4 Steps . You Learn .

When i was 18 , i had my first band manager ..He told us this ..

“Okay , Melvin , Clement , Kevin ..You guys are great when you are on your own . But as a band , you SUCK ! ”

Didn’t quite understand what was he trying to say ….until today.

Me & Joshua offered to coach a band in Music Master for Free.
This band , is a unique one . All of them were kids , they were orphanage , like 13-15 years old .They were from Myanmar .
They are the type of kids , who would wake up , eat breakfast , pick up a guitar , play it for 10 hours without stopping , eat dinner then go to sleep . Really admire them .

Individually , they were fantastic (duh , after all that practice) .Honestly , when i was 13-14 ..i couldn’t play as well as them . They were YEARS ahead of me . If i can turn back time , they would pawn me to the ground .

But as a band , they suck . My ego felt much better when i saw their first song .

There wasn’t any chemistry , no direction . It sounded like shit .
After the 2nd Chorus , they didn’t know whether they wanna repeat the chorus , or enter the bridge.
They have no idea what the chords were , all of them were “playing by ear” or following the lead guitarist . See ,  the problem with following your band mate is , your timing will be like shit .

Then , I wrote them something on a paper …and pass it to them .

1.Confirm the songs that you wanna play . Write down the chords , the riff , give everybody one copy . Make sure all of you are playing the same thing .

2.Do the arrangements , Verse 1 , Chorus , Verse 2 , Chorus 2 , Bridge , Chorus 3 etc…

3.Figure out , how you wanna Start the song , End the song , Enter the Bridge Or continue to another song .

4.Lastly , figure out something special ..such as dynamics , add some off timings , stops and attacks etc ..to make your band memorable .

Then , i left them on their own for an hour . Let them figure things out their own . I thought their individual skills is sufficient enough to figure out the rest .
When i came in the jamming studio . I swear they sounded 300% better than they were when they just started .

I taught them for 10 minutes . Let them figure for 1 hour . I see results . mmmm , i like the investment and return-investment ratio . Maybe i should do this more often .

I suggest you apply this simple 4 steps. When you wanna learn a song .

1.Figure out the CHORDS first
2.Learn the arrangements
3.Learn the song’s characteristic .Study how it builds itself , and how it ends.
4.Improvise .

I realized , alot of guitarist ALWAYS skip Step 1 , 2 , and 3 …and straight away go to Step 4 . Find out what key the song is in , then solo straight right ?

Let me ask you , what did you learn ? Nothing .
I don’t wanna treat my bandmates like some “backing track” that i just solo over . I want my band to know my solo . So that they can ATTACK together with me when i am just about to give that POWER orgasm bend , I want them to go easy on the volumes when there are parts where i want my vibrato to be crystal clear . I want my bassist to Hold his note when i am about to shred . Get the idea ?

This post kinda Reminds me of the Golden Eye Concept …Can apply sial .Fuh.

The Best Product in the World

Okay , back to my favorite topic , business .

When i was young , i like to think “what is the best product in the world?”

I made a list when i was 17 years old . The best product in the world must be .

1) Very sellable , the demand exceeds the supply  .. everybody wants a piece of it .

2) Very low cost & high profit margin

3) Do not need to keep stock , so that i can apply JIT system

4) Of course , a high quality product that can grow and expand ..to Overseas market.

5) very little competition , or none .

6) A service or Skill that ONLY i can offer ..

I thought of many things ..Such as Insurance , Cars , New Burger Chain Store , Computer game , DRIVING SCHOOL (My fav) , Cinema , Amusement park , drugs ..heck , i even thought of selling MALAYSIAN PORN .

Lots of crazy ideas ..but , most of them are either illegal , or i need ALOT of Capital to start ..

Then , here comes WORKING LIFE ..(Started teaching guitar when i was 17)

I found out ,  there are 2 different types of product .. Both different nature..

1.Group A : High Price , low quantity

High price , low quantity ..think BMW Cars …Only rich people can afford . Every month you sell ..maybe 50 units ? But the profit margin per sale is ALOT .

2.Group B : Low price , lots of quantity

Low price , lots of quantity , think , Tesco , Air Asia , Giant , Shampoo , Soap ..products that MANY people can afford and use . Every month 100,000 Sales , but you only earn RM1-RM20 per sale .

Which is better ? Same lah…

Group A will always argue that the profit earned from a SINGLE sale , is equivalent to Group B’s 10,000 Sale . All they need to  do is work on their TRAFFIC and their quantity .

Group B will always argue , because they have the quantity , they are more flexible ..they can have multiple streams of incomes , such as ADVERTISING to their audience and make group B pay for the advertising fees . The problem though , is Group B will have high overheads ..they need to hire alot of people ..can you imagine 10,000 customers dealing with  2 customer service rep ? LOL . Plus , the profit they earned per sale is RM1 ..what if its a hard ass demanding customer , is it worth all that trouble for that RM1 profit ?

Same lah , this argument can go on and on ..Its a good topic if you’re in the mood of debating . Quality Vs Quantity . Traditional never ending argument .

Back to myself , 18 years old kid . Once again , I was looking for the best product in the world . This is where i found the BALANCE ..selling GUITARS ..a perfect balance between quantity and quality . Other balance industry to consider are : fine dining , used cars , handphones , computers .. But they have ALOT of competition , so let us not get into there..

Okay , so business started…I became a guitar reseller when i was 19 …after 3 years , I started Music Master .Before Music Master , i thought i was selling the best product in the world ..but i was wrong ..

One day , while i was clearing my cupboard in my room , I found the list that i created when i was 17 years old (On top of this post) ..i realized , being in a guitar business .

1.Not very low cost

2.I need to keep stock

3.Fair amount of competition

4.MOST of the products , the supply exceeds the demand .

I realized , people wasn’t buying from me because i am selling BEST PRODUCT IN THE WORLD . I went on , tried to figure what’s wrong and what’s right ..soon , i got myself into the sound & lights , events , advertising and consultation industry ..

Then , I finally understood ,

The Best Product in the world ,

is YOU , YOUR BUSINESS & YOUR NETWORK .

Which basically means , contacts , people you know  , people you work with and people who work for you..yeah ..Networking . You always hear working people say shit like “its not what you know , but who you know” ..man don’t take it lightly ok , its SERIOUS SHIT. You’re in deep shit if you don’t have a strong network .

Let me give you an example .

I got a friend . Who has huge network with the government . Government love him so much and they gave him a contract . The contract was , he gets to be the official “Printer” for SPM , PMR & UPSR Test paper .

My friend , who got the contract . Charged the government RM0.10 per piece . Then he went to 5 other small photocopy companies and get them to do the dirty work . He paid them RM0.03 per piece .

He earned like mad .Imagine how much he makes ..by doing nothing  , he doesn’t even have a photocopy machine . All he has is a business license , a priceless contract and a name card .

*Not to mention his “extra income” by selling Pre-SPM paper to Kiasu students .

Example two :

Another friend , who is earning RM2000-RM3000 through Forex . Met up with me and introduced me to the world of Forex , He showed me its potential , how can it make money while he is sleeping . The business is autopilot .

All i need to do is , join his “group” and his “group” will teach me .

I told him , “Forex makes you money , but i know the REAL money is to TEACH people how to make money with forex “

True enough , joining his group would require to pay RM3500 per person . Imagine if i am the owner of the training company , and i have a network of lets say …100 people joining a MONTH ?!! Plus i can impose Subscription fees & membership fees , not to mention selling the software , subscription fee’s for the software , upgrades for the software , organizing bootcamps & seminars for forex . A super money generating business .

.

Other examples :

Selling Insurance makes you money , but the real money is owning a network of Insurance Sellers

Selling Beauty Products via direct selling makes you money , but the real money is owning THE network , and supplying them the products

Opening Mcdonalds and selling burgers makes you money , but the real money is OWNING the BRAND , supplying your network of franchises.

Being a Pilot , makes you money , but the real money is owning Air Asia and pay YOUR Pilot .

Being Bentley and sell guitars makes money , but the real money is …owning Ibanez co . itself . Manufacturing guitars every month .  Getting your international network of guitar stores such as Guitar Center , Bentley , Swee Lee to carry IBANEZ so that they bow down to you .

Do you wanna know how to retire young ?

You sell your business & your network , for a big chunk of money .

Network is the SHIT .

Don’t think what product should you sell ..

Think …how do i build my network. Today .

Guitar Shops in Taiwan Part 5 ! . SHRED TAIWAN !

SEE ! I TOLD YOU SO !

Remember this ?

Oscars ‘10 - Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score Goes to

UP (2009)

My predictions IS 100% OK !

Who wants Consultation on Betting World Cup

(Actually , it doesn’t work when I AM BETTING , I always lose when i bet . But when i do not bet , i always win )

Okay , lets get over and end the Shred Taiwan Saga. Shit man , i can’t believe i am going to Indonesia in 2 weeks time . I better finish this last post before i get there ..

last time we were HERE, just about to enter the VIP room .

Ok , here we are…

Unlike other VIP rooms that i’ve been . (The usual VIP rooms loaded with Gibsons , PRS , Vintage Fenders …those very sellable ONES lah) ..This VIP room’s concept is slightly different .

The guitars in the VIP room , are more like “players guitar” , not the usual “collector’s guitar” area..

That is the interesting thing of shopping in Singapore , Malaysia & Taiwan for guitar stuff…

In U.S , everything is the same . Sam Ash , Guitar Center …all you do is walk into one and compare price .

Here , at least we have unique shops leh ..

On the wall : Taylor’s Guitar . Tried a few . Okay , don’t ask me about the price tag . It will scare you off . Wasn’t really impressed with it …in terms of value for money..

Lots of SGs and LPs …Actually , i wanted to ask ..why the hell did he use that material on the wall ? temperature? Then what’s the point of the spot lights above ?

A JP Musicman Going for RM6800-RM7000 . Pretty okay prices .

Musicman Bass , with the Fan

Spot the Messa

Now this is what i’m talking about …Very High end Jacksons , with a Sweet ESP on the right ..

Jackson & ESP Shredders would love it .I really dig the third Jackson from the back right , reminds me of my Fender Splattercaster .

PRS , Ibanez J customs , Gibson ZW !!!

Some weirdo guitars in the VIP ..I think its by ESP . And it is SUPER EXPENSIVE too …

Honestly , its my FIRST time meeting this 2 guitars in person . Usually i see this on the internet and thought “which guitar store will stock this up ? for what ? “ ..

I nearly tried , but i think the people around will stare cock at me ..they will probably think ..

“Huh ? Malaysians are into THIS KINDA GUITAR?”

So i gave in to external validation . i did it for Malaysia .

So yeah , there you go . Biggest Music Shop in Taiwan ..

Now , i am inspired to create a VIP room for Music Master …I need to

1. Bring in more high end guitars . (Actually , i just brought in a Gibson ..and it was sold after 2 days ) I do not have a multi 6 digit capital to bring in a range of high end guitars .

2.Destroy one of the Jamming Studios , and make a VIP room . (very possible)

3.Or , move …to a bigger location

Wow , not easy eh?

It seems that everywhere also putting VIP room , Bentley , Evolution Music , Guitar Collection (VIP Section) ..

Are GUITAR STORES PRACTICING CLASSISM ? separating the poor buyers from the rich buyers .

Or is it , too many people go guitar raping and end up not buying , so they need a “room” for serious buyers .

I am a guy who believes in testing and feeling before buying . You can always test my guitars at Music Master , no matter who you are , whether you have the money or not .

Come to think about it , even I do it. Thank God my suppliers are friendly enough to let me test drive the guitar , before i order them . If they treat me this way , why can’t i treat others this way?

I rather spend some money to travel , make sure i know who i am dealing with , make sure the guitars are alright , at least try to TEST IT OUT , Then only buy .

I know i could have gone “online” , deal with them through email and get the stocks in . But hell no , i will only do that if i have someone who is TRUSTABLE on the other side of the country , or at least someone i personally know, who will be responsible .

The trend of people buying “online” is getting more and more popular , i am OKAY with that , but remember , the numbers of internet scams are increasing . You might wanna keep that in mind . Always , test before you buy . If not , go for a reputable or a trustful seller that provides great after sales service .

RATING for ATB Tony’s Music World : 8 out of 10

Okay , since i’ve finish my Guitar Shops in Taiwan ..and i am a random person . I wanna rant about some shit that happened today

I opened jamtank , and i saw this .

Like wtf man ? Jamtank is gonna be another lelong.com.my ?  Lun did a great job by voicing out . But he got turned down . I think having multiple threads is fine , but bumping 20 threads at one time to flood the whole thing ? Just create a blog and put everything in lah .

Btw , i have a cool new product , check this out .

Paratuss Penguin