Tips and Strategies about the Chinese Language and Culture
Contrary to what one of my students said, It’s very fun! I think that it is a good for learning Chinese. I actually don’t think there’s much pedagogical value to the song (although I did try to use the most common / useful Continue reading New Song: Chinese Do Re Mi (Dou Rui Mi)
In the spirit of the season (and also because I haven’t had time to get to any of the 70 drafts waiting for me), I’d like to give you 3 new, original songs as a little present for the holidays. Continue reading Musical Gifts for the Holidays
I’m delighted to announce that my sister Marie has just finished recording two Mandarin songs here in my little studio. 1. Rich Girl I wrote the song with our college’s hip hop dance team in mind (I haven’t heard from Continue reading 2 New Songs: Rich Girl, Tuífèi 颓废
Here’s an up-tempo, happy pop song from the singer of such classics as “In A Thousand Years” and “Back to Back Hug” (translations coming someday…maybe). I’ve actually seen Lín Jùnjié 林俊杰 perform live and he was great (assuming he was Continue reading Looking Forward to Your Love
My little Audacity-powered home recording studio just cranked out my third Chinese pop song: Kuàilè 快乐 (Happy). Inspirational Story It was my friend Adrian who first said, “Have you ever noticed every Chinese pop song has the word ‘kuàilè’ 快乐 Continue reading New Song: Kuàilè 快乐
My humble home recording studio has gotten quite a workout this past week as I finished up (finally) my second Chinese pop song: Àimèi de Guānxi 暧昧的关系. Inspirational Story The idea for this song came from one week of class Continue reading New Song: Àimèi de Guānxi 暧昧的关系
“I want to learn a Chinese pop song. Which one should I learn?” If that’s your question, I usually recommend this one (requires Adobe Reader). (For the MP3, do a Baidu search.) It’s one of the easiest songs I know for Continue reading Maybe Someday (easiest Chinese pop song I know)
Since this is a strictly apolitical, language-learning blog, I’d like to go on record as saying I’m posting the lyrics to this song because: 1. The Beijing Olympics are just around the corner and you’re likely to hear this song Continue reading We Are Ready: Beijing Olympics Song
I know my little translations of pop songs are some of the least popular content on this blog, but I just can’t help it, sorry. “Fairy Tale” (tónghuà 童话) by Guāng Liáng (光良) is very popular right now (in this Continue reading Fairy Tale (an easy song to learn)
I was first xīyǐn to this song’s peppy beat and funky accordion accompaniment. This is the first song by Zhōu Xùn 周迅 I’ve translated. I called it “Watching the Sea,” but “Kàn hǎi” 看海 could be translated “Looking at the Continue reading Watching the Sea