Melodies Of Pain

MELODY 22: The Composer And The Lyricist

Chapter 22

"Stronger breath intensity, moderate volume, lower jaw positions and it's darker."

I was listening and looking at Coach Eva from the transparent mirror inside the recording studio as she enumerates the levels and quality of my voice today. I smiled even more when she said it's perfect.

Later on, she let me sing another song again and this time it's an OST from the Disney movie, Mulan. I nodded excitingly and waited for the music to be played. This is one of my favorite disney songs.

"Look at me, I would never pass for a perfect bride or a perfect daughter
Cannot be, I am not meant to play this part
Now i see that I if i truly be myself
I would break my family's heart"

"Who is that girl I see
Staring straight back at me
Why is my reflection someone I don't know
Who is that perfect bride
It's not me, though I tried
When will my reflection show who am I inside..."

I opened my eyes once again after singing. Nakita kong sumandal si Coach Eva sa inuupuan niyang swivel chair at tumatangong nakatingin sa'kin. I may not see it but I can sense that she wants to smile. Lumabas na ako sa recording room at umupo sa tapat niya.

"Your version is clear and anchoring. You are mastering the breathing adjustmenst already." sabi niya at hindi man lang ako tinignan dahil nakatuon ang mga mata niya sa papel na nasa kamay niya.

"Thank you, Coach. Malaking tulong nga ata 'yong pagtakbo ng sampung beses sa circle." mahina akong tumawa at inabot ang gitara na nasa gilid ng sofa na inuupuan ko.

"You look determined and inspired on your training after your day off last Sunday,"

I stopped strumming and giggled. "Masyado po bang halata?"

Hindi siya sumagot o tumingin man lang sa'kin pero tumango siya. Inspired naman ako simula pa noon pero mukhang mas na inspired ata noong nasa studio ako ni Kuya Elliot. Medyo nabuhayan ata ako ng espiritu no'ng araw na 'yon. Maliban din naman sa rason na 'yon, palapit na rin ang debut date namin ni Pachiko kaya mas pursigido kami.

Napansin ko rin na hindi na masyadong harsh si Coach Eva sa'kin. Pagkatapos din ng day off at bumalik kami sa training ay maayos na siyang nakikipag usap sa'kin. Palagi na lang siyang tahimik at nagsasalita lang kapag kailangan. Minsan naabutan ko siyang dito sa studio, nakatunganga sa harap ng piano.

Nilapag niya sa harap ko ang papel na kanina niya pa hawak. Itinabi ko muna ang gitara para matignan ko ng maayos kung anong meron sa papel na 'yon. It was the lyrics that I wrote last time here and as I far as I remember, it was unfinished.

"You wrote that right?"

"Opo pero hindi ko natapos 'yon e, bakit parang tapos na 'to?" tanong ko.

Aside from the fact that it's already printed, some notes are jotted there. Sabi niya ay tinapos niya ang pagsusulat nito pero konti lang naman ang dinagdag niya saka niya inayos.

"I figured out that you write lyrics very well. You emphasize the emotions and experience," she retorted, entertwining her own hands together. "The CEO agreed that we will going to handle the work of your first song."

Unti unting namilog ang mga mata ko ng marinig ko ang sinabi niya. Wait, tama ba narinig ko? Masaya ako na may debut song na ako pero mas masaya ako dahil ako mismo ang nagsulat sa lirikong 'yon. I am very overwhelmed with this news! Oh God, I might cry!

"It's all set so we will focus on the beat making or maybe we'll ask a music composer to help us." sabi niya at parang may iniisip sandali. "I know who."