One of the Best Bob Dylan Albums

Bob Dylan has created so many great albums in his time; it is a big task to choose the greatest Bob Dylan albums ever made. All of his albums differ, giving his listeners a glimpse of the pride of Hibbing, Minnesota.

Below are my top 3 picks:

1. Bringing it All Back Home - This is a great compilation of all songs electric. Have you heard a more inspired way to go electric?

2. Blonde on Blonde - Considered as one of Dylan's most ambitious creations. It has a sporadic nature that keeps it from being totally accessible with sonic valleys and hills. A sterling example would be "Just Like a Woman" or "Rainy Day Woman."

3. Highway 61 Revisited - Dylan sets the stage with an organ-driven kaleidoscope of images that takes you on a trip to his consciousness for six incredible minutes with "Like a Rolling Stone." This album says everything: no home is ever complete without this collection of songs.

These Bob Dylan Albums show that he was really on a roll!

A lot of people would probably say that The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan or Slow Train Coming should be included in the list; but I am just stating my opinion; and I have listened to Dylan's songs practically all my life. But then again, to each his own.

These Bob Dylan albums definitely have their own tale. His album "Bringing It All Back Home" was created when he evolved from acoustic folk to electric. "Blonde on Blonde" was where he pushed the limits in folk-rock; and if you ask me, this rockin' double album doesn't have a distasteful song in it. "Highway 61 Revisited" was made when was just transitioning to folk-rock.

For my listening pleasure "Blonde on Blonde" is unparalleled. For me, there has never been a more compelling album or a greater personification of an art form. In addition, the lyrics are simply and naturally brilliant! The list of songs from this exceptional double album continues to amaze me until today. Just try listening to the harmonica intro and the sinister horn of "Most Likely You Go Your Way" or the folk-rock and gentle Mowtown accents of "Visions of Johanna," kicking off with the drunken swagger of a band. I listen to them over and over, even after all these years. They should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I rest my case.

Jim A. Byrne is a musician and recording artist who has been writing songs for over 30 years. As well as writing songs for his own Folk and Country Blues albums he has written songs with other people including the pop star Marti Pellow of Wet Wet Wet and Jazz singer Carol Kidd MBE.

Visit Jim's website for more tips and to download two of Jim's latest songs for free: http://www.songsbyjimbyrne.com/freemp3music/index.html

View the original article here

Cafe Escapes Chai Latte Specialty Tea Keurig K-Cups, 16 Count

What is Chai? In many countries, the word simply means "tea." Cafe Escapes has come to know it as black tea blended with comforting spices, including cinnamon, cardamom and clove and a hint of black pepper. Add flavors of sweet milk and honey and the result is a delicious and exotic complement of flavors to sooth your senses, transporting you to distant lands.
The Keurig single-cup brewing system uses a special packaging for coffee, tea and hot cocoa called K-Cup portion packs or "K-Cups". Each K-Cup is an airtight, mini-brewer that locks out oxygen, light, moisture and humidity while locking in freshness and flavor. Simply insert the no mess K-Cup into the brewer and hit the brew button for a fresh-brewed, perfect cup of coffee or tea in under a minute.

Price:

Click here to buy from Amazon

No Strings Attached

No Strings Attached asks the question, "Could you do it?" Meaning, could you have a strictly physical relationship with Natalie Portman or Ashton Kutcher--and not start to fall for them? Under the deft direction of Ivan Reitman, No Strings Attached delivers a surprisingly sophisticated twist on the sex comedy genre, with much more nuance than a viewer might expect. The leads are perfectly cast. Portman is light and wily, a natural for romantic comedies; Kutcher, always charming, has rarely been sexier. The chemistry between their characters, Emma and Adam, is palpable and practically jumps off the screen. (Note to parents: There is a strong raunch factor in No Strings Attached; it's definitely not for younger viewers.) The premise is an age-old one--can good friends become "friends with benefits" without anyone's developing feelings--or getting one's feelings hurt? The answers are less interesting than the frothy journey taken by No Strings Attached. A key reason is the script and great direction. And the supporting cast, including Kevin Kline in a welcome return to films, who plays Adam's randy, pot-smoking dad who hooks up with one of Adam's exes. (Kline also contributes a song to the endearing soundtrack.) At times No Strings Attached is so crudely intimate that the viewer almost feels like an intruder on Emma and Adam's private moments. But that trick tends to make the movie that much more believable. No Strings Attached is a frothy, fun comedy, and a perfect date movie--but probably not a first date movie. --A.T. Hurley

Price: $29.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

Omron HJ-112 Digital Pocket Pedometer

Contents: 1 pedometer, 1 pedometer holder with Spring Clip, 1 Pedometer strap, 1 clip for strap, 1 battery screwdriver, 1 instruction manual, 1 CR2032 battery.The Easy Way to Weight Loss and Improved Health!Walking is a popular and easy way to better health. Reach for a goal of 10,000 steps a day to improve both your physical and mental health. Put it in a pocket, bag or on your waist in the horizontal or vertical position for proven, accurate results.Attain your weight loss quickerThe Omron Pedometer counts total steps, aerobic steps, duration of aerobic walk, calories consumed by walking and distance. 7-Day memory tracks your daily progress. The Aerobic Step CounterAerobic steps means burning more calories, resulting in faster weight loss. In addition, aerobic steps can improve your cardiovascular endurance. The Omron Pedometer tracks aerobic steps separately, making it easier to attain your goals. Aerobic steps start counting after 10 minutes on continuous walking or running.The large display lets you quickly check your progress throughout the day. Now you can see how far you've gone or how many calories you've burned.

Price: $34.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

Belkin Mini Surge Protector/Dual USB Charger

Protect your electronic devices wile traveling.

Price: $0.00

Click here to buy from Amazon

Suicide Silence Is Currently The Most Happening Heavy Metal Band In The World Right Now!

Nowadays, there are various categories of music. This is because people prefer different types of music from others. Most people would prefer a certain category or even, a few categories of music over others. Certainly, different categories of music would be suited to even the same individual at different times and according to the person's mood at that particular time as well.

If it so happens that you are very interested in rock music, it would be good to get the latest music by this incredibly famous heavy metal band, Suicide Silence. The band was initially formed in the year 2002 and has one lead vocalist whose name is Mitch Lucker. Their humble beginnings started with the band carrying out their first ever performance in Riverside, located in the state of California. This band was and is still managed by the Century Media which is responsible for all the music albums that the band has promoted.

It would be interesting to note that the band has registered high sales for their albums, for example the album titled, The Cleansing. Since then, Suicide Silence has been one of the bands that is constantly highly rated on the Billboard charts. This multi talented band specialize in many genres of music, but the specific genre of music that catapulted them into stardom is known as black metal. Black metal music in layman terms can be said to be heavy metal music.

For many individuals, one of the best heavy metal music bands will be hands-down, Suicide Silence. Even if you are not currently a fan of them, you may be wondering what it takes to have a successful and flourishing heavy metal band.

Well, one of the most important factors is that the band must have good sounding music instruments. The major music instruments for this type of genre would be the electric guitar, bass guitar and drums. As a matter of fact, most bands prefer to play their guitar (especially, electric guitar) at high pitched notes. The purpose of the bass guitar however, is to put a bit of melody in the song, although this is not so commonly used by most bands. Irregardless, drums are the most essential instrument for any heavy metal band. With that in mind, it would make sense to invest in a good set of drums set as this may make or break the future of a heavy metal band.

Sofea has learned to love heavy metal music and have discovered this incredible band, Suicide Silence. Find out more about them in the following site: http://www.suicide-silence.com/

View the original article here

Rat Pack Impersonators Offer a Night to Remember

Throwing a great party takes a lot of planning and a lot of creativity, with the beset events featuring something completely unique. Someone who really wants to impress the guests at their next event may want to consider Rat Pack impersonators. These performers can provide and exciting entertainment experience that guests are not likely to have experienced at any party in the past.

Of course, the music and movies made by the members of the Rat Pack are classics and can be easily enjoyed at any time. However, the impersonators are an especially great choice for someone who is throwing a 1960s theme party. Decorations and music only go so far, but having actors portraying legends of the time really makes the theme come to life.

When most people think of the Rat Pack, they think first of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. However, the original Rat Pack included an array of other stars, including Spencer Tracy, Humphrey Bogart and even a few ladies such as Judy Garland and Katherine Hepburn. Booking impersonators of these legends as well will add fun and authenticity to the event.

Some hosts are afraid that having people impersonate the Rat Pack at their event will make them seem old and unappealing to a younger crowd. They should keep in mind that many of the groups' stars, especially the great Frank Sinatra, have timeless appeal. Although young people may not have been around when Frank himself was singing, they have surely grown up with and come to love his music.

Since most members of the group were musicians as well as actors, they can do double duty as party entertainment. Few things are more exciting for party guests than mingling with the impersonators and then seeing them get up on stage to belt out a classic tune. Once guests suspend their disbelief and get into the spirit, they will feel as if they are watching the group playing in a 1960s lounge.

Rat Pack impersonators can offer an entertainment experience like nothing else in the industry. They take older people back to their younger days and make younger guests feel as though they were part of a time gone by. The impersonators can mingle among guests, but they can also provide the music for the special event. Whether throwing a 1960s theme party or just looking for something unique to add, they are sure to make a splash at any event.

Whether you are looking for a Las Vegas party theme, Rat Pack party theme, or you want to have a classic Rat Pack wedding, these Rat Pack impersonators will make you think you are back in Vegas in the 1960s. For more information visit, FrankDeanandSammyShow.com today!

View the original article here

Angel Investors in Entertainment Are the Best Bet

With entertainment going high up on preferences for entrepreneurs to kick start their ventures, Angel investors in entertainment is fast becoming a viable alternative for funding. You could be in filmmaking, planning independent shows, getting record and band labels done or wanting to enter the wide array of mushrooming entertainment businesses.

Solutions to a profitable idea

If you are into the entertainment business and have got stuck up due to lack of funds or are preparing to launch a profitable venture, but lack the necessary financial resources, investors are your best bet. But, is it easy to find one these days as the economic blowback has made lenders wary of parking their funds. And that is exactly where Angel Investors can be a good bet if you have a profitable idea ticking in your head.

Money is no problem if the returns are good as investors always look for a reasonable return on their money. If you are entering the entertainment business, do your groundwork before approaching investors. Unless you are prepared with projections, cash flows and the amount of capital you would require, there is no use approaching Angel investors in entertainment. Venture capital providers want to know upfront what are their stake and returns.

If you are going into record labels, you need to identify the music style as they differ in terms of marketing and recording costs. Depending on the type of music, you can approach the right investor. All investors do not park their funds at the same labels and genre of music as the costs differ widely. If you are looking for a Broadway show financing, you need very resourceful Angel investors in entertainment.

Get hands-on help to fine tune plan

But the real criterion of an entrepreneur is experience in film making independently before they can attract investments for their projects. To make matter easy for an entrepreneur, investors take routine surveys where they get feedback about the state of the project or the financial viability of the start up business. You can also get to know the peer groups in entertainment and how they are operating which will enable you to fine tune your business plan for attracting investments.

Raising capital in the competitive market has never been as easy as you can get hands-on help and guidance. Experts and professionals make the process easier as they provide affordable solutions to entrepreneurs to kick start their entertainment venture. Money is available for start ups as well as those looking for operating capital to run their existing businesses.

Without waiting any longer, get investment friendly help to develop strategy, advice on capital, fine tuning your business plan and a cutting edge financial statement. The business plan will be tailored toward debt funding, assessing your project parameters and you will be given a business development tool as a template for other stakeholders in your venture.

View the original article here

How to Get More Subscribers on Your YouTube Musicians Channel for Beginners (Part 1)

Here are a few tips that you can use to get more subscribers on your YouTube musicians channel.

Start interacting with other YouTubers. Comment on their videos. Start doing searches for some of your favorite musicians, artists, bands, tv shows, movies, etc. Subscribe to and rate their videos. Tell them if you like their video or not. Make them a friend. Always leave a comment on their channel comments on their main page as well as on their actual video. I can't stress that enough. That gives you a lot of visibility. The important thing to remember is these are people and your trying to build a relationship with them. Treat them as such. You show them respect and they will return it. You have to invest some time browsing YouTube collecting some videos for your favorites making friends and subscribing to others videos. Just getting to know your way around YouTube.

When you are starting out as a musician on YouTube you should definitely do some cover songs. That is a sure fire way to get people to your channel. Try to do the cover in your own way. I have seen some awful versions of some popular songs being played that still manage to get a lot of views. It is all in the attitude.Just be yourself in the video.Don't forget to use as many descriptive keywords in the tags area after you upload your video. See what other popular YouTubers are using as tags. The more you can use the better. Check and see who are getting the most views doing a particular cover you might be interested in. How can you do your own twist on that cover?

The Channel Box on your main page where you can list other YouTube channels to check out is very important. When you want to be advertised on another YouTube channel. You should start small. Pick a channel that has around how many subscribers you have. If you only have 50 subscribers. Don't bother asking a popular YouTuber that has half a million subscribers to be in their channel box! Make sense? Just send them a message asking if they could put you in their channel box. Don't ask them on their channel comments. Make sure its a personal message. It will start off they will put you in theirs if they can be in your channel box. Sometimes other channels will even do a feature on your music and put you on their front page in exchange for being in your own channel box.

View the original article here

Fender Prosonic Amp Review

All tube 60w combo, with 2 x 10 Celestion speakers, switchable bias, designed by the legendary Bruce Zinky. The Prosonic was Fender Custom Shop's attempt at producing a high gain boutique amplifier with features you would expect to find on a MESA / Boogie.

The MESA / Boogie style features found on the Prosonic are:

switchable channelsdual cascading gain controls on drive channelswitchable rectifier / biaseffects send & return

I first heard one of these about 15 years ago when they first came out. I had never been gotten a decent sound from built-in pre-amp drives, preferring to drive the input on non master volume amps using my old Ibanez Tube Screamer. However, 15 years ago, I can distinctly remember it being one of the best pre-amp drives I had ever heard. I also remember they were pretty expensive new (boutique pricing?) which partly explains why Fender ceased production after 6 years.

I eventually managed to get hold of my Prosonic about 18 months ago.

The Prosonic offers switchable bias / rectifier settings:

solid state rectifier, class A/B 60w - Mode 1 sounds like traditional clean Fender tones, especially on the clean channel. Very clean, sparkly and very loud.tube rectifier, class A/B 50w - Mode 2 is slightly softer and darker due to compression of tube rectifiertube rectifier, class A 30w - Mode 3 is true class A mode, and at 30w super warm sound with early natural break up, but still loud, as is a decent Voc AC30. Maybe not exactly an AC30, but doesn't disgrace itself at all, and you could spend a lot more money than this on amp 30w class A amp.

These modes can be switched using the chicken head dial at the back, even whilst switched on. Beware though, 30 class A mode is hard on tubes.

Great, great tone. Before I got hold of this one, online review described the Prosonic as one of the best amps Fender ever made. Clean channel will do classic clean Fender tones, and although I don't normally use much drive for my playing, the Prosonic seems to entice me to play harder and dirtier, and its so much fun - a bit like a fast bike willing you to stretch the throttle cable. The 2 x 10 Celestions give warmth and crunch to the sound - perfect for single coil pickups playing in a small combo. It is a hot amp, and loud, even in 30w mode.

Downsides:

The reverb is noisy. It doesn't bother me, but for studio use, could pose a problem. A known issue with these, and there is an easy mod for itThe channel switching produces a pop - again, known issue with these, and there is an easy mod for it

The Prosonic is my current do it all amp, and after taking nearly 15 years to get hold of one, it's a keeper.

View the original article here

The Truth About Roll Deep's Good Times

From their humble roots in the grime scene Roll Deep have quickly become one of the biggest urban acts in the UK. Their single "Good Times" featuring Jodie Conner, was released by digital download on 25 April 2010 on Relentless/Virgin Records. Roll Deep have a number of different members, but the MC's that feature on Good Times are Wiley, Breeze, Brazen and Scratchy: the four longest standing and original members of the crew. The song was produced by David Dawood and is arguably some of their strongest production to date.

Before their rise to stardom, Roll Deep have undergone many changes in terms of their sound and members. Their original lineup included Dizzee Rascal but following his success of 'Showtime' decide to go his separate way from the crew. Other members have included JME (brother of Skepta), Riko an underground legend in his own right, Roachee and Trim. Personally I feel that Riko, Roachee and Trim were some of the best rappers in the crew and really defined there sound for the early part of the last decade. Track's like: 'When I'm Ere' were when Roll Deep were at their best, with a fiery combination of moody bass heavy grime beats, and sharp powerful delivery from the MC's. Although this track, and in fact their whole debut album 'In At The Deep End' failed to achieve the commercial success of 'Good Times' and their other recent material, it had a certain charm about it that is no longer there.

Undeniably 'Good Times' is a catchy contemporary sounding track with sharp rich production value and great vocal melodies. It has allowed them to bridge the gap between being an underground grime act to a commercial household name. Lyrically it is pretty basic, lines like 'Let's go west end shopping, champagne popping, party ain't stopping' really aren't pushing the boat out. However it is what it is and although it may be slightly 'dumbed down' to appeal to the masses, they have achieved great success with the track and it marked their first number 1 in the UK Charts. 'Good Times' also spent 5 weeks in the top ten and sold over 300,000 copies in the UK since its release in May 2010.

Balancing between the underground and commercial is a challenging task for most artists and Roll Deep have definitely experienced both to the full, but I do hope as I'm sure do many other that in the future they will be able to re-capture that gritty, raw energy that helped pioneer grime music. The success of Roll Deep and their peers has certainly opened doors for others and there are now a number of great British rap artists that are on the rise.

If you like urban/rap/grime you should check out Skilf and download his new mixtape 'Alter Egos' from his site. I highly recommend it, there's a really good mix of tracks on there and the rapping is on point.

View the original article here

The Ideal Time for Kids to Learn to Play Guitar

It is expected that you would end up fighting with your children when you force them to learn to play guitar since they may not have the same kind of passion that you do when it comes in venturing into this kind of hobby. It may be tasking to enforce, but it takes patience and faith, hoping that they will become mature enough to learn that there is benefit in learning how to play a musical instrument. Letting them learn slowly by incorporating music with discipline is a good way to start things out.

They will never have interest to learn to play guitar not until exposure is encouraged to early sounds and music. While they are growing, parents should play basic rhythms where children could make body and facial responses. In most cases, there is a seen potential in the connection of kids with music by the way they react to various sounds played inside their kiddie room. It is also encouraged to buy them a piece of baby guitar that they can hold and play while exposing them in DVDs of children and other people playing the guitar in an easy and casual way.

This is the best avenue for them to learn to play guitar without making them feel that they are being forced especially when they arrived at the ideal age of five. They do not need to grasp all techniques and professional terminologies at their young age since all things, after gaining interest, proceed according to timing. It is more on audio and visual presentation that could truly excite them that the guitar is one of the musical instruments that they can truly appreciate and love the most. Ensure that they have their own guitar in their room since it likable that they will touch it, becomes curious with it, and enjoying strumming it.

Once familiarization to sounds have been achieved with the years of preparation from toddlers going to primary years, then it's time to show them instructional books for beginners that would lead them to learn to play guitar at their best comprehension and attention. You could not expect them to follow the process right away if you are instilling it as an education where they have to sit and listen. Make each learning step fun where they can feel that they are just playing with you. Later on, you could expose them to online tutorials and videos where they could learn new things in a child's playful setting.

For parents and adults who are interested in teaching their toddlers and children to play the guitar, you may go to http://learn-2-play-guitar.com/ for more references and tips on what to understand in preparing children for guitar playing.

View the original article here

How to Reduce Stress Concerning Wedding Music

Do you feel stressed at the thought of organizing wedding music for a date that is drawing closer every day? There are undoubtedly many arrangements that you have to make, but the music you choose for your wedding is extremely important. Not only do you need to select it well but you also need to communicate your requirements to your wedding band, master of ceremony and others so that they can do what is required of them.

It is not surprising at all that you are feeling a lot of pressure because there are so many different things that you have to do, all of them within certain time frames. This should give you the biggest clue about how to reduce stress. Make sure that you plan things well in advance so that you can pick and choose your wedding music at leisure. You should organize everything months before the wedding so that you can completely cross it off your list of things to do. Your band, DJ or church organist or choir, as the case may be, will be very glad to get the information well in advance so that they can make the necessary arrangements. You can check in on them occasionally in order to assure yourself that everything is proceeding smoothly, but you do not need to worry about this subject any more.

You might also be worried about whether your musical selection will sound well. This is certainly something to be concerned about because your guests will definitely be expecting to hear some beautiful music when they come to your wedding. Also, you will convey a lot about yourself through the songs you play. Get help from an experienced person to find out where all you will need music. There are plenty of websites and blogs that will give you excellent inputs about the popular musical choices for weddings. You can then rest easy on this count.

Another source of worry is the wedding band. Most wedding bands are quite professional and reliable because they too have to maintain their reputation in the business. However, you should have a contract in place with the band so that there is no question of them backing out at a later date or refusing to do any particular thing they have already committed to doing. You could include a clause in the contract that they will provide a replacement band just in case there is an unavoidable reason for them not being able to perform. The same applies to the DJ who has been hired to perform at the reception.

It is definitely worth being systematic while making arrangements for all aspects the wedding and not just for the music. You will find that this reduces the need for too much work and you will also be certain that everything will run exactly according to your plan. There will therefore be no scope for any last-minute and unwelcome surprises. You can then focus on getting beautiful for your big day.

Searching for the perfect band for a wedding or do you just want some help with the music

http://weddingbandsmelbourne88.com.au/ the perfect place to go when looking for Wedding Bands Melbourne

Check it out for a great deal and advice.

View the original article here

How to Improve Your Home Recording Studio

Having your own recording studio is a wonderful thing, it gives you freedom of musical exploration and creativity and there are no expensive fees involved like there would be if you were recording at a big major studio - it is completely yours.

However the equipment that you buy is very important, this can really determine whether the sounds you are creating actually sound good or not on other systems. This is where some important decisions come into play on what your budget is and how big you actually want the studio itself, because home studios don't have to be that big or they could take up whole rooms, instead of just the corner of a bedroom.

One of the most important pieces of equipment that you are going to need tor really invest in is the speakers, or Studio Monitors as they are more widely known. These are not like ordinary Hi-Fi speakers that have bass boosters on them etc.; these are usually flat line response so everything is equal. This enables you to get a tight mix and really make your music shine on other systems.

The most obvious thing here though is - the more money you put in, the better Studio Monitors you are going to end up with, it really is that simple. That isn't to say however that some lower budget Studio Monitors aren't any good because some of them are fantastic and sound extremely nice but the higher end, more professional speakers are why they are some of the best on the market and you can only usually find them in more professional, experienced studio environments.

Depending on what type of music you are going to make determines what equipment you use. If you are just going to make Electronic music, which is purely synthesis, then getting yourself a computer that can hold the load and process all the information is definitely a good idea. Another big factor is which DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) you are going to use. There are some that are more popular than others which are usually the big industry standard DAW's. These can also prove to be quite expensive in price.

If you want to make more acoustic type music, then microphones also play a huge part. These also determine how well sound is picked up form your recording environment and it should also be quite acoustically sound. This can be done by placing acoustic panels around your room which stops sound from creating standing waves when refracting from the environment. Microphones are also quite expensive but like Studio Monitors there can be some good budget ones out there - it is all about shopping around and looking for the best deals.

For more information about Studio Monitors in particular they are reviewed here: http://monitorsforstudios.blogspot.com/

View the original article here

How The Culture Of Singing Popular Karaoke Songs Spread Around The World

For more than thirty years, people around the world have gotten to understand each other a little better through the practice of joining to sing popular karaoke songs. There have been numerous new innovations in the world of karaoke, since its humble beginnings in Asia.

In the Asian community, private karaoke boxes that cater for small groups of friends are popular attractions to restaurants and other venues that host karaoke. They are also a feature in parts of California and Toronto. A few mobile phone networks have caught on to the craze and launched applications that allow users to turn their phones into portable karaoke devices. Karaoke on Demand is a free-streaming service that can be subscribed to and in places like London and South Korea, karaoke cabs, taxis with karaoke systems, hit the streets in the 1990s.

Gay themed karaoke bars have evolved to become a tourist attraction of sorts in the Philippines and in the United States, a new form of karaoke, known as live band karaoke, has emerged. Live band karaoke has a large following with the hard rock, punk and metal crowd. Here live musicians replace the karaoke machine. Many fans deck themselves out in hair metal wigs and full leathers and if image is not enough to get you through your performance, the band might well provide a helping hand by slowing the tempo or providing some helpful backing vocals.

Using the same basic concept as karaoke, some churches in the United Kingdom have embraced a new type of accompaniment to their hymns - a device known as the Hymnal Plus or HT-300. It boasts the memory capacity to store 2750 hymns in mp3 files, can alter the keys of hymns or jazz them up with a disco beat. It replaces the traditional organist but comes at the stiff price of $3,500.

For singers wanting to perfect their vocal performance, the carry-a-tune Singing Coach software incorporates karaoke features. The program, which includes a karaoke type microphone, evaluates your voice range and judges your singing by giving you a score out of a possible 100.

Sinister, rather than sensational, are a string of murders that have been called the 'My way-killings', as they each targeted a karaoke singer over his performance of Frank Sinatra's signature tune. As a result, many karaoke bars in the Philippines, where the murders took place, no longer allow participants the choice of that song. A Vietnamese oil company recently penalized twenty-one workers for not participating in the firm's karaoke event.

From time to time, someone aspires to set a world record in a karaoke related event. One such person was Ken Parsons of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada, who performed karaoke numbers for fifty-five hours, eleven minutes and thirty in 2010. For the longest karaoke marathon with multiple participants, various attempts have been made in recent years, in locations such as Finland and India, but the latest record was set in the United Kingdom, when singers delivered 781 hours and 31 minutes worth of karaoke in a session lasting longer than one calendar month.

The next time you step into your favourite nightspot to enjoy a few popular karaoke songs, bear in mind that you are sharing a form of entertainment enjoyed by millions around the world.

For a more in depth analysis of what goes on behind the most popular karaoke songs, check out the history of the music studio producers and how they got into the music industry.

View the original article here

How To Select Your Own Popular Karaoke Songs

On the Internet, you should experience no difficulty finding sites to buy popular karaoke songs and if you have temporary cash flow problems, YouTube showcases a large variety of karaoke videos you can view and use for free. You could find the task a little challenging, though, if your musical tastes run off the beaten track and what you really want to perfect, is an album track from an obscure 1980s band that did not quite rise to stardom. The answer is to create your own karaoke tracks and there are several online tools that can help you to complete the task.

Your first essential would be voice-removing software. At the website make your own karaoke you can download a program that takes the vocal tracks from CDs, MP3s or Itunes music and supports Windows or Mac operating systems. How well this works will depend on the dimensions of the recording and which effects were added to the vocal track. In the process of sound mixing, the lead vocal is usually fixed centrally, making it easy to home in on. If echo or reverb was added to the track, it can only be lessened and not be taken away completely. The software includes multi-track editing, which means you can cut or alter its length. It is priced at $39.99, and can be ordered as a download or CD.

Another program in this class can be found at make karaoke tracks. Remember to check the system requirements before downloading this program that can change any track first to an mp3 and from there to a karaoke track by deleting the lead vocalist's contribution.

A website that offers a range of karaoke related programs, including voice removing software,can be found at free downloads center. Among the free downloads, you can expect to find a number of music players that can be used for karaoke.

Another free program that removes voice is available from karaoke anything. According to the website, their software can completely erase the vocals from three quarters of the songs they tried it on. The site also includes feedback and tips from satisfied users.

Having successfully eliminated the vocals from your chosen song track, you can then move on to adding the graphics part of the karaoke track. For this purpose, use the movie-editing program that is already part of your operating system - iMovie, if you have Apple Mac or Movie Maker, if it is Windows. The program would feature a display to which you must add the empty music track.

Now you are ready to incorporate the lyrics. Evil lyrics, a program that is available from evil labs, scans the Internet to find the lyrics of any song you play on your computer. It is supported by music players such as iTunes, Winamp and Windows Media Player. Once found, the lyrics are entered in a database and can be used to create your individual karaoke tracks.

With this arsenal of little helpers, you should have no trouble creating popular karaoke songs from your personal music collection.

For a more in depth analysis of what goes on behind the most popular karaoke songs, check out the history of the music studio producers and how they got into the music industry.

View the original article here

More And More Musicians Are Finding It Beneficial To Buy Beats

A lot of musicians will shop around to buy beats, and there are many reasons for this. There are those people that would consider the purchase of tracks to limit the creativity level of an artist, yet the artists that purchase them say that quite the opposite is actually true..

Any artist that wants to use this type of beat can purchase it and add it to their music. Most of the artists that do are working within the hip hop genre though. Many of these artists do not have the equipment or knowledge that is required to make a beat. Some of them are more concerned over their lyrical work.

A lot of people might have noticed that when they turn the radio to the rock station, they will hear many songs that have the type of beat track that is being discussed here introduced. This is because most modern genre music is more hybrid than it has ever been before. Artists that are influenced by many more than one genre are starting to buy these tracks and throw them somewhere in their final mixes...

So many websites that specialize in selling such beat tracks can be found through a simple web search. There are two ways in which such tracks are sold to artists. Some artists prefer the old fashioned way, these artists like to have an actual CD shipped to them. Many other artists would rather type their payment information into the website and have access to an instant download.

Most sites that specialize in selling beat tracks to artists are naturally going to let artists sample tracks that they might be considering. Why would any artist buy something when he or she has no idea how it even sounds? It is important to remember that it is in the seller's best interest to make sure that such samples are of a much more compressed and lower quality than the purchased tracks.

Some artists practice on royalty free tracks that are free to download and use. This is because they want to learn the craft before investing their hard earned money into it. There are some publishers that specialize in free tracks. In some cases the creator of a particular track might require a credit within any final works that utilize their track. This is still a very effective way to learn.

A lot of musicians are able to concentrate on lyrical work and other musical elements when they start using the web to buy beats. It is important to not worry too much about what formats a company offers. This is because free software exists that will convert one format into any other.

Don't fool yourself into thinking you can't find great instrumentals and Buy Beats on the internet, then you should click the links in this sentence so you can find and Buy Rap Beats Online.

View the original article here

Music Scores.com

Download Classical Sheet Music. Originals And Arrangements For All Abilities And Instruments.

Check it out!

The Lion King (A Walt Disney Masterpiece) [VHS]

Anybody who struts around with Simba's hard-won authority deserves this royal DVD read-along from Disney. Kids can recoil at Uncle Scar's dastardly deeds en espanol and discover that "hakuna matata" sounds pretty much the same in Spanish, French, Italian, or German. And should the dynamic storytelling fail to thrill your 4- to 12-year-old fan, a flurry of other interactive options await. Toggle to "Songs" for sing-along renditions of movie hits, including "I Just Can't Wait to Be King," and on to "Music Videos," where Elton John roars soundtrack favorites "Circle of Life" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" and Jimmy Cliff and Lebo M groove to "Hakuna Matata." The "Vocabulary" feature allows for see-and-say mastery of a list of wildlife, while the "Game" section allows players to match paw and hoof prints to the proper beast and reassemble the scattered skeletal remains of an elephant. Original cast voices are featured, and grownups will be pleased by the package's reading component. --Tammy La Gorce

Price: $26.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

New Music Economy - The Music Marketing System

Music marketing system that teaches musicians how to work their business like an Internet Marketer. As used on artists on Cash Money, Warner Bros, etc. Pays 50%. http://genyrockstars.com/newmusiceconomy/affiliate s

Check it out!

Rock guitarist Leslie West's lower leg amputated (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Rock guitarist Leslie West, who rose to fame in the '70s power trio Mountain, has had his lower right leg amputated in a life-saving operation related to his diabetes, his wife said on Monday.

West, 65, underwent the emergency surgery after being admitted to a hospital in Biloxi, Mississippi, on Saturday when his leg started to swell and his foot went septic.

"The doctors tried for two days to save it to no avail. The decision to amputate was one that was necessary to save his life as the infection was spreading throughout his body," his wife, Jenni West, said in an email.

"The nursing staff and doctors have taken excellent care of him and should be called angels for their efforts and tenderness they showed us in this time of crisis."

West is expected to recover but faces extensive rehabilitation, a spokesman said.

Mountain is probably best known for its debut 1970 single "Mississippi Queen," a staple of classic rock radio. West has long struggled with his weight and type 2 diabetes. He named one of his solo albums "The Great Fatsby."

His next album, "The Unusual Suspects," featuring such guitarists as Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Slash of Guns N' Roses and Joe Bonamassa, does not yet have a release date.

(Reporting by Dean Goodman)

View the original article here

U2 Origins

If you studied popular music of the last three decades, you'd be hard-pressed to find a band with the influence on music as well as social and cultural issues as the group U2. Front man, Bono's strong belief in the triumph of the human spirit over the sometimes horrible human condition is more than well known. His strong christian beliefs, has made him a strong advocate for a number of humane causes. But my interest runs along the path of their beginnings. For that, we go back to 1976 Dublin, Ireland, where, at a local high school, a 14 year-old Larry Mullen, (drummer), posted on the schools' bulletin board, an invite for amateur musicians to come to his home to tryout for a band he wants to form. Among those to show is 15 year-old Paul David Hewson, (later to be known as Bono-Vox, then shortened to Bono).

Another was Londoner transplant, David Evans, who was 14. David played guitar and would later develope a sharp, distinct sound that would be one of the factors in the title of his nickname, 'the Edge'. Also present was bassist, Adam Clayton, who couldn't play bass at the time, but certainly talked like he could. Together, the four lads formed their band and named it 'Feedback'. Dedication was never a question mark for these boys. They rehearsed diligently for 18 months while playing small gigs locally. Although young, the band showed immediate promise. With their style and energy, they we're able to connect directly and strongly with the audience, giving them a loyal following. Local celebrity having been gained, along with a new band name, 'the hype', the young group got their first big break in 1978 at a talent contest in Limerick, Ireland. With Jackie Hayden of CBS records in attendance and looking on, the boys from Dublin stole the show, and won 5oo pounds. I have no idea if Hayden ever spoke to the group, but if he did, he must have told them to get management, because that was their next move.

Dublin businessman, Paul McGuiness agreed to manage the promising band and another name change took place. They we're now U2. In March of 1980, U2 signed a deal with Island Records and released their first album, "Boy," later that year. It was well received by fans, both in Ireland and the U.K. In 1981, the band released their second album, 'October'. Synthesizers' and the electronic drum beats of bubblegum bands still dominated the airwaves, but U2's unique sound was winning over music fans and critics alike. In 1983 international success was reached in a big way with the release of album no. 3, "War". The bands' style and sound had now traveled across the pond to the states to hopefully be embraced by a whole new audience. The songs, 'New Years Day' and 'Sunday, Bloody, Sunday' were breakout hits, however, not on the radio, but on a new medium that arrived on the scene like a bolt of lightening. MTV had taken the music world by storm, and video's for both songs got heavy air play on the new network.

The band's live performances were gaining them fans as well. As in Ireland, American audiences were drawn by the kinetic energy of U2. Although critics and fans alike considered U2's sound as hard, aggressive, and even some type of a "call to arms", the band, (especially Bono), set it straight that the songs were anti-war and in no way an angry cry for blood in the streets of Northern Ireland or anywhere else. With the success of War and their fourth album, 'Under a Blood-Red Sky' still looming, U2 signed a new contract with Island records. The new contract gave the band more control in the areas' of creativity and finances. Control they would use by personally choosing the producers of their fifth album, 'The Unforgettable Fire'.Named for drawings survivors of Nagasaki and Hiroshima had created in the wake of the atomic attacks. Bono had seen them on display in a museum and was both moved and disturbed by the drawings. This must of played a role in the change of style and sound on 'Fire' Gone was the aggressive style from 'War', replaced with a more conscientious and social awareness. Songs like the pulse pounding "Pride" written about the assassination of Martin Luther King and "Bad", about the horrors of drug addiction Bono had witnessed in some of his friends back in Ireland.

On the tour for the album, 'Bad' became the celebrated tune for live audiences, while 'Pride' became a huge chart hit, breaking the top 5 in the U.K. and top 50 in the states. The boys from Dublin were now bona fide rock-stars, with a large and ever-growing fan-base. They were calling most of the shots as well, with creative and financial control over their careers. Worldwide super-stardom would hit with the release of 1987's 'Joshua Tree'. The album had a new more mature style, but the sound was unmistakably U2. Rather than social or political based songs, the lyrics from Joshua Tree were more about life's journey, (up to that point, anyway). From the dark and haunting sound of the song 'With or Without You' to the freeing and inspirational, 'where the streets have no name', U2 was branching out once again to attract a whole new audiences. Critics hailed the album, as a triumph. The band even made the cover of 'Time' magazine. U2 was deemed by many, 'the band of the eighties' and one of the most influential bands of the decade. From friends' and neigbors' garages, to local celebs, to the conquest of the U.S., to sold-out stadiums around the world, U2 has conquered the world and didn't stop there. After 'Joshua Tree', U2 has released an array of 24 albums., some of which were 'live' and 'best of', but all classic. The band is still turning out music, and Bono is still a social and political advocate for those less fortunate. Truly, their musical influence has spread far beyond the decade they first appeared to us, much in the same way bands like the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin have.

View the original article here

What Is Wrong With the Rap Beats?

I'm going to go through a variety of instrumentals that have always held a special place in my heart. Most of them are from rap music in the 1990's through early 2000's. I think, as do many that these are the years when rap music reached its peak. It had finally developed far enough as a musical genre and artists were coming out with some of the most in depth and tantalizing music. Rap music before these years was still in sort of a developmental stage where, as with any genre of music, the music hadn't yet reached its ultimate level of complexity. After these years the genre really began to dumb itself down, even the great artists who rose to the top of the industry during this time period were releasing music that wasn't there best and just plain not as inspiring. Lets discuss what was going on in the beginning of rap music.

Lets be honest as cool and innovative as the early days of rap were the music itself was very basic. The musical backdrop was comprised mostly of drums mixed in with a little DJ scratching and maybe some horns, bass, or keys taken from a sample. The vocals that were in the forefront of the music were also very primitive. Using very simple rhyming patterns and rhyming words, sometimes delving into politics and mostly just party music. This is not an attempt to take away from the music at all. Rap in its beginnings was extremely revolutionary and innovative. After all, the entire world had never really heard anything that was like this before. If you look at the early eras of other genres of music you will also find that the music was undeveloped. Early blues would be simple guitar chords and vocals, early classical was just a piano sonata or string quartet neither of which come close to matching the complexity of a full symphonic orchestra. Early rap was the same way, it just grazed the surface of what the music could really be.

The artist's that took rap music to the next level are artists like Jay-Z, Outkast, Nas, and Dr. Dre. When you compare the complexity of these lyrics (with the exception of Dr. Dre) to the early days it is impossible to not argue that they have come a lot way. The words that are rhymed are a lot more complex, using multiple syllables within the rhymes. Not just going AA BB with the rhyme pattern, the rhythms used by the rappers has also developed along with their storytelling abilities. Dr. Dre is on the list for his production, specifically for his work on The Chronic. The complexity of the music on these albums was in my opinion not yet reached in the genre of rap music.

Fast forward to rap music now and you it is almost like we are going back words. Maybe the industry just isn't as talented or maybe the consumers are just getting dumber. After all we are the first generation that is less educated than our parents. Nonetheless if you listen to rappers they just can't seem to do it like the old greats. Everything is getting more basic from the content, to the wordplay to the beats.

Jake Poore is the owner of free beats and a constant supplier of rap beats to aspiring artists via the internet.

View the original article here

Canada Flocks to Sled Island: Summer Travel Destination

I just had a riveting interview with Lindsay Shedden, the Festival Director for Sled Island. Sled Island is a 4 day music and arts festival in Calgary that kicks off the summer, where hundreds of bands and artists get together to play in venues across the city.

History

Sled Island was founded in 2007 by Zak Pashak the owner of Broken City, a local Calgary bar. When I asked Lindsay how Sled Island came about, she said it was an idea over beers. In its inaugural year more than 6000 fans came out to see local sensations (Chad VanGaalen, Woodpigeons, etc.) alongside international bands (Spoon, Cat Power, Boredoms, etc.). There were 96 bands that played in multiple venues that first year and it was only the beginning. Sled Island has grown every year and the incredible line-ups have included Mogwai, Wire, Deerhunter, The Breeders, Jose Gonzales, Built to Spill and so many more.

This year - June 22-25, 2011

They are expecting over 25000 fans to see the 200+ artists coming to Calgary for this year's Sled Island Music Festival that will be playing in more than 25 venues across the city. Acts this year include The Buzzcocks, Dandy Warhols, Sleep, Of Montreal, Kurt Vile and more. To see all of the great bands that are coming check out the full line-up. Some of the exciting venues are Olympic Plaza, Glenbow Museum, Republik, Royal Canadian Legion #1, etc. There's a place for everybody so take a look at which venues are right for you. There's every type of music from hip hop to punk; and every type of venue from clubs to all ages shows. And if music isn't your thing, there's art, comedy and film. There's something for everyone.

With over 200 bands coming to town, it's hard to see all of them so I asked the expert.

Me: Who are you looking forward to seeing?

Lindsay: The Intelligence, Jim Ward, and Zola Jesus.

Me: These bands are a little more obscure than the Buzzcocks or Of Montreal.

Lindsay: That's the beauty of this festival is discovering these amazing bands that you may not have heard of before.

Me: What do you think is the best venue?

Lindsay: I don't know about best but I'm really excited about our new venue this year Twisted Element.

Me: Who are the fans that come out to Sled Island?

Lindsay: Music lovers. And it's not just Calgarians anymore. People are coming from all across Canada. Vancouver, they love Sled Island.

Me: Are there going to be any surprises this year?

Lindsay: Yes, there will be lots.

One surprise Lindsay let me in on is that there will be a new beer garden this year at Olympic Plaza, which was approved by the City of Calgary, a big supporter of the festival. It should be an amazing 4 days of shows. Tickets are available for individual shows starting at $20. The real value is a wristband though which allows you to go to all the 25+ venues and as many shows as you can handle. See what ticket is right for you. Check out their website for a printable schedule, links to all the bands, map of the venues, videos, ticket info and all you want to know about Sled Island.

View the original article here

Tips on Songwriting: How to Incorporate Discipline and Make More Time for Music

Here's a bit of trivia for you: The first songwriter to have 7 singles, sung by different artists, hit the Billboard charts is Diane Warren. This exceptional songwriter has written a lot of hit singles for popular artists like Elton John and Meatloaf. How does she manage to pull it off? In an interview, she reveals: "It all boils down to how I discipline myself."

Writing the best songs that you can doesn't only involve applying some great tips on songwriting; it also means that you have to make time for music in your life. Music should be one of your top priorities in the day.

Here are some tips on songwriting that can help you do just that:

1. Disconnect from distractions. Let's take the television. Will you regret not seeing the latest episode of "Glee" on your deathbed? Alright then. How about your computer? If you really need it for some reason, say, for studies or practice, disconnect it from the internet. Close all the unnecessary windows and turn off your router.

2. For guitarists, do some noodle control. Place the guitar on your lap; this will help you avoid the temptation to noodle - this is the time that you have set aside to learn note names, chord forms and scale fingerings. A couple of minutes a day will go a long way.

3. Turn off your mobile phone. Seriously, do you need to receive incoming messages from National Geographic's Twitter account? This would help only if you are going to write a song about the indigenous peoples of New Guinea or zebras. If not, get rid of the added distraction.

4. Get a sense of purpose. Before you get your instrument, decide on what you will be practicing. Envision it firmly and clearly in your mind. Once you're done, get to it! Refuse to wander and stick to your plan.

5. To be continued. Once you are done with your practice session, don't stand up until you have written some notes on what you'd like to learn next, or what you want to do on your next session - anything that you need to improve on, questions you'd like to explore and investigate. Take some time to review, apply what you've learned and reflect.

6. Want it bad. It would be helpful if you surround yourself with inspiring quotes from musicians you admire. Post it on your walls or in the shower. Make yourself want it - listen to recordings that inspire you, and envision yourself on the stage performing them. Feel how fantastic it would be to easily and fluidly execute the level of artistry and technique that you desire.

Here you go, some tips on songwriting for creative time management.

Jim A. Byrne is a musician and recording artist who has been writing songs for over 30 years. As well as writing songs for his own Folk and Country Blues albums he has written songs with other people including the pop star Marti Pellow of Wet Wet Wet and Jazz singer Carol Kidd MBE.

Visit Jim's website for more tips and to download two of Jim's latest songs for free: http://www.songsbyjimbyrne.com/freemp3music/index.html

View the original article here

Learn How To Play Guitar - How Amazingly Fast It Really Is

The guitar is one of the oldest and most popular forms of musical instrument in the world; in fact almost every culture has its own version of the standard acoustic guitar. Even after thousands of years of existence we can still hear the catchy rhythms and complex leads of the guitar being incorporated into a wide variety of modern musical genres. Each day hundreds of people decide to pick up and learn the guitar, but of those that do only a small group of individuals actually stick with it and master this instrument.

The reason most newbie guitarists give up is because of the lack of patience, they expect to quickly learn the chords and scales and then instantly be able to play catchy tunes in no time at all. Though, if you want to learn how to play guitar you need to study several key skills such as learn to play guitar notes, learn to play guitar chords, master the scales and keep learning other peoples songs so that you can actively see how things work together to form music.

Getting Started - The Basic Skills

There is no sure way to learn guitar fast; you should first begin with offline or online guitar lessons for beginners to help you master the key areas. Luckily the internet provides us with the perfect resource for free information, tips and tricks; you can easily pick up chord charts, scale charts, tuning software, MP3's, learn how to play guitar video tutorials and a lot of other useful advice. To help you get started on your road to stardom, here are some tips and tricks to help you speed towards playing like a pro.

Practice and repetition - This goes without saying, but ignoring this is one of the main reasons people give up learning the guitar. When studying something we need the satisfaction of marked improvement otherwise we tend to give up. It is only through regular daily practice and repeating what we've learned over and over that we both get better and learn the guitar quickly. It is a fact that our brains only learn and remember new information after hearing or doing it a minimum of 14 times, and in order to burn this information into our heads we need to do it double that amount.

Picking and strumming - There are hundreds of different types of picks, those for strumming, fine note picking and thumb picks. Each individual pick has a particular size and grade of hardness, it's a good idea to go to your local music store and buy a variety of picks to experiment with before choosing the right one for you.

There are 2 right ways to hold a pick, either holding it between the pads of your thumb and index finger or between the thumb and side of the index finger; the second method is best for strumming while the first allows you more precise single note picking.

Holding chords or fretting - Getting your fingers positioned correctly to form chord patterns is an important skill that comes with time and practice. When learning a new chord try to visually memorize the position of your fingers and the placing on the neck, this will help you change between chords without having to always look at the guitar. To avoid overlapping the fret only use the tips of your finger to push down on the strings and if you hear a buzz instead of a clear ring immediately reposition the chord and keep repeating until you get a clear sound.

Visit us and check out how you can learn to play guitar notes at your own pace and time. Start learning how to play guitar today!

Carlo Jimenez is a great musician who has a deep passion for music. You can visit him and find more tips to help you Learn How To Play Guitar. Check out his site and Learn To Play Guitar Notes.

View the original article here

Diy Guide to the Music Biz

Music Industry information for musicians

Check it out!

Take Care, Take Care, Take Care by Explosions in the Sky

Record Label: Temporary Residence
Release Date: April 16, 2010
Parental Advisory?: No

Explosions In The Sky is an instrumental group founded in Austin, Texas, consisting of drummer Chris Hrasky, and a trio of guitarists: Munaf Rayani, Mark Smith, and Michael James (who splits time between guitar and bass). Often described as post-rock, their music uses typical rock band instrumentation to explore a slightly different musical terrain and texture from what is normally found on rock radio. At times their music can have an almost orchestral quality to it and at others it's a distortion-laden triple-guitar attack.

The band recently released Take Care, Take Care, Take Care, which is their sixth album if you count their mail-order only release, The Rescue. The atmospheric feel of this new effort has definitely seen the intensity dialed back; the band probably uses more silence and empty space here than any of their previous work. Some may consider this a step backwards from 2007′s All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone, which was arguably Explosions In The Sky's loudest and most melody driven album to date. However, Take Care, Take Care, Take Care has a more mature and confident feel to it, and I prefer to think of it as the calm after the All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone storm rather than as a regression in style.

All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone demanded your attention, with what seemed like every song culminating in a wall of guitar so immense it's as if the band is trying to create a literal wave of sound. Like one you could surf on. In contrast, the warmer and more open sound of Take Care, Take Care, Take Care demands your attention, but doesn't force it. The listener is required to wade out into deeper waters and cut out other distractions if they expect to hear everything the band wants them to. Some of the most beautiful moments on this album are also the most understated. The intricately overlaid guitars are present as always, but often they seem more delicate than in the past. You also get the big sweeping crescendos that typify the band's sound, but there are more valleys than peaks, and those valleys are deeper and darker than ever before. We're hearing an Explosions In The Sky that has grown over the last four years, and they expect us to have grown as well.

I can understand how some people might be put off by a band that doesn't make use of a vocalist- I get it. I still think we can all agree that lyrical content isn't a necessary component to great music. Excellent composers and musicians have always had the ability to evoke emotional responses to their music without using words. Explosions In The Sky is no exception, and Take Care, Take Care, Take Care is a testament to that fact. If you take the time to listen, I think you will agree with me.

To learn more about Slackers, visit http://slackers.com/! Where playing around is serious business.

View the original article here

Popular Karaoke Songs And Their Origins

Since the 1980s, singing popular karaoke songs has grown from modest roots to become a worldwide phenomenon.

Depending on whom you believe, the practice of karaoke, was created either by Roberto del Rosario of the Philippines or Daisuke Inoue of Japan. The former is the one who holds the patent and claims to have invented it in 1975. He called it the sing-along machine, but only took out the patent in the 1980s. Daisuke Inoue, on the other hand was said to have devised the system, to take a break from his musical career of accompanying singing businessmen. The definition of karaoke is 'empty orchestra' as it is derived from the Japanese words 'karappo', which translates as empty, and 'okesutora' which is Japanese for orchestra. An alternate legend asserts that a club owner in Kobe began with the practice by offering the audience the chance to take to the stage, when a performer due to appear that night, canceled due to illness.

The Japanese have been fond of singing at social gatherings long before the advent of karaoke and were quick to embrace the trend once it took off. To them it is more about the fun of taking part, than the pressure of giving a command performance. As everyone joins in, ties of friendship are formed and cemented.

It is easy to see why many bar owners are eager to host karaoke. After making the initial investment in the equipment, no band needs to be compensated. For a karaoke jockey or KJ, as they are termed by the karaoke crowd, choose someone who will get the crowd on their feet and applauding each performance. The KJ should not favor any specific singer, but treat each and every one of them as the budding star they might believe themselves to be. You never know. Today's karaoke queen might well pop up among the hopefuls of next year's 'Idols' on television.

Some clubs are karaoke clubs attracting the true dedicated fans of karaoke, whereas others may have a karaoke night to attract business. The appeal of getting on stage and singing in front of an audience has a direct appeal to the star within us. The songs available are listed on a sheet that may be grouped into several sub-lists. For example one may say Female Solo Artists, or another may be by a general title such as Love Ballads, or even by artist. Each song has a number, and that is the number you write down on a piece of paper to give to the KJ. Then simply relax and wait for your name or song to be called.

Expressing your inner superstar through singing popular karaoke songs is as enduring as the pleasure derived from listening to good music.

For a more in depth analysis of what goes on behind the most popular karaoke songs, check out the history of the music studio producers and how they got into the music industry.

View the original article here

Great Moments In Opera, "Mia Gelosa!" From Puccini's "Tosca"

Puccini's opera "Tosca" is basically a political love story between a celebrated singer by the name of Floria Tosca and the painter; Mario Cavaradossi. It being in act one of Tosca that Floria Tosca pays her lover, Mario Cavaradossi a visit at the church where he has been commissioned to paint a portrait of Mary Magdalene. Mario Cavaradossi portraying Mary Magdalene in such a way that depicts beauty which Floria Tosca can not help but wonder if he is really being inspired by the vision of Mary Magdalene or perhaps another one of his lovers.

For my part, I always imagine it being Angela Gheorghiu and her dark mysterious beauty of black hair and brown eyes in the role of Floria Tosca. As Angela Gheorghiu seems to have been made by nature to take the part of this woman who encompasses all the qualities she herself possesses. Floria Tosca's strengths being all too apparent in her ways which include charm, cunning, sensuality, playfulness of the coquette and above all perhaps the ability in her to adore Mario Cavaradossi with jealousy and perhaps suspicion yet is willing to sacrifice for his sake.

As for the aria, it starts out with the typical exchange between lovers in which Tosca and Cavaradossi exchange expressions of affection yet after a kiss of passion; Mario makes it clear that he is rushed and asks Floria to leave him to his toil. This to Tosca's reaction who accepts Mario's request with reluctance yet does agree that it perhaps would be best if he were to be left to his duties. Tosca's words "vado, vado" (I am going) reminding me of a lady who is getting out of her lover's bed after having made love with the jealousy of one who knows that his time will no longer be hers. Tosca's eyes or those of Angela Gheorghiu, also taking on the playful charm in this scene of a child, who is being told by her father that he does not have time to play with her yet accepts his decision not in anger but with the understanding of those who are disappointed. It being a smile to decorate Angela Gheorghiu's lips as she is ever endearing in this brief moment of exquisiteness in which her face gathers even further beauty.

It is however as Tosca is about to leave that she notices the woman Cavaradossi is painting and asks with all of her suspicion "Who is that blond woman up there?". Cavaradossi seeing that Tosca's is but the ways of one who adores, answers with calm as he claims "It is Magdalena, do you like her?". Tosca at this point becomes slightly jealous as she questions Mario even further by declaring "She is too beautiful!" in what is turning out to be a perfect exchange between a tenor and a soprano in what is definitely a most dramatic role.

Mario however not wanting to quarrel simply tries to sooth Tosca's fears as he says "such a lovely compliment" with a smile of warmth. Tosca however wonders as she says "Those blue eyes I have seen them before" as if reminding her of somebody Mario knows. Mario however showing serenity claims with calm as the music suits his part and his words "there are so many like them in the world" as he tries to go back to his work of art.

It being at this point that the music centers around their dialog as Tosca stops Cavaradossi and says "aspecta" (wait) almost with the caprice of a child. Tosca suddenly violently asks if the woman in the photo is one which she knows was a former lady friend of Mario's. Mario declaring that such is not the case yet Tosca with despair insists upon certainty that he was not painting another woman. This as the melody increase in its dramatic effects with Tosca, who to me is really Angela Gheorhiu; reacting with dread that in fact all of Mario's effort might have been inspired by another woman. It almost seeming as if Tosca had discovered Mario in the act of sexuality with another woman or had seen this very act in the painting which in her imagination is taunting not only her fears but what might be reality.

Cavaradossi however seeing that Tosca is merely showing concern that she might not be the sole woman in his life, guarantees her that he has not seen the woman she is reoffering to in a long time; save when she turns up at church merely to pray and even swears to it as he claims "juro". This promise easing Tosca's fears whose worries are but of those who perhaps adore with too much passion and need to be reassured even of what they know to be true.

Tosca referring to the eyes as if they gazed upon her and with a certain jealousy or perhaps even envy mentions their beauty. Mario however is captivated by the insecurity in Tosca as he wishes to reassure her there is no other love in his life but her with words that praise not so much the beauty which is so apparent but the significance it has on to his emotions. It being Mario's voice which shows the force of a tenor with strength which does not shriek yet rises as he expresses the most tender feelings for a sentiment; he holds for a woman and how he would never wish to jeopardize it.

Tosca is moved as she hears Mario's praises with the innocence of a child who is receiving the loveliest of presents to consul and comfort her. Tosca however also realizing that Mario is well acquainted with the maneuvers of being able to find points of weakness in women that they might succumb to his affections. Tosca's words "como sai bene il arte di farte amar" (you know the art of making yourself be loved) in a way praising Mario yet also wondering if his is but a well rehearsed act which he is capable of applying with any woman he chooses. Mario however with the patience of one who adores simply humors his Tosca further in claiming "mia gelosa". This being the moment in which both cuddle with tenderness while coquette smiles put an end to all the worries which Tosca might have had concerning their romance.

This as Cavaradossi's voice soars above the harmony and though many from Alagna to Pavarotti have taken this role, I would say that it is Placido Domingo whose character and above all style of singing are ideal not only for this aria but the opera Tosca. Domingo having the power yet tenderness which does not require him to have to struggle with his voice but deliver it just right. As for myself, the opera Tosca, in fact was the first I ever saw at New York's Metropolitan Opera House yet it was with Pavarotti back in the winter of 86. I however would go on to hear Tosca performed by Placido Domingo in Central Park that very year which did allow me to see the differences between these two great tenors which included not only their vocal styles along with their personalities.

Cavaradossi repeats "mia geloso" yet wishes to be left to his work as he and Tosca express desires with their eyes though she is all too aware that he must get back to his work. Tosca however before leaving does exert a promise from Mario that he get home on time regardless of weather the woman he is painting be blond or brunette; to which Mario repeats that this he swears to as both leave the stage.

In conclusion, I would say that the aria "Mia Gelosa" is one of the most tender emotions in opera. As it is undoubtedly one of love yet there is that element which is so typical for the rest of the opera Tosca. Tosca being one of political as well as romantic intrigues that reach higher levels of intensity in acts two in three yet "Mia Gelosa" does allow us to see the sort of relationship which Tosca has with the painter; Mario Cavaradossi.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deSeAue63_w&feature=related

My name is Gianni Truvianni, author of many an article to be found on the internet along with the book "New York's Opera Society". My works also include the books "What Should Not Matter", "Love Your Sister" and several others which still remain unpublished though I am presently looking to change this.

View the original article here

Acoustic Treatments for Churches

Churches and other large, spacious venues often have trouble with the quality of sound being produced by bands and preachers using microphones and speakers. From drums and guitars to organs and brass instruments the chances for distortion due to reverberation and sound reflection are increased when you don't have the right acoustic treatments to deflect and absorb sound waves. If you are in charge of the music at a church or similar house of worship consider high quality sound baffle equipment to help reduce reverb time in the venue and achieve optimum sound that will be enjoyed by the entire congregation.

SORBER sound baffles can be permanently attached to walls and ceilings to effectively control sound and greatly reduce reverberation time so drums and guitars don't drown out the sound of a chorus or preacher. Made from rigid 1.5" thick compressed fiberglass encased in heavy duty trunk cloth, SORBER sound baffles help to contain sound and control reflections that occur when instruments are played in enclosed but spacious areas. Without sound baffles this sound is free to bounce off walls and ceilings creating a distorted tone that can ruin the music being played or a hymn being sung. Easy to attach to ceilings and walls of a church SORBER baffles will help temper the reflections of sound waved producing a crisp and clear sound.

Many church bands include drums and while some have tried electronic drums to soften the tone many have complained that the sound from V-drums is artificial and not conducive to a church environment. A great way to optimize the acoustics of a church while still using natural percussion drums is to use high quality acrylic and Plexiglas drum shield enclosures. Using free-standing acrylic panels to form an enclosure around a drum kit you effectively temper the loud nature of the drums while still getting the desired natural sound of percussion. You can use drum enclosure kits in conjunction with SORBER baffles to fully control the reflection and reverberation of sound.

Almost every church will have an organ but again the acoustics of the church venue have to be planned accordingly so the sounds from the organ don't bounce off ceilings and walls and drown out a choir or pastor. Using superior speaker isolation equipment including Plexiglas panels and SORBER baffles you can effectively contain the tones from the organ speakers and reduce reflected sound. Many church goers enjoy the sound of organs and choirs but if the music produced isn't clear or is distorted by poor acoustics the experience is not the same. Keep your congregation happy by optimizing the acoustics of your church with excellent church acoustic treatment equipment.

For a great selection of sound isolation equipment visit ClearSonic where you'll find high quality drum shields, amp enclosures, SORBER sound baffles and vocal isolation booths.

View the original article here

Keurig Single Cup for Coffee Lover's Collection - 48 Count

Have an exciting and adventurous morning with the K-Cup Coffee Lover's Collection Variety Pack. It will definitely enhance your mornings by tantalizing your taste buds and stimulating your mind. Change is good, and the K-Cup Coffee Lover's Collection Variety Pack will definitely get you motivated for the workday, by giving you enchanting flavors to taste in simple and easy to use K-Cups.

Price:

Click here to buy from Amazon

Tips On How To Play Power Chords

One simple way to learn playing guitar is by learning power chords. When you know how to play power chords you have a good ground on how to play a whole barre Chord. When you know power chords you can basically play what sounds like any songs you like. And it particularly sounds good when it comes to rock and blues songs. But what is power chords. A Power Chord in short, is a mini version of a barre chord. It's made up of two notes (sometime three but mostly two). You can call a Chord an assembly of three or more notes. While a power Chord is usually two notes.

A Little Basic Guitar Knowledge

But first let me just illustrate a few things if you're not used to hold a guitar in your hands or if you don't know yet how everything is called.

We'll begin with the guitar strings. Each one has its own specific ranking number. Beginning with the thinnest one at the bottom we have the 1st string. And when you go up you have the 2nd string, the 3rd, the 4th, the 5th, and finally (the thickest one) the 6th string.
And then we have the guitar neck separate by frets and spaces. The one at the far end of the neck where the tuning keys are found is the first fret (or first space). And you go all the way up to the guitar body. So the closest you are to the guitar body, the higher the number is.
Then, each finger has its own number too. So the index (the one we are pointing with) is finger one, the major is the second finger, the ring finger is finger three, and the little pinky one is finger Four.

So there you are. With this, you would be able to know a little bit where to position yourself.

Now - For The Power Chords

Here's an example of a power Chord ( I will show you what I think is the easiest way of doing it):

Using 1st finger on the 3rd fret (or space) of the 6th string (the thickest one) and the 3rd finger on the 5th fret of the 5th string - play only those two string to see how it sounds. This one is call the G power string.
Now using the same fingers posture, just slide two fret higher. Like this: 1st finger on the 5th string of the 6th strings and 3rd finger on the 7th fret of the 5th strings. You have the A power chords. If you would add for instance, your 4th finger (the little pinky one) on the 7th fret of the 4th strings it will begin to sound like the full barre chord of A.
And to finish our progression here's what to do. Using that same finger position instead of sliding up and down the guitar neck we gonna go change strings. It's gonna look like this: 1st finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string and 3rd finger on the 5th fret of the 4th string. Play those three strings to see how it sounds. You got the C power chords.

If We Put Them All Together

It would look something like this:

1st finger on the 3rd fret of the 6th string with the 3rd finger on the 5th fret of the 5th string1st finger on the 5th string of the 6th strings with the 3rd finger on the 7th fret of the 5th strings1st finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string and 3rd finger on the 5th fret of the 4th string

Strum each one time changing one after another each strumming and you maybe not get a full song yet, but at least the beginning of one. Here is how you play power chords. I hope that this little demonstration helped you.

To learn more on how to play Power Chords go to http://www.teachmetoplayguitar.com/power-chords/

View the original article here

Playing Guitar Is Fun AND Teaches Discipline

Like many people out there I had always thought that playing the guitar would be an awesome thing to do. In the right hands they make the best of sounds and that's the key, "right hands." I always wanted to learn to play the guitar but didn't have much discipline for it. I also had too many other things that I wanted to do that didn't take as much effort to learn (action figures, collectible cards, e.t.c.) Fortunately, I've grown up... a little bit... and now I have a guitar that I can call my own.

I got my first acoustic guitar for Christmas last year. It has been quite possibly the best material gift that I have ever received. The guitar I got is made by Johnson and is based on the basic dreadnought style but slightly smaller than standard. It's designed for novice guitarists such as myself to learn how to handle a string instrument before moving on to a larger full size guitar. As soon as I got it I signed up for a local college class for some intense instruction. While I didn't learn as much as I feel that I should have (I never do) I did learn quite a bit, and since the end of the semester I have practiced quite frequently in my free time.

One of my favorite ways to practice playing the guitar is to simply grab the instrument, the tuner, and my laptop. Then I search the Internet for the chords of different songs that I like, and want to play, and then I do my best to play them. Sometimes I've surprised myself and I sound very decent, and other times are more difficult. It is simply amazing how much goes into playing the guitar. There are so many different techniques and skills involved. The basic skill of guitar playing is playing chords. In the beginning it'll kill your fingers, but they'll get used to it.

Although, I don't recommend doing what I've done by playing for hours a day when you're still a beginner. Not to say it hasn't been worth it, because playing the guitar is a blast. If your goal is to continuously get better and better than playing the guitar will be a definite challenge, but it is definitely worth the hard work. If you, or your child, or your friend needs or wants a cool new hobby then try out guitar playing It's a great way to learn discipline while having fun, and you can learn to play some of your favorite songs along the way.

Jacob R. Long is a professional writer. He wrote the content for the website Dreadnought guitar.

View the original article here

Guitar Amps

Guitar amps are used to amplify the sound of your guitars strings (via pickups). Amplifiers fall into three main varieties: Valve, Solidstate, Hybrid and Emulator.

Examples of valve amps include the classic Vox AC30 which is all valve and has been used by many popular music artists. Transistor amps tends to be less expensive and are considered to produce a less desirable sound than valve amplifiers. Hybrids generally have two valves in the pre-amp stage and then use transistors. A good example of a hybrid amp is the Marshall series of Valvestates. As you can see the name is a mixture of Valve and Solidstate - Valvestate. They are a popular next step up from a purely solidstate amplifer to an all valve beast.

Emulator amps such as the Line 6 range are digital interpretations of popular valve amps. Valves are characterised as being analogue so the tone varies. They are also much more touch sensitive and respond better to picking dynamics. Valve amps are said to produce a warmer, nicer tone.

Many professional musicians tend to use a couple of amps and switch between them using a A/B switcher. This is because many valve amplifiers are either very good at clean or very good at overdrive or distortion. For example, the Vox AC30 might be used as the clean amp because these are very good at producing a gritty, British clean sound (or you could go for the warmer, smoother Fender range of amps) and then a Marshall or Mesa Boogie may be switched to for when a dirtier sound is required. Alternatively, analogue effects pedals can be used to provide the professional guitarist with the dirty channel that they need.

Valve amplifiers have been used for many decades by professional, amateur and semi-professional guitarists and bassists. Some guitar players do prefer solid state amps. Hybrids have become popular over the last few decades or so and the amplifiers that emulate the analogue signals of popular and classic amps also have a following. It all comes down to what sounds good to you. Different people like different sounds and the particular musical influences that a musician has will tend to dictate an individual's choice of sonic production. The guitar, effects pedals, picks, wood that is used to make the guitar, string gauge and, of course, the guitarist's fingers have a big effect on the overall sound that is produced.

For more information visit Guitar Amp

View the original article here

Learning How To Play Guitar - Why Acoustic Guitars Are Best For Beginners

So you've decided to go from wanting to learning how to play guitar to actually deciding to buy a new guitar and signing up for online guitar lessons. Now one of the big questions on your mind might be which are better for a newbie, electric or acoustic guitars?

This question has caused a lot of debate among musicians, but most guitar lesson teachers will tell you that an acoustic guitar is the way to go. Both of these instruments are in actual fact basically the same, though if you want to learn guitar fast and build a strong foundation then the traditional acoustic guitar is the ideal tool for a beginner and also requires little setting up to play, just tune it and take it where ever you want.

Acoustic guitars have been around for over 4000 years, which is quite amazing seeing as they haven't fallen out of popularity as the main lead instrument of choice in modern bands. Historians are still unsure whether the oldest form of guitar originates from Spain or goes back even further to the reign of the Romans.

But they do know that as guitars were passed through different cultures they evolved into unique new instruments. As a beginner there are so many different types available, each with its own special sound that distinguishes it from the rest. Here are some of the main types of acoustic guitar that you may be interested in learning:

classical guitar: when you think of acoustic guitars you probably picture this particular version, it usually comes with thick nylon strings and is relatively large in size compared with others.

Banjo: commonly used in country and bluegrass music, this uniquely shaped guitar can create fast paced bright metallic sounding melodies. It suits someone who wants to learn fast technical finger picking.

Resonator guitar: these are preferred by country, blues and folk musicians. They look like a standard classical guitar except instead of having a hollow hole to amplify the sound it uses a steel plate and strings. It has a similar feel to the banjo except that it can be played on your lap and players tend to use a slide bar to create a soulful warm feel.

Aside from the guitars mentioned above there are plenty of others, though a beginner would probably want to opt for the classical guitar.

Most first timers wanting to learn how to play the guitar choose to buy an electric guitar over the acoustic version, probably because of the wider choice of sound effects options and they are slightly easier to play. Though you'll probably hear many teachers telling you that taking acoustic guitar lessons first is the best way to build a strong technique for when you want to move on to the electric guitar in the future.

Acoustic guitars tend to be bulkier and have both thicker necks and strings that are raised high above the fret board; this makes it more difficult to push down on the strings or form and hold a chord to produce a clear sound. The idea is that if you're able to master playing an electric guitar, which has a narrower neck and both thinner and lower strings.

Another pint in favor of the acoustic guitar is that it can be used to create both rhythm sections, using chords and to build some cool lead parts. On the other hand electric guitars don't sound very good when used for strumming rhythms; they tend to be played during a long complex lead solo part.

Want to learn more about the different types of guitar such as the electric guitar? Visit us and check out our quality online guitar lessons. Find out more about the electric guitar and the acoustic guitar and start your dream of becoming a great guitarist now.

Carlo Jimenez is a great musician who has a deep passion for music. You can visit him and get more effective tips in Learning How To Play Guitar. Check out his site and learn more about the Electric Guitar.

View the original article here

Warp Riders by The Sword

Record Label: Kemado
Release Date: August 24, 2001
Parental advisory?: No

The Sword, made up of vocalist/guitarist John D. Cronise, guitarist Kyle Shutt, bassist Bryan Richie and drummer Trivett Wingo, hail from the alternative music mecca of Austin, TX. Do not dismiss these guys as some wimpy alt-rock band however, these guys are metal. That's right kids, the land of SXSW has delivered unto us what is quite possibly the best metal act of the 00′s.

I'm not talking about what usually passes for metal these days either. One look at the vintage style album cover, which cries 'What is contained herein is epic,' will tell you there is no guy-liner or whining to be found here. And for those of you who consider the day spandex was invented as the day the music died, this is the band you need to be paying attention to. Although sometimes lumped into the doom and stoner metal genres alongside acts such as High On Fire and Fu Manchu, The Sword would probably be best described as straight metal. No post- or -core modifiers necessary. These guys take the playbook that Iommi, Ward, Butler and Osbourne wrote and run with it.

Warp Riders, the band's third effort, is easily as strong as their earlier two albums, Age of Winters and Gods of the Earth, and is as good a place to start as any for someone new to the group. For those of you already familiar with The Sword, do not be put off by the band's change in motifs from dungeons & dragons-style fantasy to science fiction; their sound remains wholly intact. The guitars are still a wall of sludgy badass, but the production is a little cleaner here, turning the distortion down from 11 to ten. This helps Cronise's vocals from getting buried in the mix as well, a problem Gods of the Earth was plagued with.

The cleaner vocal mix is important on Warp Riders too as The Sword plays the concept album card on this one. Although a pretentious and indulgent device, the concept album is an unabashedly metal thing to do, and I think they manage it here. I say "think" because I usually tend to approach vocals as another instrument, soaking in melody while paying little attention to what's actually being said. And as far as instruments go, Cronise's voice doesn't stand much of a chance against the massive double guitar attack. However, if you're the type to hang onto a singer's every word, you'll be treated (or subjected) to the story of some guy named Ereth and his role in an galactic struggle of good versus evil. Or something. I really wasn't paying that much attention. I can hum you the tunes, but if you want to know the story you'll just have to buy the album yourself.

In any case, the truth is that when I listen to Warp Riders, I don't see epic space battles. I see a smoke-filled basement circa 1970-something. In one corner there's a record player that's spent its life spinning equal parts Deep Purple, Iron Butterfly and Black Sabbath. Nestled in a milk crate alongside all these classic LP's is this band that both fits in and stands out, The Sword is like some messenger from the future telling us that, although metal may sleep here and there over the years, it is still alive and well in the year 2010.

To learn more about Slackers, visit http://slackers.com/! Where playing around is serious business.

View the original article here