Merry Christmas to everyone! Wish all of you have a warm christmas!

YOWECH

About 2 hours driving all the way from Melaka to Bangsar yesterday. Had private lesson with one of the greatest fingestyles guitar player in the country, Az Samad (www.azsamad.com).
Az waited me at the mamak store near his apartment. He look still the same, friendly & very easy going. Arrived his apartment & he introduced his mum (very kind & nice lady). She wished me before she left. You definately will be amaze when you see those books collection in the apartmet. It's like buildings all over the living hall.
We get started in lesson very direct into what I request from alternate tuning. And follow by the rest of lessons about chords formation & so on which helps alot to me for my compositions. He also shares his experiences in Berklee. He really enjoy teaching as he lecture & demontracting none stop for 2 hours. The 2 hours of lesson which really help me tremendously.
We went down for a drink & met his mum & dad (Yes, the greatest poerty writer in the country Dato Samad). It's really an honour!
I left after the short chat & drink. Look forward for Az's upcoming concert in Jan 2008 at Sedaya College. It's a MUST GO!

Due to my busy teaching schedules, finally that I manage to sit down & write something about the MIGFEST.

I arrived KL & go straight away to Edward's place. Pass him his favorite Bru Coffee, chat for a while & help him to do some guitar stuff... Went out later to keep some stuff & have a drink & straight away go back again for work. Later in the evening, after shower go for my favorite "Lo Bak & Bak Gut Teh" near his place & go straight to MTC for Don Alder's concert after that.

Arrived MTC about 7.30pm, scouting around & snaped some photos of Don's guitars.

It's a Mustapik Baritone (Spruce/Bubinga) & Yamaha LLX36C.


Jia Ming arrived just in time before the concert with my ticket. We went in & the concert begin in less than 10mins time.

Both of us like ......................... after Don's first super heavy body-hitting music. One after another... Oh, man! Is him really Human Being??? During the intermission, we met up with Zahari. His first word was "is his (Don) hand made of steel?" Seriously, you have see to believe. After the show, I went straight to his autograft section. His really nice & full of sense of humour. He signed for us, & someone (who I later know him, Raymond) ask him about his Greenfields guitar. "A USD$20k's guitar worth nothing now as it cracked everywhere." What??? Ya, it's true. Well, I can't eve afford to cracked a Yamaha....

Second day afternoon, took a easy lunch with Edward. Pack my stuff & go straight to Don's workshop. He is so nice that presented all the attendees with his scores & cd which included a few of his songs & scores. Get to know some nice chap like Kenny Tay & Raymond. Both great players.

After Don's workshop. We went for sound check for the Grand Final of 1st Malaysia Fingerstyles Guitar Competition. And we finally meet each other, the finalists. Jia Ming, BK, Alfie (can't recall properly) & myself.

Later in evening, meet up with Choong wo all the way from Singapore after attending a wedding. Jia Ming, Choong & myself went for dinner in KLCC. Take a short break in the MTC mainhall after dinner. We went in about 8pm.

Able to watch Don & Roger Wang duet before the show start. Damn cold at the backstage. We are actually walking around talking but not really practicing. Then, managed to show Roger my guitar & he played it. I think (maybe) will soon get a Freeman guitar! Hahaha!

Jia Ming was the first to play, follow by Bk, Alfie & me. It's like flashing & all of us done. Intermission then, we went down the hall. Meet up with Choong. Saw Mr. Yong K F for Yamaha, Geoffery who I met in the guitar camp last year. So nice to met them here. The show start again, Stan Zamfirescu from Romania begin his performance. Great classical guitarist. Although is classical guitar music but all of us really enjoy due to his skillful technique. Roger Wang, our M'sia's Tommy Emmanuel perform next. As usual, he please all of his with his jazzy fingerpicking tunes. Then, Don Alder perform. He played those tunes he played in the concert day before. But still shack all of us from our seat. Amazing player. Lastly, Roger duet with Don. Superb performance by 2 of the best player around.

The most awaiting moment has arrived. Result! Before that, Don as the judge leader give comments on all the contestants. Now, the result... The runner-up goes to.... Alfie! He is really a great player. And the Grand Champion goes to Jia Ming! Congratulation, man! He walked away with Jeffery Yong's custom JJ jumbo which priced at USD$6k!! Woooowww! He really overjoy & don't know what to say.. We congratulate each other and finally the event comes to the end.

I drive back with Choong straight away to Melaka. Really thanks to Choong for supporting & shooting photos for me. Thanks alot, man! It's really nice to know there's so many fine fingerstyles players here in Malaysia. Look forward to meet up again in the next upcoming event.