No Scene in Pennsylvania?

Everywhere I go, I hear the same thing: Theres no Scene in Pennsylvania. Bands beg people to come to their Shows, to help what little Scene we have. But Im not buying it.

We have a Scene in Pennsylvania - at least we have the Bands and the talent for a good Music Scene. Whats lacking, in my opinion, is the Fans and the support needed to help Bands become successful.

We have literally hundreds of Bands in central Pennsylvania. When I first started going out to see Bands in Pennsylvania, I naively thought there were only a handful of Bands performing in my area. I quickly realized my error, to say the least. I could go out to see a new band every weekend and Id never get to see them all.

Go to the events section of Myspace and search for Shows within 50 miles of your area code. Look at how man y Shows come up in the results and try to tell me theres no Scene, that theres no Music going on around here.

There are a TON of Shows every single week, every day of the week in central Pennsylvania. There are so many that I know I dont have all of them on our website. It takes me about a week to update the Calendars!

There are hard-working Musicians out there, trying to make their dreams come true. I know this. I see it at least 3 times per week when Im out at Shows. What I dont see is any support coming from Fans. Sure, there are a handful of Fans that follow a band around, and Im not talking about them here. Im also not just talkin g about going to Shows.

There are so many other areas that Musicians could use help! Just reposting bulletins on Myspace helps tremendously. (Does anyone understand thats exactly how Myspace works?) If you like a band, let people know about them! Start street teams, hand out flyers, do something! Im sick to death of kids sitting around complaining about no Scene! Its up to those kids to make the Scene!

Ive been living by a popular saying for the past year. Perhaps youve seen it: Be the Change you want to see in the world. (originally stated by Gandhi)

Im taking that phrase literally, and Id advise everyone else to do the same, and thats not just in regards to Music. If you dont like the way something is, do something to Change it. I cant guarantee that it will work, but youll have the satisfaction of knowing you tried. And you never know Sometimes big Changes can start with just one suggestion.

Tonia Jordan is an author on http://www.Writing.com whi ch is a site for Writers.

She is also a stringer for the Standard Speaker, a Pennsylvania newspaper, and is editor of Word of Mouth Magazine.

Author:: Tonia Jordan
Keywords:: Music,Pennsylvania,Scene,Bands,Shows,Change,Fans
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Choosing the Right Music Teacher for Your Lessons

The best way to learn an instrument is to find a music teacher. In fact the best way to learn anything in life is to find a tutor of your chosen subject and to take on the task head on - to learn from actually doing.

People say that you learn from your mistakes partly true due to the fact you end up knowing what NOT to do. But I believe there is a key point missed here at least you are actually DOING something.

A teacher is someone to show you the path, the light at the end of the tunnel. At the end of the day they know what they are doing and talking about you probably dont and its because of this, the fact that you put all of your trust into your teacher, that you should be very careful about ensuring the one you choose is up for the job.

Here is some advice on choosing your teacher and what to look out for.

Advice 1 - Previous Experience.

It is essential that your teacher has experience in two specific areas performing music and teachi ng music. It is important that your music teacher is actually a musician the best example I can give is this imagine that instead of learning an instrument you want to learn how to scuba dive. Would you let yourself be taught by someone who has studied diving from a book but who has never actually been under the water?

If your teacher shows that he has performed music it gives you some guarantee that they are of a high enough standard musically chances are they wouldn't have been hired if they couldnt play their instrument.

The second is teaching experience. After discussing how it is important for your teacher to have actually been, or still is involved in music it is also important that the have experience in teaching music. Teaching is a completely different art to performing. Most musicians tell me that they learn more through teaching than they do from any other source - when you teach you instantly reveal your own weak points.

The opposite of this is true as well actually how many times have you heard someone who recently passed their driving test say you dont learn how to drive until your out on the road on your own after your lessons and test (This carries over to a future article Why performing is critical to your progress as a musician.)

So make sure your teacher is both a musician and a teacher.

Advice 2 - Attitude and Personality.

It is fairly common for people to ask for character references estate agents, employers most people looking to hire someone - this is also true for finding a music teacher as at the end of the day you are hiring them to teach you.

Learning is much easier in a friendly environment did you ever notice that the Teachers at school that had a laugh and were fun often taught you the most e ach lesson? In human nature it is common to be stubborn and resilient and it is a Teachers personality and character that helps connect with you, therefore making the experience enjoyable and thus increasing the productivity of your lessons.

It is not generally going to be possible to get a character reference from a teacher but try and use your first lesson as a trial - Get to know your teacher a bit and get a general feel for the lesson if you have fun and enjoyed every minute then youve probably found a teacher with a good teaching attitude rather than if it was drab and boring.

If you can try and talk to some of your prospective Teachers regular students. See if they enjoy their lessons and what the overall comments are about the quality and attitude of the teacher.

Advice 3 - Teacher Flexibility

Again this covers more than one topic flexibility as a musician, and as a teacher.

In the long term you will eventually begin expanding your musicality. For example woodwind players generally begin learning one instrument, maybe the clarinet or saxophone. Eventually, and if they want to pursue music, they will begin learning other woodwind instruments as it is common for, say for instance a saxophone player, to play clarinet, flute and even through to oboe and bassoon.

Because of this you are going to want a teacher that can provide this in the long term. After months and years of lessons with your teacher you wont want to find that in order to progress further you need to find a new instructor and have to create the bond that you would have developed with your curre nt teacher all over again.

Positive things to look out for are:

If your teacher still has lessons and practices (even the most professional musicians still have lessons see the beginning of my article Practicing music what to do outside of your private music lessons to see how it is impossible to learn and master every aspect of music)

If your teacher teaches more than one instrument (however be wary of Teachers that teach, for instance, trumpet and flute. Whilst musicians do end up playing completely irrelevant instruments they generally will stick to teaching their primary instrument.)

If your teacher is still an active musician this is a gray area because where it is easy to assume that your teacher, not an active musician maybe is not good enough to perform music and ther efore teaches music, it is possible that your teacher prefers teaching than performing. The benefit if they are still an active musician is again they will be learning constantly and they will still be an active teacher during this period.

The other flexibility to look out for is their organisation in regards to lessons. It is positively advised that regular lessons or regular anything is good for you. Regular exercise keeps you healthy, regular sleep keeps you alert and regular lessons help improve your musical playing.

If your teacher will constantly phone up to re-arrange your lesson, often misses lessons or is often late for your lesson it will have a negative effect on you. Psychologically the fact that you havent got into a routine with your lessons and the fact that you keep getting let down will make you less enthusiastic towards your music lessons.

So find a teacher that offers many years of tuition rather than a limited number of months, and som eone who will keep regular dates and who holds his promises of this dates and times.

Conclusion

Hopefully this article will give you some food for thought if you decide to find a music teacher and just remember that unless you are enjoying and learning your instrument maybe you need a new teacher.

This article is free for reproduction providing it is left in its original form and an active link to http://www.realmusicproduction.com is present.

Edward Droscher is the founder of Real Music Production and works to develop music education systems privately and in schools. For more information or details on music instruction please visit http://www.realmusicproduction.com or email info@realmusicproduction.com

Author:: Edward Droscher
Keywords:: music teacher, Teachers, mu sic lessons, choosing teacher
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Learn How To Play The Guitar A Checklist for Online Lessons

I wish I would have stuck with or Learned how to play the guitar when I was a kid!

Does that sound like you? More an more men and women in their 40's and 50's are picking up a guitar and Learning how to play guitar. Some are starting from scratch, others have put it down to pursure careers and families, and now have the itch to play again. Whether you're 15 or 50, rank beginner or semi-skilled, you've probably looked around the internet to see what Online guitar Lessons are all about. Here are some things to look for.

Does the product offer written, audio, and video demonstrations of the material? This is especially important if you've never played before. You won't be able to tell if you're doing it right from a book, and your ear isn't developed enough to accurately hear if yo u're playing the example correctly. It helps immensely to be able to see someone else do it.

Is the product designed for a player at your level? Don't buy a shredding lead guitar player package if you've never even strummed a chord. Learning how to play a guitar is like most things, you have to start with the basics. Everything builds upon everything else.

Is the course created by, or taught by, a professional guitar teacher? Furthermore, can you verify that the person can actually play the guitar well? Most Online websites have little audio samples of the course designer. If there's not one, maybe you should ask why.

There's of course, no substitute for private Lessons, but that can be expensive and inconvenient. Online materials are g etting better and better. If you're seriously looking to Learn how to play the guitar, you should be able to find just what you need.

Griff has been a professional touring musician and guitar teacher for the last 20 years.You can sign up for free Guitar Tips at http://www.griffhamlin.com/Tips-List

Author:: Griff Hamlin
Keywords:: how to play the guitar, Learn, Online, Lessons, play guitar
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Former Econoline Crush Frontman Trevor Hurst Debuts as HURST!

Rock 'n Roll does not start until noon.

Which is why I was left waiting for a phone call for 11 oclock from Trevor Hurst from the band Hurst - it is now 1145am. Shame on me for not knowing better, but trust me the interview that follows was definitely worth every minute, not to mention his performance later that week! I cant be too hard on Trevor since he has been touring, promoting and interviewing non-stop and when I finally speak to him, his voice has a slightly raspy sexy tone and is very apologetic, but still very charming even at his early hour!

Even though Econoline Crush has had some huge success in Canada with highly acclaimed albums Affliction, The Devil You Know and Brand New History- I was not one of the scores of fans they did gain. Econoline had too much technical wizardry and not enough vocal for my liking. Not so on Trevors new 7- song album called WANDERLUST. Trevor says, No sequencers or samplers were injured during the making of this record. Why? Because there are none! This is just one of the many reasons why I love this album so much. Hursts vocals hold strong and carry the music, which is a mix of rock and melodic riffs. Trevor says, I wanted to go natural. He goes on to say, The best music can come from a place in your life that belongs to the struggle, and although music comes from many places- sometimes its after you have been Writing for hours!

The beauty of Hurst is that they sound just as good live as the EP is recorded. Trevor explains, When I am on stage singing, that is when I feel I am at my best. I love being on the road, not so much the grueling hours of travel - just the stage, the crowds and most of all the music! But, performing on stage comes so natural to Trevor and its no doubt, he was involved in musical theatre as a kid and everything grew from there. Hurst is played a series of gigs opening for Canadian rock band THORNLEY. Take note, if another band of this stature thinks that H urst has what it takes to hold the weight of opening act - are there any questions?

Hurst is on an independent artist managed by Coalition Entertainments Julian Gruhl, but is being distributed by MAPLE and Nationwide through Universal Music. So, although he has opted not to sign again with a major record label, Hurst still relies on them for distribution. Trevor breathes deep and gives me his take on record labels, I compare the artist/record label relationship much to that of a pimp/prostitute. As an artist you have your talent and the record company packages it and gets you out there, but at the end of the day you only get a percentage of what that is, most times not even half. Like when a pimp sends a prostitute out in the dress that he bought for her, she works, comes back gives him his money and he hangs the dress back up and gives her a cut. That may seem like an extreme comparison, but when you really look at it, it makes sense. Of course there are many factors that play into each scenario- they always do.

Away from the buzz of L.A., Trevor finds solstice in his Winnipeg roots. The steady grind and shallowness that often sets the tone in L.A. wore on him and he found that leaving was the best thing for him. Now he is back where he it all came from, living with his wife (yes, he IS married, no kids though and no sign of them) in Winnipeg, Writing music and singing songs, doing exactly what HE wants!

SOME INTERESTING FACTS ON HURST Trevor Hurst- English, Irish and Scottish decent (thats where he gets his good looks!) Canadian born- but WORLD CLASS!

GENE SIMMONS of KISS taught him a thing or two when he was on the road- not what you think! HOWEVER - during Hurst performance I did see a flash of an incredibly long tongue on stage. Most of the crowd (ladies) did a double take!!!

Favourite Canadian Artists- The Trews, Sam Roberts, Leonard Cohen (not Matthew Good)

Favourite Songs - Wild Horses by The Rolling Stones and One by U2

INXS contacted him to be a part of INXS ROCKSTAR- he declined. In fact Trevor despised the entire concept of the show to start with. INXS should be ashamed of themselves to think that they can replace Michael Hutchence! But I do wish JD FORTUNE well!

Author:: Orlena Cain
Keywords:: article submission, Articles, Writers, Writing, Publishing, Ezine, Email marketing, Email newsletter, Email
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Music Times Four

Listening

I gather the harmony which floats on the air

And thrill to the meaning that waits for me there.

From the depths of my heart to the chords of my soul

Finding the sum of four parts can be greater than the whole.

Only one in a million can be a singer like Perry Como or possess the perfect warm voice of a Bing Crosby. There are thousands of singers out there with good voices that stay on pitch who, for some reason of another, never got to sing for an audience other than the occasional stint with the church choir.

Enter the Society For the Preservation and Encouragement of Quartet singing in America, Inc. Quite a mouthful, but it means what it says. Picture yourself, not in front of an audience of thousands, but in the living room of an older couple. Dressed in snappy tuxedos, you mingle with the guests at the lady's birthday party. As a surprise, her husband has hired a Barbershop Quartet to sing to his wife some of her favorite songs in four part harmony.

A brief introduction is immediately followed by three songs, each of which is avidly accompanied by nodding heads, reminiscent smiles and mouthed words. The chords reverberate wonderfully off the walls with feet tapping while knowing looks from the husband ricochet back and forth, the audience suddenly bursting into wild applause.

The four gentlemen are from totally different walks of life. One owns a computer service company and another is a retired business man. The third member still takes a picture or two as a professional photographer and the fourth member has just started his own consulting company. Each one sings the part most suited to his vocal range. The lead sings the melody since his voice contains the most character. The low range i s well covered by (surprise, surprise) by the largest male of the group. Amazingly, the tenor can also sing bass! There is one note left in the four part chord and that is gladly given to the baritone. Once a week they attend a chorus meeting, leaning new songs and furthering their singing techniques. Their efforts at quartet singing require an additional two hours of practice if they are to succeed in front of an audience.

There are not too many hobbies that provide fun and a social night out with some great people. Add to this the instant satisfaction of four part harmony for a great time.Once a year the chorus and quartets present a Barbershop Show to perform for their friends, relatives and the general public. Their non-profit status provide much needed funds for worthy causes arou nd the world. The old songs bring back many wonderful memories and these new performers are creating many more!

Music lovers seem to fall into one class of people - nice.

Author:: Kenneth C. Hoffman
Keywords:: Music, a capella, Barbershop
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Paul McCartney The Beatles A Biography

James Paul McCartney was born on June 18, 1942 in Liverpool. He was the first son of Mary and James McCartney. His brother, Peter Michael McCartney, was born eighteen months later. Paul's mother was a midwife, who died from breast cancer in 1955 when Paul was just 14, this troubled Paul deeply. Paul's father was a cotton salesman during the day for A. Hannay Co., and a jazz musician with Jim Mac's Jazz Band at night. Paul did very well in school. He passed his 11-Plus examination in 1957 and entered the Liverpool Institute, a very popular high school. There, he met a younger student by the name of George Harrison whom Paul later brought with him into John's group, The Quarrymen. As a child, Paul showed no particular interest in music. Both he and his brother were sent to piano lessons, but these didn't last long. Then he was given a trumpet by an uncle, and he began to teach himself. His musical talent probably came from his father. Of all The Beatles, Paul's family was the only one with any musical background or interest. At the Liverpool Institute, Paul became popular. His dealings with young girls, however, had little effect on his grades. He was a top student, but he soon found that school was interfering with his social life. Like John and the others, Paul was influenced by early rock songs. Still, it was Elvis that formed the greatest impression on him. Paul first met John through a mutual friend, Ivan Vaughan. Vaughan invited Paul to see The Quarrymen play at the Wooton Parish. c The Quarrymen, and Paul accepted. Paul's first public performance with The Quarrymen was at a dance at the Conservative Club in Broadway. Paul was supposed to play a solo that night, but for some reason, he never did. What he did do after the dance was play John some so ngs that he had written himself. John was impressed and later tried to write songs of his own. Neither wrote anything of much value, but the two began collaborating, each egging the other on to better works. From that day until the end of The Beatles, they never stopped, and together they became Lennon & McCartney, one of the most renowned song writing duos of the twentieth century. Once they had become established songwriters, Paul and John would often write independently of one another. John's songs were more raw rock 'n' roll, while Paul's tended to be more romantic. Songs like Yesterday, Michelle, and Lovely Rita are typical McCartney songs. An early agreement between Paul and John assured that all Beatle songs that either wrote would bear the trademark of Lennon & McCartney. Paul met Jane Ash er at a pop concert at Albert Hall. She was then seventeen. The Radio Times asked her to go along to the concert to give her impressions of The Beatles. After the concert, she was invited back to their hotel for a drink. That night Paul and Jane spent the evening together. I realized she was the girl for me, Paul once said. Jane, however, summed up her impression of the boys by exclaiming, They couldn't believe I was a virgin. Paul wanted Jane to give up acting to be with him constantly. She refused. This led to a number of arguments, but Paul was still attracted to her. It was for Jane Asher that he wrote I'm Looking Through You and And I Love Her. Marriage seemed inevitable, and on Christmas Day, 1967, Paul asked Jane to be his wife. She accepted (Bio..)(Paul Mc)

In 1969 rumors started t o spread that Paul was dead. Rumors of the death were exaggerated. No one knows for sure where the Paul is Dead rumor began. Some rumors were spread that Paul had been dead for three years and that he had been replaced by a look a like. Beatles fans everywhere looked for clues that were left intentionally in lyrics, record covers and pictures that would reveal the truth about the hoax.

The idea that Paul McCartney was dead for three years surfaced during the release of Abbey Road in September of 1969. The first indications of the hoax were printed in two Midwestern College newspapers (Iowas Drake University Times-Delphic and Northern Illinois Universitys Northern Star). Russel Gibb, a Detroit radio jock for WKNR FM read about the story in the college newspaper articles and invented new clues f or listeners. Listeners called the radio station and claimed to be able to hear secret messages by playing Revolution #9 and other songs backwards. A walrus is a Greek symbol for death. In the song Glass Onion, John Lennon sings, well heres another clues for you all, the walrus is Paul, which connected Paul to his death.

According to one myth. Paul left the recording studio in anger, following a fight with the rest of the group. Paul stormed out of the studio, jumped into his car and sped off (I Buried P). All of the clues point to a car accident that reportedly happened prior to Paul leaving the studio in anger. On November 10, 1966 a British newspaper reported that on Wednesday morning at five oclock someone was involved in a car accident, according to the newspaper the accident was so bad that the body could not be identified in any way. In A Day In The Life, John Lennon sings, he blew his mind out in a car, he didnt notice that the light had changed, a crowd of people stood and stared, theyd seen his face before, nobody was really sure if he was from the house of god (in the song god sounds like Paul)(I Buried P)

Many visual clues were on the Abbey Road LP. The media began reporting the joke as a fact as soon as it was released. The rumors began to grow larger. In October of 1969 McCartney himself made a public appearance in which he stated the breaking up of The Beatles. In a 1970 Rolling Stone interview with John Lennon, Lennon was asked if any of the hidden clues were supposed to have any meaning. Lennon replied, No. That was bull. The whole thing was made up.

The Beatles enjoyed attention. They were jokers; maybe they were just having a little fun with their fans. Some people today still believe that Paul is dead because of the many convincing clues. No evidence shows that any of the members were behind the hoax. No one can prove that it did or didnt happen. The fact of the matter is that Paul is alive today. He is currently married to an ex-model. He is touring the concert world. And he is still a Living legend.

You may visit http://www.TermPaperAdvisor.com and http://www.TermPapersMadeEasy.com for instant access to over 45,000 plus term papers and essays. You may have all of these quality papers for only $19.95. We have many more music related papers.

Author:: Michael Cooper
Keywords:: paul mccartney, Beatles, ringo starr, john lennon, george harrison
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Used Violins

Used Violins are probably a good choice for novices. They are available in different sizes such as 1/16, 1/10, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 4/4 or in full size. Purchasing a used violin is a nice way to save money. By purchasing a used violin you can get the same quality as that of a new violin at half the price. While purchasing a used violin, take someone who knows about Violins along with you.

You can purchase a used violin from a violin shop where you can find a wide range of used Violins that fits your budget. Local music store or a private individual selling a used violin are other options. There are several websites that offer online purchase of used Violins. Amazon.com, eBay.com, musiciansbuyline.com, elderly.com and halfvalue.com are some of the websites where you can find used Violins.

The price range of a new violin falls between $200 and $20,000. Compared to new Violins, the cost of used violin is much less. T he price of a used violin depends on the condition and age of the instrument.

Buying a used violin is an ideal option only if it is purchased with caution. There are so many points to consider while purchasing a used violin. Always make sure that you are purchasing it from a reliable, trustworthy dealer. It is necessary to check the body of the violin for any cracks or imperfection in the carving before making the purchase.

Make sure there is no sign of wear and no pieces are to be replaced. Replacing bridge and strings and making minor adjustments can cost hundreds of dollars. You may have to spend some money on refurbishing used Violins; therefore, buy from shops that offer some kind of warranty.

Violins provides detailed information on Violins, Electric Violins, Violin Music, How to Play the Violin and more. Violins is affiliated with Soprano Saxophones.

Author:: Richard Romando
Keywords:: Violins, Electric Violins, Violin Music, How to Play the Violin
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Japanese New Music Festival Music Review

Hotter and muggier than sh*t in the underground subway, 3 musicians (YoshidaTatsuya from Ruins, Tsuyama Atsushi and Kawabata Makoto from Acid Mothers Temple) form 7 units!! A cappella, comic free form, progressive core, troubadour, cosmic psychedelic. The smell is infamous and it came through with an underground night of music that was not to be forgotten.

These three virtuosos continue to amaze. Hot off the plane from their sold out show in SF they arrived in manic style to provide a sweaty crowd the lovely feelings of humor, sadness and mind blowing rock. I had never seen Yoshida drum and when he did his Ruins solo set it blew my mind. His one handed snare, his ability to switch genres mid song, his use of a sampler made me so happy that I was there as a witness. His powerful drumming was too amazing.

I couldn't wait to see the final set of AMT SWR with that kind of attack and it didn't let me down. All the sets were fairly short including the AMT SWR set and played at a faster tempo than most of their other shows as the Melting Paraiso or the Cosmic Inferno. Pink Lady Lemonade has been a staple of the AMT set for a while now and I was happy to hear it buzzing from Makotos guitar at record pace. It was a short intro with the melody and then quickly into psychadelia and then nearly as quickly it was back into the melody line short and smiling and sweet. The musicians were in a sauna on stage and the crowd had it worse. It was packed and sweaty and hot like good old LA.

The other acts consisted of combinations of the three gurus in a singing trio grouped around one mic, a silly set from Tsuyama and Yoshida playing everyday items with contact mics (including zipper song, toothbrushing song, scissor song and drinking song) a set of very famous cover songs, and some really nice ambient violin drone work from Makoto.

These guys did this 9 show tour on an around the world plane ticket and every stop was a 24 hour layover. W e all wanted to go drinking but they were staying at a hotel near LAX to catch an early flight for their first show in Mexico City.

Here's a list of the bands and their descriptions that played the festival:

- ZUBI ZUVA X (Yoshida/Tsuyama/Kawabata)

Eccentric poly-rhythmic a cappella ensemble. It covers from Gregorian chant to ethnic music, to do-wop to hardcore screaming, heavily using irregular rhythms and polyrhythm. All sorts of ideas and aberrant musicality overturn the image of a cappella. their totally meaningless lyrics and desperate performances throw the audiences into the abyss of the laughter and admiration. it makes the concept of singing abilitynonsense.

- AKATEN (Tsuyama/Yoshida)

Formed in 1995 with the motto of irresponsibleness and perfunctoriness. They easily free themselves from the spell of the traditional seriousness of the Art. Using daily commodities like scissors, toothbrush, zipper, camera, and plastic bottle as percussions, and shouting their brand names over and over as the songs, the show is performed under the concept of low cost and maximum sound effect. AKATEN is the experimental convenience store punk band that provides the sound images of cheap and simple daily lives.

- RUINS ALONE (Yoshida)

RUINS is pioneer of Drum & Bass duo. Tunes are complicated and mysterious, and songs are sung in the language of their own invention. It's high-tension, wild, heavy, speedy, acute, and powerful tremendous ensemble never sounds like they are only two players. since last bassist left Yoshida still seeking a bassist and currently he has been playing as RUINS ALONE. playing RUINS songs with sampling bass. this time Yoshida will play songs from Koenji Hyakkei and Korekyojinn too.

- ZOFFY (Tsuyama/Kawabata)

Formed in 1998. Zoffy's music hints both at the members' deep musical knowledge via their improvised performances of troubadour music and European trad, and also at their deep love for rock via their destructivist covers of classic rock songs, that no longer sounds like anything but ZOFFY. The group believes that humor is essential in music, and their unprecedented performances stray far from the beaten track. Is this the Ultima Thule that rock music has long been aiming for?

- SHRINP WARK (Kawabata/Yoshida)

A new improvising duo consisting of Yoshida from Ruins and Kawabata from AMT. group inspired by This Heat and band name taken from their song Shrink Wrap. Cosmic chemical reaction sound that embraces a multidimensional chaos based upon the principles of minimalism, an anarchistic warping of the time axis, and ultra-accelerated revolving of time pArticles.

- ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE SWR (Kawabata/Tsuyama/Yoshida)

Acid Mothers Temple have rapidly become acclaimed as the greatest, most extreme trip psychedelic group in the world. Releases have appeared on labels around the world at an amazing pace, and the magnificence of their live performances is already being whispered of as legendary. SWR is the AMT Family's most powerful battle-formation yet. featuring Tsuyama and Kawabata from the original AMT and Yoshida from Ruins. their crushingly acute freakout sound will pulverize the world's legions of wannabe psych groups.

- SEIKAZOKU (Kawabata/Tsuyama/Yoshida)

Formed in 1996. The expansive musicality of the group, which nonchalantly references classic prog and rock, ethnic music, jazz and contemporary composition, is backed up the three members' impressive backgrounds and the depth of their musical knowledge. Improvised music for holy trinity heresy that ru ns the full gamut of ethnic and electric instruments, primitive stupidity, the suspicious stench of medieval alchemy, the raw power of early rock music, all leavened with a pinch of cosmic incoherency.

Blog San Diego is an online resource for live music reviews, cd reviews, music news & features.

Author:: Eric Nielsen
Keywords:: japanese new music festival,music review
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How To Play The Organ On Stage With A Drummer And A Singer While Having A Heart Attack

Its a strange title isnt it, but I did have a heart attack while backing a singer on stage very recently and I thought I would share my experience with other Musicians, who I know, have thought about, what if I had a heart attack while on stage.

First, let me say that having a heart attack is a very serious business and I nearly died from mine. This is not a tutorial on how to survive a heart attack while playing a Musical instrument despite the slightly flippant title, but I have had the experience and that entitles me to write about it.

Its Saturday night, time 8:15PM, and I arrived at the club. I order a pint of beer then make my way to the stage. Already backstage are the compare, the drummer and the first artist of the evening. We have a normal jokey banter as we always do, and then the drummer and I play an instrumental piece, which if memory serves was a Musical selection from War of the Worlds. The compare then sings a song, but I cannot remember what t hat song was.

It is now 8:40PM and in the dressing room we are taking the dots (Music) for the first artist, a female vocalist, we take about twelve pieces of Music which is about forty five minutes worth.

It is now 8:50PM and the first artist starts her spot. My memory is a bit shaky here because I cannot remember any of the pieces of Music we played except the last one. From now on all times are approx times.

9:00PM I have a strong heartburn feeling and I tried to cool it with a quick gulp of beer. We are on to about the third or fourth piece of Music.

9:10PM I still have the heartburn feeling and I am starting to feel hot and sweaty. The piece of Music we are now playing is Sometimes When We Touch by Dan Hill. I am now starting to feel ill and I am thinking to myself that I will have to go off stage to have a break, right in the middle of a spot, something I have never done since I starting playing in clubs thirty years ago. This piece of Music see ms to be going on and on my senses are now very heightened. Now playing the last page of this Music and I feel very very ill. Finally, we finish the piece of Music. While the audience are still applauding, I say to the artist I am just going for a five minute break. She started to laugh, she thinks I am joking. I staggered to the dressing room.

9:15PM I sat down in the dressing room in front of the mirror, I was as white as a ghost and wet through and still did not realize I was having a heart attack. The compare enters the dressing room wanting to know why I had left the stage. I told him I feel very ill and get an ambulance and then I passed out.

Time unknown. I woke up with four or five people round me; somebody had placed a wet towel on the back of my neck, which felt great. I asked the compare how long I was unconscious he replied about thirty seconds, which I thought was unbelievable. I have checked with him since and he confirms it was about thirty seconds .

9:30PM Ambulance arrives, with full sirens blazing and the paramedics enter the dressing room which seems to be getting full with people from the audience. They then proceed to walk me to the ambulance, get me in and strap me down.

While in the ambulance the paramedics start to take my blood pressure take a sample of blood, inform me that my blood pressure is very low and give me an aspirin to chew, and then literally bombed it to the hospital, which probably fortunate for me was only about five minutes away.

Having been rushed in to the A&E unit I was suddenly surrounded by doctors who took blood, wired me up to a heart monitor and I seem to remember being injected with morphine and I had to take a tablet and place it between my bottom lip and my gum. I was now getting quite delirious. I remember a doctor saying to me in slow precise words you are having a heart attack he also said I need your permission to give you a drug that has a 1 in 100 chance of c ausing a stroke I replied do what you have to do.

I have a very vivid memory of my last moments in A&E. As I was passing out again, I kept saying I feel very bad, I feel rough and I heard voices saying hang on Michael and my wife who had arrived by then said later that they ripped all the electrodes of me and got ready with paddles I presume to shock me back in to life. I found out later that my heart slowed so much it was about to stop. Fortunately, my heart started up again just in the nick of time and then I was shipped to the coronary care unit where I started my recovery.

People have asked me what did it feel like and my answer is there was no pain if felt like heartburn initially, then dizziness and sweating but in my case no chest pains. Apparently, there are many different symptoms to a heart attack.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody from the Oldham Royal Hospital from the paramedics who were brilliant to the A&E doctors, the CCU 1 and F8 ward nurses and doctors that quite literally saved my life. Thank You.

Finally, much as been said about the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom recently, that is not very flattering and while I am sure there must be some problems within this great creation, my experience has been and continues to be a positive one. So, God bless the NHS.

Visit http://www.mikesMusicroom.co.uk.

Michael David Shaw (Mike to his friends) runs the website http://www.mikesMusicroom.co.uk the place for organ and keyboard tuition and Music news. You can email Mike at mike@mikesMusicroom.co.uk.

Author:: Mike Shaw
Keywords:: piano lessons, organ lessons, sheet Music, Music lessons, Music, how to play piano, heart attack, Nh
Post by History of t he Computer | Computer safety tips

How to Start Up a FM Radio Station

Whether you are looking for information on how to start up a FM radio station that operates on a low power FM basis, operates on a full power frequency or alternatively streams on the internet, it is essential to first establish what the options available to you are. It is also important to understand the process for obtaining a frequency, what the licensing requirements are, and also what type of FM Broadcasting equipment and studio gear you will need to run the radio station.

The following is a brief outline of some of the options that may be available. Please that not all options may be available in all countries, as license conditions do vary.

When it comes to how to start up a FM radio station, one of the options is low power FM. This type of radio station operates at lesser p ower than commercial stations and so they cover a smaller area. The exact area they will cover is dependent on terrain and the exact amount of power you are permitted. Again depending on the country you live in, the low power FM service may enable you to broadcast anywhere near from 500mW to 100W, and may be license-free or alternatively it may be licensed. This level of power is sufficient to cover anywhere between a radius of a few kilometres to several kilometres.

Another option is operating a full power licensed radio station. This type of frequency will give station maximum coverage and will enable you to reach as many listeners as possible. Depending on the country you live in, there can frequently be provisions to operate on a full power frequency, but either on a commercial, non-commercial or educational basis. However, operating a full power FM radio station can be a somewhat complicated process - especially during the initial stages of determining whether the re are frequencies available in your area and also costing the equipment that is needed. If you want to start up a full power FM radio station, then it is essential to get expert guidance at the earliest stage. This will ensure you get the information you need to make an informed decision.

If these options don't appeal or are not available in your area, you have one other method for how to start up a FM radio station. You are able to establish a station that streams on the internet. It will be available to a worldwide audience and can stream in your choice of format. Common formats include Winamp and Windows Media Player, although generally we recommend the latter as most people won't need to download any additional software to listen to your station. This type of radio station can use a great deal of bandwidth, so it is important to have a fast speed internet connection with a high data cap limit.

When it comes to choosing the type of station you will set up, o ne of the most common constraints is budget. That said, it has been proven that a station can start out on a low power FM basis and successfully make the transition to operating a full power licensed commercial FM radio station. Some of the points to consider when looking how to start up a FM radio station include:

- The process for obtaining an FM frequency and what to look out for

How many Watts you will need to achieve the broadcast coverage you want

What your obligations will be when it comes to music royalties

- What specialist services you need before to assist you in submitting your application for a frequency

What is the most appropriate powered transmitter and what type of antenna would be needed

The type of radio automation software that will be used

For further information on how to start up a FM radio station please visit http://www.themulcher.com or email radio@themulcher.com

The Mulcher FM has over 5 years ex perience helping set up over a dozen low power FM and commercial FM radio stations across New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, as well as advising on countless other installations in the US, UK and other parts of the world...

Author:: Claire Calkin
Keywords:: radio station, start up, set up, FM, Broadcasting, commercial FM, starting up, low power FM
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Cheap Drum Sets

Owning a drum set is every drum players dream! But buying a drum set can be pretty expensive. If youre a beginner and just beginning to explore the world of drumming, you dont have to spend thousands on a good drum set that will help you get stArted.

A relatively inexpensive drum set should include everything you need to get stArted a five piece set of drums, cymbals, sticks and hardware. Pulse Pro Drums, Verve Vibe Drums and Coda Drums are brands that offer a decent set of beginner sets, although there are countless other brands to be found online, in catalogues, and in brick-and-mortar stores in or near your locale. Its best to stick with t he basics and move on if you decide to take drumming seriously. To move on implies buying a more expensive, higher-quality drum set.

Most inexpensive drum sets can be upgraded by replacing the drumheads with better ones. You can also replace the symbols and the bass drum petal for a higher grade. You might also consider spending a little more money on a better set made by an established company. They generally offer a better warranty and are easier to sell when youre ready to move on to a better set. Brand name companies who make better, beginner drum sets include Ludwig, Drum Workshop (DW), Tama, Premier and Mapex.

The cost of a drumset can range from practically nothing (giveaways or throwaways) to thousands and thousands of dollars. You can choose something in the middle and work your way up from there as you improve on your drumming.

Drum Sets provides detailed information on Drum Sets, Cheap Drum Sets, Electronic Drum Sets, Used Drum Sets and more. Dru m Sets is affiliated with Steel Drums.

Author:: Richard Romando
Keywords:: Drum Sets, Cheap Drum Sets, Electronic Drum Sets, Used Drum Sets
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How To Fake Being A Better Guitarist In Five Simple Steps Part 1 Of 2

You spend five hours a day playing your guitar. You run your scales, master your legato, your two hand tapping would make EVH blush. So why is it that every time you see a band playing at a bar with a guitarist with only a smidgen of your technical ability he is the centre of attention, garnering the praise of all the punters in the crowd?

Wait a minute. Isn't that the band that you tried out for the other week? The same band that said don't call us, we'll call you? The same band that was witness to your smoking 32nd note Lydian masterpiece solo?

Yeah it is, and you got smoked because the guitarist on stage knows how to fake being better than they actually are.

It's not a hard thing to do. I should know, I've done it for years. I'm the first to admit to being an average guitarist (actually, I've been practicing a lot lately and now would call myself an above average player, but that is another column in the works). Despite being average, I would get a l ot of people, drunken punters, other musicians, women, all approach me after shows proclaiming how good I am. Like most of my ex-girlfriends, I've been faking it all along. And now I am going to teach you how to do the same.

Over the next two weeks, I will share with you my five secret tips to help you Fake Being A Better Guitarist. We'll stArt today with tip #1 and #2.

1. Decent equipment is a must and look professional
Sorry boys and girls, it's time to spend some money. A picture is worth a thousand words, and when it comes to music your image is worth a thousand notes. There is nothing quite as satisfying showing up to a guitarist cattle call with your Marshall half stack on a trolley as you pass all the little Peavey Bandit combos and the like. Straight away you give the impression that you k now what you are doing.

But this is not just about your amp. Guitars, effects, leads, the whole lot. This means guitar cases, if you have multiple effects a decent pedal board system set up and ready to just plug in. You need to look somewhat professional without looking like a complete tosser.

It's even more important on stage. Standing on stage with a nice looking guitar and a cool backline is confidence building to say the least. Plus it makes you look damn sexy to boot.

This doesn't mean spending a fortune though. I have an amazing sounding Fender Twin, but it stays at home while my Marshall AVT150 half stack hits the road with me. The half stack with my Epiphone Les Paul with classic tri-tone sunburst finish and some decent threads make me look the business.

2. Learn to sing
I can't stress this enough. An average guitarist who is an average singer will get more gigs than an awesome guitarist who sounds like a dying dolphin. It makes you are more versatile, worthwhile musician for any band if you can step up to the mic and sing as well. It makes you look like a musician, rather than just a guitarist. It's also a hell of a lot of fun.

Of course, some people just cannot sing, and this is you then don't try to. Be honest with yourself on this one. If you can't sing and you try to then you just look like a fool. And looking like a fool will not make you look like a good guitarist.

A good way to improve your singing is stArt singing along with your favourite Artists. It's a clich, but stArt in the shower / bathroom with a small stereo cranking out some of you favourite songs. The natural reverb will make your voice sound better and give you some confidence (it's an old studio trick to feed a wet mix back to the singer as they are recording). Then progress to the car while you're driving. It's private and you can just belt it out while you are in between your normal routine. Then the hard pArt comes. Listen to some music with harmonies and try to sing the different pArts. I found Alice In Chains is especially good for doing this. And finally add harmonies to songs th at don't have them.

When you are confident you can do that, then, and only then, try to sing when you are playing. When you can do that (and that will take a while) you can stArt to think about doing it with your band.

Wrap Up
So there are the first two tips, looking the pArt and learning to sing. These two things alone will make you look more like a real musician and come across as a real guitarist. Remember that being a guitarist is more than just playing well, it is a persona, a way of being. By rounding out these other facets of your guitarist personality, the way others will perceive you skills will rise dramatically. Next wee k I'll look at the next three tips and by then you'll be able to fake it just like that guitarist on the stage.

Chris Watson is an on again / off again professional musician from Newcastle, Australia. He is also the owner of http://www.guitArtoybox.com.

Author:: Chris Watson
Keywords:: Learn Guitar, Play Guitar
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Blues Music History

Blues is probably the purest American music ever produced and along with its jazz counterpart is the only true American music form. Its roots lie in the work songs of West African slaves in the South. When they toiled hard in the fields of South plantation owners, these slaves built a call and response method of singing, thus lending rhythm to the drudgery of their lives. These came to be called field hollers and became the basis of all Blues music to follow. After the Civil War ended, the blacks could either work as field labor or become traveling minstrels. So quite a few ended up being the latter performing at all-nighters, fish-frys a nd juke joints, relying on their stamina and mental repertoire of many Blues songs.

Powerful Blues Music Is Officially Born

While the lyrics of Blues songs seem soulful and sad, the music itself is quite powerful and emotive filled with rhythm and celebrating the life of black Americans. What makes this kind of music appealing is its reflection of their daily lives, talking about sex, drinking, poverty, love lost, hard labor anything they experienc ed.

Among the first documented Blues is W C Handys Memphis Blues in 1909. The music grew in popularity and when the 78-RPM phonograph came in the late 1920s Paramount, Aristocrat and other record labels recorded some of the famous country Blues artists. Around 1941-1943, field recordings of Blues m en were made in their surroundings by famous Blues folklorist Alan Lomax. This is significant because thats how the white folks got introduced to the Blues. Budding artists got exposure to some national record labels.

Blues Travels North

The blacks migrated North during the Great Depression along the route of the Illinois Central Railroad toward Chicago, bringing with them Blues music. With huge crowds gathering to enjoy this, performers like Muddy Waters and Howlin Wolf switched to electric guitars and also included drum sets to their bands. This became even more powerful than the original Blues. There was a lull until the late 1950s when The Kingston Trio recorded the chart topper, Tom Dooley, and gave birth to the folk revival in 1958. The Newport Folk Festival then brought back folk and Blues music to the white American people till 1966.

What followed later was a merging of Blues with rock forming the rock Blues bands of the 1960s and 1970s. Some artists faithful to the form were The Rolling Stones, John Mayall, Led Zeppelin.

Types of Blues Music

There are four types of Blues music. The Deltas Blues is said to be the original being played by the black men from the Mississippi delta region, using the piano or harmonica. The style was a call and response lyrical framing. Then we have the Chicago Blues, which used electric amplification of voice using mics, drum sets and electric guitars. The Texas Blues are similar to the Chicago Blues. In the early 1960s originated the Blues-rock, which was directly influenced by the Delta and Chicago Blues.

by

Werner Wichmann - http://www.electricguitarz.com

Author:: Werner Wichmann
Keywords:: Blues music history, the Blues, Blues, Blues music
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Kid Rock Music Tickets

When you want to have a fabulous time at a Rock concert, you should try going to a Kid Rock one. You will have so much fun and enjoyment packed into one evening that you would never forget it. You can get Kid Rock Tickets and have the best night of your life. Take some of your best friends and let them enjoy the fun too.

You can find many online ticket holders to help you with your Kid Rock Tickets. You will find that you can purchase Tickets for just ab out anyones budget. The Tickets will be for all different seats and areas at the concert and you can choose where you want to be seated for the fun.

Once you go to a Kid Rock show, you will want to go to all of them. You can look online at most of the ticket masters to find where and when he is going to be playing. You can go to as many shows as you want and buy the Tickets online so that you have them delivered to your home in time for the concert.

You cannot find better Tickets anywhere else than online. Once you see what there is to offer and how cheap the Tickets are, you will not have to worry about looking anywhere else for the Kid Rock Tickets that you have been dying to have. You will be up close and personal with one of the best singers there is. You will not find a better concert anywhere else than with him.

Kid Rock Tickets usually sell out fast, so that is why it is important to make sure th at you buy them early so that you can get the seats that you want. You may find that the better seats sell out faster so you should try to get those as soon as you can to make sure that you get what you want.

Kid Rock is a great performer. The Music is loud, the dancing is cool and the fun is definite. There is so much fun to have at a concert that you will want to back for more. Getting Kid Rock Tickets will be the best form of entertainment that anyone can enjoy for a lifetime. You can take all of your friends, or go alone. Either way will be the best night of your life.

About the author:

Magne Bjorklund http://www.Kid-Rock-concert-Tickets.info/
Please also visit: http://www.Kid-atv.net/
http://www.a-permanent-laser-hair-removal.info/

Author:: Magne Bjorklund
Keywords:: Kid, Rock, Music ,Tickets,Kid Rock,Kid Rock band,Kid Rock concert,Kid Rock concert ticket
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Used Electric Guitars

An electric guitar is a musical instrument made mostly of a solid or semi solid body. It makes use of electrical currents to convert the vibration of the strings into electrical power. The converted electrical power may be filtered electronically to play the same sounds with different characters. Electric guitars became popular in the big bands era of the 70's, when rock was the prevailing culture in the world of music. At that point, electric guitars were necessary to compete with the amplified instruments used by the jazz orchestras.

Initially, electric guitars were simple hollow arch top acoustic guitar bodies with electromagnetic amplifiers. New electric guitars are generally more expensive than traditional guitars. This prompted many guitarists to purchase used electrical guitars, as they provided the same quality of sound but were cheaper.

Owing to the high cost of new electric guitars, many amateur musicians opt for used ones. Used electric guitars are s old when an owner decides to upgrade to a new model or has stopped playing. While buying a used guitar, it is advisable to know the previous owner. The only physically visible wear on a used guitar is the wearing out of the stings that can be easily replaced and tuned.

There are various factors that affect the sound produced by a used electric guitar. This includes the wood type used in the frame, quality of strings, number of strings, pickup, guitar necks and frets. The ability to distinguish the sound of a used electric guitar as good or bad depends on how seasoned a musician is.

It is advisable to take a trained musician along when purchasing a used guitar. Sounds produced by a previously used guitar do not change much if the previous user has handled the instrument with care. Therefore, buying a used electric guitar does not have to compromise on the output quality and can prove to be economical.

Electric Guitars provides detailed information on Electri c Guitars, Acoustic Electric Guitars, Cheap Electric Guitars, Electric Bass Guitars and more. Electric Guitars is affiliated with Piano Lessons.

Author:: Seth Miller
Keywords:: Electric Guitars, Acoustic Electric Guitars, Cheap Electric Guitars, Electric Bass Guitars
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Guitar Lesson Nailing Palm Mute Guitar in Metal

Whether it be death, black, thrash or alternative, heavy metal and the palm mute guitar technique go hand in hand to creating that rhythmic brutality we relish.

In metal music, the rhythm guitarist has a role to play in shaping the melody and the percussive aspects. Palm muting specifically in metal is about exploiting percussive qualities of the guitar under high gain and heavy distortion.

==The Basics of Palm Mute Tone==

The first thing to note is that you don't actually use the palm of your hand when palm muting (well, almost) - rather the meaty pArt of the edge of your hand below your pinky finger. When placed over the strings just in front of the bridge of your guitar and you strike the strings as usual, you get that muted punch.

The further your palm is positioned toward the neck, away from the bridge, the more percussive and less defined whatever note or chord you're playing will sound. If you're a fan of Meshuggah, you'll know they have a very distinct and dry palm mute sound which is created by palm muting further away from the bridge towards the guitar neck.

So first thing would be to establish the position of your palm based on the sound you're after.

==Different Styles of Palm Muting==

With all palm muting techniques it's important to keep your picking hand as stationary as possible, using it only as a pivoting point over the muted area. What I do, to ensure all 6 strings are muted (if you need all 6) is get the meaty hand edge in position as usual but also lay out my pinky finger just about parallel to the bridge. This ensures the meaty pArt of your hand is stretch ed out over as much of the stringed area as possible.

- The downstroke is the most commonly used palm mute technique in rock, punk and metal. It simply involves getting your palm in position and then downpicking as usual in quick, sharp stabs. Picking in this way will enhance the punch of the bass and the cut of the treble through your guitar's EQ settings.

- Constant Alternate picking is where you add an upstroke to the strumming pattern - up/down/up/down/etc. in a constant rhythmic motion. Players use this to effectively double the speed of the riff, where using only downstrokes would prove too much for the average person's endurance. Whilst palm muting, this creates a violent percussive effect. The more violent and wide your picking strokes, the more violent the sound.

- Machine gunning is a technique used excessively in thrash and death metal. Probably the most famous and satisfying use of it is in Metallica's One amidst the lyric Darkness imprisoning m e.... It usually involves rhythmic bursts of 3 strokes (up/down/up - up/down/up etc.) or 5 strokes (up/down/up/down/up - up/down/up/down/up etc.) played very quick and mixed with regular downstrokes and unmuted interruptions. Precision and an excellent sense of rhythm and timing is needed. StArting slow with a metronome and gradually building up your speed is the best way to accomplish the speed of metal's best rhythm guitarists.

==Using palm mute guitar playing dynamically==

Mixing palm muted phrases with occasional injections of unmuted phrases is what adds depth to rhythm guitar playing.

e.g.

P= palm muted chord/diad
U= unmuted chord/diad

P-----P-----P-----P------U-------P------U---U------P-----P-----P-----P------U-------P------U----U-

And of course, palm muting complim ents the drums, so you can work with the bass drum or against it. Often, metal guitarists will machine gun in sync with double-bass drumming to emphasise the thunderous charge.

The best thing to do (and you probably do this anyway if you're a metal head) is listen to as many different genres of metal you can stay awake to. Death metal, for example, uses different dynamics to hardcore. Experiment and learn to utilise the chinese water torture of a metronome (even better, a drum machine or backing tracks).

Happy thrashing!

For some in depth lessons with audio examples and exercises in rhythmic palm muting and more, see the heavy metal guitar lessons section on Mike's website.

Author:: Mike Beatham
Keywords:: guitar lesson, palm mute, palm muting
Post by History of the Computer | Computer safety tips

What to Look for in a Guitar Humidifier

Dry winter weather or environments can cause serious damage to acoustic guitars, in the form of cracks in the wood. This damage may require expensive repairs or reduce the sound quality of your fine instrument.

One way to supply additional humidity to your guitar is through a device known as a guitar humidifier. These devices are designed to release humidity inside the guitar through the sound-hole. Sound-hole humidifiers all utilize some type of water reservoir with an absorbent medium such as a sponge, water absorbent floral foam or absorbent polymer. The medium is then surrounded by some type of cover which holds the water absorbent medium in place and restricts the flow of water evaporation from the medium. To get inside your guitar, they slip between your guitar strings and are held in place there. Depending upon the brand of humidifier you purchase, it may or may not touch the wood inside your guitar. Dampit is designed to lie inside your guitar, while Planet W aves and Oasis are completely suspended from the strings.

Water holding capacity and the restrictiveness of the outer cover are the greatest factors in determining how often you will need to refill the device. Needless to say, you cant stick a quArt container of water inside your guitar, but there are several humidifiers that will hold an ounce (30 ccs) or more such as Oasis or Planet Waves. If your guitar needs several ccs per day of water vapor, a humidifier that holds only 5-10 ccs will need to be refilled every few days.

Planet Waves and Dampit utilize holes in the outside membrane to release water vapor. Oasis uses a fabric which allows the water vapor, but not the water, to pass through the material to keep your guitar humidified. One downside to evaporation holes is the risk of water leakage. V ery careful handling can minimize, but not eliminate this risk. Oasis is a water-tight, sealed unit which eliminates the risk of water leakage.

When to refill your humidifier is one of the great mysteries which have been solved by Oasis. Since Oasis is a flexible sealed container, is shrinks as the water inside of it evaporates through the fabric. When Oasis begins to look like a prune, you need to refill it.

All of the sound-hole humidifiers work. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. As with any new product you purchase, please read the directions carefully before use.

David Hepple is the inventor of the Oasis Guitar Humidifier. Since the age of 13, he has played either a nylon stringed classical or flat top steel stringed guitar. For the past 14 years, he has been an active volunteer with the Baltimore Classical Guitar Society, serving as President from 1999 to 2003 and now as treasurer. Prior to being President, he booked the organization's con cert series.

Author:: Dave Hepple
Keywords:: Guitar humidifier, gibson guitar, gibson guitars, acoustic guitar, mArtin guitars, acoustic guitars,
Post by History of the Computer | Computer safety tips

Dierks Bentley Brings The Heat From Nashville To The North!

Dierks Bentley is more than meets the eye, but what does meet the eye is pretty darn hard not to look at. His presence is warm, inviting and you feel like you just sat down with an old friend. Kat and I sat down to talk to the Country Music star when he was in Toronto promoting his new album, Modern Day Drifter. The lead track off the album,A lot of Leavin' Left to do made us wonder where the song came from. Pretty self explanatory to some, a guy leavin' a lot of women, but Dierks shared with us that his career is what takes precedence right now and that is where his focus lies. That and with all of his fans around the world, of course. Dierks has recently sold his house, Being on the road so much, I am hardly in one place too long, it just made sense to sell. Another ode to leavin'. So with a house sol d, no nest, is there space for someone in your life or was there someone? Dierks doesn't hesitate to give us the low-down dirty shame, Well, there was someone special in my life and I did ask her to marry me.

What I was hoping for was a three letter answer and instead I got two, Dierks chuckles, Actually it was more like four letters and then two, but anyway she said no. It seems that he manages to roll with the punches, not looking back on his past too much and make a song or two out of it all. Luckily, Kat and I were nice and close to Dierks should he have felt the need to cry on our shoulder. But, no need, he doesn't miss a beat and we move onto where it all started for Dierks.

Well, the long and short of it is, I grew up in Phoenix, Arizona with a lot of Country Music around me, my dad loved Country Music. One day, I heard Hank Williams Jr. singing about, I think he has a song called, Naked Women and Beer and I thought that this guy was pretty cool. Kat pipes in, So that was your inspiration then? Dierks gives us a hearty southern laugh, Yeah, but I also was listening to Alan Jackson and Garth Brooks too. Oh so were you at the concert when he asked Trisha Yearwood to marry him?, Kat asks. Yeah, I was and I thought that was pretty cool and it was kinda nice to see that, says Dierks. Dierks continues on to tell us that it was many Musical artists that influenced him to keep going. That and the fact that many people who heard him sing would say that he had a good voice. So Dierks took that as a good sign, took it with him and his guitar to Nashville when he was 19 yrs old. Dierks goes onto say, Nashville is the place to be if you really want to make any head way as a Country artist, So that is where I moved to.

Being so young and on his own, Dierks took just about any job he could get his hands on and played at any gig or venue he could. He even had a job at TNN, but stayed so below the radar that everyone just kind of leave s you alone. Often times if someone would pass me by in the copy area or something, I would just be (ughh, ahhh) and most people would just leave you alone. Act frustrated and most people just stay away from you, chuckles Dierks.So that's how you would support yourself then, says Kat.Pretty much. That would give me my paycheque and I would play and write songs at night, Dierks lets out a sigh and eases back into the couch.

It is those very early years that has given him the discipline that drives the machine of Dierks Bentley. I just dug in my heels and kept working!, Dierks continues on to say, it's all about the Music. www.Dierks.com for more of that Music, tour dates and press. Well, Dierks Bentley made Kat and I love Country Music a little bit more. His performance later that evening at CLUB 279 HARD ROCK CAFE, Toronto, made us go out and purchase the album, Now, even if you haven't caught Dierks Bentley in concert, no doubt you will soon, but in the meantime go out and buy his album- I am sure you will love him, I mean Country, a little more!

For More Log onto: www.sugarcainentertainment.com

Orlena Cain - Entertainment Journalist for Sugarcain Entertainment.com An all female based E:Zine from Toronto, Ontario-Canada

Author:: Orlena Cain
Keywords:: Music,Country,Dierks,Bentley
Post by History of the Computer | Computer safety tips

An Easy Way to Get the New Age Sound

When I first stumbled upon the Open Position Chord, I knew I had discovered something special! Here was a chord that had its notes spread out over 2 octaves! With this much space, the sound that is produced is beautiful and wide open - hence the name of the chord. And it's perfect for the New Age style of piano playing! For example, in Lesson 26: Rabbit in Snow, we use the OPC to create with. The Chords are chosen. The key is set (A Major). Now all that is left to do is improvise.

With this set of limitations, it becomes a matter of playing around with the possibilities. I use the Chords and the element of time to create with. My left hand usually stays in the initial position while my right is free to play melody. It leaves the initial position but always returns to the OPC configuration.

To use the OPC, one must be able to play with it without worrying too much about what's coming out. The more you play, the more you will discover. Not by trying or forcing, b ut by allowing. The secret to using this chord position is to play around with its innumerable possibilities. Here is a chord structure that allows you to play with both hands right away, and is perfect for the New Age style!

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Stop by now at http://www.quiescenceMusic.com/pianolessons.html for a FREE piano lesson!

Author:: Edward Weiss
Keywords:: open position chord,Chords ,new age piano,Music,new age
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How To Play Piano Using Chord Symbols

Chord symbols (for example, Fm7, Cmaj7 or G6) are a type of notation used frequently in Jazz and other areas of modern music to notate chord progressions and changes. This type of notation differs from that of classical music in that chord symbols don't show the function of a chord the way the Roman numeral notation does. Chord symbols, for modern music with lots of changes, are much easier to read. They function as a sort of shorthand for change-heavy music and are written with four chord parts in mind: the root, the quality, the extension, and the alterations.

The first part in chord symbols, the root, tells the musician which note is the root of the chord. In an E6 chord, for instance, the E serves as the root. Chord symbols also allow for inverted Chords, or Chords with a root other than the bass no te. These chord symbols express that by showing the bass note with a diagonal slash under the original symbol.

Quality, the second part in chord symbols, denotes whether the chord is major, minor, diminished, or augmented. In a Cmaj7, the maj tells us that the C chord is major. The abbreviations for this area in chord symbols are maj, min, dim, and aug, respectively.

The extension in chord symbols, written after the quality, shows the musician if the chord differs from a triad (a third chord), such as an eleventh or seventh. This part of chord symbols is not always shown; if there is no indication of an extension, the musician is to assume that the chord is a triad.

The last part in chord symbols, the alteration, is usually but not always expressed. Think of this part as the notes section in chord symbols; it gives the musician any specific (and sometimes irregular) instructions for playing the chord and is always written in parentheses after the extension (or the quality, if no extension exists). For instance, (no fifth) would tell the musician that the chord is to be played with the fifth tone left out. Sus short for suspension, would mean to play the 4th scale note instead of the 3rd. A minus sign would mean to lower (flat) a chord tone, such as C-9 which would mean to flat the 9th of the chord. Conversely, a plus sign would mean to raise (sharp) a particular chord tone.

Reading music using chord symbols allows a person to use written music as a map, rather than a note-for-note approach. By just reading the melody note and the chord symbols, musicians can improvise to their hearts content and create their own sounds on the keyboard.

The best of all worlds, however, is to be able to read music as it is written in a sheet music score, but also be able to read the chord symbols. Then the musician is free to choose which is best the written part, or an improvised part. The sky is the limit for musicians who can do both.

Duane Shinn is the author of over 500 music courses for adults including How To Add Runs & Fills To Your Piano Playing He is also the author of the popular free 101-week online e-mail newsletter titled Amazing Secrets Of Exciting Piano Chords & Sizzling Chord Progressions with over 60,400 current subscribers

Author:: Duane Shinn
Keywords:: piano playing, Chords, chord symbols, sheet music, Jazz, how to play piano
Post by History of the Computer | Computer safety tips

Is It Possible To Create Cool "New Age" Sounds On The Piano Without Knowing A Thing About Music?

I'll admit that for many years as a piano teacher I didn't think so.

But in the last couple years I made a discovery about creating pleasant sounds on the piano that I never would have believed during my earlier piano teaching career.

I recall a physician friend asking me if I had any kind of course he could take that didn't involve learning to read Music or Music theory or any of the traditional materials. He had purchased a beautiful Yamaha grand for his daughter to take lessons on when she was growing up, but now she was married and moved away, so he had this grand piano in his living room with no one to play it. He was much t oo busy in his career to take traditional piano lessons he just wanted to doodle after work in the evening and relax after a stress-filled day at the hospital.

Unfortunately, I told him no I don't have anything like that available sorry! and that was the end of that story.

But a few months later another student had heard a new age pianist somewhere, and loved the sounds he produced so much that they wanted to do the same, and asked me how in the world he got those sounds. They weren't really songs more like the sounds of nature and running water and nature in bloom.

I have taught piano for 30 years and I'm a firm believer in learning to read Music, understand Music, and really master the keyboard. I'm no fan of mindless shortcuts because I know in the long run they just don't work you've got to have understanding.

But I also know now that there are many people like my doctor friend people that would love to be able to make their own pleasant sounds on the piano just for their own satisfaction, relaxation, and amusement. They know full well that they will never be full-blown piano players, but still, they would like to sit down now and then and just make some sounds on the keyboard that sound good, feel good, and give satisfaction to them and/or their family.

I should have understood that earlier, because as I think back to my own youth, I recall my Dad sitting down at our old upright piano for a half-hour on a Saturday night and playing some kind of chording pattern that absolutely delighted my Mom and my big brother and I. I guess you know that if I could call him back from He aven and have him play that again for me, I wouldn't trade the entire London Symphony for that half-hour.

There is a style of Music that is quite popular these days known as new age Music. It tries to capture the sounds of nature water flowing, birds, wind that kind of thing. It is very descriptive Music, and very relaxing. It's fun to play, too, because there are really no wrong answers anything that sounds nice and pleasant is right.

After trying for several mo nths to create some of these sounds on the piano, I was delighted to discover that there are some very simple finger patterns that can create some wonderful impressionistic sounds patterns that can be repeated in various places on the keyboard and in various ways.

And so for those people who just want to make some nice sounds on the piano (or keyboard or synthesizer it doesn't matter what kind of keyboard) I discovered some 15 different sound patterns that anyone can duplicate. I named some of them:

Cascading waterfalls
Wind in the forest
Rainbow after storm
Oriental gardens
Stroll in a meadow
Peaceful morning
Playful kittens
Gentle waves
and 7 others.

After I discovered each sound pattern, I then linked those sound patterns together in various ways so that anyone can create their own song, their own creative improvisation that expresses the feelings they want to express.

I guess an old doctor friend who just wanted t o make some pleasant sounds on his grand piano can teach and old dog piano teachers like me a few tricks after all!

Duane Shinn is the author of over 500 Music books and Music educational materials such as DVD's, CD's, Musical games for kids, chord charts, Musical software, and piano lesson instructional c ourses for adults. His book-CD-DVD course titled How To Create Cool New Age Sounds On The Piano! is now being used around the world by folks who just want to relax and enjoy some pleasant sounds of their own. Duane is also the author of the popular free 101-week online e-mail newsletter titled Amazing Piano Lesson Secrets Of Exciting Piano Chords & Sizzling Chord Progressions with over 70,000 current subscribers.

Author:: Duane Shinn
Keywords:: new age Music, piano playing, Music
Post by History of the Computer | Computer safety tips