Master Real Music Reading Skills Step-by-Step Without Feeling Confused or Overwhelmed Again

Find out more about Alexander

• When did you first develop a passion for music and your favorite instrument?

  I first realized that I truly had a passion for music when I was 9 years old. At that time, I loved listening to a lot of Indonesian pop songs as well as Western pop music. My favorite instrument back then was the guitar. However, nowadays, my favorite instruments are the piano, guitar, and ukulele.

• Is there a particular type of music or artist that you listen to on a loop without it driving you crazy?

  Yes, there is. I can listen to the same songs over and over again, like those from Oh Wonder, Moonchild, Hiatus Kaiyote, Depapepe, and others.

• Explain to us the most difficult or riveting course you could personally give to a student of music.

  Composing and arranging original songs. I believe that every creative process in music is a unique journey, with new surprises each time we work on a song. For me, this is a process of inward exploration, which can be triggered or influenced by anything around us, leading us to create something new.

• What do you think is the most complicated instrument to master and why?

  In my opinion, each instrument has its own motoric demands, but for me personally, the most complex instrument so far has been the trumpet. The trumpet only has three valves, so you need to adjust various scale combinations accordingly. Additionally, you have to think like a singer when playing the trumpet-focusing on proper diaphragmatic breathing and the right way to blow the mouthpiece to produce a good tone. For me, that's a challenging task.

• What are your keys to success?

  For me, curiosity, consistency, and persistence are the keys to success.

• Name three musicians you dream of meeting in your favorite bar in the early hours of the morning. Explain why.

  Depapepe (Miura Takuya & Tokuoka Yoshinari)-I just want to get to know the two people who inspired me to dive into the world of music in the first place.
  Miles Davis-I'd like to understand what the key factors are that make someone a pioneer, as he was a pioneer of Jazz Fusion.
  Russell Ferrante (Yellowjackets' Keyboardist)-I want to learn more about the various harmony concepts he uses.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to music or your days at music school.

  When I entered music school, we could clearly see who had superior abilities compared to others. However, over time, some of the people I thought would shine, because they were exceptionally talented, ended up struggling to graduate. Meanwhile, those who were initially average or even below average have become active musicians in the industry and are making a living from it. So, I believe that curiosity, consistency, persistence, and a good attitude are the keys to success, even if you don't start with superior abilities.

• What are the little touches that make you a Superprof in music?

  I love being asked a ton of questions to satisfy my students' curiosity about music, even outside of class. I also pay close attention to and assess my students' musicality so that I can provide the right material. I usually build personal relationships with my students so I can better understand their motivations for learning music in the first place, which helps me adjust my approach and the material accordingly.