Guitarists of Singapore (GOS) - Jin An

 

 

Age: 26

Occupation: Musician

Style: Acoustic

No. of years of playing the guitar: 7-8 years

No. of hours spent on the guitar per week: Almost everyday, duration depends on what I do with it (eg. songwriting or recording or practising). I guess around 1-3 hours on average?

Guitar/ music qualifications: ABRSM Theory Grade 8, Practical (for classical guitar) Grade 3, haha I stopped after awhile in school.

Gig/ competition experience: I used play a regular set at Hood Bar for about a year, but now I mostly do performances as they come along, and they are more like showcases. For example, (HuaYi, Switch, Starkers, or overseas in Chengdu or Taiwan) Competitions wise, I joined NTU Music Express back in 2012 where I was lucky enough to get champion.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/cheng.jin.an.page/ 

Instagram: chengjinan

 

How did you get acquainted with guitar playing?

 

My father had an old guitar in the cupboard, and I used to take it out to play and act as if I could sing along.

 

Then at around 17, I joined the Guitar Ensemble in my school and learned to play the classical guitar in a group with everyone else. Soon after, I started to try learning to play pop songs on my own.

 

I was learning to play classical piano as well then, and as I started to write my own songs, I wondered how it would be different to write with the guitar instead. And then I fell in love with the guitar

 

Describe your first experience playing on a guitar.

 

I don't remember much of it because I was really young, and just playing and singing for fun.

 

However, I do remember the first time I strummed a chord on my first acoustic guitar. The sounds produced from the vibrating strings were wondrous and I felt very happy playing and listening to the sound the guitar makes. It has always felt very close to heart.

 

What is the best thing about being a guitarist?

 

I guess the best thing is quite simply, just playing the guitar. Sometimes I feel very connected to the instrument and the way it expresses the emotions I want to convey, and that is a very special feeling that is irreplaceable.

 

Describe your most memorable guitar-related incident.

 

Haha this is a little difficult to answer, there are so many! I guess the first time a string broke on me was pretty shocking for me.

 

I think it was after a flight, and I had loosened all the strings and I wanted to tune them back. After tuning all the low strings I finally reached the high E string and because I didn't expect it, I turned the peg way too much and the string just snapped and cut my finger. Okay, not a fun anecdote but, Moral of the story: Tune with caution.

 

How many guitars do you currently own?

 

3 acoustic guitars (2 Yamahas (1 LLX6A, the other I forgot), 1 Big Baby Taylor)

1 classical guitar (Yamaha)

 

If your house is on fire, which one would you run out with? Why?

 

The Yamaha LLX6A. Sentiment.

 

First guitar: Yamaha Acoustic Guitar 2007 (can’t remember model)

 

Favourite guitar brand/ model: Yamaha, their acoustic guitars just sound good to me (:

 

Favourite guitarist: John Mayer.

 

First song you learned to play on guitar: Pop Song would be 周杰倫 - 晴天

 

Song you love to play most on guitar: No particular favourite. I guess I like to play the ones I'm currently learning.

 

Most difficult song you have played on guitar: Canon in D for classical guitar, that solo... I think I practised it at least 5 million times. Hahaha kidding.

 

Tips for aspiring guitarists: Just play!

 

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