Jingo Harleyman: ‘Life in a Korean Movie’, Track No. 4

9th May 2023

The fourth track on the EP ‘Life in a Korean Movie’, Living in a Korean film‘, has been uploaded to YouTube:

All tracks are free to download on the Bandcamp site: https://jingoharleyman.bandcamp.com/album/life-in-a-korean-movie

The track is built around a Jazzy chord progression, with audio clips from several of my favourite Korean films.

I tried out some new guitar tones on the Garageband app for some lead notes, and added some synth effects for extra colour and atmosphere.

Many audio clips start mid sentence, as if we are walking past people and catching snippets of conversation.

Astute readers may recognise the YouTube thumbnail as being from ‘Moonlit Winter’ which was mostly filmed in Japan. However the actress, Kim So-hye, is Korean.

The music is non-profit, and I hope to introduce more audiences to Korean cinema and culture. All films are credited in the video. As such, I hope I may claim ‘Fair Use’, the video being for non-commercial artistic and educational purposes.

The next section is just for my own records and will be of no interest to anyone except maybe low-fi recording geeks.

The track is in the Key of G

Tempo at drum section 133

Garageband sequence

Track 1 Drum machine: Vintage Kit

Track 2 Sparkling Clean Guitar amp

Riff: Gmaj 7 / Cm7 / Bm7 and some lead fills on the B & G strings

Track 3 Film Clips. Audio: Voice, Extreme Tuning

Track 4 Synth Pads – Chill Pad.

G D – A D improvisation based on ‘Für Elise’

Track 5 Bass – Liverpool Bass

Follow Chords G – G / C – F# / F# – E

Tracks 6 Film Clips. Audio: Voice, Extreme Tuning

Man at station from ‘Il Mare’ slowed down to extreme

Track 7 Alchemy Synth – Soundscapes – Endless Optimism

Tracks 8 – 10 Guitar Tones.

Track 8: Rich Harmonies CLEAN

Track 9: Thin Rhythm CLEAN

Track 10: Endless Ambient PROCESSED plus Phase Tripper guitar pedal.

Coming soon … ‘Christmas every August’

Sài Gòn … then and now.

3rd May 2023

We have a project to write about our city or town. How has it changed ?

Remember, when we write about the past we use Verb 2 (simple past) but when we write about today, we use Verb 1 (simple present).

Word Bank:

In the past there was or In the past there were …

There wasn’t … or There weren’t …

These days there is or These days there are …

Today or Nowadays …

Example: In the past, the city was called Sài Gòn. Today, the city is called Ho Chi Minh City.

Let’s set the scene – we need some old time music.

To help you, compare and contrast these photos. First, we have the General Post Office in Quận 1 (District 1, downtown or city centre).

Post offices were mainly for sending letters. Do people send letters these days ?

If people could not write, what did they do ?

Today, the Post Office has many shops inside, and many tourists visit to take photos.

How about street life ?

Sài Gòn 1960s (above), and Ho Chi Minh City today

Of course, Sài Gòn is famous for street food.

Some food is traditional, but nowadays there are a lot of fast food restaurants.

Finally, we need some modern music. Do you know this song ? The video was filmed in Quận 7

Please Note: All photos are taken from Google Images or free photo sites, and are used for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. If I have used your photo or image, and you wish me to remove it, just ask. This site is not monetized, I run it on my own dollar. Thank you.

All the world’s a stage … and my students shall play their parts

1st May 2023

As You Like It, Act 2, Scene 7

Recently, we have focused on writing, using new vocabulary and making sure the grammar is perfect. Now it’s time to apply the same creativity to speaking. Are you good to go ?

All right, all right, all right !

Let us write a short piece and then perform it for the class. We shall write about what happens in an English lesson.

First, we need four characters:

a teacher // a TA (teaching assistant) // the Manager // a student

Next, build up the character

Is the teacher strict, friendly, happy, angry ?

Is the TA helpful, funny, polite, lazy ?

Is the Manager scary, rude, kind, elegant ?

Is the student hard-working or lazy, polite or disrespectful ?

Finally, we need a situation

What happens ? Is the student very good, or very naughty ? Is the manager proud or angry ? Does the TA listen to the teacher or play on a phone ?

Word bank:

over the moon / body language / strict / furious / hard-working / thoughtless / screaming

Work in groups of four. If you only have three, you can leave out the TA or Manager.

Example

Teacher is Ms Jane / TA is Mr Khanh / Manager is Ms Mi and the student is Graham.

Ms Jane: Mr Khanh, what is Graham doing ?

Mr Khanh: I think he is sleeping. Graham, Wake up !

Graham: I am awake.

Ms Jane: Look at his body language. You must respect teachers. You should be more hard-working, like Larry.

Graham: Larry is stupid !

Mr Khanh: Say, “Sorry !” You are so rude and lazy.

Ms Jane: If you don’t say sorry, you will go to the Manager.

Graham: I’m not scared.

Ms Jane: Ms Mi will be furious. She will scream at you.

Mr Khanh: I will send her a message … now.

Ms Mi enters

Ms Mi: Where is the impolite boy ? Come here. You must always respect teachers and do as they say.

Graham: Yes, Ms Mi. I promise.

Ms Mi: Apologise to the teachers.

Graham: I’m sorry. I will work hard now.

Mr Khanh: Good. Now sit down and do the lesson.

Ms Mi starts to leave

Ms Jane: Everybody say, “Goodbye, Ms Mi.”

Ms Mi: When I see everybody working hard, I am over the moon. Keep studying.

SCENE

Now … your turn

Learn English … or else !

1st May 2023

Don’t take my word for it; here are some stills from a Korean film:

The film is ‘House of Hummingbird’ from 2019

So, do you want to be a house-owner or a housemaid ?

Roll up your sleeves, put your nose to the grindstone, burn the midnight oil, burn the candle at both ends, turn over a new leaf, hit the books, get down to it.

At every opportunity, read, speak, write English. Then, after you graduate, you can party !

Jingo Harleyman. ‘Life in a Korean Movie’, Track No. 3

28th April 2023

The third track on the new EP ‘Life in a Korean Movie’, Lover’s Phobia, has been uploaded to YouTube:

All tracks are free to download on the Bandcamp site: https://jingoharleyman.bandcamp.com/album/life-in-a-korean-movie

Another one of my favourite Korean films, another film about two young people in love fated only to share a short time together.

The track is based solely on one chord, Em11, played in two different positions. The first position is on the 5th fret, the second on the 10th.

Both intro guitar riffs are based on the notes of the 5th fret position. The bass plays variations on the notes of the chord.

The mood changes as the tempo slows and guitar arpeggios replace the riffs. The chord moves to the 10th fret position.

The third section has thrashing chords and a faster tempo, along with drums and a more atonal bass, hinting at the unhappiness after the ‘happy’ ending.

The film stars Kang Hye-jung & Cho Seung-woo

The next section is just for my own records and will be of no interest to anyone except maybe low-fi recording geeks.

The track is in the Key of Em

Tempo at drum section 187

Garageband sequence

Track 1 Chorus Shimmer (processed Guitar amp)

1st Riff on top 3 strings:

E – A note B – G & E notes G – D note

Track 2 Cool Jazz Combo Guitar amp

2nd Riff: notes of the Em11 chord (5th fret position) on E & B strings.

Tracks 3 & 4 Sparkling Clean Guitar amp

Arpeggios of Em11 chord, 10th fret position.

D, A & E strings, then B, G & D strings.

Track 3 plays the chords, Track 4 uses fingerpicking

Track 5 Alchemy Synth: Mallets, Atlantean Bells

Setting 1: Warm Ring (Chorus at 7 o’clock, Reverb 1) Setting 2: Wooden Mallets

Tracks 6 Drum machine: Live Drums, SoCal

Track 7 Precision Bass

E – G – C – F – E (with variations)

Track 8 Film Clips. Audio: voice, Extreme Tuning

Coming soon … ‘Living in a Korean film’

Jingo Harleyman. ‘Life in a Korean Movie’, Track No. 2

25th April 2023

The second track on the new EP ‘Life in a Korean Movie’, Samaria Girl, has been uploaded to YouTube:

All tracks are free to download on the Bandcamp site: https://jingoharleyman.bandcamp.com/album/life-in-a-korean-movie

The track is based around a simple guitar riff, augmented by two chords (Am & Gmaj7). An upright bass (synth) plays a variation of the main riff. The song develops into a conflict between grand piano and fuzz guitar, representing the two conflicting characters in the film.

I added some dreamy synth mallet sounds for atmosphere and colour, as well as including some dialogue between the two girls.

The film stars Kwak Ji-min and Han Yeo-reum

The next section is just for my own records and will be of no interest to anyone except maybe low-fi recording geeks.

The track is in the Key of Am

Tempo is 74

Garageband sequence

Track 1 Classic Stack Guitar amp

(Riff D E G E D C A)

Track 2 Clean Combo Guitar amp

Am (5th fret) – G (Ex B3 G4 D4 Ax E3)

Track 3 Upright bass (played on synth)

D E G E G A

Track 4 Grand Piano

Am – G

Track 5 Industrial Overdrive Guitar amp

Am Pentatonic Scale, 2nd position

(D 7 – 10, G 7 – 9, B 8 – 10)

Tracks 6 & 7 film clips

(Beginning of film, and bathhouse scene)

Track 8 Alchemy Synth. Mallet – ‘Dreamy Bells’ Setting: Dark Chimes. Delay 11 o’clock, Reverb 2/3

Coming soon … ‘Lover’s Phobia’

Young learners, Starter & Beginners. The verb ‘to be’

24th April 2023

We start to learn English grammar.

First, the verb to be

I am // you are // he is // she is // it is // Ms Jane is // we are // they are

Now … let’s speak !

We use the verb ‘to be’ + the adjective ‘happy‘

I am happy // you are happy //

he is happy // she is happy //

it is happy // Ms Jane is happy //

we are happy // they are happy

I am happy // you are happy //

he is happy // she is happy //

it is happy // Ms Jane is happy

we are happy // they are happy

Now … the adjective: hungry

I am hungry / you _____ hungry

he ____ hungry // she ____ hungry

it ____ hungry // Ms Jane ___ hungry

we ____ hungry // they ____ hungry

Now … let’s practise with a song.

Are you ready ?

“We are the robots.”

Young Learners, Level 1 & 2. The verb ‘to like’

21st April 2023

What do you like? Learn food vocabulary | English Lesson 11 - YouTube

Today we use the verb ‘like’

I like ice cream and I like fruit.

To make your sentences longer:

I like strawberry or chocolate ice cream.

I like all fruit. My favourites are apples and bananas.

Now … Your Turn

Ask your friends or tell me: What do you like ?

I like …

Match the answers with the pictures:

swimming

milk tea

toys

movies

cakes

Now make your sentences longer:

I + like + verbing + noun

I like buying toys / I like eating cakes /

I like ___________ milk tea.

Do you go alone or with friends ?

I like going shopping with my sister.

I like drinking milk tea with my ______ .

I like swimming with my _________ .

I like eating cakes with my _____ .

Finally, tell we where you like to do these things ?

I like to drink milk tea with my friends in the mall.

I like to go shopping with my mum at the market.

I like to buy toys at the _______ (where ?)

I like to eat cakes with my _______ at the _________ .

Beginners’ English. Basic verb conjugation.

20th April 2023

I have a brown guitar.

You have many big books.

He has a new laptop.

She has a big teddy bear.

Mr John has an intelligent elephant.

We have a fun class.

Can you see how the verb ‘have’ changes ? Sometimes we use ‘have’, sometimes we use ‘has’.

I have
you have
he has
she has
Mr John has
we have // they have

Tôi có / bạn có /  anh ấy có /  
Cô bé có  / Ông John có
chúng ta có  / họ có

Now … your turn. We will use beach items, food and clothes.

First, at the beach …

I have a beach ball and I have an ice cream.

You ___ a beach ball and you ____ an ice cream.

He ___ a beach ball and he ____ an ice cream.

She ___ a beach ball and she ____ an ice cream.

Mr John ___ a beach ball and Mr John (he) ____ an ice cream.

We ___ a beach ball and we ____ an ice cream.

They ___ a beach ball and they ____ an ice cream.

NOW .. a new verb … ‘eat’

I eat delicious pizza

He eats a delicious doughnut (donut in USA)

Now … your turn

I eat delicious pizza.

You _____ delicious pizza.

He ____ delicious pizza.

She ____ delicious pizza.

Mr John _____ delicious pizza.

We _____ delicious pizza.

They _____ delicious pizza.

NOW .. a new verb … ‘wear’

I wear a blue shirt and I wear a colourful tie.

She wears a blue police uniform and she wears a black hat.

Now … your turn

I wear a school uniform.

You ____ a school uniform.

He ____ a school uniform.

She ____ a school uniform.

Mr John ____ a school uniform.

We _____ a school uniform.

They _____ a school uniform.

Now … for Top Cats – tell me about these pictures:

Jingo Harleyman. ‘Life in a Korean Movie’, Track No. 1

19th April 2023

The opening track on the new EP ‘Life in a Korean Movie’ has just been uploaded to YouTube:

The first track is a sound montage of western and Asian scales mixed with ambient sounds of the Seoul subway, some live K-pop bands addressing their fans, and audio clips from some recent Korean films.

I wanted a feeling of alienation among familiar aspects of city life; subways are similar yet the different languages and customs can be disconcerting.

Sounds appear, grab our attention then vanish, or are replaced by new audio experiences.

The next section is just for my own records and will be of no interest to anyone except maybe low-fi recording geeks.

The track is in the Key of E

Tempo is 110

I used two Korean scales:

Gye-mjun-jo pentatonic (E G A B D)

Kyemonjo (E G A B Db)

Garageband sequence

Track 1 Guzheng

Track 2 Pipa

Track 3 Ambient sounds

Track 4 House Drum Machine

Track 5 Substantial Kick (bass synth)

Gye-mjun-jo scale. Riff: E G A B AB AB G E

Track 6 Ambient sounds and film clips

Track 7 Sparkling Clean Guitar Amp

(Kyemonjo Scale)

Track 8 Guzheng

Track 9 Flute

(Kyemonjo Scale)

Track 10 Sunshine Drive Crunchy Guitar Amp

Use a Flange effect.

Chords: Em7 (G0 D1 A1 E0) – Am7 (G5 D6 A6 E5)

Coming soon … ‘Samaria Girl’