與音樂的結緣 (My Destiny with Music)

我會接觸音樂，都是因為環境的關係，事實上我今年五十歲，你想想我在當小學生的時候是什麼年代，那時就已經有補習了，等我到了初中以後，正好學校在組軍樂 隊，我們那個校長又是一個羅浮童子軍，就是一個常任童子軍，他對學生的功課，或是一個學生的教育，都一樣重視，我還記得這位校長的名字，他常穿著一個成人 童軍服，所以我們學校的音樂教育，變得滿自然的。
My contact with music is entirely due to the circumstances. In fact, I am 50 years old now, you can recall the times when I was an elementary school student; even then we already had after-school lessons. Later, when I was in junior high; a martial music band was just about to be assembled. At the time, our principal was a Rover Scout, which means a Boy Scout for life. He not only emphasized the importance of the academic work, but also the student’s overall education. I can still remember his name, and he often wore a Rover Scout uniform. Therefore, the music education is naturally become part of the school agenda.

我初中的時候，碰到一個很好的環境，有個軍樂隊，有個好的軍樂教官，音樂老師，他是吹小喇叭的，我是吹小喇叭的，那我們在初一初二的時候，就能夠有一個豐富，音色飽滿，而且大家程度都很 好的軍樂隊，在那種環境下連續待了三年，也受到不小的影響，雖然都是進行曲，但是我們吹的譜子，都是非常好的譜子，在那個時候，耳朵就是已經開始很立體化，能聽到整個豐滿的、呼應的，各種線條的穿梭，整個節奏上、旋律上、合聲上，可能就是在那個年代上就被那麼好的音樂洗腦了。另外，在學校的音樂老師，有一個老師就是我非常景仰的趙老師，已經去世了。在音樂課上的時候，他是一個非常有魅力的老師，我想就是在小的時候有一個非常好的 環境，看到非常好的音樂，還有那些老師，自然而然的就會被他們影響，也希望長大的時候能跟他們一樣，我想跟音樂的接觸，環境是很重要的。
I had a very good environment in my junior high: a martial music band, a good martial music instructor and music teacher. My teacher played trumpet, this was what I played too. It was quite lucky to be surrounded in this rich musical environment with quality members from the very beginning of my high school years. I was trained continuously under such environment for three years, and was molded by it greatly. Although we only played marches, the music scores we used were excellent. It was at that time that my ears were developed to have the 3-D sense. And I could hear entirely the rich, orchestrated, and bouncing musical notes. Probably I was already brainwashed melodically, rhythmically and chorally by such beautiful music during that time. And there was this music teacher Mr. Chao who I admired greatly; he had since passed away. He was full of charm when delivering his music lessens. I think it was because I was in such an excellent environment, with good music and good teachers at such a young age, that naturally I was influenced by them and would want to follow suit when I grew up. I think the environment was a very important factor in my destiny with music.

首次製作經驗
我回想到第一次的製作經驗是很模糊的。事實上這是漸進式的，我在軍中服役的時候是義工隊，那個時候因為你能寫點東西，所以長官碰到有事情時就叫你做，事實上那個時候根本沒有想過叫不叫製作，可能叫做編曲吧。
My First Experience in Music Production
Thinking back, the impression of my first production is quite vague. In fact, this process happened gradually. I was assigned to “Artists Squadron” during my military service. At the time, because of my writing skill, my supervisor always gave me work of this kind to do. In fact, at the time I had not given any thought about whether it’s a production or not, at best I would call it music composition.

再來慢慢的都是在軍中發生的，那時候國軍每年都有一個「軍中文藝觀摩競賽」，義工團隊的觀摩競賽，經常會有一些腳本跟一些歌詞，交到你手上，你就是要把那個 事情完成。這裡面還挺複雜的，要作曲做完，要編曲編完，然後要帶領樂隊跟演唱的人，還要教唱、合奏。我想以某種觀點來看，所謂的製作，倒不是我們現在唱片 公司在錄音室裡面，很可能就是在那個時期裡面，那種概念那種行為，就已經在做。
What followed was a process that gradually took place during my military service. During that time, once a year, there was traditionally a “Military Literature & Art Emulating Competition” event in the military legion. Very often, some scripts and lyrics would be handed to me, which meant it’s up to me to get the job done. In fact, the task was rather complicated; firstly, I had to write the music and to finish the transcription, then to choreograph between the band and singers, and finally I had to teach them how to sing and how to play as an ensemble. I guess, from a certain perspective, the so-called productions actually didn’t start in the recording studio of a record company; it’s more likely that during the period of my military service, the concept and action had already been practiced.

最誠實的講，事實上那個時候就已經開始了，等到真正進入商業製作的話，是跟全美合作，就是許景淳、趙詠華，不過基本上扮演的角色，還是跟編曲作曲有關。所謂的製作，我想她們兩位都太好了，事實上你要操心或擔心的事並不會很多，她們兩個女孩子知道自己要做什麼，我們只是提醒她們要注意些什麼東西，那時的製作， 唱片公司的老闆可能都陪著你，你說是完全獨立嗎？也未必，因為參與的人滿多的，然後大家非常非常的自然，真正等到後面的時候，獨當一面，完全由我自己負責 這種例子其實都很少，我滿喜歡在錄音的時候，旁邊有很多朋友，我不知道這樣講你們了解嗎？有很多人都有參與製作的部分，那到最後名字上面寫的是我，事實上 也未必盡然。
Honestly speaking, I think it started from that moment already; but the commercial productions began with the cooperation with Chuan-Mei, i.e., with Christine Hsu, and Cyndi Chaw. However, basically, my role at that time was mainly in transcription and composition. I think both girls were excellent, not much for me to concern or worry about. They knew what they were supposed to do and they were excellent, we just reminded them on some particular points; that’s all. In those days, for a production project, the boss of the record company was probably there to keep you company all the time. You think the work was totally independent? Not necessary, because there were a whole bunch of people participated in a very natural way. I might have to work alone and take the full responsibility at the very end, but such case was rare. I like to be surrounded with friends while working in the recording studio. I don’t know whether you understand my point or not. There were many people taking part in producing the music, but at the end only my name was shown, which was misleading in a way.

合作過印象最深刻的歌手
印象最深刻的歌手應該是齊豫，因為我跟她合作的最少，我一直相信她並不只是天生的一個歌手，她的人生觀，最讓我好奇的是她潛質的一個能量，我一直覺得她還有 很大的一塊可以表現出來的空間，只是因為我們只合作過一次，沒有機會去繼續再去探索這個問題，她那個時候唱一首歌叫「怨女」，是張愛玲小說改編的電影。當 然，許景淳、趙詠華也都讓我印象非常的深刻。
The Most Memorable Singer That I Worked With
I think Chyi Yu would be the most memorable singer because we had the least amount of work together. I always believed that aside from that she was a born-singer, her outlook on life impressed me too, and I was most curious about the energy of her innate quality. I always believed she still had a big potential waiting to be manifested. However, we had only worked together once, and I had no chance to probe further on this subject. At that time, she recorded the theme song for the movie entitled “Rouge of the North”, which was adapted from a novel written by Eileen Chang. Of course, Christine Hsu, and Cyndi Chaw also impressed me deeply.

最難忘的錄音經驗
最難忘的錄音經驗是樂隊已經在錄音棚裡面等你了，都已經在調音了，但你譜子還沒寫好。我想只要是創作人，或多或少都會有這種經驗，因為那時候開始，在錄音室裡面，每一秒鐘都得付錢，那個錢有時是你自己付的，有時是唱片公司付的，但是總是很不好意思，經常會汗流浹背，你自己會非常的焦慮、疲倦，就剩下最後一塊 沒有寫好，你對你現在手上寫出來的東西你都不滿意，但大家都非常的friendly，都不希望給你壓力，但是都在等你的東西，就是我最難忘的一種錄音經驗。
The Most Unforgettable Recording Experience
The most unforgettable recording experience was when the band was waiting for you and was already tuning up in the recording studio, yet your score was not ready. I think all producers shared more or less this experience. Because from that moment on, in the recording studio, every second costs money – sometimes it was paid from your own pocket, other times by the record company. Either way, it was very embarrassing; you sweated profusely. You felt very anxious, exhausted, and there was this one last part that’s still not ready, you were not satisfied with what you’ve got so far, and everyone appeared to be very “friendly”, and didn’t want to give you more pressure, but all were waiting for your “stuff”. This was my most unforgettable recording experience.

製作過最具特殊感情的歌
在那麼多的狀況之下，我做過兩條，一個就是齊豫，剛剛的那條歌叫「怨女」，另外一條就是由慎芝大姊作詞，我譜曲的「玫瑰人生」，這兩首曲子都非常的驚心動魄。像慎芝的詞「玫瑰人生」一開始就是"該你多少在前世，如何還得起"我覺得對我來講非常訝異的就是，男女之情的關係，可以在她筆下伸展到那麼深遠，換句話說，這個歌詞就是前世的事、今世的事、來世的事通通談完了。
Song Productions With Most Special Feelings
Having been through so many situations, there are two of them. One was mentioned earlier, the theme song from “Rouge of the North”, performed by Chyi Yu, and the other is called “Rose Life”, the lyrics were written by Ms. Shen Zhi, and I did the composition for it. Both tunes can be described as heart shaking and soul stirring.
For instance, in the lyrics of “Rose Life” by Shen Zhi, which begin with “What I owed you in previous life, how can I pay it back?” I was so astounded that under her pen the relationships between men and women can be extended so deep; in other words, the lyrics have summed up the stories of the past, the present, and the future.

另外一個就是「怨女」的詞，那個詞也很有意思，開始是說"一生的錯，開始在黃昏後，請你挪近燈火"，我看了那麼多詞，你知道，就是這兩個詞，可能我自己跟電影有關係，因為我自己是學電影音樂的，或是說絕大部分的精力是花在這件事上，就是那種你看到了詞後，從詞意裡面你看到的影像，這兩個就是讓我非常深刻的，還有其他很好的，只是現在沒想起來。
The other one is the lyrics of “Rouge of the North”, which are also very interesting. The lyrics begin with “The mistake of my life begins after the sunset. Please move the candlelight closer.” I have read so many lyrics, you know, but these two pieces of lyrics struck me most. It may have to do with my background in writing music for movies, or you may say I spent most of my effort in this field. These are examples of after reading the lyrics you are able to imagine the scenes. These two pieces left me with very deep impressions. There are other good ones too, but I can’t recall them now.

選歌的原則
專輯可以分成兩部分，一個是我是整張專輯全部的製作人，或者是我是整張專輯裡部分的製作人。全部製作人的時候，我對這張專輯的看法就比較容易，那時候整個感覺聽起來就是能夠傳遞一個感動，因為現在我們整個社會多元化的關係，有時候一條好聽的歌不見得某甲聽了喜歡，某乙聽了也喜歡，這種事常常發生，我相信你也會有這個經驗。
Principles in Song Selections for Production
There are two kinds of album, one is entirely my own production, and the other is only partly. If I am the sole producer, my viewpoint for this album is easier. What I want is that the music can reach and touch the person after listening through the album. Because our society is so diversified now, sometimes a good song can be appreciated by one person but not by another. These things happen quite often, I am sure you also have similar experiences.

但是當一整張專輯都是出在你手上，不管你考慮的多周詳，這裡面的思維方式，或者你的美學標準有關係，然後你也會思前顧後的，比較重要的，一下子會有一條快歌，一下子會有一條慢歌，一下風花雪月，一下子又有個什麼東西。我覺得大家聽下來的時候，就是要聽的下去，那這裡面會留下一些東西，印象比較深刻，最好的一個辦法，她裡面要有一個感動，所謂的touch，或者說另外一個講法就是，let the music moves u，moves能夠觸動你。假使說是在一個有三、四個人參與的專輯，我倒是希望能夠知道人家在做什麼，要不然就是變成閉門造車。
Nevertheless, when you are the sole producer of an album, regardless how thorough you have gone through the planning, there are still elements that have to do with the way of thinking, or perhaps with your aesthetic standards. In any case, you’d ponder over from all angles, and what’s more important. A song with a fast tempo followed by a slow one, a romantic tune and then something different… I think a good album is that the listeners will like to play through it, and receive something from it, some impressions in the end. The best way to do so is to have “touch” in the music. Or to put it differently, “let the music moves you”, or touch you. If I am involved in a production of an album with three or four co-producers, then I am rather glad that I can have the opportunity to learn more about what others are doing; otherwise, I’d be like “building a cart behind closed doors”.

我覺得倒不是我們上面，就是所謂的總監、總製作人，只有他一個人知道就好，我一直希望所有參與的人整個team到中間的時候都能有互動，才知道我今天在這樣的一個局裡面，我應該扮演什麼角色，別人怎麼做我怎麼做。就是你不能做一些東西的時候，你就是獨樹一格的，然後跟其他參與的人的東西都不一樣，可能就是我的原則，我會非常想知道我能夠扮演什麼角色。
I'd prefer not only the person on the top, the so-called general supervisor or general producer, knows what I am doing. I always hope that when we are put to work everyone in the team is able to interact with each other; this is the way that I get to appreciate the role I play in the present situation, and to respond accordingly to other players. But when you can no longer participate in the teamwork, that is where your personal style comes in, and your stuff will be totally different from those of other participants. Probably it is because of my principle, I’d very much like to know what is my role in a given situation.

最喜歡的音樂型態
在年輕的時候，我最喜歡的音樂型態是爵士樂，爵士樂的be-bop， 就這麼快的東西，還有更快的，那可能是技巧掛帥。我現在喜歡的東西，變成一種有趣，又不會複雜，這裡面有訊息，訊息裡面要帶有感動，講起來很玄。這裡面包 括法國作曲家沙悌，包括聽聽莫札特，聽聽貝多芬，都是我滿喜歡的，至於說當代的流行歌曲，因為變化太快，我繼續聽不排斥，我現在沒有辦法講我喜歡不喜歡， 可能還要在等個幾年才有一個更清楚的說法。
Most Favorite Music
When I was young, jazz was my favorite music. The be-bop of jazz has such a fast tempo, and there’re some other stuffs even faster, which may have their emphasis on technique. What I like now is something interesting but not too complicated, and with message in it. And within the message, there is the quality of “touch” - this may sound very abstract. The music I like includes those by the French composer Satie; I also like listening to Mozart and Beethoven. As far as today's pop music goes, because it changes so fast, I continue listening to it without objection. But for now, I can’t say whether I like it or not, probably it will take me another few years to have a better opinion.

最喜歡的專輯
我最喜歡的專輯，應該是古典音樂的專輯，這個專輯說來滿可笑的，是紐約愛樂的指揮每年做的聖誕節專輯，因為這裡面都是膾炙人口的古典名曲，然後用紐約愛樂這麼好的樂團，由他來指揮，因為每一首曲子都是我聽過的，只是換了個樂團或換了個指揮。我發現他們錄的又好，裡面的詮釋有獨到之處，他們每一年在那個時候有出新的東西，我一定會去買。
Most Favorite Album
My most favorite album ought to be a particular classical album. It sounds funny; this album is the annual Christmas Season Special, produced by the conductor of the New York Philharmonic. Because every tune in it is the most popular classics; and it was conducted by him with such a wonderful orchestra. Also because I know every tune in the album, but was performed by different orchestras or conductors. I find that their recordings are excellent, and the music interpretations are remarkable. Every year around the same time, they will have a new production; I make sure that I get a copy.

對台灣樂壇的看法
首先這個樂壇的定義要分成幾部分，一個是商業音樂的，還有一個就是嚴肅音樂，甚至包括舞台劇，不過綜合來講，我覺得事實上，我們絕對有資格能夠在音樂風格上 開創自己的一片天，但是我們到現在為止，在資源的整合上，不管是商業唱片，或者是嚴肅音樂的創作上面，包括舞台劇這些部分的時候，一直都還沒有一個突破性的進展。
My Viewpoint on the Music Circles of Taiwan
Firstly, I have to divide the definition of this music circles into several parts. One is the commercial music, and the other is serious music, the latter can even include the theatrical stage plays. But as a whole, as a matter of fact, I do think we definitely are capable of creating our own style of music. However, up to now, from the point of resource consolidation, we still don’t have a breakthrough in terms of the development. This applies both to the productions of commercial records, and of serious music - including theatrical stage plays.

我個人認為，事實上我們人太少，人口數不夠，另外再加上西洋文明大量的灌注，所以我們現在大部分是被影響、模仿，依然在模仿、抄襲，不管你技術怎麼好，你靈魂上面還是在模仿，你雖然被影響，但是下意識你還是在模仿，聽眾選擇的標準也可能是在比較。所以這個狀況之下，我一直覺得，實驗性的東西，不管是商業上面或者是在嚴肅音樂上面，還是需要一個有效的傳播媒體讓聽眾聽到。
Personally, I think the problem is that we don’t have enough people. Limited by the size of our population, plus that we are inundated with western culture, we are still being influenced and still imitating. No matter how good your technique is, in your soul you are still imitating and copying. Although you think you are only being influenced, subconsciously, you are actually imitating. The criteria used by the audience may also base on comparison. Therefore, under such conditions, I always feel that for any experimental work, regardless it is commercial music or serious music, there still needs to be an effective mass media to reach out to the audience.

生活哲學
創作的時候全力創作，平常的時候盡力休息。所謂的休息，就是把自己變成一塊海綿，因為我們搞創作的你知道，真的在創作的時候是非常孤獨的，平時在放鬆的時 候，你就是盡量的跟每一件事情接觸，那另外來講，我覺得總是讓一家庭維繫的非常好。我很感謝我有一個太太，所以我不必擔心很多事情，全力的去創作，那麼多年下來，我對這個事情特別有感覺。
Philosophy Of Living
“When creating, do it with your utmost effort; for the remaining time, rest as much as you can.” The so-called rest is let myself become like a sponge, because as you know we who create (music) is very lonely when we are in that process. When you rest, you want to be in touch with everything around you. Additionally, I would like to keep a good atmosphere in the family. I am very grateful that I have a wife, so that I don’t need to worry about many things, I can devote all my energy to creating. Over so many years, I feel strongly in this regard.

成功秘訣
我覺得挺幸運的，我可能是少數幾個靠風格，來從事音樂工作的音樂家。靠風格就是說，當然人家講這個事情我們請張弘毅老師來做怎麼樣，當然他知道說這個事情請他來做，應該會有什麼結果，這就是風格，我們講一個style， 在這個事情上我一直覺得說，一個作曲家他應該非常的有自尊，那骨子裡面有一骨傲骨，但傲骨裡面還要有一點謙虛，就是看到人家好的東西，或是聽到不知道的東西，先不要下定論，因為你總是隨時可以跟人家學到很多，新的一些觀念，或處理事情的一些手法，要有赤子之心、好奇，然後會非常尊重人家。
Secret of Success
I feel I am quite lucky; I am perhaps one of the few that can maintain my own style as a musician. Maintaining my own style means that when someone says: “How about we give this job to Maestro Chang Hung-Yi?”, of course, that person should know exactly what to expect at the end. This is what I call a “style”. In this regard, I always feel strongly that a composer should have his self-respect; there should be a proud bone in his body, but with a certain degree of humility. This means if you notice something good from others, or hear something that you haven’t heard before, don’t jump to the conclusion. This is because you can always learn something from others, e.g., some new ideas, or different ways of handling a situation. It is best to be young and innocent at heart, and be curious, which then will be reflected on respecting others.

因為我們在做任何事情時，通常到最後你只能做一個動作，我用一個比喻可能不倫不類，你在打麻將的時候，不管上家怎麼盯你，然後對門怎麼催你，到最後那個牌只有一次的機會，那一次的狀況之下，最好是你已經深思熟慮，做了就不要後悔，這整個狀況來說，你在打的時候要懂得怎麼欣賞人家的牌技，當然就是怎麼欣賞，這就是有一點點學問。
Because whatever we do, usually in the end, there is only one move left for us to do. Let me give an example that may not be suitable. When you are playing Mahjong, no matter how carefully played by the player before you, and how much “hurry-up” from the player who sits opposite, in the end there is only one chance for your next move. For that chance, you better make sure you have pondered hard and well; and once it’s done, there should be no regret. Generally speaking, while you are playing, you should know how to appreciate the skills of other players. Of course, as to “how to appreciate”, well, it certainly requires some learning.

但你打心裡欣賞的時候，你可能上張牌，為什麼要這樣打還是什麼的，有些人就是會算的很快，我年輕的時候打過牌，現在不打了。但是我在聽音樂的時候，是這樣的心情，總覺得人家做出來的東西，裡面不管多粗糙的東西，都有赤子之心，因為我們年紀都已經變了，就是很欣賞那件事，以前我們也有過，但是我們還有對這些事情的看法，還有一些智慧，所以我們在看別人做這些事情的時候，會抱著一個學習的心態，我想到現在為止，每天都在檢討我自己是不是能夠這樣。
But when you are really appreciating this game, you will perhaps try to figure out why the last tile was played. Some people are very fast in figuring out the whole situation. When I was young I did play Mahjong, but not any more. However, when I am listening to the music I also have the same attitude. I can appreciate the music of others no matter how rough it may sound; there is always the quality of young and innocent at heart in it. Although we all have changed as growing older, we still appreciate “that thing” we used to do, but now with more matured views and a bit of wisdom. Therefore, when we see others are doing the same kind of things, we will keep a learning attitude. Even to this day, I still question myself daily whether I can maintain this attitude.

最珍貴的音樂收藏品
我有整套的，甚至好幾套的爵士珍藏，這個珍藏可能是從愛迪生時代的錄音機錄的東西。我也有整套的貝多芬，不只是他的交響樂而已，他的弦樂四重奏，整套的巴 哈，整套的莫札特。事實上我覺得很多東西已經多到沒時間聽了，可是每當我心裡比較平和的時候，想要聽它們的慾望就有了。在流行歌曲方面，我蒐藏了非常多50 年代"beach boy"，60年代70年代甚至嬉皮的這些東西，當然我們在台灣都買得到，大家都把當時最好的曲子給你整理起來，這些東西我經常在聽，然後我們一發現它們裡面還是有無限的訊息，不斷告訴我，那個時代好的東西，什麼是我沒有的。
Most Treasured Music Collections
I have a whole set, or even several sets of Jazz music collection. This treasured collection was probably recorded back in Edison’s era with his recorder. I also have a complete set of music by Beethoven; it not only includes his symphonic music, but also his quartet of stringed music. I’ve also got the whole set of Bach and Mozart. In fact, I feel my collection is too huge that I have no time to listen. But whenever I am calm inside, the desire of listening to the music arises. On the pop music side, I collected a lot of ’50s "Beach Boy", also music of the ’60s and ’70s – including the hippies. Of course, you can buy all these in Taiwan – the best and most popular songs were put together for you to buy. I often listen to this kind of music, and can still pick up endless messages. I keep reminding myself, of the good stuffs of that era, what am I still missing?

休閒活動
睡覺、散步、看電影。
Leisure Activities
Sleeping, Walking, And Watching Movies

音樂事業外最想從事的行業
行業？改成一個學問好不好？我想學數學。因為從小數學學的很辛苦，這應該是三、四十年前的事，但是我最近突然有機會從我朋友小孩那看到數學課本，現在講法跟 以前不太一樣，不是那麼硬梆梆了。你知道從事音樂工作，是比較感性，但是數學是非常理性的，只有對和錯，有解和無解。音樂同樣這個旋律，有解無解每個人看法不一樣。有機會的話，我想再學學數學，如果這樣說會變成什麼行業的話，可能會變成業餘的數學家，但是還沒開始。
Most Desirable Career beside Music
"Career", may I change it to “knowledge”? I would like to study math. I had a very hard time with math when I was young, which was about 30 or 40 years ago. However, recently I had a chance to read a math textbook belonged to a kid of my friend. The way the concept being presented is very different from before, not so boring anymore. You know, having a career in music is more related to feelings; unlike math, which is quite rational – there is only right or wrong, solvable or unsolvable. In music, everyone can have a different opinion whether the melody is solvable or unsolvable. If the opportunity permits, I’d like to relearn math. And if this talk shall turn into some kind of career, perhaps I’ll become an amateur mathematician, though I haven’t started yet.