(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

(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
     

   

  

    


  
     

(826) MUSIC AND ME (Sept. 25, 2014) JAPANESE BAKA (FOOL) AND SUKEBE (HORNY)

SITTING 2ND FROM LEFT
    The old Japanese guy sitting 2nd from left was 'nicknamed' BAKA (Fool) by the Japanese guy standing at left. Roberto Hernandez, standing right, suggested to call him SUKEBE (Horny) after he showed interest to the lone lady with tattoo, sitting 2nd from right.  (Photo by Roberto Hernandez - Taken by Jovy Rodriguez)



              JAPANESE BAKA (FOOL)
              AND SUKEBE (HORNY)

Many times I have guests that know me but I know them only by face. That's why if there is a chance, I ask for their names and write it so that I will not forget their names. 

It happens again in Sept. 29, 2014 when I tall Japanese guy, with 2 older Japanese guys with him and later joined by a younger Japanese lady at Breeze Bar of Palau Royal Resort.

The tall guy recognized me right away. He's been to Palau many times. When I started to play all-Japanese songs, one of the older guys requested "Sukiyaki" or "Ueo Muite Aruko o ".

Sukiyaki Song is more popular to others especially in America where it has an English version.

They want me to play it not in swing tempo but the tempo in their cell phone's version of "Sukiyaki". 

After listening to it, I've got it as the same beat as "Alii Mountain", the danceable Taiwanese song.

When I played it in that beat, they applauded and enjoyed my own instrumental version. Sometimes I sing with it when I know the lyrics (about 85%).

Their enjoyment got a twist when a beautiful, young Asian lady come to the bar and order a cocktail drink. She sits by herself next to the table of the 4 Japanese. They became 4 when they called the lady in her room (Palau Royal Resort).

While she is ordering cocktail, everybody noticed that she's got tattoo on the lower part of her right shoulder. The old guy, 2nd from left sitting at the photo, can't help himself to stare at the lady.

When her drink is almost finished, he offered the lady with tattoo another cocktail. The lady appreciated it and accepted the offer. I'm not sure if it's the same or different but the color is the same.

I continued to play all-Japanese songs. I have given them the Japanese and American songs songbook. The tattooed lady didn't sing along with my playing so I don't know if she is Japanese, Taiwanese, Palauan, Korean or Chinese.

At 11:00 pm, I stopped playing and before securing the keyboard and other music stuff, I asked the tattooed lady if we can have photo with the Japanese group. She sits next to the Japanese guy that gave her a drink and Jovy Rodriguez, the bartender, took the shot.

I asked the 2 Japanese guys with cellphones to ready their cellphones' camera for another shot with the tattooed lady.  

It takes long time for the 2 guys to set it on photo mode because it's on video mode.

The guy who gave the tattooed lady a drink sat next to her with his arm around the shoulder of the lady. After a few more minutes, the tattooed lady left. Before the group left, they said they will be back again there tomorrow and the tall guy gave me $10.00 tip.

True to their words, they came back again the next day. The guy who gave the tattooed lady a drink became the subject of teasing. The tall guy gave him a nicknamed "baka" (fool) but I added "sukebe" (horny) which everybody having a good time calling him that names.

They had another good time till 11pm. The other old guy promised me to send CD of Japanese songs that they like me to learn. I added in their list the "Tsunami" because I haven't heard that song yet from its original singers -- The Southern All-Stars, who sung also the most popular Japanese song in my repertoire --Itoshino Elly, the Japanese version of "Elly My Love" by Ray Charles.

The next day, they have dinner at Waves Restaurant. They signal that they will go at Breeze Bar after their dinner. They did go earlier than me.

At 9pm, when I go to Breeze Bar, there are some Taiwanese that sit at the table where they used to sit. They sit near the railing and ocean.

It's a quiet night. There's no laughter and teasing of "baka" and "sukebe".

Before they go home, the tall guy gave me $20.00 this time and said, "See you again, next year."

HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN, NEXT YEAR!

SAYONARA!

MATTA NE!

ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU!




Source: Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
               The Beginning of Chess in Palau
               By Roberto Hernandez
               September 2014
              To be published as a book in the future
               

  

(647) MUSIC AND ME (Nov. 07, 2013) HAPPY, LUCKY HALLOWEEN

ALLAIN "THE DEATH" NATIVIDAD
     Palau Royal Resort buffet man Allain Natividad performs the character of "The Death" during the Halloween night at Waves Restaurant of PRR on Oct. 31, 2013. The costume becomes a hit with the guests that almost all of them have a picture taken with him likewise this one.                                          (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


         HAPPY, LUCKY HALLOWEEN 

ON October 31, 2013, the Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort held a Halloween Dinner with the staff wearing make-up of scary characters like Count Dracula, the witch, corpse-like make-ups and so on.

But the most scary and caught the attention of many guests is Allain Natividad's costume of "The Death" complete with the caret. 

I can't think of any appropriate songs for this occasion but Count Dracula (Edwin Acuyan- the Food & Beverage Manager) asked my just play slow songs.

We have some Japanese, Taiwanese and American guests so I just played some songs from these countries. Got no tip for 2 hours of playing...

When I proceed at Breeze Bar at 9pm, there were only 4 guests (all Japanese ladies) in 2 tables side by side near the spot where I play keyboard.

I set up the keyboard very close to them, about a meter far. Those Japanese ladies are in their mid-20's. I gave 2 song books to the ladies to my right. The other 2 are busy talking.

Mostly, the requests of the 2 ladies are Japanese songs but they also requested American songs like "Yesterday Once More" and "Top of The World" -- both are by The Carpenters, who are one the most popular groups in Japan.

When I sing the Japanese song "Oribia O Kikinagara", the 2nd lady from left took a video of me singing that song. She is wearing a very short skirt and her tanned legs are subject for lust.

When I sing "Let It Be", she again took some video of me (half way) and once in a while focus the camera to her friend.

The two girls from my right requested "Tsunami", which I said to them "muzukashi uta", which means "difficult song" so I borrowed the 'romaji' (written in English so that I can understand) version and have them the Kanji/Hirakana version.

The Romaji version of "Tsunami" can be seen on top of the keyboard. These 2 young Japanese ladies requested another song that I needed to see the music score to be able to play it correctly.
                                                                       (Photo by Roberto Hernandez-Oct. 31, 2013)

I'm teaching Mr. Yoshiharu Kurata, a senior JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) volunteer music twice a week (Monday and Thursday -11:30am-12:30pm).

One of the Japanese songs in our repertoire is "Nada Sou Sou", which the 2 Japanese ladies have requested that Halloween night.

I asked for the music score again and I played it instrumental while they are singing it.

When I sing the last song "Yesterday", the 2nd lady from my left took another video of me while singing it.

She asked for their bill, pays it and before leaving, put $20.00 on top of the keyboard. I didn't expect it that big because she don't even request any song.

THE OTHER 2 LADIES ALSO GAVE ME TIP --- $1.00 from each of them. 

I gave each of them my card and thank them for having a memorable Halloween night at Palau Royal Resort's Breeze Bar.

After they left, I have some souvenir photos from the "Halloween board"...

   
Source: Chess And Music (Perfect Combination)
             The Beginning of Chess In Palau
             By Roberto Hernandez
             November 2013
             To be published as a book in the future