Part 1
Weekend Garage
An
♪————!
Ken
Alright, that's good...
Let's end today's practice session here.
Let's end today's practice session here.
An
Woohoo! Wait, it's already this late...?
Thanks for sticking around for so long, Dad.
Thanks for sticking around for so long, Dad.
Ken
Don't mind me.
Just make sure to rest up tonight, okay?
Just make sure to rest up tonight, okay?
An
Okay, I will!
But you should also get some rest since you've been driving super long distances every day. You wouldn't want Mom to worry, right?
But you should also get some rest since you've been driving super long distances every day. You wouldn't want Mom to worry, right?
An
Oh, that reminds me! You gotta hear this!
Ken
Hm? Hear what?
An
We had a little gathering earlier today to tell Toya about our thoughts, feelings and experiences in order to help him with his song.
An
He took everything that we said and organized it into a massive timeline in his notebook! Isn't that so him?
Ken
Sure sounds like it.
You really get to see what makes a person tick when they're writing a song.
You really get to see what makes a person tick when they're writing a song.
An
I know, right...?
Also, didn't each member of your team have their own unique style?
Also, didn't each member of your team have their own unique style?
Ken
Yeah, which complicated things a lot...
Nagi and Taiga both create through feeling, but in completely different ways. To them, my way of thinking was inconceivable...
Nagi and Taiga both create through feeling, but in completely different ways. To them, my way of thinking was inconceivable...
An
Right?
Oh yeah, they also taught in really different ways.
Oh yeah, they also taught in really different ways.
An
Those were such good times.
Remember how I used to follow you guys around and nag you to teach me how to write songs?
Remember how I used to follow you guys around and nag you to teach me how to write songs?
A few years earlier
Little An
It needs to go more...
Rawr! You know what I mean?!
Rawr! You know what I mean?!
Ken
Rawr...?
So, heavier? More bass?
So, heavier? More bass?
Little An
Hmm... No, that's not it...
Ken
It's not...?
You could be a little more specific...
You could be a little more specific...
Ken
Still, I wasn't expecting to be asked to help make a song just after finishing a show.
Ken
Nagi said she already promised to meet with some friends, and Taiga... He just straight-up ran away.
Ken
To be fair, their mottos as teachers are “feel don't think” and “listen to your heart,” which wouldn't make any sense to a kid. I guess it's up to me to be her teacher...
Little An
Daddy! What are you doing talking to yourself?
Ken
Oh, nothing.
Anyway, let me show you how to do this.
Anyway, let me show you how to do this.
Little An
Okay! Thank you, Mr. Shiraishi!
Several dozen minutes later
Ken
So, if you want the chorus here to sound more powerful, try applying the example we just talked about and...
Little An
Hmm...
Ken
Hm? An...?
You seem unsatisfied. Is something wrong?
You seem unsatisfied. Is something wrong?
Little An
I don't get the way you teach! You keep talking about chords and rhythmic patterns and stuff...!
Little An
Yeah, this sounds more like what I wanted... But can't you teach more like Aunt Nagi?! I always get what she's talking about!
Ken
Like her? Now you're asking too much...
Little An
What?!
Daddy, you meanie!
Daddy, you meanie!
Ken
I'm not trying to be mean or anything...
Musician
Hey, what are father and daughter doing causing all this ruckus? If you guys are free, wanna come see us perform? We'll be on stage soon—
Musician
Hm? What's with the laptop...?
Are you guys playing a game together or something?
Are you guys playing a game together or something?
Ken
No, I was teaching her how to make her own tracks.
Little An
Yeah! I'm busy creating!
Musician
You're making your own, An?!
Musician
In the green room for an event of all places... You're like a real artist already, An! Good luck!
Little An
Thanks! I'll let you listen to it once it's done! Anyway, bye bye!
Little An
Hey, did you hear that?
I'm like a real artist already!
I'm like a real artist already!
Ken
In terms of drive, you sure sound like one already.
Ken
Anyway, where were we?
You're going to knock their socks off, right? So, you've gotta make your track a good one.
You're going to knock their socks off, right? So, you've gotta make your track a good one.
Little An
Right!
An
I ended up finishing that track after asking all three of you about it.
Ken
I remember.
And you basically went with Nagi's style in the end...
And you basically went with Nagi's style in the end...
An
What choice did I have? I didn't know what I was doing back then! Actually, I still don't really understand the theory behind it all...
An
But don't worry!
I think your way of teaching is really easy to understand now, Dad!
I think your way of teaching is really easy to understand now, Dad!
Ken
That's good to hear.
For a second there, I was worried that you were going to say, “I still don't get what you're saying!” and ask me to change the way I teach.
For a second there, I was worried that you were going to say, “I still don't get what you're saying!” and ask me to change the way I teach.
An
Haha! I wouldn't do that to you!
An
Anyway, Mr. Shiraishi, I'm looking forward to learning lots more from you!
Ken
Oh, you better be ready since you still have plenty to learn.
An
I am!