, 2010 at 16:57
lacarmina says:That's so cute! Amazing that you taught yourself.
July 27th, 2010 at 16:58
lacarmina says:Whoa, you started playing Jrock and Jpop at a young age! xo
July 27th, 2010 at 17:00
lacarmina says:Wow, you play so many instruments! Glad you liked the post. 1980s baby!
July 27th, 2010 at 17:01
lacarmina says:Harmonium — that's very unique!
July 27th, 2010 at 17:02
lacarmina says:The Red Violin is a great film – have you seen it? >3
July 27th, 2010 at 17:02
lacarmina says:It's never too late to learn! Ask a friend to help you, or take lessons – gambatte!
July 27th, 2010 at 17:03
lacarmina says:^__^!! Thanks for sharing your memories.
July 27th, 2010 at 17:03
lacarmina says:I played electric bass as a teen. Thanks for the article!!!
July 27th, 2010 at 17:04
lacarmina says:You know what I'd really like to play? A giant Baroque vampire organ, ahaha. I liked your story, thank you!
July 27th, 2010 at 17:04
lacarmina says:Gracias! No habla espanol, sadly :(
July 27th, 2010 at 17:04
lacarmina says:What a great memory! Thank you dear! <3
July 27th, 2010 at 17:22
Yahiko_manga says:of these pianos huge medieval churches, those where dracula to their tunes?, surely one day have the chance *n* !
July 27th, 2010 at 17:24
Kana says:My first encounter with a musical instrument was probably around when i was between 5 and 7 with the keyboard/piano. I got into it because my cousins were and I felt left out. In the begining I learned mainly from the book with a little help from my mother to understand the words and it was all on a keyboard. 2 years later, my mom found me a teacher and I've continued to play since then, but on a piano. This sparked my interest in music, as a hobbie, so durring 4th grade, I feel in love playing the flute and now I'm trying to self-teach myself the guitar. I still play the piano in my spare time playing cover songs, well learning them, I'm still in high school so I still continue to play the flute, and I'm picking up the guitar little by little. The piano was the spark of my musical love but I do wish I could have started early like Kanon-san. She's an outstanding cellist, singer, and her outfits are gorgeous.
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ps. tnks for your amazing updates/ contests ^.^
July 27th, 2010 at 17:26
Yvette Yeager says:My earliest encounter with any musical instrument was when I was 2 years old and I saw my dad playing an Organ. I climbed onto the bench and he showed me how to play “Mary Had A Little Lamb” of course I had no idea what was going on because in my baby brain it was just entertaining. Ever since I was able to comprehend more about music (about three years later) I began to play the Organ myself. Now I play all his favorites (mostly Bach) for him since his hands no longer function due to a work accident. I also learned how to play the Recorder and the Violin after that.
July 27th, 2010 at 17:35
Karini says:At the age of six I had my first encounter with a musical instrument. Through the years that memory has become a little blurred, but the one thing that is still vivid was the first spark of my passion for music.
If I promised to go to the lessons my mother said she would leave the choice of instrument up to me. From the instant I saw it there was no hesitation, no reasoning, just an instant bond. I chose a very shiny alto saxophone from a wall of brass instruments.
The sax was so large when I held it off to the side of my lap I would topple off the chair. My music teacher would come up with solutions to this and other problems I faced being a young musician. He would re-write songs to avoid a few of the notes I couldn’t reach at the time or that were difficult to grasp with small hands.
Since giving up the saxophone in middle school, I’ve tried to pick up other instruments but none have come as naturally or as close to my heart as that first golden yellow sax.
-Karini
http://www.myspace.com/karini
http://twitter.com/Karinimiki
July 27th, 2010 at 17:46
TsukiKehKi says:I remember at about 3 I was in the front room in my parents house and we had a piano from the Worlds Fair that hadn't been destroyed. I don't remember when we got it, it was just there really and I always wanted to play it because it looked so big and the noise was like music to my ears. So I just sat there that day and thought music and remembered Beetoven's Fur Eliese. How I remembered that at four I don't know either but I started with playing it trying to figure out the sounds for both hands cause no one at the time told me that I couldn't play something with both until later. I figured the first part was one hand than the arpeggios were both cause my hands were too small to keep it going.
After many note correcting and remembering the tune I played through what I had as best I could. This all is a bit funny to me now because shortly after I was taken to the school for the deaf for testing (years later they found that I have a hearing disorder…that explained so much. : D). This didn't stop me though I kept tinkering away at the piano and started taking lessons when I was old enough and even went to school for it. And that is all from my first experience with a musical instrument.
I'm Carly Romano on Facebook.
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July 27th, 2010 at 17:51
Samina says:I was about four or five, and my mother had a piano in the dining room. She taught both my brother and I how to play, but he was way more talented at it than I was. I struggled for a few years before eventually giving up the piano, and later on wound up singing in my church's youth choir. I also left that after a few years due to the fact I was terrified of performing in public, and the pastor's sons were bullies and constantly tore at me for not being a loud enough singer. Later on, my parents bought me a guitar for Christmas one year, but I could never learn how to play it properly. I would really like to learn how to play the guitar now, as it's a beautiful instrument and I've got more patience now that I'm older. XD
http://www.myspace.com/pale_moonlight
July 27th, 2010 at 18:07
Beatriz Barrett says:I'm so excited about this contest, I really love Kanon Wakeshima, her songs are sweet and creepy at the same time!
When I was 3-4 years old, I got a microphone for my birthday, and discovered my love for singing!
Then, when I was about 10 years old, we got a piano, and I took a few classes to learn how to play… I no longer take classes, but I still play ocasionaly…
Recently, I've been really interested in learning how to play guitar and violin, but unfortunaly, I don't have the time! I guess I'll just stick with singing for now…
July 27th, 2010 at 18:12
Holly-wa says:I retweeted your original tweet to my followers here: http://twitter.com/lacarmina/status/19669874695
My first encounter with an instrument was when I first saw a female drummer. I was enchanted. I asked my mum if I could learn- she wisely didn't want a bad drummer 7-year-old in her home, so stipulated that I take a year of piano lesson first. 4 grades later, I still wanted to learn the drums! After over 8 years, I still want to learn the drums… I'm being taught by my brother this summer. :)
July 27th, 2010 at 19:05
Perogogo says:When I was six years old my parents thought it would be a good idea to start me up on a musical instrument. My older sister had been playing piano, and so my parents thought a string instrument would be nice. They set out to get me on Violin lessons. They bought the smallest violin they could find and found me a jolly, plump teacher at the musical conservatory near my house. The next few months consisted of odd children's illustrations depicting a talking violin and bow desperately trying to teach me music and a smiling teacher who didn't seem to mind that each note I played sounded more like a cat being run over by a bicycle than a string instrument. Of course, my parents originally thought it was the smiling man's fault I wasn't improving, and set me up with a new teacher. A nice woman living with her two little dogs Dillan and Frisco started to teach me. She got me started on some simple songs, most of them that she made up. With three note hits like “Dillan, Dillan FRISCO” and “Pop-pop-POPCORN” I screeched along with my violin lessons. By the time I started playing “Twinkle Twinkle little star” my parents had given up on encouraging smiles and simply left the room (or the house) when I started practicing.
Being in first grade and committing to practicing an instrument no one enjoyed me playing wasn't very motivating, so I eventually gave up and my parents sold my tiny little violin.
Throughout the years I've managed to pick up and put down plenty of instruments, but I've never been terribly gifted or interested in any of them. It saddens me that I lack any form of musical gift, because I really do love music. If there is one thing I wish I had done, it's that I had never sold my screechy little violin. I'm sure that if I had kept up practicing, I would definitely have gotten much better. And who knows? I may have been up on stage now, in full Gothic Lolita splendor, playing a tiny little violin….
Facebook promotiooooon :3
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July 27th, 2010 at 19:11
lacarmina says:Yesss one day I'll have my own dracula castle too!
July 27th, 2010 at 19:11
lacarmina says:Thank you for the link and story. I think you learned quite early on, and it's awesome that you tried so many instruments!
July 27th, 2010 at 19:12
lacarmina says:Aww that's so cute! :)
July 27th, 2010 at 19:12
lacarmina says:Ahah I can just imagine you with the giant sax, like Lisa from the Simpsons :)
July 27th, 2010 at 19:13
lacarmina says:I think children can show incredible musical ability at even age 3 or 4… as you did.
July 27th, 2010 at 19:14
lacarmina says:I've certainly gotten more patience with practicing over the years..
July 27th, 2010 at 19:14
lacarmina says:Karaoke is a fun way to practice singing.. :)
July 27th, 2010 at 19:15
lacarmina says:Thank you! Female drummers are awesome. Meg White and Sandra from Black Veil Brides come to mind.
July 27th, 2010 at 19:15
lacarmina says:I think my parents didn't want me to learn violin because of the potential screeching! ;) Piano it was.
Thanks for the promo!
July 27th, 2010 at 20:22
Leslie says:This contest is so exciting!! thank you!! I really like Kanon's music and loooove her art~!!!
mm…probably I had my first encounter with an instrument at the age of 6. Music class was(and I believe it still is ) mandatory for everyone in my school. So it should have been the flute and 2 traditional instruments.
I really liked playing the flute, it was nice and easy for me so I was happy playing it even thou it was for a gradeXD
around age of 9 joined the schools band and started playing the drums. Later the teacher decided to teach me clarinet. I was good but not good enough to play it with the seniors so I always played drums for events.
I want to play piano and violin, have wanted since I was younger because of my friends and how nice it sounds~ so elegant!!
Hope I have to opportunity to learn soon…
And that would be my story. ^w^
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July 27th, 2010 at 20:32
Yahiko_manga says:u////u suppose to invite me.
I imagine basil touring the castle … *o* XDDD
July 27th, 2010 at 22:18
henja says:I grew up in a musical home so my first instrument that I came into contact with was my Dad's guitar. I wanted to play an instrument, but because my Dad's guitar was a Guild Jumbo (which is still big to me now and I'm not small) I couldn't even hold the damned thing. So I tried a bunch of other stuff (drums, piano, bass), but nothing really stuck.
It was only until years later when my Dad had to take the guitar into the shop, and had to take me with him as I was only……12? He stood there for what seemed like hours talking shop with the clerk while I just stood in awe.
What did I see? Well I had never been into a guitar shop before and the idea of so many guitars didn't really process. I felt like I was standing in a guitar forest. Add on to that experience that there was some gentleman trying out some new guitar in the back and he was a decent musician.
I actually didn't want to go all together, but we left with me still in a daze.
When we got to the car I mentioned casually to my Dad that I wanted to play guitar now. He had heard this before with other instruments so he somewhat dismissed it. Little did he know I guess.
July 27th, 2010 at 23:36
Erika Relyea says:I started playing cello in 3rd grade, only 5 years so far. I have been striving to be very good at it. I took lessons up until 8th grade and I am currently in High school orchestra. Before, in middle school, I was second chair cellist. I practice everyday because, no matter how much I play, I will still have a passion for cello playing. I am now practicing “Still Doll” by Kanon Wakeshima.
In 4th grade I started to play Guitar and Keyboard. In 7th grade, I went to Southern Girls Rock and Roll Camp and took Keyboarding lessons. I performed with a band on guitar. My guitar skills have never been very good, It's not quite what I focus on.
In 7th Grade I started playing The French Horn, I was accidentally placed in Concert band for middle school and I had to pick an instrument. I picked the French Horn, so at first I didn't want to play, but after a while I noticed how fun and easy it was for me. But then I switched to orchestra, which is my favorite.
I hope to win because I love Kanon Wakeshima, her music! She is so talented and I look up to her as an idol. And thank you, La Carmina for giving anyone an opportunity!
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July 27th, 2010 at 23:38
Colleen Iversen says:I ALSO POSTED AN AD ON THE GROUP WALL: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=14507&u...
Hello, My first experience with music was when I got a Tigger mini keyboard from my great aunt who plays piano. I composed little pieces on it and played it for everyone on christmas :) Currently I sing, and was so inspired by Kanon that I am starting cello in September :D
July 27th, 2010 at 23:56
RustedChrome says:My first encounter with a musical instrument was my dad's old guitar. It was a white Telecaster knockoff from the 60's. He played in a surf band in highschool and was teaching me to play when he was killed in a plane crash. I wish he had been around to teach me more.
July 28th, 2010 at 01:18
Missy ~ Melissa says:When you got to third grade, you were allowed to start playing a string instrument. I picked up the violin at age 7 but only continued it for 3 years, then gave it up. I decided in middle school that having orchestra every day would be too much work… I look back on that now and laugh at my 10-11 year old self, and really regret it. I wish I had continued with it, but if I had, I might not have gotten as into art… trade off? Perhaps. I would love to pick it up again, or learn piano though, given the chance.
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July 28th, 2010 at 01:26
flip says:<3
July 28th, 2010 at 02:57
pseudohappy says:My first instrument ever was my old plastic saxophone that I played in the bathtub when I was really young. Do you remember the ones with the colored keys? Just a few years later, when I was ten, I joined the school band. I wanted to play clarinet, but I started with my aunt's alto saxophone instead. I kept with it for eight whole years, up until I graduated from high school! Unfortunately, I wasn't completely happy sticking with the sax, so I branched out: flute, soprano sax, guitar, violin, piano. Not long ago I started listening to Kanon Wakeshima, and I was so astounded by her ability that I decided the next instrument I wanted to master was the cello. My cello is now sitting in the corner of my room, and I think I'll go play it (as soon as I finish typing this, of course). One day I'll be better than Yo-Yo Ma. Just you wait. :D Of course, I haven't forgotten all of my other instruments…maybe I should play them, too… <3
Couple of tweets for you here: http://twitter.com/pseudohappy
(Thanks so much for the opportunity, La Carmina! <3 ) ^^
July 28th, 2010 at 03:48
Gwendylyn Thompson says:I used to play the organ when I was five. My first song was hot cross buns! I later used my voice as my instrument being in choirs and plays like Arsenic and Old Lace. I have always wanted to play the Cello and Violin they are so ethereal and really make you feel like your at a medieval tea party!
http://www.lacarmina.com/blog/
July 28th, 2010 at 03:53
Gwendylyn Thompson says:http://www.facebook.com/pages/La-Carmina/716881...
July 28th, 2010 at 03:56
lacarmina says:I think it's important to have music classes in schools — I think people benefit from early exposure to learning instruments. I hope you'll have the opportunity to continue learning music as well!
July 28th, 2010 at 03:58
lacarmina says:Sounds like a lot of dads were instrumental (haha pun) in people's first musical experiences. ;) A guitar forest – a marvelous visual.
July 28th, 2010 at 03:59
lacarmina says:Oooh a cello player!! I must admit I never was interested in learning cello as I was growing up… but if Kanon were around, it would be a different story haha. She's such a great player.
July 28th, 2010 at 03:59
lacarmina says:Aww a Tigger mini keyboard! Toy instruments are great.
July 28th, 2010 at 03:59
lacarmina says:<3 <3 Much love.
July 28th, 2010 at 04:00
lacarmina says:I think it's great that you learned it for at least a few years … many people never got the chance, and regret that even more…
July 28th, 2010 at 04:01
lacarmina says:Totally remember those! Keep at it with the cello — now there's a whole new CD of songs to learn! :)
July 28th, 2010 at 04:01
lacarmina says:Organ, cello and violin – a party from the past! <3
July 28th, 2010 at 04:37
Laura says:since pretty much every asian parent makes their child play the piano or violin, i ended up with the piano when i was little (first grade, or a little earlier?) and continued until 4th grade i think and quit then because i didn't practice, since i was playing games or watching tv the few hours i didn't need to study. to be honest, i'm obviously not as good but pretty sure i can still read the sheet music and play if you gave me time to try it a few times.
i learned the drums over 2 summers when i was in 8th & 9th grade, then once a week at school in 10th. i still love them and learned a few songs, never any metal stuff i wanted because i never got to practice since i didn't have them at home, but i plan to save up for a kit again myself since the parents aren't too keen, after i save for a dSLR… since i'd really like to pursue it.
reteweeted on http://twitter.com/walkonhomeboy
July 28th, 2010 at 06:24
Emily says:Personally, I have never been musically-inclined. My sister on the other hand, is and I am so proud of her. She writes her own music, plays percusion and piano, and her most recent love (and obsession) is the cello. In fact, she plays the cello BECAUSE of Kanon Wakeshima. And let me say, she is darn good at it. Actually, La Carmina, you inadvertently inspired her love for the cello.
Let me explain: The first time you posted about Versailles, I discovered jrock. I told my sister about them, she went crazy over the Japanese music scene, came across Kanon Wakeshima, and fell in love with the cello. Now, one day, she hopes to play professionally in an orchestra. SO thanks!
Also….http://www.roiworld.com/club-roi/forums/talk_view.rwp?uniq=327402&strDiv=1&sort=new
July 28th, 2010 at 07:27
lacarmina says:That. Makes. My. DAY! I was having a rough evening and you cheered me right up. Please encourage your sister for me — she sounds awesome, and I'm glad she is finding inspiration through Kanon! xoxo
July 28th, 2010 at 07:28
lacarmina says:Exactly – all Asian kids have to go through the ritual! ;) Thanks for the story and RT.
July 28th, 2010 at 10:55
Speilbilde says:I played the violin for a lot of years, starting when I was… I think maybe eight years old. I'm not quite sure how long I went on playing, but it was a lot of years. Eight or nine. I had to quit because my teacher left, which left me with no way to learn MORE. I do own a violin now, but I almost never pick it up to play – I no longer know how.
I tweeted about it here: http://twitter.com/Speilbilde/status/19731664848
July 28th, 2010 at 12:24
pseudohappy says:Aye aye, cap'n! One day I'll have the lolita wardrobe to match!!
July 28th, 2010 at 15:09
isclub969 says:My first encounter with an instrument was sometime in elementary school. Every six weeks we would take music class and learn to play the recorder :D Not sure how old but I probably began when i was 8 and then we would practice Titanic hardcore,lol. Then like 3 years ago i learned to play Utada Hikaru's First Love on the guitar. I was so proud (＾∇＾).
<3 ivana
posted the contest on my Facebook :http://www.facebook.com/urbanunicorn
July 28th, 2010 at 18:06
kath says:i picked up guitar at 12 because i saw my brother and my dad playing it but i didn't have any formal training. I re-kindled my old fascination with music at 15 when i bought a violin. too bad i don't have much time now to study it again, and im very much a neophyte. hopefully i'll try to play it by summer vacation since college life is too hectic and busy for me.TAT
facebook:http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/failovekathforever
July 28th, 2010 at 20:14
lacarmina says:Thanks so much! <3
July 28th, 2010 at 20:15
lacarmina says:Thank you dear! I love Utada Hikaru.
July 28th, 2010 at 20:15
lacarmina says:I think having a guitar around helps… you end up practicing and playing around in your off time. :)
July 28th, 2010 at 21:15
Lolz Bananasbeyellow says:My earliest encounter with a musical instrument was the piano. I took lessons from my teacher from school at her house when I was in fourth grade. I liked the lessons, but not so much the practicing. My teacher had a grand piano and we had a super cheap piano and I wasn't used to ours. I was so small I couldn't reach many keys, and the keys I played never sounded right. Her piano was grand and mine… wasn't. I took lessens for a year and I only could play one song. I haven't taken any lessons since then, but if I could play a instrument I would ether want to play the Guitar like Miyavi does or the flute.
July 29th, 2010 at 03:55
Emily says:I'm so glad! I hope you have had a better day!
July 29th, 2010 at 23:32
Kai628 says:I think when I was … in 4th grade, I was forced to take piano lessons every Saturday. As a child, needless to say, I wasn't motivated at all and plus I was the oldest one in the class since everyone else was in kindergarten – 2nd grade, and plus I towered over everyone else. We had playing tests in front of all the parents every so often and I was always mortified because..I would be outshone by the smaller kids who had been playing longer than I had and who could also pass off a mistake as being “cute”. I quit after half a year..but now I really regret it because my musical talent..is really lacking experience and variation.
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/kerukeru28
July 30th, 2010 at 00:19
ChokoCakes says:My first encounter with an instrument was when I was around the age of 8 with the piano. As my mother never got the chance to learn to play an instrument when she was young, she was very keen on giving me the opportunity to learn to play an instrument. I was learning to play the piano at a school for music but as a child other things occupied my mind. (Like playing and the saturday morning cartoons I was missing out on by coming to the school every saturday morning.) Eventually I stopped taking the lessons. The ironic thing is, now several years later I have come to develop a love and interest for the sound of the piano. It is now one of my favourite instruments to hear in some of my favourite music and I practically crush on anyone that has a great skill in playing it. Now I wish that I would have tried to learn the piano properly and that my mother would have pushed me more to learn it as now I simply have no money to take up lessons for it. Damn. XD
I posted this article on my facebook below:
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/profile.php…
July 30th, 2010 at 01:07
Lashy says:I absolutely LOVE Kanon Wakeshima. She's so adorable, I bought her first album as soon as it was possible for me. ^_^ Anyway, I first started playing piano when I was… I think I was about six? Hm. Not quite sure on that one. Anyway, I actually started playing the cello myself when I was in sixth grade, and though I only played for a year or two (I wasn't very good at it, unfortunately ^^;; ), though I still love the instrument. I also started learning to play the guitar about a year or two ago, just dabbling in a few classes. I would really like to try learning the bass, though! Tweeted, @Lashy337, you're open to my tweets. ^_^ Wish me luck~
July 30th, 2010 at 03:32
lacarmina says:Much better! :)
July 30th, 2010 at 03:39
lacarmina says:I think a lot of kids who were pushed by their parents to stick to music appreciate it now… I do ahah
July 30th, 2010 at 04:03
lacarmina says:Thanks for the link! Haha I think children hate being pushed at the time, but appreciate it later… X__X
July 30th, 2010 at 04:03
lacarmina says:Bass is fun to pick up, esp since you have guitar experience already. My hands are small so I always found bass to be much easier. xox
July 30th, 2010 at 06:34
Leslie says:I believe so too. It was a bit odd to find certain things are not enforced in American schools.
Thank you! I hope so as well!^w^
July 30th, 2010 at 19:16
Hikaru says:When I was five, I first heard the sweet sound of a violin while watching an Asian drama. I didn’t know how it worked but it just clicked in my head that I wanted to play that instrument. I begged my grandmother to buy me a violin but it wasn’t until three years later, when I moved to California, that I actually took lessons. At first, it was pretty interesting and fun, learning notes and scales. After a couple of years of learning, however, I was getting tired of practicing every day and attending the rigorous weekly lessons. It almost felt exhausting to even show up at the music school but I never gave up. After numerous performances, tests, orchestra moments, and retreats, I finally regained that passion. This October marks my eighth year of playing violin and I recently passed the advanced level of Certificate of Merit test. Looking back at those years of struggle, I often laugh at myself. I have tried the flute and keyboard but neither of them is as interesting and challenging as the violin. Sugizo and Kanon Wakeshima are my super influential idols. My dream is to perform on stage with Sugizo. That would definitely be the zenith! <3 Violin is not only a passion, but it is like a soul mate that will be by my side for the rest of my life.
July 31st, 2010 at 00:11
Circus_Freak says:Well, I started to play piano when i was about 8 years old. I practiced daily but it never really spoke to me, so I quit a few years later. Just last year I decided to take up the cello and I've been in love ever since. I call him Dimitri…my husband. =P I've been studying in my country's Conservatory of Music since I started, and my teacher is determined to get me in the school's orchestra. I'm really quite hesitant cause I'm not very confident in my ability to play with a bunch of people I don't know. But even so, I always go all out for my solo concertos, yes, even the clothes…short dress+combat boots=priceless stares from the people back stage. In those moments, I always turn to La Carmina blog for fashion inspiration. ;D A while after I decided to start the cello, I discovered Kanon. She inspired me so much that I went out and bought the first cello I saw, which turned out to be the wrong size and had to trade it in for another one after much panicking. But Kanon is a very big inspiration in my cello playing. I <3 Kanon!!
Linky to zee tweet:http://twitter.com/porcelain_dream
July 31st, 2010 at 01:18
lacarmina says:That's a really cool story. I can't remember the last time I heard an unfamiliar sound like that. Great work with keeping up with the lessons! It seems like a lot of the other commenters regret giving up early.
July 31st, 2010 at 01:18
lacarmina says:Dimitri is a great name! :) You are AWESOME for dressing up like that for recitals. Applause!!
July 31st, 2010 at 12:58
Clare Tea says:Thanks for the chance to win such a cute prize! Let's see…
Being Asian, everything was about competition: school, friends, and of course, music. When I reached the tender and utterly naive age of 8, I asked my mom if I could learn the violin. I thought I knew myself well; I'd totally be great at it! It'd be so pretty! It would be perfect! But mom took me aside and said that no, the violin was… probably not the instrument for me. Perhaps the piano? She knew I was impatient and a little clumsy, so an easier instrument seemed to fit me better. For a long time, I simply insisted on the violin (and occasionally the harp, because that was pretty too). But in the end, mom convinced me to play piano. It took me so long to decide on it that by the time I started in level three, my contemporaries were in level six. I wasn't pleased, naturally. And even when I finally reached level nine, I still wasn't pleased. The music was beautiful, yes; I enjoyed the grounded feel of the keys, the variety of sounds you could coax out of it, but sadly, I could not enjoy playing with the pressure of my extremely strict Taiwanese piano teacher rattling on in the background. So I quit. That was it between me and the piano.
Nowadays, the organ lights up and sings for me every time I hit the multi-tier pedals as I play for mass. It's a level up from my original instrument, but the second love is never the same. I will always regret giving up all those years of training. Even now, the piano stands in my room, untouched…
I've shared on twitter; it automatically tweets so I can't give you the link until I post this. But it'll be here: http://twitter.com/icitea.
Hope I win!
July 31st, 2010 at 13:01
Clare Tea says:Whoa, So many people here started piano at 8 too!
Is it a coincidence… OR IS THERE A CONSPIRACY O_O
It's really cool that you dressed that way though. Your teacher must really like you; my Conservatory had the typical dress code with nice dress, nice shoes, that sort of thing…
August 1st, 2010 at 04:37
lacarmina says:It's true, Asians are ambitious ;) My mother didn't like the “screechy sounds” a violin can make, so piano it was for me. Thanks for the shre, Clare!
August 1st, 2010 at 04:51
kyoumei says:first encounter with the violin *wince* .. just kidding i <3 the violin (not when i play it though .. jk again, sorry). i've played for about three years now and i still have so much to learn. the first time i truly took playing seriously is when i had this really great teacher who had more passion for the violin than anyone else i knew; he played electric violin in a band too. one day, hopefully, i will totally rock out with an electric!! for now i just need to practice and practice and practice (aahh * frustration*). it's ok though – i'd never appreciate it if it was easy.
(sorry for the not-so-formal writing, it's my style)
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=18255…
August 2nd, 2010 at 00:21
lacarmina says:Electric!!! Rock on!
August 2nd, 2010 at 07:55
55Cyanides says:Thank you for giving many of us the opportunity to participate!
My first encounter with an instrument? If I recall, it was the piano during my elementary school days; perhaps I think in the 1st grade, which would've made me 7-8 years old. I was fortunate enough to have a music class in my school and I was taught simple piano pieces by my music teacher. When that teacher left, we had another music teacher, and she taught me this woodwind instrument called the RECORDER; of course I wasn't pro at it, but I could play a mean 'HOT CROSS BUNS'.
I stopped playing piano for about 5-6 years after I took lessons because frankly, I was a young kid and I didn't know much. Only during the last few months of my Senior year in high school did I pick it up again and now occasionally, I try to learn some pieces when I have a chance!
Twitter: http://twitter.com/55cyanides
August 2nd, 2010 at 22:13
Angela says:Even though I don't remember the age I started playing instruments, my musical experience started out when I was in grade school. Being forced to practice playing the recorder until saliva leaks out of the end of its foot joint and also the piano until my music teacher croaked out the highest notes left me with the slight dissatisfaction with music at the time. That was, until I started to learn to play songs I loved to listen to. After leaving grade school, my mother decided to let my sister and me take up both piano and guitar lessons. Each one of us had to choose one to learn and my sister chose piano, so I was left with guitar. Learning how to play guitar was one of my highlights in my life. My teacher was kind and after teaching me basic chords and tabs until my fingertips became calloused with a bit of experience, he listened to some j-rock songs he had, tabbed them ear, and gave them to me to practice on my own. A friend of my father was a painter and for some reason, he sold my father an electronic guitar for cheap. So using that red guitar and the tablature my teacher wrote, I learned how to play a few solos…and I was happy, but at the time, I didn't realize why. But anyways, that was how I was introduced into the work of j-rock as well….the songs my teacher had tabbed? They were works from Malice Mizer and X Japan. ^^
A few months later, my mother decided to cut off me and my sister's lessons because we could no longer afford it. I said goodbye to my teacher and never saw him again. After a few years, I became busy with my studies in school and then I lost most of memory on how to play the solos on guitar…I can read tabs and chords, but that's pretty much it. Then the tablature he gave me became misplaced as I was moving the contents of room…I was devastated, but no matter how hard I tried to remember where I put it, I couldn't find them. My red guitar began collecting dust.
For a little while I played the dulcimer in music class, it was an interesting experience. On the second day of class, my teacher challenged our class to figure out the right notes to “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and play it correctly. Even though I was rusty on playing string instruments, I figured it out quickly much to my surprise. On my teacher's birthday, I learned how to play “Happy Birthday” in the beginning half hour of the class and my teacher clapped for me once I had figured it out (he surprised me because he was sitting on the other side of classroom, he must have good hearing hah). After that, I picked up a little piano because one day my dad brought home an old piano that a church didn't need anymore. I played little (very little) parts of songs I could figure out from Youtube, including works from Yann Tiersen, Danny Elfman, and Beethoven. From then on, I didn't really play any more instruments…due to a lot of things, studies, lack of stamina or patience….
After a while, I became depressed with the tediousness of studies and lack of passion…But one day, I clicked a link and I found my most favorite j-rock band to date, Versailles PQ. At the time they were still just called “Versailles” and were about to embark on their first US tour called “Sentiment of Genesis.” After much pleading and organizing, I was able to take a risk and drive all the way to Texas to see them perform their first US Debut show at A-kon. I was able to see the five members of Versailles perform live and shake their hands. They had so much grace, beauty, and musical talent that it led me to fall in love with j-rock music and visual kei fashion once again. Through that experience, I rediscovered my passion (I took up art and guitar once again) and my goals in life. Following that jrock/visual kei road was how I encountered Kanon Wakeshima and her cello.
These artists embodied characters that glowed with aestheticism and let the world listen to their stories through musical masterpieces. I admired them, they gave me the opportunity to open my ears and my mind to a brand new world filled with different cultures, fashion, and music. And for all of that, I couldn't thank them enough.
Ah, I'm sorry if I rambled and this is a bit long, I got caught in the memories…. XD I tweeted a link to your contest on my twitter: http://twitter.com/AngelaVictorio.
August 2nd, 2010 at 23:09
(*≧▽≦)オハツでっす♪ says:it would be awesome to see malice mizer play!
August 2nd, 2010 at 23:19
Connie says:When i was 8-9 that when i first picked up a musical instrument which was a recorder. It wasn't much but being as young as i was and in music class that i had that all what people my age where allowed to play. Since my life i have touched a Guitar but recently at a fair i brought a recorder.
August 2nd, 2010 at 23:23
MissAmphetamine says:My Mum wanted me to play acoustic guitar when I was young but I never took to it properly even though I sometimes have a quick play on it every now and again. Though I have always wanted to play piano. It has been a dream for me every since my Great Grandma used to let me play on her organ, I used to pretend that I was performing in front of thousands of people and I would dress up to play it.
I also advertised on Twitter: http://twitter.com/MissAmphetamine
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MissAmphetamine
& Tumblr: http://missamphetamine.tumblr.com/
August 2nd, 2010 at 23:24
龍壱 ⎾Ryuu⏌ says:Ever since I remember, I've been strongly attached to the arts, I'm a very creative person and I always have the test for the unusual. My interest in the arts, however, has always been directly connected to images, to drawing,painting and movie-making, I have never found much interest in music, having started to learn piano and guitar as a child, I found it sort of dull to just sit there and make some sound, I would rather create something the would have a giant impact on people, which meant not playing a common instrument such as piano and guitar, which led me to classical instruments as very few people play them, I had always found violin and cello incredibly beautiful instruments. Years later, after strongly developing my love for J-Rock/Pop and Visual Kei and being a HUGE fan of the god Mana-sama, I found Wakeshima-san and I absolutely fell in love with her right away. Her music inspired me like nothing had ever did, her appearance and the whole aesthetics of herself and her music. That's when I found out that I simply HAD to learn cello. I then bought a beautiful black one and started taking classes. I am now learning it and loving it ^_^<3
here's my retweet: http://twitter.com/ryuichikun
August 2nd, 2010 at 23:31
JadeNeko says:My first encounter with a musical instrument was the violin at age 5. Then and now, I am still enchanted by the beautiful music it is able to create. While I do love a mix of Jpop & Jrock, I always have a compilation of classical music (for the sake of listening to my one favorite instrument^_^) on my computer and iPod.
I posted the link on my facebook status:)
http://www.facebook.com/himejadechan
August 2nd, 2010 at 23:39
Crimson says:For my first music experience was the Electric Guitar, I started playing it cause my dad was always saying “get this girl a guitar, I've been playing in a band and her brothers and sisters have been playing and she hasn't done any instrument” so my mom wouldn't buy one but my dad did haha, when I got it, I said “hmm it's gonna be hard, but I know I can play this instrument right” so my Uncle helped me since he was a guitar player also, so after that I started playing it, I got some good sounds and bad sounds out of it, my dad wanted me to play the music he played on it, but then I found out about Visual Kei and I started playing that music, now I'm able to play some of Brise by Malice Mizer on it haha. But I stopped playing once school started cause of the homework and everything, but I'm starting to play it again, and I am now bad at playing Brise and other songs, but I'm practicing again.^^
August 2nd, 2010 at 23:43
Momatella (Cynthia Stevens) says:I am not musical, but love music. My son has been going back and forth to Japan and studying Japanese traditional instruments under Master teachers: Taiko drumming–and the group he is in in Salt Lake City, Utah, Kenshin Taiko, played at one of Jared Gold's Fashion shows. (Matthew, my son & I both worked at Jared's studio and know Clint Catalyst, too!).
Matt now also plays the shinobue, or Japanese horizontal bamboo flute. It is very, very difficult, but beautiful ! I cannot get 1 note from it! He plays it in art galleries, in the bathtub (for the acoustics), and amazing places like Arches National Park in the canyon in the winter snow. . .he won an Award at his university and has composed a beautiful lullaby piece for it.
But I was the one who got my son into La Carmina about 2 years ago, and I have your restaurant book, which I love! One day soon I will go to Japan with my son and see Tokyo and the Harajuku shops and much more–good thing my son speaks and reads, writes Japanese fluently, and I want to also go to Ghibli Museum :)
August 2nd, 2010 at 23:49
LadyAri says:I actually tried the flute when I was young but didnt stick with it. would love to try the harp :-)
Ill link the contest on mah facebook so just click my name woot woot
August 2nd, 2010 at 23:54
Nessy says:My very first instrument was the recorder when I was insecond grade and I loved playing cute little tunes on it. When we had to move, I was forced to attend another school and they wouldnt let kids play music but I still had my recorder to play. Once I was in the fifth grade, we had the option of being in orchestra. I was inspired to do orchestra by older students, I listen to them play and i wanted to play the violin. I played the violin for 3 years and I switched to clarinet in middle school. I couldnt play the violin since my school fired the teacher. I enjoyed playing the clarient that I have been playing for 7 years. I did marching band with my clarinet and was in the top class for woodwinds in my school. My parents disscouraged me about playing music and doing art. I still continued to do it even though they didnt approve. Now that Im in college, I still continue to play even though music has nothing to do with my major. Now, I play clarinet and bass guitar and I enjoy playing music, it helps me relax. Im the only one in my family who enjoys music and Im the only one who continues to play to this day. I would love to learn how to play the cello since Kanon inspires me. I am learning bass guitar because Jasmine You inspired me, he was my hero and still is even though he passed away. I am learning piano by teaching myself which is great. I love piano. I also am learning how to play guitar and I love the sound it produces. Most of the muscians that I listen to inspires me to learn new intruments. Hizaki-hime and Mana-sama inspired me for guitar. I'm really glad that I discovered Jrock. Its very inspiring.
August 3rd, 2010 at 00:57
Kawaii*-Chan says:My earliest encounter with a musical instrument was at the age of 8. My mom was looking for an extracuricular activity for me to enroll in. I tried karate, skating, swimming, the list goes on and on… Finally, she decided to try music. So she asked me which instrument I'd like to play. I told her that I would like to learn the violin. as soon as I played it, I really loved the sound. I also noticed that I was musically enclined, picking up the flute as well and liking to sing. So, until the age of 12, I learned violin. At 12 years of age, I was going through a 'rebel phase' and just decided to let it go… Then, I discovered Kanon Wakeshima with the anime 'Vampire Knight'. I litteraly found the passion I had for music again. I signed up in my school's orchestra and played the violin there, and soon after that, I started playing the cello. I think THAT'S where my real story begins… I've been playing the cello for a year, and I feel like i'm in a dream. I love it so much. I am Kanon Wakeshima's sefl-proclaimed biggest fan (I have her 2 CDs, I know every song of hers by heart, I play the cello, I wear Lolita, etc. Well all of those things are parshally her fault… anyways, i'm rambling) and i just love the music that comes out of a cello… I even named my cello (and my violin as well) like she did. I'm looking forward to composing. In a year of playing the cello, I now play the cello as is I were playing for 3 or 4 years. i'm progressing so much in so little time, i practice every day because i strive to be at least a little like Kanon Wakeshima… I'm thankful to her for bringing a new passion into my world: the Cello.
August 3rd, 2010 at 00:58
raradolly says:My first encounter with a musical instrument was the piano at the age of 7. I've really always loved piano music and all things dark and romantic. I took piano lessons for 3 years and I learned how to read sheet music. Since then I have also learned to play the guitar and the drums, but I still love the piano most of all the instruments I've played. Due to my overwhelming interest in drawing and writing, however, I've abandoned playing a musical instrument. However, I can still play the piano from sheet music.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=10000…
August 3rd, 2010 at 00:59
Kawaii*-Chan says:P.S.: sorry for my mistakes… When I talk about the cello of Kanon Wakeshima, I just forget everything else, as long as i get my ideas accross… ^^'
August 3rd, 2010 at 01:01
Nicole Mings says:I started playing the piano when I was six, and I haven't stopped playing since then. I also started the recorder when I was four, the guitar when I was 10, and the ocarina when I was 14.
Music is my passion, and even though I cannot read notes that well, I play by ear very well (In my opinion). I'm currently taking lessons for Violin because I heard the song, “Still Doll and Suna No Oshiro” By Kanon Wakeshima. I love Kanon's style of Music, It is very beautiful! I'm still learning with music, but I hope one day I will be as good as Kanon! Domo Arigatou Gozaimasu!
August 3rd, 2010 at 01:08
kikyotwosoul says:Before I could even remeber when, I've always wanted to play music. The piano, really. Nothing else. But because we were dirt poor, there would be no piano lessons for me. Many years later, I joined the middle school band. I wanted to play the piano (of course) but the teacher said that wasn't offered. I asked to play many of the instruments, but alas he was sexsist and believed females should only play the flute. So there I sat the next week, a thin, metal pole of sorts. It was cold and I could never imagn making warm music coming from that. I was wrong. Two weeks later I could make notes, and I could even play a full song. I love my flute. I wasn't what I wanted to play. (though I don wish to learn the paino someday) I fell in love, a love I'm never coming out of. I can make sheets of lines and paper become music. It's more magic then I could have asked for in my life. Lately, since I've moved a bunch. I was taken out of band. Now that we've settled in, I plan on going right back in. I miss it so much. I've been playing the flute for five years, and plan on playing for many many more.
gaiaonline.com kikyotwosoul on my profile
August 3rd, 2010 at 01:16
Lena says:My first encounter with a musical instrument was when I was back in the first grade. Both my parents wanted me to be successful in music so they signed me up for piano lessons, something that was COMPLETELEY against my will! My first week wasn't so bad because I had a very friendly teacher who has a good way with children, and it was actually pretty fun being around her! It wasn't until I was half way through Level 1 of Piano that I had fallen in love with playing the instrument. Music became a nice hobby and I could read music as if it were my second nature. I began singing and incorporating that with the piano when no one was listening, and everything was going so well! I had a few recitals and eventually I surpassed my older brother in our lessons until I had to quit piano 2 years later because we could no longer afford my lessons. I was so devastated! But at the same time, I was kinda glad because that means more TV time for me! (I was addicted to Cartoon Network at the time) I never went back to playing the piano, and I truly with all my heart regret that. I can't read music as well as I used to and teaching myself piano is such a pain! Instead I picked up singing again in place of playing an instrument.
I can understand Kanon's life story pretty well. We both have had parents who wanted us to be musically successful, but I guess I fell short behind. She's inspired me to play the cello, the magical instrument that speaks the heart! Cx
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php…
August 3rd, 2010 at 01:19
lacarmina says:I loved reading about your musical journey. It's wonderful to hear Versailles brought back your passion for music. :)
August 3rd, 2010 at 01:20
lacarmina says:heheh I just remembered, in my elementary school, we all had to learn the recorder. Oh my…
August 3rd, 2010 at 01:20
lacarmina says:Thank you my dear! I'd love to learn the organ, since I played piano for so many years..
August 3rd, 2010 at 01:22
lacarmina says:It's so cool to read about how Kanon has inspired people to take up the cello. Glad you're loving it.
August 3rd, 2010 at 01:23
lacarmina says:I most certainly agree the voice counts as an instrument. A lot of “pro” singers don't control their voices correctly; you can tell when someone has real talent and training, like Klaha, GPK… xox
August 3rd, 2010 at 01:23
lacarmina says:My baby cat loves classical music! I often play it for him, and he sits and listens.
August 3rd, 2010 at 01:24
lacarmina says:Brise = <3 <3 <3!
August 3rd, 2010 at 01:25
lacarmina says:Aww thank you for sharing my book with your son!! That is awesome – I'm sure you'll travel to Tokyo together very soon.
August 3rd, 2010 at 01:26
lacarmina says:Jasmine You… V__V
August 3rd, 2010 at 01:27
lacarmina says:Hahah I know the feeling re: people who just want to screw around instead of working at music. Keep at it — I'm sure you'll find musicians who are on the same page as you. :)
August 3rd, 2010 at 01:27
lacarmina says:Beautiful story. :) Heart Kanon.
August 3rd, 2010 at 01:27
lacarmina says:Thanks for the Facebook update! xo
August 3rd, 2010 at 01:28
lacarmina says:^__^ Gambatte!
August 3rd, 2010 at 01:29
lacarmina says:Oy, it's crazy how some people are still sexist about what instruments people should play… May you play the flute for 50 more years!
August 3rd, 2010 at 01:29
lacarmina says:Thank you, dear!
August 3rd, 2010 at 01:33
PhotovoltaicVOC says:My first musical encounter? I was in first grade, and I went to my great grandmothers funeral. The organ player (organ= a pipe piano) had finished the funeral procession march. Of course, me being in first grade and still naive-as-a-baby-kitten-at-its-wake, I didn't really know the whole point in having a giant piano playing while everyone around me cried.
But.
That lady, she played a different song when all the guests left. The Can-Can! It was such a fun song, but i didnt know the title back then. For YEARS, i hadn't heard that song, but in 6th grade my mom hired a piano teacher. Guess what the beginning song lesson was? The Can-Can!! ^^ I was so happy in hearing that tune. Nostalgic.
I regret never continuing my piano lessons, but i'm proud knowing the reason why I quit: for the lifestyle I live for, for the happiness of my days today, lolita.
August 3rd, 2010 at 01:38
lacarmina says:Ahaha the can can! :)
August 3rd, 2010 at 01:39
Lena says:Haha! Thank YOU Carmina for replying back! C;
August 3rd, 2010 at 02:16
Dondons1987 says:My First instrument was when I was 7. It was a recorder, we had to play them in as part of school. I remember not being very good so I used to get frustrated and blow on it was hard as I could. I figured if I my talents didn't lie in playing hot “cross buns” at least there was promise in me being heard all down the street!
August 3rd, 2010 at 02:19
lacarmina says:haha cute!
August 3rd, 2010 at 02:55
Hikaru 布丁 says:Sorry, I forgot to use my twitter account as proof… -____-
August 3rd, 2010 at 03:02
Vickkykawaii says:I was 15 when I had my first approach to an instrument, I loved the wind instruments especially the clarinet, I love your sweet melody …
my father took me to a jazz concert there heard a beautiful song from Benny Goodman. my father saw my enthusiasm, when we went to a concert instrument store and bought me a clarinet, it was so I started to play it:)
Greetings!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=10000083...
August 3rd, 2010 at 03:03
lacarmina says:Thank you for sharing! ^3^
August 3rd, 2010 at 03:23
Candace says:i started to play the flute when i was 11 in school and i still continue to since im not in love with it. I played alittle guitar when i was 6 since me and my cousin would mess around and replay opening themes from our favorite cartoons. We didn't know the notes so we just played it by what we thought sounded right. I love music but I guess i'm not really that great at it.
August 3rd, 2010 at 03:31
Mary says:Hi,
Hm, I'd always want to learn to play the guitar and drum when I was in high school and I also imagined that I've mastered all those instruments. So the dream came true when I was in my university year where I get to learn to play guitar with a friend of mine. It was a struggle at first because the strings was so hard and the tips of my fingers were hurt because of continuous playing. So for a few months, I can play the basic chords and simple songs. I was very happy too. So right now, I'm still practicing on my guitar skill and on. And other loves for instruments is Ukulele, which I bought mine on September last year, started play it this year, and I like it very much. So I can play guitar and ukulele. The drum part I guess I won't be able to learn that because I don't see any resource I can reach it. Sometimes I do feel to give up on learning, but watching others musician or listening to song, sometimes I wish I can play that well. haha..
Yea, that's it….anyway kanon wakeshima san is awesome!
:)
here's my blog: http://harlequin-maryashley.blogspot.com
August 3rd, 2010 at 03:45
trinity says:i started playing the guitar when i was 10 before i got it it was my dads but he played it for like two days he said no the first like a asked him sooo… i waited a day and asked again still said no waited a month ask again the he said sure as long as u can dig it out of the storage what!!! is whati said and he said you heard me. soit took me for ever to dig that guitar out of the stupid storage it took me 4 days to find the guitar!!!!!!!! and then he said ok put every thing back in now. 3days later! finaly done and then lucy my cat pushes like 20boxes over and i had to put them back!!
August 3rd, 2010 at 04:21
Joann P says:my family wasnt a fortunate one, so i learned just to sew. And now i make plenty of cosplays and different attires and accessories. Just like music, you need practice & passion. And yes, i do feel passionate about sewing and designing different things, and i express them by showing my creations or just being silly. But i love sewing!
August 3rd, 2010 at 04:47
shannon_willie87 says:OMGoshness, my first experiance was with an AltoSax. I was pretty good but then I became interested in sports for a while. Although in my Junior year of high school I started getting into guitars. I started of with an acoustic and then I found that I like classic acoustic guitars. Im not great or pro I just get by with simple chords. I love the sound of it, it just feels good. My main instrument now is my voice, I love singing. So yeah… lmao.
August 3rd, 2010 at 05:11
Sakurasetsuka says:Well my earliest memory of playing a musical instrument was the recorder flute at school when i was about 10, it was probably three months before they let me play the bass recorder which very few other students ever got to play! I was so happy ^^
But at high school I tried Cello… that didn't go so well though, I couldn't even hold the instrument properly it was so big and heavy lol :D
Facebook: Chelsea Sato :D
August 3rd, 2010 at 05:43
Cali Haro says:Well my first instrument was the flute (i was 8 yrs old) but i wasn't able to learn much because it just wasn't the right instrument for me so i gave up on it and instead i focused on singing and eventually i started to beg my dad to buy me a guitar because i was so fascinated by it, the band that got me so interested was Evanescence but soon after begging and begging my dad i finally got my guitar! YAY! ^^ now i love playing it so much because its a very very special way of expressing my self and since music is my passion i love challenging myself day to day trying to learn to play by ear.
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=220870763...
August 3rd, 2010 at 05:51
rini-hime says:I'm absolutely AWFUL with instruments, though I love them. I've been through orchestra, band, and piano lessons. I tried to learn bamboo flutes, violin, anything. Most of my friends can play an instrument of at least one kind with varying degrees of skill. I have one who officially “learned” 12, but he can probably play anything you put in his hands. That really inspires me! I really want to learn to play traditional Chinese and Japanese music [Okinawan music is especially vibrant] in addition to classical music. I at least want to learn to play Polonaise Brillante. It's a difficult song, but the violin for that is just so animated and can pick your spirit up and move it along as it plays.
I think music is a great expression of a person's soul in addition to being fun. Ever since I was a toddler, the image of my mother's fingers flying effortlessly over piano keys or those Shanghai opera players with that 2-string violin has stayed with me. I want to learn such a natural motion. That's one of the most beautiful images, in my mind.
I posted and shared your link through my facebook as well :] >> http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1251424465
August 3rd, 2010 at 09:36
Memo Juez says:My father had various percussive instruments and harmonicas for as long as remember, that I would toy around with. My grandparents had an old Magnus Organ for us “kids” to play with. As much as I liked them, I never took any of it seriously.
My fondest memories of my paternal grandfather is when he play “Country-Western” music on his old beat up guitar. Those moments always seemed to be his most happiest.
In 1985, just before I turned 19, my Grandfather passed away. Less than a week after that, I missed him so much that I picked up his old guitar and started trying to figure out how to play it. I checked books out of the library, had coworkers and friends or anyone else I could find show me a thing or two.
Still to this day I play guitar and various other stringed instruments (that I've bought over the years) just for the shear joy and pleasure it brings me. I still own that old guitar and think of my Grandfather when I play it today.
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:22
龍壱 ⎾Ryuu⏌ says:Thank you ˆ_ˆ I'm working hard so that someday I can play like her *-* Of course that'll take years, but I'll do it u3u/ Also, congrats on your blog Carmina, it's also something that I love ˆˆ/ganbatte
August 3rd, 2010 at 12:04
Serena says:I think I was also ten when I first picked up my first instrument. It was in primary school and some of the older students were giving a performance during assembly, some were dancing, some were doing a play and two students were playing a duet (you know the one). It's a simply melody, pretty much played over and over, but I was hooked. For the next month after that I bugged my parents until they signed me up for piano lessons.
Unfortunately I never really got really good at piano, but I still love music and I'm learning the bass currently – but it all started with a simple piano duet.
August 3rd, 2010 at 15:17
HagumiW says:I love music very much. When I was 4-year-old, my mom sent me to learn piano. But I have no idea why I can't play it as well as my little sis. I'm a terrible piano player. When I was about 10, my piano teacher said we're going to have a student concert. Teacher gave me a very hard sheet. She said I'm the best student in the whole class. She didn't know all the “perfect” music I play each week spend me hours to practice. If a kid younger than me play ten times, I have to play thirty times. I was about to cry. Although I performed perfect that time, when my mom told me”maybe you're not suitable for piano” few weeks after the show, I was like a huge release.
Now I'm 19 and haven't play piano for years(My little sis's still playing it well.lol) I started playing guzhen, a traditional Chinese instruments this summer.
I'm looking forward to learn guitar in the future:)
I love Kanon Wakeshima so much( Her music as well as her style)
I post this at my blog: http://www.wretch.cc/blog/yeyun/13154638
xoxo
August 3rd, 2010 at 16:16
Lala329 says:started piano at age 3
and then violin at age 7
however the best instrument I ever have is ^^ my own voice
been in choir for more than 7 years
August 3rd, 2010 at 18:21
aron rivera says:hello Carmina,
this is my entry to the contest. my first encounter with a musical instrument was when i was a young child and i would go to my grandparents house. they had a beautiful big black piano which i would spend hours playing with. they had books with easy songs that would show you how to play. i really enjoyed playing Little Brown Jug. unfortunately i never took any lessons for piano. when i was 12, however, i took band and studied the clarinet. my mom made me quit that, which made me very sad, and to this day i haven't really had the chance to go back and pick it up again. today, if i had the opportunity to learn an instrument i would love to learn violin. then i would try to play like Lestat in the movie The Queen of the Damned. thanx for the giveaway, Carmina. i hope you and Basil Farrow are doing amazing!
August 3rd, 2010 at 20:01
lacarmina says:Thanks for your entry :)
August 3rd, 2010 at 20:02
lacarmina says:Keep at it! Thanks for the blog post – the onigiri is so cute.
August 3rd, 2010 at 20:02
lacarmina says:hahah awww! Cats. :3
August 3rd, 2010 at 20:02
lacarmina says:<3 Nicely said.
August 3rd, 2010 at 20:03
lacarmina says:You must rock at karaoke then! :)
August 3rd, 2010 at 20:03
lacarmina says:Thanks for the Facebook! YES the Cello is so heavy…
August 3rd, 2010 at 20:08
lacarmina says:Thank you dear! 12 instruments – so inspiring! Like my friend Sebastian who speaks.. 8 languages, I think
August 3rd, 2010 at 20:11
lacarmina says:That's wonderful how he inspired you onto the path of music!
August 3rd, 2010 at 20:11
lacarmina says:Bass is SO much fun to play. I used to put on Black Sabbath CDs and jam along aha.
August 3rd, 2010 at 20:12
lacarmina says:Thank you for the blog! The bear bow is SO CUTE. :D
August 3rd, 2010 at 20:12
lacarmina says:I'd love to hear you sing one day!
August 3rd, 2010 at 20:12
lacarmina says:My pleasure! I hope you are having a great summer as well!
August 3rd, 2010 at 20:26
ClaudiaV15 says:This year I discovered the wonderfulness of playing the piano.Since I was small I wanted to learn to play a musical instrument,but unfortunately I didn't have the chance because my parents didn't think that I can do it.But I couldn't forgot that my kindergarten teacher told me that I really have a musical ear… I didn't want to quit the idea and then regret it every time I heard a song that I liked.I was sad because I usually 'feel' the music I hear,and I also feel the need to play it.
The first instrument which i played it was the piano,when I was around 5.I was playing it like it was a toy,of course, until my parents sold it.I was too small to protest.:( Then it passed a very long time until I touched an acoustic guitar at one of my friend's house,when I was 14.He was from Cuba and he had 3 guitars ,one of them electric with missing strings :)),and he never told me about them until that moment!! I fell in love with those guitars and tried a few riffs.But my friend went back to his country,and took his guitars with him.
This year I returned to my old love,the piano.I'm almost 17 now and I like spending my free time playing it,learning how to read sheets and stuff like that.When I played my first song from the beginning to the end I was the happiest person.I hope some day I'll be able to write my own songs and learn to play the guitar too.
So this is my story.:) I hope it wasn't too boring
August 4th, 2010 at 00:35
lacarmina says:Not at all – thank you! It's awesome that learning music makes you so happy.
August 4th, 2010 at 02:38
trinity danielson says:ya i know but yet again my cat is a spaze
August 4th, 2010 at 03:05
Ifrah Akhtar says:It was the fall of 4th grade and i was sitting in the music room making up work due to an absence. i was bored by the work, but then i heard a sound. I knew that the orchestra teacher was there also, but never had a sound enthralled me so much. I walked over and I found her demonstrating her violin for the class she had. I was taken in. It was like the sound was possessing me. I immediately applied for her class. Within days, I got a viola, and was enrolled into her class. i was so excited. There were also other girl, and thats how I met my best friends. I remember the first time my hands touched the wood, and the fine strings. Even though it was an old viola, a used one that the school lent, I felt as if it was one of the best in the world. A precious diamond in my hand. I felt the soft horse hair on the bow. When I first played it, of course it sounded bad since I WAS A BEGINNER. T.T but soon I progressed, and I kept moving towards my goal. My passion continues and I have become one with my viola. If it gets a scratch I feel like I got one too. Our hearts are intertwined, and when I play it, I'm lost in a new world, just like when I first heard it. The passionate sound that brings tears in my eyes and a smile on my face. Thank you <3 ^-^
August 4th, 2010 at 04:35
Mary says:Ah, yes..the onigiris are just too tempting! I wish I know how to make one that just looks cute like that too :D
August 4th, 2010 at 05:44
Kevin Dawal says:I had my first experience with an insturment at age 5. My sisters were both musicians and my oldest tried to help me play the piano, while my other sister tried to get me to play the violin. While I was fascinated by both, I tried both and really didn't like them. Later, around age 8, my school provided me a recorder. While I was adept at it, I didn't like having to control my breath while playing. So when I was 10, I started playing guitar. I took lessons until my teacher moved. Since then, I've been on and off, however, I have learned the song Matoya's cave song from Final Fantasy 1 on guitar by ear. ^^
August 4th, 2010 at 05:57
Kevin Dawal says:http://watson-azn.xanga.com/
http://www.facebook.com/tagginondawal
just remembered!!!!
August 4th, 2010 at 05:59
lacarmina says:Thanks, Kevin! Appreciate it.
August 4th, 2010 at 06:00
lacarmina says:ahah there's my book, Cute Yummy Time, which is all about how to make food cute! ;) http://www.lacarmina.com/cookingcute.php
August 4th, 2010 at 06:00
lacarmina says:Now that's what I call possession. :)
August 4th, 2010 at 06:18
Reiko Arashi says:First Requirement: Jill Haldeman via Chelsea Sato:
KANON WAKESHIMA NEW ALBUM, LOLITAWORK LIBRETTO: WIN AUTOGRAPHED POSTCARDS! BASSIST TAIJI PLAYING WIT
http://www.lacarmina.com
It's a Jrock / Visual Kei announcement day! First, Kanon Wakeshima's new album, Lolitawork Libretto, is finally out (pick it up here). To celebrate, I'm
Yesterday at 5:06pm · Comment · Like · Share (facebook.com/reikoarashi)
Second Requirement: I've wanted to learn several musical instruments; but i guess either it's my ADHD that distracts me, or just my lack of rythym and co-ordination. The first two i ever learned were the violin (that lasted three months LOL; constant teasing from the neighbor kids >>> Lol) and then bits of guitar here and there. I haven't UN learned guitar, just never got far with it LOL; the most i can do is play bits and pieces of metallica songs, cause mom gave her guitar away before i could learn anything of X-Japan's. But as for learning anything? I'd love to be able to learn to sing way better, even if i dont become a recording artist i'm tired of being one of those tone deaf fans
August 4th, 2010 at 08:11
rini-hime says:I've had a few friends who could speak multiple languages. One spoke 5 and in class, her notes would be in all 5 languages because she didn't realise she was writing like that. Speaking so many languages is definitely empowering!
August 4th, 2010 at 11:41
Emma says:When I turned 11, my dad (huge music enthusiast who plays several instruments) bought me a keyboard and told me to take piano lessons. In the beginning I was so annoyed, because I didn't have much of an interest and thought I was no good. My parents said to give it a shot, if I continued to dislike it, I could quit eventually. I never did. The keyboard got upgraded to an electric piano and I continued taking lessons for 8 years, until I moved away from my home country and my awesome piano teacher – who was over 70, but continued teaching at home!
I couldn't fit my piano into my small student room…
Where's the piano in my life now? Well, soon I will be moving to an all-girl dorm where we have a rococo dining room, our own library – and of course, our own grand piano.
August 4th, 2010 at 12:19
Claire says:I know it's too late to enter the competition but I just wanted to share my musical story, if that's alright.
My first instrument was violin at the age of 7 or so, I wasn't brilliant but I was definitely competent. I'd always been in choirs and started singing lessons at the age of 10. It was then my teacher noticed I had perfect pitch and was really able to work with me in singing very quickly. I felt that singing was more my instrument as it came naturally to me and I really enjoyed it. However over the last few years I've really rediscovered the violin and worked a lot harder on it as I just fell in love again and am considering a tertiary degree with it (my violin is my baby). I still love singing, I do classical singing mainly and am a soprano/coloratura, however I also enjoy musicals and was the lead in the school musical which was a great experience and really helped me with confidence in my singing. One frsutrating thing though is that my voice is really high and classically trained, so it is difficult (and i sound silly) singing along to pretty much anything contemporary. Or anything low (dammit, all the stuff Gackt and Kamijo sing is far out of range TT_TT)
I pick up instruments quite easily, I teach myself piano by finding sheet music for J-Rock songs and playing them partially by ear, my goal is to be able to play Regret by Malice Mizer. Unfortunately Gackt is a piano freak and it will take quite a while! I also taught myself 2 types of recorder and bought myself a guitar as I was so inspired by Hizaki's playing in Ascendead Master by Versailles.
I'd like to learn cello (and many other instruments) but my family can't afford any more music lessons! I guess it shall be something to aspire to in the future.
I haven't written to you before but if you read this I'd just like to say that I really enjoy reading your blog, thankyou for bringing me great joy ^^
August 4th, 2010 at 16:10
lacarmina says:Many thanks! Karaoke is a great way to practice. ;)
August 4th, 2010 at 16:11
lacarmina says:I wish I learned more languages when I was younger… I think kids can pick things up SO fast, if given the chance.
August 4th, 2010 at 16:13
lacarmina says:What! Where is this place? Amazing! I wish I had the chance to live in a dorm like that. It sounds like something out of an 18th century novel.
August 4th, 2010 at 16:15
lacarmina says:Claire, thank you very much for your sweet words. I appreciate the story and am glad you are enjoying the site. Please feel free to write to me any time.
August 4th, 2010 at 19:54
Ifrah Akhtar says:thank you :3
August 5th, 2010 at 04:27
Mary says:WOW! I didn't know you have created this site! It's amazing, I'm gonna find out how! Haha, thanks for sharing lacarmina! :) <3
August 5th, 2010 at 16:55
HagumiW says:Thank you Miss la carmina for your compliment about my bear bow. I'm perparing a collection for next semester:)
August 5th, 2010 at 19:53
lacarmina says:haha thanks – I update this site almost daily – please check back soon!
August 5th, 2010 at 19:54
lacarmina says:Fantastic!! Do keep me posted – I'd love to feature your collection here.
August 5th, 2010 at 21:10
lacarmina says:AHHHH you WON the Kanon prize!!! Congrats!!
August 6th, 2010 at 12:45
Jules says:My first ever encounter with a musical instrument would have to be the piano, however reminiscing back to when I was really young, I can remember that I played a “Violin” by using two chop sticks. I started Piano when I was 5 and Violin two years ago. Both amazing instruments.
The Violin really gave me an insight into string instruments, leading me to discover the other members of the family like the cello! :D
August 7th, 2010 at 05:10
Chloe says:Oh, I'm in love with this post! Late to the party, but that's okay :) I'm so glad to see some press action for Kanon Wakeshima!! I've played cello since I was ten (and flute, piano, and violin way before that, but cello will always be the ultimate best) and so of course I LOVE her. Not to mention her awesome aesthetic! I dream of the day when she and Rasputina can hang out and swap top hats/corsetry pointers (and ROCK OUT, naturally). Oh, and I think my first musical experience outside of drumming and singing was xylophone during the toddler days. Hardcore!
August 9th, 2010 at 07:29
lacarmina says:I listened to her new CD all weekend – love it!