16th January 2022
A demo version of the song ‘Morning Lotus’ by the band Butterfly Decal.
The track, as you can tell, is a home recording using an iPhone only, so that explains the background noise and hissing.
The film is from a trip to Udon Thani, in beautiful Thailand.
If you know anyone you think may like the song, please share the link. I know the band will be extremely grateful.
Thank you for viewing this blog
16th January 2022
I recently had some friends ask what I meant by Math Rock, and I must admit it is a type of guitar music about which I am still learning.
A very brief summary is that Math Rock is a sub-genre that emerged from the Hardcore scene of the mid 1980s. Some bands moved away from the distorted loud guitars and steady 4/4 beat of Rock ‘n’ Roll, to incorporate different time signatures and tempos, stopping and starting songs mid-way through, or changing the rhythm entirely. I also notice that a lot of bands use similar chords as Jazz musicians.
The term Math Rock was coined due to the musicians having to count the beat, for example,
“1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 1, 2, 3, 4 …” etc
Instead of the conventional,
“1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4 …”
However, as the adage states, ‘show, don’t tell,’ so here are but a few examples.
To kick off, a band I did know, Slint, formed in Kentucky, USA in the late 1980s. This track, ‘Breadcrumb Trail’ is from their seminal second album, ‘Spiderland’ (1991).
In the same year, Don Caballero were formed, in Pittsburg, USA, and are purely instrumental. Their third album, ‘What Burns Never Returns’ (1998) is highly regarded, and I’ve chosen one track from that LP.
At the end of the 1990s, a band from Illinois called American Football formed, released a self-titled debut album, then split up. This song, ‘Never meant’ is much praised among fans.
Now let’s move over to my neck of the woods, Asia, because Math Rock is global.
Tricot is a band that I mentioned in an IELTS blog. They were formed in Kyoto back in 2010, and have so far released six LPs including ‘Jodeki’ from December 2021. This video is for the song ‘Setsuyakuka’. They play music with stronger lead lines, pop-music hooks, and make a perfect introduction to Math Rock.
Also from Japan are Paranoid Void. The following video is a track from their LP ‘Literary Math’ (2017). This album may require a few plays to be fully appreciated. A lot of reviewers feel it lacks a certain punch, but try it for that laid-back feel, or if you need to study.
The video also show the guitarist’s pedal board, a collection of effects to create different guitar sounds.
Finally, let’s go to Taiwan and listen to ‘Elephant Gym’, a band blending bass lead lines and irregular, angular guitars. This is a live video and you can see how the bassist uses a technique called tapping, sometimes playing the strings on the neck of her bass with her right hand.
For more information, just look online … there are countless YouTube videos, websites and blog pages. One person has even posted a flow chart of bands, though this will be very daunting for new listeners. https://www.reddit.com/r/Emo/comments/9rx5ps/ive_created_a_large_flowchart_of_math_rock_and/
Be sure to let me know what you think. Are you in a Math Rock band, or are you interested in starting one ? Or is it simply not your cup of tea ? Thank you for taking the time to read this blog.
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.
15th January 2022
For a break from conjugating verbs (yes, I make my class recite verbs, the old-fashioned way and guess what – it works, go figure), here are some clips to chase away the grammar Blues.
Firstly, who doesn’t love a funny animal ?
How about some not so friendly animals ? One of my Top Cat students loves pandas and was adamant that they were always cute and cuddly and safe. I hated to break it to her, but the truth will out …
Occasionally a student will deliberately disobey a teacher. Recently, I reiterated some information about preventing COVID, namely not touching eyes, nose and mouth. No sooner said than a young man began ostentatiously inserting his fingers into his nostrils. What could I say ? I thought of a famous political phrase from former President Barack Obama:
You need only watch the first seven or eight seconds. You probably will watch it again, seven or eight times (unless you are the person to whom former President Obama referred).
To end on a happier note, look what you can do if you practice:
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.
14th January 2022
Match the quote to the play
To be or not to be
Now is the winter of our discontent
A plague on both your houses
Lord, what fools these mortals be !
Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears
Richard III // Romeo and Juliet // Julius Caesar // A Midsummers’ Night Dream // Hamlet
Watch an excerpt from a performance at Shakespeare’s Globe in London
This is the funeral scene from ‘Romeo and Juliet’
How much can you understand ?
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.
11th January 2022
The photo shows Tricot who are a Japanese rock band. The band, who sing in Japanese, are very talented. I would love to see them. Furthermore, I really wish to visit Japan although hotels in Tokyo cost an arm and a leg.
Let’s review the idioms and vocabulary covered in our first lessons. Let’s kick off with:
Basic idioms:
it’s raining cats and dogs
it costs an arm and a leg
piece of cake
I’m burning the candle at both ends
once in a blue moon
pass with flying colours
turn over a new leaf
put your nose to the grindstone
Let’s put it to the test – what idioms would you use ?
It’s no problem at all, it’s a __________
She needs to get a high score, I want her to ______
I must be more serious about learning piano. I have to _______
The iPhone X is very expensive, it _______
You need to stop going out every night and missing school. You need to _____________
She dances all day, then sings all night; she’s _________________
Bring an umbrella if you go to the UK, it’s always ____________
Ms Anna simply adores Chanel perfume however, because it _____________ , she only wears it __________________________________.
Relative Pronouns
This lady, who wants to work in London, is studying hard for her IELTS.
who for people:
This is the man who helped me to learn German.
which for things:
We tried fish and chips which is delicious.
where for places:
Let’s go to the shop where we saw the great bargains.
Whose possessive:
That’s Tricot, the band whose record we heard last night.
Endgame
Can you remember, what word means ‘everywhere’ ?
Can you give me an example ?
Instead of saying, “I think,” you could say … ?
Again, please give me an example.
Answers
Ubiquitous:
In Sai Gon, which is the largest city in Viet Nam, coffee shops are ubiquitous.
Motorbikes are ubiquitous in Viet Nam.
Fast food shops are ubiquitous in the USA.
In my opinion
In my opinion, learning English is incredibly important.
Sai Gon, in my opinion, is the best city in Viet Nam.
In my opinion Tricot are absolutely amazing.
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.
7th January 2022
I recently discovered this band serendipitously on YouTube, but I know very little about them.
The clip ‘Waterlilies’ I believe is from a future project, based on Mussorgsky’s ‘Pictures From An Exhibition’. The video text states that this is merely a demo, and implies that a new video will uploaded at some point.
You may recognise elements of minimalism, shoegaze, ambient and even math rock. I think I can even hear a faint tambourine half-way through the track.
See what you think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy5VPZpUGIw&t=5s&ab_channel=Chadav
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.
5th January 2021
Basic grammar is a continual problem with my online classes, that and the stubborn reluctance [contumacy for those who like to learn new words] to write down new words, or to learn from their mistakes.
Basic grammar is basically lacking.
Many older student will, I am sure, have traumatic memories of conjugating verbs endlessly, without ever applying them in real-life situations. Hence, I propose a synthesis; drilling of verb ending, and then applying them in simple sentences.
Enough preamble, let’s go to work !
The verb ‘to be’
Only teach constructions in upper level classes
I am // I’m
you are // you’re
he is // he’s
she is // she’s
it is // it’s
Mr John is // Mr John’s
we are // we’re
they are // they’re
Have students repeat until their grammar is perfect. Make games, see who can conjugate the verbs clearest and quickest.
Now … practice:
First let’s use an adjective:
happy / sad / lucky / hard-working / lazy
Let’s start with the adjective ‘happy’
I am happy // I’m happy
you are happy // you’re _______
he _____ \
she ______ \
it _______\
Mr John ______ \
we ____ \
they ______
Secondly, let’s use a continuous verb (verb + ing)
reading / playing / swimming / watching TV / eating
I am reading
you ___ _______
he __ _________
she __ _______
It __ _______
Mr John __ _____
we __ ______
they __ ________
The verb ‘to have’
I have
you have
he has
she has
it has
Ms Jane has
we have
they have
Now … practice:
Let’s use some common nouns
sister (or twin sister) / piano / dog / iPad / new book
I have a ____
you ____ ______
he ___ _________
she ___ _______
Ms Jane ____ _______
we ____ ______
they ____ _______
OK, Snoopy, enough is enough … but we have just started. More blogs to follow.
Happy 2022, the Year of the Grammar
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.
2nd January 2022
Living overseas, I sometimes miss news from the UK, one such example being the passing of British actor Paul Ritter back in April of 2021.
People in the UK will know him from the sitcom ‘Friday Night Dinner’ which ran for six series starting in 2011.
International viewers may recognise him from the HBO miniseries ‘Chernobyl’ from 2019.
Mr Ritter also appeared in the 2008 Bond film ‘Quantum of Solace’ and a film in the Harry Potter franchise, ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ from 2009.
Paul also performed in Shakespeare demonstrating his versatility, from comedy to drama, excelling in both.
I was very sad to hear of his death, and I’m not alone. Apparently some fans posted how they were in tears watching the sitcom after he died.
Tasmin Greig, his co-star in ‘Friday Night Dinner’, wrote “We all miss him terribly, an incredible actor, a true friend and a lovely human being.”
Paul Ritter 20th December 1966 – 5th April 2021
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.
30th December 2021
One of the joys of the past few years has been discovering the work of Ms Alice Sara Ott, a pianist born in 1988 of a German father and Japanese mother.
I have introduced her to some professional musicians of my acquaintance, including pianists, and they unanimously praise her playing, her tone and sensitivity.
Ms Ott, who has been recording since 2009, interprets some quintessential French classics of the late C19th and early C20th on the 2018 CD ‘Nightfall’. Debussy, Ravel & Satie are all represented.
I’d like to share this promotion film, shot in Paris, to accompany the Erik Satie piece ‘Gnossiennes No 1: Lent’:
A Happy New Year to you all
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.
27th December 2021
A compilation of exercises about this east European country, birthplace of the scientist Nicolaus Copernicus, the musician Frédéric Chopin, filmmakers Roman Polanski & Krzysztof Kieślowski and footballer Robert Lewandowski, to name just a few.
14 miles from Krakow in South Poland is this deep salt mine. Everything here has been hand-carved from blocks of salt. The mine has nine levels with over 300km of tunnels. Part of the mine is open to visitors.
The mine has 22 galleries, 64 metres to 135 metres underground. Guided tours take about two hours.
Additionally there is a chapel here measuring 54 m by 18m and 12m high. It took two men over thirty years to build. Visitors can also see an underground lake, and musicians playing brass instruments.
Pope John Paul and Bill Clinton are some of the famous visitors.
Poland is famous for its vodka, as well as its beer.
It’s beer o’clock !
What does our friend think of this Polish beer ?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUjQhsbAi6k
New vocabulary:
infamous / indication / originally / generic /bouquet / aroma /synthetic
Instead of saying ‘ let’s smell it’, he says ……..
What does he say before he drinks ?
Just by watching his expression, can you tell if he likes it ?
How does he describe the taste ?
20 Things to do in Kraków
Do you think they planned their trip well ?
If not, why not ?
story of (my / your / our) life (lives) / place was buzzing / our mood / for starters / hop aboard / simmer down / booze cruise / the place was buzzing
Did you notice any superlatives ?
(the highest, smallest, most fascinating etc)
What do you think about Krakow ?
How does it compare with your home city or town ?
Polish food and drink
Would you like to try any of the food the travellers tried ?
Were there any new expressions you heard ?
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.
Thay Paul's Notes 