Adjie Esa Poetra; Singing is a Job of Soul

To those who are dealing with the world of singing as well as domiciled at Bandung possibly already familiar with the figure of Adjie Esa Poetra, a vocal guru who has dedicated his experiences and knowledge as of 1975, to music scene. Through his hands, there were many talented singers have appeared, such as Rita Effendi, Melly Goeslaw and Rossa, to mention some of among of them.

The vocal techniques he inherited to his pupils have always been a distinctive character, and his capability of training vocal has been acknowledged wide-abroad, this can be proved by many expatriates/ foreign citizens who already learnt vocal from him. To recognize him further, uncluster.com has visited one of offices where he teaches at, and following is our interview.

How do you do Mr. Adjie?

I am very well, thank you.

Is there your new agenda for this year?

My recent agenda is to publish a book soon, entitled “Buku Pintar untuk Pemusik dan Penyanyi”. (A Smart Book for Musicians and Singers-Ed)

Would you tell me, at what stage has it been done?

Already done, just the editing process left, and now I am just waiting for the release date to be confirmed by the publisher.

What is the difference between this one with your previous book, actually?

It is very different, as my previous books, such as “1001 Jurus Mudah Menyanyi” was emphasized on techniques, while “Jurus Jitu Jadi Penyanyi Beken” was more to a management, orbital and non-technical skills, but this one talks about professionalism. It tells how a singer should become a professional once after she/he was orbited.

Can you explain your motto which denotes “singing is a job of soul”?

Singing is a music art activity, which the instrument is ourselves, and would be very soulful and humane. It is a soul management, which entirely connected with our soul, so whenever certain singer can sing by his/her soul, his character or personality would be more apparent than before.

Besides teaching at educational institution, where do you get knowledge on vocal?

Besides at institutions, I got several lessons as I consulted to seniors, such as the late Harry Roesli, and I frequently do that. In addition, I also got a lot of knowledge from my own pupils, since to the date my pupils have been my gurus too.

In your opinion, other than efforts and willingness, what main capital would be required by someone, in order to be capable of singing well?

A good singer shall be a singer that has got strong motivation, intense efforts and surely learning hard too, do exercise and don’t forget; experience or singing-hours of the concerned singer.

During your time of teaching as of year 1975 to the date, do you feel there is a change on the way you teach?

Maybe it has been quite unchanged, but in year 1995 I found 5 x 2 hours technique, i.e. anybody would be able to sing within just 10 hours exercise.

Can you explain, what is the technique of 5 x 2 hours exercise?

It is 10 hours; that means if we really sing from our heart, the skill would not be the main objective anymore, and within just 10 hours, someone might be able to sing

Do you find any difference between that of teaching your pupils from Indonesia with those of from foreign countries?

I think those who came from foreign countries are more exuberant, since they have came here from a far place, and they really have to prove. Those who are Indonesian residents usually, but not all of them, learnt for just a hobby or their social mingle.

What is your motivation to write a book, actually?

I write a book because I want to share my knowledge more extensive, and it is also for the archive of my own life.

Actually, was there certain moment that triggered such motive?

At the time I wrote my first book, “Revolusi Nasyid”, that was the first time I write, and that was finally being coming to real, perhaps the publisher exacted me haha, since previously I frequently planned to write, but those were not fulfilled. So, from that moment I started to be interested in writing.

Would you tell us briefly about “Revolusi Nasyid“, which actually your first momentum of writing?

My first book, “Revolusi Nasyid“, was a book containing development of Nasyid in Indonesia and the world. That was a book that greatly provides recent knowledge on history of Islamic music art in the world.

Other than being vocal guru, you produced singers too, was there a difficulty you found?

I think there was not, such as when I conducted a broadcast show, I assumed that was a variation of activity, a leisure time for my soul and intelligence, and to me personally that was a variation of activity.

Concerning the commission assigned to you in 2005 by the West Java Governor, to be member of the arrange team of West Javanese cultural development strategy?

Yes, the local government conducted a selection upon artists and cultural figures, and I was elected then.

What about then?

Afterwards, I with some cultural figures formulated a concept, once it was done and presented before a meeting, then everyone agreed and nobody rejected it. Unfortunately, it has been no particular realization neither an exact followed-up action carried out by the government.

Do you have any expectation upon this matter?

My expectation is that we shall not make too much program which might be useless, as too many times have been wasted, in addition me and everybody involved there have got moral responsibility upon it.

What was the government’s excuse for not taken any follow-up acts, actually?

The reason is finance.

To the date, what is your obsession that has not been materialized?

I want all mu students would form a community that has charity movement, essentially is music for charity, as recently has been done by one of my pupils, Melly Goeslaw, through her GAS community. She has movement for humanity, which is purported to help our national fellows.

Is there anything else?

In addition, actually I had a dream that has not been real, it is my wish to build a sound of the world, a world’ music gallery in form that might be similar with that of TMII (Beautiful Indonesia Mini Garden-Ed). Inside, there would be all music instruments in this world. Once, there was somebody who eager to fund this project, he/she is from Korea. Since the global (economic-Ed) crisis, then the idea was called off.

What is your opinion on the present-day Indonesian music?

In my opinion, Indonesian music is quite fine, not as that of the old times which was very alike. Just pay attention to the present-day, there are a lot of singers with intense character, a variety of choices. However, there are no other choices on bands, only a few bands that have appeared with excellent character.

(English version by Rizkal D. Satriadi)

Filed Under: Interviews