The Healing Life of a Music Genius - Chapter 81



Only Noblemtl

81 If it’s like this

* * *

A hallway in a royal palace.

“Wow!”

Su-yeon continues to let out exclamations. From the perspective of a child, she seemed to find many things fascinating about school.

Numerous works of art hanging on the walls.

Children playing musical instruments seen through the practice room window.

A few sculptures believed to have been created by students of the Department of Sculpture.

Soft sunlight gently illuminating it all.

Suyeon’s eyes were constantly shining.

“It looks like some kind of movie set! “Are you studying in a place like this?”

“yes? “If Sooyeon continues to be interested in art, music, or literature, maybe she will study at a school like this in the future?”

“Well, will that happen?”

“of course. “Suyeon will go to a better school than her brother, right?”

“······.”

Suyeon was thinking about something alone and then answered.

“I think it would be cool to study somewhere like this. But I still haven’t decided on a dream. Even though I’m 6 years old. For your information, my friends have huge dreams.”

Suyeon’s expression is quite serious.

I could barely stop myself from bursting out laughing.

‘Are Sooyeon’s friends saying they want to become president or celebrities?’

I automatically smiled because it really seemed like that.

“But my brother started playing the piano after entering elementary school. “I think Suyeon could take her time and think about it a little more.”

“If my brother says so…”

“So don’t worry. If there is something you want to learn, you can always tell me. Because my brother will do everything for me. Understand?”

“really?”

“then. However much.”

Suyeon, who was walking down the hallway holding my hand, whispered, “Thank you…” and then praised me, saying, “As expected… I think my brother is the best in the world.”

When I almost arrived at the practice room, I ran into Soyeon Baek, who was getting snacks from the vending machine in the hallway.

“You came early?”

“I just arrived. This is because I’m hungry. however······”

Baek So-yeon glanced at Su-yeon and said, “Huh!” He made a sound. She dropped the bag of chips on his floor.

When I introduced each other in the middle, Suyeon proudly walked up to Baek Soyeon.

and.

“hello! My name is Han Seo-jin’s younger sister, Han Su-yeon! This is my first time greeting you. Soyeon sister! “This is my first time meeting you, but you are so pretty!”

He bows at a 90 degree angle.

Baek So-yeon looked at me and then knelt in front of Soo-yeon. Looking into her eyes, she grabbed Suyeon’s shoulders tightly.

“You just called me your sister, right? Right? oh my god······.”

“yes! sister! Thank you for getting along well with my brother! “Are you friends with me?”

“yes?”

“Then, please take care of my brother in the future as well!”

A moment of silence.

At the end, Baek So-yeon suddenly made a noise like a dolphin saying “Kyaaaa!” and hugged Su-yeon.

“How cute are you! Speak well! So pretty! okay! From today, I am your older sister! Understand? Understand?”

Suyeon answered while feeling a little embarrassed.

“yes. sister······. And thank you for the compliment.”

The hallway was a little noisy, so a group came out from the classroom next door.

They’re all Class A kids.

Among them was Lee Ha-eun.

“oh my god! Are you Suyeon? “It has grown so much even without me seeing it!”

Next to Lee Ha-eun, the friends who saw Soo-yeon said, “Wow! He was making a sound similar to “He’s so cute!”

Su-yeon immediately ran towards Lee Ha-eun. And he is hugged.

“Ha-eun sister!”

“How! Do you remember me?”

“I saw you at my brother’s competition before! Of course I remember!”

“and! Do you remember that? Thank you so much!”

“Hmm. you’re welcome.”

“But why are you dressed so pretty?”

“My brother bought it for me.”

“Seojin?”

“yes! It’s pretty, right? Would you like to take a look?”

Suyeon steps back slightly and spins in place. Thanks to this, there was an uproar.

After making a fuss that seemed a bit excessive.

“So you came to watch your brother study today?”

“yes. So I’m going to stay quiet.”

“Oh my. Do it. If you’re bored, come to the classroom next to the practice room. My sister will be at school all day today too. Understand?”

“But… I will always be with you. sorry. Haeun unnie.”

“······ Huh?”

Lee Ha-eun burst into laughter after hearing Suyeon’s words, and eventually returned Suyeon to me.

Just when I entered the practice room and was about to take out the staff paper, Shin Joo-won arrived. I looked at the clock and it wasn’t late. 1 minute before the appointment time. It was breathtaking.

“Whew. My appointment time is Carl… Huh? uh??? Could it be that he is your younger brother…”

“The time to make a fuss is already over. Do it later. “I don’t have time.”

“······.”

However, Su-yeon, who is kind and kind, gave Shin Joo-won a belly button greeting. Still, she takes good care of her brother, calling him his friend.

And Shin Joo-won also gave Su-yeon a belly greeting. Su-yeon laughs when she sees that. He said it was the first time he had received such a greeting in his life.

“It was funny, so I passed.”

“yes. Thank you, judge Seojin Han.”

Shin Joo-won kept making Suyeon laugh by making funny facial expressions, which made Suyeon laugh for a long time.

Baek So-yeon was also smiling like an older sister (?) while looking at Soo-yeon who was smiling.

But I couldn’t continue like this.

“Sooyeon, do you want to read a book from now on? If you’re bored, tell your brother. Understand?”

“huh! I brought two books today, so no worries! Work hard too, oppa! go for it!”

Suyeon started reading the book right away, and the rest of us also began to focus on the performance evaluation.

For this songwriting exercise, I had to create a song that was over 1 minute in total.

In accordance with the rules of harmonics as much as possible.

The genre is classic.

The instrument is the piano.

The theme was freedom.

Since 3 people play as a team, each person has 20 seconds.

It may seem short at first glance, but it was definitely not that way.

Modern popular music usually has a play time of around 3 minutes.

However, if you look inside, the verse and chorus are repeated.

Of course, the composition and arrangement of the repeated parts were slightly different, but the basic line was about 1 minute and 30 seconds long.

In a word, this performance evaluation required three students to create classical music together that was ‘on the scale of popular music.’

‘It doesn’t seem like a performance evaluation of middle school level 1 difficulty.’

The teacher obviously had an idea, so all we had to do was work hard at composing.

We all gathered together after school on weekdays and composed a little bit.

Honestly, it might have been easier if I did it alone, but I didn’t think it would be meaningful.

‘It’s a bit weird to just put in all my colors.’

I didn’t think it would help me or them.

So, on weekdays, we created the theme song melody together.

I actively reflected their opinions more than my own.

I definitely corrected the melody that was off, but there was no doubt that it was music made by three people.

And today, I was thinking of expanding the theme part into a sonata-like form.

Presentation part. Development department. reprise.

Although it may not be possible to include the entire sonata form in one minute, it is still easier to compose if you start with the structure in place.

Baek So-yeon draws sheet music while playing the piano.

Shin Joo-won scratches his head and looks at the book on Mars.

I sat next to Suyeon and slowly drew the score.

Suyeon, who was watching me, whispers very softly.

“Your friends don’t know that you compose songs, right?”

“huh.”

He smiles slightly after hearing my answer.

“So I’m the only one here who knows?”

“yes?”

“Hi-Hi. Everyone might be surprised when they find out later. “I did that too when I first heard your song.”

Su-yeon was so happy that she started to move her body from side to side and even glanced at the sheet music I was writing.

Time passed quickly.

We all had a light lunch at a convenience store, and then returned to the practice room. Suyeon must have been a little sleepy, so she lay down on her long chair and said, “Snoring.” She started sleeping.

When Soo-yeon rubbed her eyes and finally woke up.

We each started the discussion by looking at the sheet music.

“Why on earth does this bar end with a fifth?”

“Should I say it’s kind of open-ended?”

“You know that most people in the world hate it, right? In times like this, the basics are important. Let’s finish with the first song and give a hint by rhyming with a new melody. “It has to go that way.”

“hmm···. “Then I wonder if I can fix it like this.”

Shin Joo-won listens to me and corrects the score.

This time Baek So-yeon asks me.

“Then what about this chord? “Did I write it correctly?”

“Good job, but it sounds too monotonous if I do it this way, right? Have you tried playing it on the piano?”

“huh. “It sounded okay to me.”

“Would you like to see me for a moment?”

Following the discussion, performances were also performed intermittently.

I try to fit these kids as much as possible while suppressing the instinctive play that tries to sneak out.

Still, Baek So-yeon looked at me and tilted her head.

“Where did you learn about harmony? “I know it very well.”

“I did study a little bit.”

“Before the story comes in?”

“that’s right.”

“I guess it was when I was in elementary school? “You worked really hard.”

We revised the score, listened to the melody, and coordinated our opinions.

Unlike composing music, which I had thought about deeply alone, I felt like my ideas came out several times just by having someone to talk to.

“Soyeon. Would you like to make the 2nd the dominant here… and play this part?”

“Uh, okay.”

I continued my explanation while listening to Soyeon Baek’s performance.

“So far so good, huh? But then, how about changing the chord to a 5th seventh and solving it with Deceptive Cadence? “If you try to find a solution only within the same chord, it feels boring.”

Baek So-yeon and Shin Ju-won looked at me blankly.

“Hey… I’m sorry, Seojin, what did you just say?”

“that’s right! Seojin, you said too many things that I don’t understand!”

I explained it a little easier.

After about 5 minutes have passed.

“······ So, Deceptive Cadence. He said it would be good to resolve the issue ‘intelligibly’. In my opinion, Soyeon, you have a good sense of composition, but I don’t think you’re using it to your full potential. It was something I did because I was a little disappointed. But you’re really good at composing music.”

“Thank you for the compliment. I’m not sure what you’re saying, but… “I’m sorry for no reason.”

“no. Soyeon, you are doing well. “Right now, I’m just expanding on the melody you wrote.”

“Is that so?”

Baek So-yeon scratches her cheek for no reason.

Meanwhile, Shin Joo-won glared at me.

“hey. What is Wijongji? “What kind of soy sauce is this?”

“For your reference, this is the information in the textbook.”

“really?”

“huh.”

“You’re not lying?”

“Shall we make a bet? ice cream?”

“······ Chet.”

There was only one line in the appendix at the back…

Anyway, it was there.

Still, more and more music like music was being made.

Various chords piled up, and various melodies began to play their own roles.

At first glance, it has become quite plausible ‘classical music’.

“Because we want to preserve the feeling of impressionism. You can’t deviate too much from here. Understand? From now on, let’s put more emphasis on the low register.”

Shin Joo-won, who was quietly listening to my explanation, raised one hand. And he tells Baek So-yeon.

“I want to be the team leader from now on.”

“······ suddenly?”

“I think Seojin is too close to perfectionism. Isn’t this enough completed music? I think the teacher would faint if he heard this song right now, right? “I should rather take charge of the team and finish it here.”

I grinned at Joowon.

“Which position is your team member taking on now? “I’m already the team leader.”

“······ oh?”

“And if you’re going to do music, you have to do it right. “You can’t tolerate clumsy things?”

It started once.

It’s already too late to stop.

“Seojin, calm down. How about I buy the team leader authority with two ice creams? “It’s not bad, right?”

“two? “There is no way.”

“Then what about five?”

“I do not need.”

“······ Unbelievable. “This is not Han Seo-jin.”

Baek So-yeon, who was listening to our conversation, chuckles. Suyeon, who was reading a book over there, also smiles to herself.

“You two get along well. Rather, Seojin, didn’t you, by any chance, change to piano after planning to major in composition? “You know so much about composition, right?”

“It’s not like that. “I did try a little harder.”

“It’s really amazing. “It’s difficult for me to even play the piano…”

“I started it because it was fun. “Actually, I was lucky.”

“I see. “If I get the chance, I should learn a lot from you.”

“However much. But, you know my ransom, right?”

“Tsk tsk. okay. “Next time, I’ll buy you a lot of delicious food.”

We decided to end today’s meeting for now.

This is because Baek So-yeon and Shin Joo-won both had schedules.

“Sorry. “I have a lesson today.”

“It happened to me too. sorry.”

Among the kids attending the middle school, there weren’t many who had a good time on the weekends.

I also had to go see Professor Yuhan Kang tomorrow. So I made an appointment for today. It was common for everyone.

Fortunately, the song work progressed quite well.

‘I think it can be said that about 50% of it is completed.’

If I paid a little more attention here, it wouldn’t take that long to finish.

After breaking up with Shin Joo-won and Baek So-yeon, I stayed in the practice room with Su-yeon for a little while longer.

In fact, my fingers were starting to itch.

Suyeon takes a seat across from the piano and gives a small round of applause.

I said while looking at him.

“So there was an audience?”

Suyeon said, “Keuhum!” ‘ she answered, clearing her voice.

“Yes~ I’ve been waiting for a long time~ They said a famous musician is coming today~”

My brother and sister burst out laughing at the same time.

I played the song I composed a while ago to my heart’s content.

I used the harmony as I wanted and gave variations as I wanted.

The slightly creaky music suddenly became a beautiful melody, and wit began to appear here and there.

The two melodies moved as if they were talking to each other.

It didn’t take long until the finale.

Since the song lasted a little over a minute, the performance ended quickly.

The last part uses almost all the keys on the piano.

Suyeon applauded me again.

“and! brother! “It was gorgeous, cool music!”

“I was greedy for one-minute music.”

The score is somewhat organized in my head.

Before dinner time, I returned home with Suyeon.

Thanks to having told my mother in advance, tonight’s menu is…

“Why did you two suddenly say you wanted to eat chicken?”

“Hehehe. “It’s a secret from Mom!”

“Sometimes there are days like that.”

It was a famous chicken sold in front of a kindergarten in Saebom-dong.

* * *

A practice room at Hankook University.

Kang Yu-han handed Han Seo-jin a drink and continued talking.

“Every note is alive. Also, before I was just like an adult, but now I have a childlike cheerfulness. “The music is getting deeper.”

“thank you. “I think school life is helping.”

“I guess so. I can feel your piano sparkling. “I couldn’t help but smile.”

“is that so?”

“then.”

Kang Yu-han then quietly mentioned the contest to Han Seo-jin.

Next time we meet here, let’s film a preliminary video to be sent to the contest in advance.

There was quite a bit of time left until the summer when the competition began, but preparations were non-stop.

After Han Seo-jin left this place after finishing the lesson.

Kang Yu-han closed his eyes and thought back to the songs Han Seo-jin played a little while ago.

‘This summer… the European classical music scene is going to be quite interesting.’

While thinking like that.

* * *

next week.

Yang Woo-ju was opening the emails he received from students one by one.

First review of the composition practical performance evaluation.

I didn’t receive a completed copy, but I received an email for interim confirmation.

Yang Woo-joo smiled as he carefully looked through the sheet music in the email.

“I heard you’re cute.” “The music that children make this time of year.”

I’m only in my first year of middle school.

Even though it was a composition skill, the performance evaluation was not done with such high expectations.

Children just learn to cooperate with each other.

This assignment was simply given to make the composer’s intention a little easier to understand while creating the song myself.

‘Actually, it’s enough to just understand basic harmony for now.’

Therefore, the perfect score cutoff point was also not that high.

When these children reach third grade, the standards will rise significantly, but not now.

Yang Woo-ju, who was very happy looking at the children’s sheet music, even tried playing a few of them.

This age group clearly had its own sensibilities.

Even if his compositional skills were lacking, that was implicitly evident.

“It’s fun. “It’s pleasant.”

Getting a glimpse of that fresh sensibility was one of the joys of being a teacher at Ye Middle School.

however.

“I guess it can’t be helped that I’ve been affected a lot?”

Because of the song ⌜Somehow, Spring⌟ that started becoming popular this spring, there were quite a few children who composed songs with similar nuances.

As you listen, you can catch a few similar parts.

Of course, each student had a different way of developing the song, so it could definitely be said to be a different song.

“I couldn’t escape the category of spring.”

These are children who have just started learning harmonics.

Therefore, I was able to fully understand this level.

Yang Woo-joo was flipping through emails and couldn’t help but tilt his head at one email.

A sheet music full of unique notes.

At first glance, there were so many instructions that I felt like I was out of breath.

“You used a complicated Mars structure. So as not to be monotonous. Even college students find it difficult.”

It was definitely not at middle school level.

‘Isn’t it supposed to be considered to be almost professional level?’

A song with a strong feel of an impressionist work from the late 19th century.

‘At this level, it would be a waste to end it with a performance evaluation. If you add just a little more, it will be clear…’

Yang Woo-ju thinks so.

I checked the names of the students belonging to the team again.