And since we're starting the ~~second half~~ of the Genius Project, I'm switching up the headers a bit. It was getting kind of boring.
On the other hand, this looks terrible. Be prepared for constantly changing headers (or I might go back to the old ones after all).
Anyways, back on topic. This week, I've been surprisingly busy (at least, busier than expected), so I will probably skip the history this time around (I might still have the musician bio). Instead, we will finally get a recording of my Moon River (it is not good) and my improvising (it is even not-ter good).
the overview: what will I learn this week? what will I do?
- History: Dead. I am caving from Things I Need To Do This Week. It's an unfortunate death, but a necessary one.
- Musician: Should things work out, I will do Bud Powell, since I've pushed him back far enough.
- Actual Playing: Moon River. Unfortunately, I do not have the means to write my own version of the song. Even less fortunately, this means I may have to sing it. All I have to say is that, for your well-being, you should Not Listen to it. I'm a pianist, not a singer.
- Theory: I really need to learn the structure of the blues scales. I've pushed it off long enough.
- Other Things: I will do my interview this week. I will not chicken out. I will be Responsible.
Okay, now let's move on to the Actual Playing.
![]() |
| i'm sorry the header is slightly off center |
Now, as you may know, this week's actual playing consists of my halfway project - a shorter jazz piece called 'Moon River'. It's a really simple song, but I like it and I knew beforehand that I wouldn't be able to commit to a huge song.
Consider it a 'warmup' to my final project. So, yeah - Moon River. That is what I'm playing. *insert badly drawn hipster album cover*
Haha, just kidding. I made one.
![]() |
| #1 album on iTried |
So. About this song. I actually sing in it, so I'd like to include a disclaimer. Jasmine Han is in No Way Responsible for any damaged eardrums of any kind. I would have invited my other friends who can actually sing, but unfortunately there is an issue of time (and sticking to my schedule).
Okay. I've delayed long enough. here it is (I'm crying it is a Mess). I also had to make a video because Blogger doesn't want to diversify its selection of acceptable file type submissions.
(i strongly suggest you do not listen. even on a good day, i cannot sing and this was not a good day. Please Do Not. especially amanda since she's a buttface.)
blERGH. I'm sorry. On a good day, I can hit that Low C, and obviously today was not a good day. Also, the piano is ridiculously simple - if I had more foresight I would probably have chosen a different song. I consider this step a Major Failure. (I am sorry. AHhhhh)
Aside from that, I will probably be posting the instrumental version later on.
This is a short post, but since we have a snow day tomorrow (the snow day calculator says 99% and it is Never Wrong), I shall have more time. ;)
(Or maybe instead of making more posts, I'll add to the back of this one. Nina Z style.)
(i strongly suggest you do not listen. even on a good day, i cannot sing and this was not a good day. Please Do Not. especially amanda since she's a buttface.)
Aside from that, I will probably be posting the instrumental version later on.
This is a short post, but since we have a snow day tomorrow (the snow day calculator says 99% and it is Never Wrong), I shall have more time. ;)
(Or maybe instead of making more posts, I'll add to the back of this one. Nina Z style.)




OMG YOUR VIDEO IS GREAT! You have the Perfect Voice for Sinatra!! You should explain about the Very Different Types of Jazz because this is most decidedly not a Stereotypical Swingy Jazz Song. I love it so much!!!
ReplyDeleteAlso, from personal experience of being Nina Z, adding 24601 updates to one post is not always ideal because then it suddenly becomes 2000 words long and your crops are dying and the gifted room is on fire and you haven't seen your family in years. I'm not sure if anyone actually completely reads through all my posts lmao
Also, if you want to upload Audio Only onto blogger, here is a Cool Method http://www.mybloggerlab.com/2015/07/how-to-add-audio-files-to-posts-in-blogger.html (you lowkey have to create a google site but it's been working for me so idk man)
I can't wait to hear the rest of your progress!
Hah, thanks buddy! I Do Not Have The Perfect Voice for Sinatra, evidently, because I am not male and Cannot Hit The Low Notes unfortunately (although I can try. thanks!)
DeleteI should definitely make a post on the different types of jazz. I shall as soon as I understand it myself.
The audio suggestion is cool. I shall check it out! Thanks.
I like how you are planning out your goals and steps. It keeps you focused on the important things you must achieve to progress. You sound great in the recording of Moon River, keep the hard work up. Also, what new things are you learning about Jazz Piano, since you play in the jazz band already?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I'm learning a lot more about the history of jazz and this week I've also been studying on blues patterns. I'll be starting improvising soon, which is new, and I've learned a lot about common jazz forms/patterns.
DeleteThis depresses me. You say your singing was going to damage eardrums. That is not true. Quit piano and start singing for the jazz band (jk). But seriously you are really good. I do think you should pick a better piano piece. I personally would look at more Jazz standards such as Song for my father by Horace silver. Very famous jazz piano player. This is a famous jazz standard by him with a crazy piano solo. Take a look.
ReplyDeleteHaha, thanks so much! I definitely do regret choosing Moon River, a guitar piece, for my jazz piano project. It was a mistake. However, I am playing one more piece for this project, so hopefully it will end up being better! Song for my father is a great song! I'll check the solo out. Thanks!
DeleteWHOA I NEVER KNEW YOU COULD SING THIS LOW AND I AM SHOOKETH!!! But WOW! Nice job! I love your doodles and the research you've done up until now is awesome. Even though this week seems to be a bit drier than the past few weeks, I still think you're doing swimmingly. Additionally, I was wondering what you thought about the conspiracy / rumor that Audrey Hepburn actually never sang her own songs but had them dubbed over by an actual artists who could sing. This would be because Hepburn couldn't sing, but at the time that would have been really bad for her image. Please tell me your thoughts; I love this song so, so much by the way so 1000/10 automatically for the choice.
ReplyDeletehhahaha i can attempt to sing low (although in this video it ended up being inaudible vibrations). Thanks so much, though! I should pick up the blog post stuff starting now (my recent blog posts have been a lot shorter, in my opinion).
DeleteAs for Hepburn, I'm sure she couldn't compare to professional singers of the time, but for this specific song I don't think she dubbed her singing. The song, apparently, was written specifically for her vocal range, which wouldn't make sense if she didn't end up singing it anyways.
Thanks so much!
The overview section of this post was really smart. It made it easy to see what you will be trying to accomplish in the coming weeks. This makes it easier to stay on a path of improvement, and this will definitely better you skills. However (knowing this from Jazz Band), you are already a really good player. I think that it's really cool that you're pursuing this area of the piano to already add to your immense skill collection. The singing sounds good!
ReplyDeleteHappy playing!
Thanks so much! I've been attempting to follow my overviews (although sometimes I definitely mess it up), but I do think it helps me a lot.
DeleteM'dude! That was a very pretty song! I would never have the courage to actually post myself singing, so that's pretty neat. Even if you can't hit that low C (and to be real, who can?) it was Very Good. I'm very excited to see what you do in the future (and hey, if you need a kindly Dude to sing a high part or just... another... hit me up)
ReplyDeletehahaha. i would never usually post my singing since i can't actually sing but as the wise ellie a once said, 'i was forced to make this for a grade'.
Deletei can't hit that low c but my grades sure can ;)
oh shush you've never dipped below an A in your LIFE
DeleteI love the video you made! If you ever had a problem with hitting those low notes, you could always get some theory practice by transposing the whole song, or just taking it up an octave! I really appreciate how hard you worked in the video and I like how you went for the C3. I can barely sing a C#2, so I understand it's crazy, haha. Good luck with the rest of your jazziness!
ReplyDelete