Surprise Drumaoke

Last Sunday, we were at the Sunday flea market in Ipoh. I was surprised to hear sounds of drumming and noticed the shop owner's son hitting simply just to attract attention to their new offering. Besides the usual mixers and speakers and other music related items, they have a drum kit, together with an electric guitar and organ! It was a pity my friends were not around. Not very often we get to jam for free, everything already set up!

Just to get used to play in public, literally on the road pavement, I decided to have a go, at the insistence of the boss. The biggest problem was the distractions of another loud music blaring inside the shop and the organ being tried by someone. For some strange reason, the player and speakers were quite far away. To overcome it, the chap brought a portable player to connect to some amplifiers near the drum set. Still, two portable dvd players were found wanting. The other problem was playing to a medley of old songs backed by electronically mixed sounds. The drums were not properly tuned too. I am the type who relies on the music to inspire me and it did not surprise me when the boss said earlier a young Malay was really good! The difference, besides talent, between old and young as well as with or without inhibitions! I must remember to bring my own CD to see if I get to play again. Anyway, someone showed a thumbs up, which was encouraging in a way.

The clever thing about showing off (half of me refuses) is to play what you know and not what you don't. This reminds me of a school mate at an old boys' dinner. He was a one-time Elvis of Malaysia and he refused to sing, quite rightly, in those days when karaoke was unheard of and there was no music backing!

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