(1552) MUSIC AND ME -322 (June 28, 2018) A GROUP OF JAPANESE ENJOYED MY MUSIC FOR 2 NIGHTS

A GROUP OF JAPANESE ENJOYED MY MUSIC FOR 2 NIGHTS

On June 04, 2018, there is a group of Japanese musicians that requested a lot of songs to me. One is a drummer, the other one is singer, no keyboard player but with bass guitar player, who gave me $10.00 tip. They enjoyed that night with singing and requesting songs including "September" by Earth, Wind and Fire; Songs of Billy Joel, Japanese song "Tsunami", etc.

The next night, they all sit at the very far end of Breeze Bar but I still played their requested songs but instrumental only. Unlike in their first night, I always sing their requested songs.

I am surprised that they are leaving so early. But they have Japanese friends near the swimming pool and they go back and sit at the table very close to me.

At first, they are just talking so I played songs that I wanted to play without expression.

Then comes the older Japanese guy with hat (the guy at the left of the first photo.)

He started singing with some unfamiliar song among Japanese like "Days of Wine and Roses".

He gave me $10.00 tips and that's the start of their singing. I gave them my songbooks (American and Japanese) for them to look and more Japanese joined their group including the middle aged Japanese lady who always dance when the song that they are singing has fast tempo. She danced when I sing/play the Hawaiian medley of Baby Blue, Pearly Shells, Blue Hawaii and Tiny Bubbles. 

She later gave me another $10.00 tip. She is the lady 2nd from left in the first photo

I took a selfie with the guy (with hat) and another guy that gave me another $10.00 tip (right). He cannot speak much English and requesting Japanese songs by just humming the melody.

I can't let go not to take photo of the dancing and generous lady (right), with the group of musicians except the other younger lady.

The next day, June 06, they are back at the same table. The generous and dancing lady came late and no tip from her this time. I saw the guy in the middle at Waves Restaurant when I playing instrumental music there, borrowing umbrella from the Palau Royal Resort staff because it's raining hard. When I come there, the rain stopped.

They enjoyed more singing but no dancing this time. The guy at right is drunk already since borrowing umbrella at Waves Restaurant.

The guy with hat sang another unfamiliar song to Japanese "All of Me".

Before I stopped playing at 11 pm, he asked the 'umbrella' guy if he gave me tip (chipu) already. He said "kinoo" (yesterday). The guy with hat specify "kyo" (today?). When he didn't answer, the guy with hat gave me $20.00 tip.





Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               December 29, 2002 -- August 05, 2018

               Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
               The Beginning of Chess in Palau
               By Roberto Hernandez
               Soon to be published as a book

               Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               March 15, 2012 -- April 18, 2013
               http://palau-chess.blogspot.com
               April 25, 2013 -- August 05, 2018

               The History of Chess in Palau
                By Roberto Hernandez
                June 09, 2002 -- August 05, 2018
               
                

(1540) MUSIC AND ME (May 17, 2018) INSTALLMENT TIPS

 I have never had an experience of having tips by installment! The Japanese guy here gave me a total of $5.00 tips for requesting 3 American songs at the Breeze Bar of Palau Royal Resort on April 30, 2018. 


         TIPS BY INSTALLMENT

I've got a $10.00 tip at Waves Restaurant on the night of April 30, 2018. Then I proceed at Breeze Bar to play another 2 hours of keyboard music.

Two young Japanese ladies came and sit near the keyboard. Later they were joined by their father? and I started to play Japanese songs starting with Yume No Tochu.

THEN THE INSTALLMENT TIPS BEGUN...

The father gave me $3.00 tip to play "Yesterday" by the Beatles. I sang the song as I know it by heart and it's the most recorded songs in the world. Being recorded by different artists/singers around the world by about 2,000 versions!

His next request is "Let it Be", another Beatles song. I sang it as well. He gave me a dollar this time. Then "Imagine" by John Lennon follows without tip. Imagine is very popular among Japanese even though it is sung by John Lennon when the Beatles broke up.

 The two ladies sang with me to the songs by Southern All Stars "Tsunami" and "Itoshino Elly".

Then he requested again "Hotel California" by Eagles. I sang it as well with the key lowered by 3 steps to fit my range/key.
He gave me another dollar.

The last song of the ladies is "Nada Sou Sou", a very popular Japanese songs among middle aged generation.

Benny Billones wants to be in the photo also with the Japanese ladies so the last shot was a selfie.




Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               December 29, 2002 -- July 05, 2018

               Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
               The Beginning of Chess in Palau
               By Roberto Hernandez
               Soon to be published as book

               Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               March 15, 2012 -- April 18, 2013
               http://palau-chess.blogspot.com
               April 25, 2013 -- July 05, 2018

               The History of Chess in Palau
               By Roberto Hernandez
               June 09, 2002 -- July 05, 2018

(1333) MUSIC AND ME (Nov. 24, 2016) THE GOOD THINGS OF KNOWING GUESTS' NAMES

Motoki Hideura, left, and Yoji Hashimoto, right

Remembering their long Japanese names is possible only for me if I will write it as what I did to these 2 young Japanese. They have a good time with my music and we have this photo session. I don't like them to be the same as those other guests that I know only by face so I get a piece of paper and ask for their names. It's the best solution for my forgetful attitude, one of a trait that growing old person has to cope with.                         (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



               THE GOOD THINGS OF 
           KNOWING GUESTS' NAMES

AFTER playing 2 hours of piano instrumental music at Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort in October 13, 2015, I proceed to Breeze Bar for another 2 hours of instrumental keyboard music.

The place becomes a little busy with Japanese and Taiwanese guests. Later, a couple of Japanese guys sit near the keyboard and they requested a combination of Japanese and American songs.

They have a good time and I asked one staff of the Breeze Bar to take a photo of us. The Miller Lite beer at the background is very visible.

After some more singing and talking, I ask for their names so that I can feature them sometime in my Music and Me posts at http://palau-chess.blogspot.com after I gave them my card.

In order not to forget their names, I wrote it on a small piece of paper and put it in my wallet. 

I didn't expect that I would see them again 2 days later. They have 2 lady visitors with them.

After setting the keyboard, I look at that small piece of paper where I wrote their names and memorize it. Then I go to their table and say, "How are you Motoki san?, How are you, Yoji san?"

The 2 ladies were surprised that I mentioned their names correctly. They are thinking that maybe these two have been here at Breeze Bar many times that the musician knows their names.

THAT'S ONE OF THE ADVANTAGE OF KNOWING GUESTS' NAMES.

THE SWEETEST SOUND TO A PERSON IS HEARING PEOPLE CALLING THEM BY NAMES.

         

(1307) MUSIC AND ME (Sept. 01, 2016) JAP. COUPLES INVITED BY GENEROUS JAP. GUY

A RARE GENEROSITY BY A JAPANESE GUY
     Very few generous people will invite three couples from their country to join in their table. I witness one or two couples invited by some Japanese guests of Palau Royal Resort. This generous Japanese guy (with cigarette in his mouth) invited 3 different Japanese couples to their table one at a time.
                       (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


  JAPANESE COUPLES INVITED BY
      GENEROUS JAPANESE GUY

AFTER playing 2 hours of piano instrumental music at Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort on Aug. 14, 2016, I proceeded to Breeze Bar to play another 2 hours of keyboard music.

There are moderate number of guests there and one noticeable Japanese guy is having a cigarette on his mouth buy not lighting it.

He appreciates my rendition of Japanese songs and gave me $10.00 tip. Later, some Japanese couples arrived. He started to invite the Japanese couple next to them to join them at their table. He offered them drinks, which of course he will pay.

Their table becomes more livelier with interesting conversations. Then another younger Japanese couple came and about 15 minutes, they were invited also to join the group. 

They are now 8 in their table and the joking and laughter never ends.

I asked for a photo with them to have a souvenir with this rare occasion.

The last couple that he invited (far left in the photo), came back the next night, hoping the generous guy will be there again. Not there.

But they enjoy the music more this time because they are by themselves this time.   



Sources: Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez
             Tia Belau Newspaper 
             March 15, 2012 -- April 18, 2013 
             http://palau-chess.blogspot.com
             April 25, 2013 -- December 07, 2016

            Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
            The Beginning of Chess in Palau
            By Roberto Hernandez
            Soon to be published as a book

      

    

(896) MUSIC AND ME (Feb. 19, 2015) JAPANESE HONEYMOONERS AT PALAU ROYAL RESORT

BRING THE BABY WHEN YOU COME BACK TO PALAU
     This young Japanese couple are honeymooners. They appreciate Roberto's Japanese music. Before going to Breeze Bar for another 2-hour keyboard music performance, he dropped by to the couple, who is enjoying the complimentary honeymooners' cake (with a heart-shaped cookies). He teased them with "Please bring the baby when you come back to Palau again!" The lady said, "We hope so."
                                                     (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


           JAPANESE HONEYMOONERS
            AT PALAU ROYAL RESORT 

FEBRUARY 16 is one of my luckiest days as far as tip is concerned. The Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort where I play piano instrumental music from 7-9pm every night except Friday (my day off) is fully decorated by Chinese New Year decorations/ornaments.

At about 7:30pm, an old Japanese guy requested French song "La Vien Rose". After finishing the song that I'm playing at that time, I played it. He came back and gave me $10.00 tip that he put on the piano chair where I'm sitting.

Thirty minutes later, a Chinese old guy is watching me play. He is looking at my business cards, at my feet pressing the damper pedals (left and right) and my song books.

I gave him my card and asked, "Do you want to request?" or "Requesto?" because I thought he's Japanese.

He can't make up his mind. I lend him my songbook with red cover. He can't make up his mind as well and he brings the song book to his wife.

When he comes back, he returned the red song book and gave me $10.00 tip also. I thought he's really a Japanese so to make sure about it, I asked if he's Japanese. He said he's Chinese.

Knowing that we had 70% Chinese/Taiwanese guests and about 30% Japanese guests, I alternately played Japanese and Taiwanese/Chinese songs till 9pm.

I noticed that the Japanese couple (photo above) of about 30 feet away, are enjoying my rendition of Japanese songs. Before going to Breeze Bar at 9pm, I dropped by at their table where they are enjoying the honeymooners' cake. We have about 5 minutes conversation. I said I have to go to play another 2 hours of music at Breeze Bar. I teased them when they said they will be back in Palau because they like it, with "Please bring the baby when you come back to Palau." The lady said, "We hope so." I gave them my card.

When I come to Breeze Bar, there are no customers. As I am setting the keyboard, Den Flores, the bartender, said not to set it because there are no customers. I said, I will just set it without plugging it to outlet just to be ready when the first guests come. We watch sports at ESPN.

Five minutes later, another young Japanese honeymooners came. They are surprised that there is entertainment sat at the very far end of Breeze Bar. When I played "Yume No Tochu", they are clapping with the upbeat tempo of the song. They even alternately taking photos of me that far.

When I sung the "Oribia O Kikinagara", the lady comes closer to me and took another photo. She knows the lyrics of that song as well. I get my Japanese and English songs songbook and gave it to them and said it's okay to request or "Requesto daijobou." They requested "Nada Sou Sou" and "Yesterday Once More" by the Carpenters.

There is also a group of Taiwanese (2 girls and 2 ladies) near the railing that appreciate my rendition of Japanese and American songs. I know they are Taiwanese because of the way they speak.

Thirty minutes later, the first honeymooners arrive and have drinks also almost behind me. I adjust the position of the keyboard facing them because there are no guests at the right side of Breeze Bar. The first guest (honeymooners #2), the lady, gave the songbooks to the honeymooners #1, who requested "Tsunami" and "Itoshino Elly".

The teen-age Taiwanese girl was the first one to give tip ($5.00) although they are not requesting. The honeymooners saw it and they've got the point--those who don't request gave tip, what more with us requesting.

It was a very nice night of live music and singing (live!) for more than an hour. The honeymooners # 1 gave also $5.00 tip. I teased them again before going with, "Please bring the baby when you come back to Palau again."

The honeymooners #2 are not satisfied with their location so they transferred to a table close to me. They enjoyed more Japanese and American songs.

They gave me $10.00 tip and have this photo as souvenir:

 I gave them my card also. As usual, I forgot to ask for their names. Sometimes it's better that way so that they can have their privacy even if it is published here. 

After they left, I played all-Taiwanese songs this time as no more Japanese guests. They enjoyed it and while leaving at 10:50, they are humming to the tunes of Taiwanese song that I'm playing.


Source: Music and Me
              By Roberto Hernandez
              February 17, 2015
     

   

  

    


  
     

(756) MUSIC AND ME (May 15, 2014) JAPAN AND TAIWAN BECOMES ONE THROUGH MUSIC

SINGING "WE ARE THE WORLD"
    This group of young Japanese guys make it a very happy and friendly night when they started to sing "We Are The World". They requested earlier Japanese songs "Kampai" and Itoshino Elly.                      (Photo by Roberto Hernandez  -Taken by Jem)


    JAPAN AND TAIWAN BECOMES ONE
                 THROUGH MUSIC

 ON JUNE 22, (Sunday), I have a very good conversation with Palauan security personnel Sean at Breeze Bar of Palau Royal Resort while he is making a routine check of the place. 

When our conversation was focused on music, we have a very educational discussion. I mentioned to him about the lone Japanese guy that gave me $100.00 twice in March 2008. 

He's got $250.00 one time as payment for him being a photographer in a wedding.

He's not a materialistic person and his quote about this bears on my mind: "Music is like an international language that connects everyone through the melody".

THE NEXT DAY, IT BECOMES A REALITY!

After playing piano for 2 hours at Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort, I proceed to Breeze Bar to play another 2 hours of keyboard music.

There are lots of guests and I took notice of a young Japanese group (all guys- 6 of them) that order drinks (beers, Tequila shots, etc) like there is no tomorrow.

There is also another group of young Taiwanese (mixed) at the high table with high chairs and another Taiwanese couple next to their high table.

Also three more Taiwanese fishermen who orders only iced tea and take advantage of free refill that they refill more than 5 times.

When I start to play Japanese songs, the Japanese groups are singing. I took out my Japanese and American songs songbook and gave it to them so that they can choose songs for request.

They like it when I sang "Oribia O Kikinagara" in guy's key (Key of A. The original key (lady singer) is key of F.)

They ask if I can play "We Are The World" as it is not included in the American songs list.

I put out the blue songbook with that song and one of the guy gave me $5.00 tip.

We have photo session before singing the song. The Assistant F & B Manager Marylin Alonzo is helping the staff because it's crowded with mixed guests.

They requested her to join in the photo session and mentioning her to be the Cindy Lauper in singing "We Are The World."

I transposed the key 2 steps lower so that everybody can reach the high notes.

I don't have time to suggest to them to change the words "We Are The World" to "We Are The Worst". And "We Are The Children" to "We Are The Chicken"! because I don't want to ruin the night by that joke. But maybe it might have been more fun if we did that.

Very few times that some of them will look at the lyrics of the song and it turns out to be a start of having a nice time through music.

A VERY LOUD APPLAUSE FROM TAIWANESE, FILIPINO AND JAPANESE GUESTS!

I followed it up with "Hotel California" with the key 3 steps lower than the original.

That's the time when one young Taiwanese comes beside me and sing it. One guy from Japanese group positioned himself in front of me, acting like he is the lead guitarist... IT'S SHOWTIME!

Two young Taiwanese ladies have a good time taking photos and video of the show.

Whenever the singing Taiwanese forgets the lyrics, I dictate to him because I know all the lyrics of Hotel California since 1994.

During the ad lib and ending of the song, the guy who pretends to be the lead guitarist becomes more inspired as if he's really playing the ad lib in which I'm using the pitch bend to make a more "distorted" electric guitar sound.

After the song, my 2 guest performers embraced like a long lost brothers. The Japanese 'performer' proceed to the table of Taiwanese 'performer' and they have photo sessions and more hugging.

The rest of the Japanese group join them and I felt like for at least one night -- JAPAN AND TAIWAN BECOMES ONE THROUGH MY MUSIC!

The Taiwanese couple next to the mixed group of Taiwanese don't want to miss some more fun and they transfer to the table next to me. The guy gave me $1.00 tip.

When the other Taiwanese group with children are paying their bill, a lady gave me $5.00 tip as they enjoyed also the night of Japanese, Taiwanese and American songs that I played that night. 

Eight days later, I talked to Marilyn before going to play another 2 hours at Breeze Bar. She said that those Japanese group have dinner at Liao's Room of Waves Restaurant and they consumed 49 Asahi beers, 2 bottles of white wine, a bottle of red wine and some Tequila shots. 


Source: Chess And Music (Perfect Combination)
               The Beginning Of Chess In Palau
               By Roberto Hernandez
               June 2014
               To be published as a book in the future