October 2, 2009 - submitted by Aisya, Malaysia

 

Q. Dearest Oracle. On the South Bank Show, Chris states that he can't read music. Was he being sarcastic? Because if he wasn't then I'm gutted. He's an amazing pianist!

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

A few people have commented on this but it's not essential for people who write and perform music to be able to read it. He can obviously play other people's music too (for example Eric Satie) so although I can understand you being surprised, not sure why you would feel gutted. My Gran could hear any piece of music and immediately play it on the piano and she couldn't read music and never had a lesson in her life; some people are just naturally talented... sadly I didn't inherit that from her!

 

Yay! She answered me only like ten minutes after I posted the question!

 

Haha, the reason why I used the word 'gutted' is cuz I can play the piano by ear, and I can't read music either, but since I actually got a keyboard for myself at the beginning of this year, I've been trying HARD to learn how to read notes. Like, seriously, I borrowed books for beginners and I still don't get it. I was planning on giving up and just settling on knowing how to play by ear, even if it means never being able to play really really well. So when Chris said he can't read music, I just felt really silly. :nice:

That's a great question, Pai. :nice: I was a little confused too, when I watched the SB Show.

 

Yay! She answered me only like ten minutes after I posted the question!

 

:nice:

 

But at the end she didn't really say that he can't didn't she? :thinking:

Congrats Pai!!

 

Here are the wother two:

 

 

October 2, 2009 - submitted by Jared, Australia

 

Q. Hi Oracle,

 

At the beginning of 2007 (I think) it was announced that Timbaland was going to produce the next Coldplay album? Was that some 'way out there' rumor or is there some truth to the statement?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

That rumour probably started when Timbaland was quoted as saying he'd love to work with the band but as you know, Brian Eno took the helm. Brian's enlisted to work on album 5 also.

R#42 said it in the blog with the excerpt already!! :dozey:

 

 

 

October 2, 2009 - submitted by Tyler, United States of America

 

Q. Is Matt McGinn Roadie #42?!

 

The Oracle replies:

 

I can see how you would come to that conclusion given that Matt has written a book about being a roadie but no, he isn't Roadie #42. We clearly have roadies who are talented in more than one field!

But at the end she didn't really say that he can't didn't she? :thinking:

 

Yeah, on second read, I noticed she didn't really say he can't read music... But judging from this line:

 

He can obviously play other people's music too (for example Eric Satie) so although I can understand you being surprised, not sure why you would feel gutted

 

it seems as though she's trying to say that he can't, but he can play other people's music, too...

 

So although I can understand you being surprised, not sure why you would feel gutted.

 

So if she understands why I'd be surprised, that means that what he said was true... right? ::thinking:

Eno will stay for LP5? Hmm.

Yeah, on second read, I noticed she didn't really say he can't read music... But judging from this line:

 

He can obviously play other people's music too (for example Eric Satie) so although I can understand you being surprised, not sure why you would feel gutted

 

it seems as though she's trying to say that he can't, but he can play other people's music, too...

 

So although I can understand you being surprised, not sure why you would feel gutted.

 

So if she understands why I'd be surprised, that means that what he said was true... right? ::thinking:

 

:lol: It's an Oracle, she usually never talks in clearly sentences! :laugh3:

Yeah, on second read, I noticed she didn't really say he can't read music... But judging from this line:

 

He can obviously play other people's music too (for example Eric Satie) so although I can understand you being surprised, not sure why you would feel gutted

 

it seems as though she's trying to say that he can't, but he can play other people's music, too...

 

So although I can understand you being surprised, not sure why you would feel gutted.

 

So if she understands why I'd be surprised, that means that what he said was true... right? ::thinking:

 

 

yup, that's how the answer reads to me. he can't read music, but he's a talented enough musician that he can play other people's work after hearing it. he wouldn't need to learn the sheet music to play their work.

But I thought I saw somewhere (a video, a picture,...) Chris writing down piano notes...

But I guess if he can't read music, he can't write it either...? :thinking:

I'm sure quite a lot of musicians can't read music.If you're self-taught often you just play by ear.I sang in the opera when I was a kid and my teacher would just play the melody and note to me and I would sing back cause I couldn't read music.I only learned much later and just for fun.And with computers these days you just plug your instrument to your mac (or whatever you have) and it recognize the notes and write it down by itself.

I totally forgot that I've seen this at the airport when I flew home from London:

 

 

:D

 

It was in one of the Live Blogs on CP.com I think, but I can't remember which one it was...

 

... and this is on the side of the entrance to Cargo btw!!

 

 

Looking forward to a new week full of replies from the Oracle, have a nice Sunday everyone!

what's inside that, plastic forks?

what's inside that, plastic forks?

Haha, no, usually it is the program of concerts and events etc... this time it was a brochure about events in Antwerp however. :wtf:

Shame it wasn't Amsterdam, that woud have been too good to be true :lol:

 

It's a cool place, there's a Banksy on one of the walls of the patio!

October 5, 2009 - submitted by Chiches, Spain

Q. Hi Oracle!

I have a version of Til Kingdom Come that has another song too... but I do not what it is.. the beginning is : " Are you missing something...looking for something..."

What is the title please? thanks

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

The song you have is How You See The World and features on the X&Y album released in Japan as a bonus track.

The rest of the world is probably more aware of How You See The World No. 2. Chris re-wrote the lyrics for the Help: A Day in the Life project and recorded the new vocals at a studio in New York.

October 5, 2009 - submitted by Rachel, United States of America

 

Q. I need advice from the Oracle!! I hooked up with my friend two weeks ago (I hadn't seen him for over a year and I liked him beforehand but had the time to get over him). We had the after hookup conversation and he said we should just be good friends and I said the same- it's what's best. But here I am two weeks later all friendly and playing it cool, but he's been so distant and awkward with me! What should I do? I don't want to be anything more than just friends... and he was such a great friend before. I just want my friend back!

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Give him time Rachel. It's a bit of a generalization to say this but this is a very typical male reaction to what happened. For some reason girls tend to cope better with this situation but all should come good in the end. He just needs to get whatever it is out his system... could be embarrassment, guilt, immaturity, ego thinking you want more or he simply may not know how to act around you now that you both crossed the friendship line.

All you can do is be yourself and act exactly the same with him as you did before and wait patiently if you think his friendship is worth waiting for and it sounds like you do.

anna, you rock, damn you are quick

October 5, 2009 - submitted by Shirl, United Kingdom

 

Q. I think I saw Roadie #42 at Old Trafford. He was going past to get to the group who were at the little stage where Will sings and he was dressed all in black?

 

The Oracle replies:

 

You may have but honestly, it could have been anyone; I have never ever met or seen a roadie who doesn't wear black! As they sometimes work around the band on stage in dark venues they need to be inconspicuous hence the uniform black trait.

anna, you rock, damn you are quick

:lol: Hi Christa! :kiss:

Congrats Pai!!

 

Here are the wother two:

 

 

October 2, 2009 - submitted by Jared, Australia

 

Q. Hi Oracle,

 

At the beginning of 2007 (I think) it was announced that Timbaland was going to produce the next Coldplay album? Was that some 'way out there' rumor or is there some truth to the statement?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

That rumour probably started when Timbaland was quoted as saying he'd love to work with the band but as you know, Brian Eno took the helm. Brian's enlisted to work on album 5 also.

 

Thanks Oracle you truly do answer my questions :)

She never answers mine though. :angry:

She never answers mine though. :angry:

 

What questions did you ask?

Something about the Strawberry Swing release, about the timeline and Prospekt and some other things I can't remember. :p

October 6, 2009 - submitted by Anna, Sweden

 

Q. Dear Oracle!

What with the Roadie #42's new blog and the band changing location for their studio; a few of us over at coldplaying.com where wondering if the band is actually giving up The Bakery, maybe sell it? How much would a property like that cost us if we want to buy it?

 

Yours sincerly

/Anna

 

The Oracle replies:

 

This isn't the only question about buying The Bakery but they're not totally vacating the premises so it's not up for sale.

Yay, she answered my question, very quickly too! :D