Q: What kind of music did you listen to as a child?
Mom: Vietnamese children songs; those kiddy songs about flowers and the alphabet.
Q: How did you listen to music, i.e. what technology did you use?
A: Music class was a requirement for every grade, so I listened to a lot of music that was taught in school. There were also cassettes, CD's, and the TV.
Q: Was there any dancing involved? Why or why not?
A: Not when I listened to music by myself. I only danced for my school's competitions. I even got on TV! Back then they had a channel for schools every where to enter talented students. I was entered 3 times
Q: What sort of environment did you listen to music in?
A: Since I was born to about 15 or 16, I had always lived in a military base kind of environment, because your grandfather was part of the army; he was the captain! Our whole family lived with other soldiers' families. All of the houses there were surrounded by gates, and police were standing outside guarding day and night. I even went to school there, so all of the music I learned was from family and school. Music time was every day at my school.
Q: How did your parents or teachers feel about your music of choice?
A: They didn't mind since all I knew was what they taught me. Your grandfather taught me tango music. I even sang in your grandfather's band lots of times, especially when they had parties. He played the drums for his band in the army.
Q: Did you play an instrument or sing yourself?
A: I only sang. I had a friend who played the guitar for me. As for performance, they arranged instrumentalists for me.
Q: Did you ever want to a become famous singer?
A: No, I didn't want to, but I was anyways (laughs hahaha..)
Q: Why did you listen to music? Were there any situations that caused you to turn to certain kinds of music?
A: What do you mean why? I simply liked and enjoyed it.
No, I picked music regardless of whatever kind of day I'm having.
Annie: ..Any special occasions where music was your savior?
Mom: Well, I did run to music whenever I was stressed out by homework.
Q: Were you ever exposed to music outside of your own culture? How so, and what was it like?
A: Mostly Vietnamese and some American songs taught by your grandfather that were extremely easy to learn.
Annie, I liked reading your blog because of the different perspective it offered. As both of my parents are Westerners and had the typical Western musical experience, I enjoyed learning about your mother's experience with Vietnamese music. I'm especially envious of how she was taught music every single day, as part of her school life. And it's pretty fabulous that she was taught tango music. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is all very interesting. How fantastic that your mother was in dance competitions for her school! Does she ever dance for you?
ReplyDelete