Johnny Jam

Learning piano as an adult has been one of the most rewarding challenges of my life. In this post, I document my progress as I practice Ryuichi Sakamoto’s "energy flow." Starting from scratch, I’m tackling this beautiful piece step by step, proving that it’s never too late to begin a musical journey. What You’ll Find in This Post: My step-by-step approach to learning "energy flow." Challenges I face as an adult beginner pianist. Encouragement and tips for others who want to start learning piano. If you’ve ever wanted to learn piano but hesitated, let this post inspire you to start. Together, we can make progress—little by little! 🎹

The journey to mastering the guitar fretboard is often painted as quick and easy, but the truth is far more rewarding (and challenging). In this post, I share my experience as an adult beginner working to memorize the guitar fretboard notes. Contrary to popular claims, this process requires years of boring yet essential practice. But it’s not all bad—I’m here to practice with you and share tips for making progress step by step. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why Fretboard Mastery Takes Time: Debunking the “3-minute” myth. The Importance of Consistent Practice: How to stay motivated. Progress Updates: Documenting my journey to inspire yours. Learning the fretboard is tough but achievable with patience and dedication. Let’s embrace the challenge together and keep practicing! 🎸

Restoring and maintaining your guitar doesn’t have to be intimidating. In this post, I share my experience of learning DIY guitar restoration by watching tutorials on YouTube. The focus? Adjusting the truss rod and leveling the frets—essential skills for improving the playability of your guitar. Here’s what I’ve learned: Truss rod adjustments: How to check the neck curvature and carefully make adjustments for optimal string action. Fret leveling: Techniques to ensure a smooth, buzz-free playing surface. I’ll also share tips and ideas for beginners venturing into guitar restoration. If you’ve been thinking about fixing up your guitar yourself, this is a great place to start. Let’s learn together! 🎸

Cooking with unique ingredients can be a fascinating journey, and in this post, I dive into the world of Japanese cuisine by preparing a traditional hot pot with fish sperm sacks. While it may sound unusual to some, this delicacy is cherished in Japan for its rich, creamy flavor and cultural significance. I take you step-by-step through the cooking process, share my thoughts on its taste, and provide tips for trying this dish at home. Highlights of this post: The process of making Japanese hot pot with fish sperm sacks Exploring the history and cultural context of this delicacy Tips for preparing and enjoying this unique dish Would you be adventurous enough to try this iconic part of Japanese cuisine? 🍲

Learning piano as an adult can be challenging but incredibly rewarding. In this post, I document my journey of practicing Energy Flow by Ryuichi Sakamoto. Starting with the basics, I am progressing step by step, focusing on improving my skills little by little. This post highlights: My practice routine as a beginner Challenges of learning piano as an adult Progress updates with Energy Flow If you’ve ever thought about learning piano but hesitated, let this be an encouragement to start your own journey. It’s never too late to begin! 🎹

As a proud owner of a 1992 Fernandes/Burny LS-80 Ver.2, I’m excited to share my repair and restoration plans for this Japanese vintage guitar. This post dives into the details of my DIY journey, including: Fret leveling, rounding, and polishing for smoother playability Straightening the guitar neck to improve performance Adjusting the octave tuning for accurate sound Future upgrades: replacing the jack, volume and tone pots, and the pickup switch This project is a labor of love and a chance to bring this classic guitar back to life. Stay tuned as I document the process and share updates along the way!

Join me for a night walk through Shin-Okubo, Tokyo’s bustling Asian food district that comes alive after dark. Known for its mix of Korean, Thai, Chinese, and other Asian eateries, Shin-Okubo is a true melting pot of flavors in the heart of Tokyo. In this tour, we’ll explore the popular spots, hidden gems, and the lively streets that make this neighborhood so unique. Perfect for foodies and culture enthusiasts, this walk captures the exciting atmosphere and diversity that define Shin-Okubo at night. Whether you’re planning a trip or simply curious about Tokyo’s food scene, this tour offers a glimpse into the rich flavors of Shin-Okubo.

As a beginner jazz guitarist, I'm diving into improvisation with the classic "Autumn Leaves." This jazz standard is perfect for exploring chord changes, melody, and rhythm. With the help of iReal Pro, I have a backing track to guide me through each section, allowing me to experiment with note choices and rhythmic ideas. This session is all about building my improvisational skills and getting a feel for jazz guitar. Each practice brings new insights, and I’m excited to continue this journey with more jazz standards. Enjoy this snapshot of my progress!

Starting a new journey as an adult beginner in singing has been an exciting and challenging experience. In this post, I’ll be documenting my vocal practice, tracking progress over time, and sharing insights and struggles along the way. While I'm not a naturally gifted singer, every practice session is helping me improve, little by little. My goal is to build confidence and skill gradually, even on days when it feels tough to hit the notes. I’ll be sharing updates regularly, so if you’re on a similar journey, let’s connect and keep each other motivated!

In this post, I dive into my journey as an adult beginner drummer focusing on the 8-beat rhythm, one of the fundamental patterns in drumming. Starting with the basics, I’m working on building coordination between the hi-hat, kick, and snare. My goal is to develop steady timing and gain comfort with these simple but essential elements.

In this post, I share my journey of learning the basics of drumming as an adult beginner! Starting with kick and snare drum patterns, I’m working on foundational rhythms to build up my timing and coordination. Practicing these simple beats has already been rewarding, but it’s all about gradual progress. I’m starting with easy patterns and repeating them slowly to train muscle memory, focusing on timing and balance between the kick and snare. Each practice session is a step toward building solid rhythm skills, and I’m looking forward to tracking my progress as I grow more confident with these fundamental beats. Join me on this journey as I explore the basics and work toward more complex patterns!

Explore Tokyo’s timeless Rikugien Garden, a beautifully preserved Edo-period garden offering scenic paths, lakeside reflections, and historic tea houses. This full video captures the garden’s charm as I walk from Deshio-no-minato, stopping for traditional Japanese sweets and matcha tea at Fukiage-Chaya. The garden’s tranquil landscape is filled with highlights like pine trees, stone bridges, and lush greenery surrounding the pond. Rikugien is a hidden Tokyo gem, ideal for those seeking an escape from the city’s fast pace and a glimpse into Japan’s history and natural beauty.

In this post, I share a chill lunch experience at a local Japanese café, where I enjoyed a plate of ginger-grilled pork served with fresh salad and hot coffee. This comforting meal offers a slice of Japanese café culture, where meals are all about relaxation, cozy ambiance, and delicious, uncomplicated flavors. The ginger pork was tender and flavorful, perfectly matched with the freshness of the salad and the warmth of a freshly brewed coffee. If you're looking to experience Japan’s relaxed dining spots, this is one meal you don’t want to miss!

In this post, I’m excited to share my journey learning Ryuichi Sakamoto’s “Energy Flow” on piano as a beginner. Known for its captivating and intricate harmonies, “Energy Flow” has been a challenge that pushes me to grasp complex chord structures and apply new techniques like chord inversion. Step by step, I’m exploring how each part of the melody and harmony connects to create the unique mood of this song. It’s a slow process, but every practice session brings a new level of understanding and progress. Join me as I dive into the joys and challenges of learning this beautiful piece on my piano journey!

In this blog post, I dive into my experience learning Energy Flow, a piece composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto known for its calming melody and complex harmonic layers. The song was originally created as part of a commercial soundtrack and became a symbol of relaxation in Japan, inspiring listeners through its “healing” qualities. As a beginner, I’ve been challenged by its nuanced chords, with progressions that bring out the song’s beauty. This journey has been both fulfilling and educational, with Energy Flow teaching me about chord inversions, interval degrees, and the emotional impact of harmonic choices. Each practice session brings me closer to understanding Sakamoto's style, and I hope to share the meditative experience this song offers to all piano beginners.

Drum Practice Progress | Red Hot Chili Peppers as a Beginner 【Beginner Drum Progress】🎹 Johnny JAM🎸 https://youtu.be/7bF3fGzjKiU In this entry, I’m diving into my beginner drum journey by practicing along to a Red Hot Chili Peppers song! As a new drummer, I’m working on keeping rhythm steady—a skill that requires a lot of patience and focus. Drumming has been physically challenging, especially when hitting hard, as I often lose track of the song and need to rely on my internal tempo. This practice session is all about consistency and finding that balance between hitting the drums and keeping time. Follow along as I document these small yet essential steps in learning to drum.

Starting my journey as a piano beginner has been both challenging and exciting, and choosing Ryuichi Sakamoto’s "Energy Flow" has been one of the best decisions I could have made. This piece is not only beautiful but also filled with intricate details that are slowly revealing themselves with every practice session. As I begin learning the melody with my right hand, I'm understanding how Sakamoto’s style melds complexity with grace. Gradually incorporating the left hand, I’m finding that each chord change and harmony feels like a new discovery. "Energy Flow" offers a unique challenge, with melodies that flow seamlessly yet require deliberate attention to master. Though the progress is slow, it's incredibly rewarding to bring out the essence of each note and chord. If you’re a fellow beginner, I hope you find inspiration in this progress record! Step by step, we can all make strides in our musical journeys, no matter where we start.

Lady Gaga’s latest music video, Disease, has captivated fans with its creepy yet iconic visuals and complex storytelling. This post breaks down the video, focusing on its storyline, as we interpret fan comments and theories. I'll also analyze the lyrics, melody, and harmony, examining the symbolic characters that could reflect Gaga's past work. Join me in exploring why this video has fans so excited and what makes it such a powerful addition to Gaga's music video collection!