This week Timeout spoke to Junny about playing percussion. Junny is currently a percussionist performing at Parkroyal Hotel.

Timeout: What have you done in life that makes you the most proud?

Junny: Performing with Iron Cross Band was the most proud moment for me. When they asked me to participate in the show I was really happy and excited about it, and I got the appreciation of the fans so I felt really happy about that too.

How did you get involved in percussion?

I started playing percussion at Mr Guitar [restaurant]. But when I start working at Mr Guitar I was only singing. After the percussionist quit the job, the bass player, Win Maw, urged me to learn percussion. He can play percussion so he offered to teach me, that was how I started to learn it. When I first learned we did not even have a real percussion set, I had to learn by practising on a table.

What difficulties did you face learning it?

It wasn’t easy. When I first learned my palms not only hurt but also bled. But the technique was not really a problem for me. I have always played guitar and keyboard at the church so those skills helped make learning percussion easier.

How long did it take for you to become a professional?

It took about two years for my hands to create a stable sound. At first I would only play the shaker to get my hands used to the timing. After I could play the percussion well I then had to practise again so that I could play and sing together. It was also a big struggle for me. I even cried at times because when I play right, the singing is wrong. When I sing right the playing is wrong.

How long have you been playing percussion for?

About fourteen years. I started playing in 1998.

Did you ever have reservations about choosing percussion as a career?

No, I didn’t feel worried about it because when I started it I was just doing it for fun and was really interested in it. My husband also supported me a lot so I didn’t have so many problems.

How do you feel when you play percussion?

Even if I have some disappointment before I play, when I start to play percussion I forget about the disappointments and just enjoy the music. When I play in front of the fans I always smile and enjoy the music. Whenever you see me playing I am like that.

Do you have any plans to teach percussion?

Yes, I really would like to teach young people about percussion but now I am really busy with my job so I have plan to do this later.