Rolling Stone Middle East

Last weekend, I went to Virgin Megastore to search for a book. As I was about to leave, I noticed a certain Rolling Stone magazine at the cashier. I picked one up and I was sure that it was the Rolling Stone magazine, not a flyer or ad. I stood in line to buy it! :)

It turns out it's the first issue of the "Middle East Rolling Stone". I had noticed a stand at Virgin Megastore a month ago but I didn't quite understand what it was for. Apparently, the magazine is now customized. It brings the foreign/Hollywood news and at the same time covers some local events and regional news about music and artists. I found it to be a cool idea.

What I loved most was the "Editor's Notes". The title of the note is Music Matters. The editor, Adam Grundey, expresses his thoughts about how music is perceived in the Middle East and how he thinks it should take more importance in people's lives. He says that music is an "after-thought", "background noise" when it should be part of our society. For music lovers, it's a sad fact but we have the chance to change that and give people a taste of what exactly music does to life. Grundey says: "It's our hope that ROLLING STONE MIDDLE EAST will be the catalyst for increased awareness in the region of the value of music to society, whether it be - as Hugo suggested - an outlet for emotions that otherwise have no outlet, a source of consolation in troubled times, a way of bringing together people from diverse cultures and traditions, or just an excuse to have a blast." Well said! ;) I know this is free publicity for the magazine, but hey, who doesn't like the Rolling Stone!

Now put on some music and enjoy ~

My favorite instrument: the elegant piano

My favorite instrument is the piano. When I listen to someone playing the piano, I get the goosebumps and sometimes, it even makes me cry. That is because it was always my intention to learn how to play the piano but I never had the chance to complete the necessary courses to play properly. I have learned the piano twice in my life and I have stopped at some point. I now own a keyboard and am learning on my own, which is the hardest way but nonetheless a way for a person with a strong will.

The difficulty lies in the techniques used to learn how to memorize the notes on the music sheet and on the piano and never forget them. I reckon the best way is to practice every day and be committed. Every person seems to have a way in which to visualise which notes lie where on the scale and on the piano at once. It mustn't be hard but one must never forget to practice as the exercise will refresh the memory and make the thought clearer in the mind.

It is not hard to play an instrument as long as one has the time, patience and will to learn and invest in this passion. The result of this hard work is surely rewarding as one will better enjoy the beauty of music whether alone or with others. Playing an instrument is an art in which one expresses his/her joys, pains, love, anger, and a multitude of feelings that others also feel and enjoy listening to.

Music is a universal language that makes the world seem bright when it is dark, pretty when it gets ugly, light when its weight becomes heavy, simple when it looks complicated. Everything becomes more agreeable with music. To me, the piano is that one instrument that soothes all stresses and pains. It has such a delightful sound that makes one wonder, wander and get lost in space and time. I'd very much like to some day own a white grand piano. It's a pleasure to look at, I'm sure it must be amazing to play on it!

Lebnan: ya ot3it sama (Lebanon, oh piece of heaven)

I just came back from a trip to Lebanon. Lebanon is always great to visit. There's so much life in this country! Everyone should visit at least once. Anyway, you won't need more to get hooked and keep coming back. Take a look at all the countries that want a piece of it! I don't want to get political but the situation speaks for itself.

So, when I was there, I got the chance to meet a wonderful lady, Aline Aoun, a woman who lived her life through music, with music and from music. I took a few vocal lessons with her and it made a big difference. She taught me a very essential thing that I knew but never understood. It's actually pretty hard to teach  singing techniques, I realized. One should sing using the diaphragm. That's something I've always heard and been told but never knew how to actually master. When I sang to her, she noticed something very important. I was using all the energy I had to come out with the words and sustain them. My veins were popping out!

She literally gave me a mirror to look at my throat and at that moment, I got it. Something as simple as a demonstration makes a big difference. She took the time to familiarize me with the function of my lungs, my diaphragm, my chest; how the air was coming in and going out (a normal process that I use to stay alive!) So, take the time to feel your body move with the air that is flowing through it. I also learned a few exercises that are used in yoga. As a matter of fact, breathing exercises are used in more than just singing lessons ;) They are a good way of maintaining balance.

Apparently, a lot of people sing very well but eventually lose their voices because they don't know how to sing properly. It's important to pay attention to the details in music or else one will not entirely appreciate its beauty and grandeur! The surface is beautiful but what lies in the core is often magnificent.

When I was in Lebanon, I would go walking every morning in the neighborhood I live in and I would feel the sun on my skin and the wind in my face. Then I'd get to an altitude and look at the spectacular landscape of mountains surrounding me. There, I would do my vocal exercises. It's so refreshing and energizing to be in a natural place and experience this feeling of comfort and peace. PEACE!

Peace be with you Lebanon on that day of independence and every day! Happy Independence Day dear country and countrymen. Preserve this piece of heaven.

Today's song: Lebnan, ya ot3it sama. Listen to the song on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pUUBER_tu4&feature=related or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRNu0EycXJM



Lebanese Flag



Healthy Competition?

It's amazing how competitive people become in the fine arts; whether we are looking at music, photography, painting, etc. I do not understand why it has to be a constant competition among the artists since everyone has something special to present. The field looks more like an unbalanced sumo tourmanent than a healthy competition.

It always strikes me as a surprise when I meet people who speak so highly of one artist but try to put another down. It does not make sense to me and it makes me think how limited and narrow-minded these people are. And so many are! The beauty of life on earth is that every individual is unique and has the ability to give something special and different to share with the rest of the world. That is how societies develop and people are interconnected.

It's when a person works on what God gave him/her as a gift and shares it with others that the true meaning of life manifests itself. Everyone has a talent that needs to be developed and worked upon. It's enough to have to work on that for a lifetime!

There is no need to break others to make yourself look good. A job well done can be seen even miles away... So, as long as one has something beautiful and original to offer people, there is no need to sacrifice him/her on any alters. Healthy competition that encourages others to give their best is favorable and essential. However, I'd rather have the haters keep their bad intentions, jealousy, envy and spite to themselves.

\ Music Industry: A Spider Web /

It's heartbreaking to realise that something as beautiful as singing is part of an industry as corrupt as the one present nowadays. The music industry is a mystery to many as it is not a field all people consider entering. Most people study business, engineering, law, biology, etc. and search for jobs that bring in a stable income that allows them to live a decent life. Many societies encourage their people to express themselves and give them the chance to sing, compose music, form bands and succeed in the music industry. Unfortunately, the one I am in is not very approving and encouraging.

There are a lot of difficulties to becoming a singer/performer because of all the "mysteries" of the industry that you have to discover and learn about and all the complexities you have to understand and overcome. The process is not easy, not fast, not enjoyable! For example, did you know the conditions in a contract with a record label?  If not then start asking and searching for an answer to that question. What about all the other questions you still have to ask? e.g.: Where do I start? How do I produce my own CD? Where do I record my music? Who do I speak to in order to distribute my music? Do radios play music for free or should one pay them? The list is long and the answers, not obvious.

Besides all the stress that comes from thinking about all those matters, one has to be very tolerant to criticism and people's "talks". The impression that people outside the music industry have about those inside it is mostly notorious. Artists sometimes do things that are not approved by people as they often like to come out with new and provocative ideas. As artists are mostly in the public eye, they are harshly criticized, vigorously examined and brutally judged upon. If only people knew what they went through to get there, how much they work to stay there, and what burdens they bear.

My aim is to enlighten others to certain realities that people who are not directly interested in music/singing take for granted. I believe in the goodness of people, the power of each individual and the WILL that finds a way to manifest one's dreams. What I mean to say is that you should take things in your own hands, practice, read, ask questions, open your eyes, give yourself time, have patience, try as many things as possible, and give yourself every chance to become who you want to be. The internet is a very prominent tool that is empowering individuals. So today, remember that you have the power of change, at least to change your own life. The rest will come to you with hard work, persistence and a lot of patience.

As I thought of all these things, a dark cloud filled my mind. Having seen me in a troubled mood, my hero, my mom gave me her words of wisdom: "Everything is around you!" And I clicked! Of course, everything IS around me. I just need to use what I need of "everything" and mold it into "something" that is mine. ;)

That's my advice for you today.

Wedding Performance: "Because you loved me"

Don't you love weddings? I think it's amazing to watch two people get married. What a conviction they must have! :) I don't know about other religions but in Christianity, some verses are read during a wedding ceremony in church and I always feel like I want to get married too! It sounds like such a great adventure (much to the disagreement of  actually married people :)

What about wedding receptions? It's always fun and exciting to see what performances are going to take place, what song are the bride and groom going to dance on, what food is going to be presented? I once sang at a wedding, my cousin's (Sabine's) wedding. Sabine, I send you all my love girl! I remember very well how we prepared for the song before the wedding and how I used to practice in front of her so that she's sure I can sing it, especially that it was going to be the song of the first dance!

 I was young and I had been told several times that I had a beautiful voice by people. It was definitely an experience. I went to the location of the wedding a bit early and I practiced on the stage. A very well known violinist, Jihad Akl, was to be present at the reception and perform. He was to also play the music of the song "Because you loved me" live while I was performing. I was so nervous because I hadn't practiced with him previously.

I had a couple of champagne glasses before the performance and anyone who sings knows how bad drinking  alcohol is for someone who is about to perform!! My throat was dry! So, the time came and I went up to sing. It was very hard to listen to the background music and follow the violin at the same time, especially that we were outdoors. At the beginning, I felt a bit uncomfortable but I ended up performing to the best of my ability. I did well. I thought I could do much better, but I guess that's normal! (Self-critisicm)

A small advice to anyone who is to perform with a live band: Practice with the band/musician before the actual act as you need to make sure you are comfortable with the pace, the loudness of the music, and that you are still able to hear yourself.

I wish I could share the video of the peformance with you but I do not hold a copy of it currently. Maybe on another occassion. I do have pictures though. :)

"S'il suffisait d'aimer" sang by Mayoushka

"S'il suffisait d'aimer" sang by Maya Mady by Mayoushka

AMOR A LA MEXICANA by Maya Mady by Mayoushka

AMOR A LA MEXICANA by Maya Mady by Mayoushka

"S'il Sufisait D'aimer" sang by ME

Today is the 1st of November. I can't believe how quickly the year passed by! It must have been a good one... Well, I wouldn't complain but I hope the coming year brings even more challenges and fulfills more ambitions.

Here's an achievement of mine: a recording I would like to share with you called "S'il Suffisait d'aimer" for my favorite singer Celine Dion. It was not easy to record it. I noticed after several recording trials that French songs have their own specificity and need specific training exercises. The words sound different from English or Spanish. There is an intensity that certain words need and ways to end a phrase or repeat another.

I'm glad to share this song with you today (I know you've been waiting)... A beautiful French song that makes us think of a world where it's enough to just love.

Listen to it on http://www.mayamidiva.tumblr.com/