small alley

About this blog

The name of this blog is small alley. As in an alley, I hope to post a variety of things that I find interesting and as you walk through the alley, you would find things that you like.

I have posted some songs that I wrote. I am not a great singer. I sing and play the guitar purely for fun and I hope people who thinks they can't sing can be inspired by me. No former singing lessons and no former guitar training. Just pure fun......

The recording is also done at home with a drum machine and one guitar through a small amp. The sound file has been touched up slightly by removing the noise. Otherwise the songs are as original as it gets.

I practise Taiji regularly. For me, it is a great exercise requiring control of mind and body to perform well and for it to be enjoyable. You can get more videos of Taiji from YouTube.

Other posts include places and events that I think are interesting and more important, which I have time to upload.

Enjoy your walk through this small alley.....

Friday, November 8, 2024

祝福 - Sally Yeh

Like this Canto oldie by Sally Yeh. Heard it when I was quite young.

Sunday, November 3, 2024

The Great Pretender - The Platters

Jamming by myself.

Sunday, October 13, 2024

往事只能回味 - 尤雅

Jamming to a very old Mandarin classic.

If I were to translate the title, it would be The Past Can Only Be Remembered.

Monday, October 7, 2024

Your Request - Mark Leong

Was jamming (improvising) to a backing track and a friend requested for the notation. So I decided to write it as close to the improvised version and tried playing it in 4 different ways.

You can download the scores here:

Diatonic harmonica (red = draw, black = blow)

Leadsheet format

Nashville notation

Friday, September 13, 2024

Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace (Prayer of St Francis)

A popular hymn. Added a walking bassline.

Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace

(Prayer of St Francis)

Sunday, September 1, 2024

一件礼物 - 作词：叶薇心作曲：吴文栋

A Mandarin hymn introduced to me by someone from China.

For the guitar solo, I played to this score (capo 5).

For the piano solo (chorus), I played too this score (in key of C).

Using the Jianpu (Nashville) notation, I find that I just have to change chords and the melody notations remain the same. I played the guitar solo in G as I find that it is easier to finger.

Friday, August 9, 2024

好兄第 - Mark Leong

My first composition in mandarin. Hope you like it.

好兄第